Readings IN Philippine History- Content and Context Analysis

BS Psychology

READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY (GED 105)

Content and Contextual Analysis Of

Selected Primary Sources: Written
Sources
Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People
Ambrosio Riazares Bautista

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People

A. Background of the Author-Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista

Ambrosio “Don Bosyong” Rianzares Bautista, was a lawyer and General Emilio
Aguinaldo confidante, was born on December 07, 1830 in Biñan, Laguna to Gregorio
Enriquez Bautista and Silvestra Altamira. He was called “Tio Bosyong” by our National
Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whom his distant relative and sought advice from Ambrosio during
his student days in Manila.

Bautista completed his early education in his hometown and obtained his Bachelor
of Laws degree in University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1965. His distinguished colleagues
include Chief Justice Cayetano S. Arellano, Chief Justice Florentino Torres, Rafael del Pan
and Dr. Pedro Paterno. He practiced law in Manila as well as dedicated free legal services
to poor clients. Bautista once captured by a group of bandits but freed after they knew that
he saved many of their friends as a defender of the poor in court cases against rich Filipinos
and Spaniards. As a result, he became known as a stalwart defender of the poor, and
labourers. His generosity made him so popular.

Bautista joined various organizations and association that superheaded the national
interests of the Filipinos at the time in order to show his patriotism in our country.

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 At the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in July 1986, Bautista was arrested and
jailed in Fort Santiago. However, he was later released after defending himself. On the
second time, Spanish government gave him a second warrant of arrest after finding out that
he was really involve in the revolution. Fortunately, after his release from prison, he
immediately went into hiding somewhere in Malabon.

In 1898, Bautista became the first adviser to President Emilio Aguinaldo yet he did
not act only as an adviser but penned several important state documents. The most
significant document that Bautista authored was the “Act of Proclamation of Philippine
Independence”. He patterned the act on the American declaration of Independence, which
was signed by 98 persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the
proclamation. As special delegate, he read the paper during the proclamation of
independence at Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite in the afternoon of Sunday, June
12, 1898. It was read in the presence of a crowd that also witnessed the unfurling of the
present Filipino flag, also conducted by Bautista and not Aguinaldo, while playing the
national anthem.

Bautista served as solicitor general of the revolutionary government. He served the

country until his death on December 4, 1903 at the age of 72 due to a fatal fall from a
horsedrawn vehicle.

B. Historical Background of the Document / Primary Source

The Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People or Acta de la

proclamación de la independencia del pueblo Filipino in Spanish, was originally written,
read and prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in Spanish and 18 pages long. It was
translated into English by Sulpicio Guevara, an author and became 4 pages long. The Act
of Philippine Independence was signed by 98 people.

The purpose and the motive of the author was to proclaim the sovereignty and
independence of the Philippines from the colonial rule of the Spanish Empire. Its audiences
are the Filipinos, colonists and the whole world in order to remind us that the Philippines
declared independence from the colonists.

The Proclamation is currently located in the National Library of the Philippines. It

is not on public display but it can be viewed with permission. During the Philippine
American government captured and sent to the United States about 400, 000 historical
documents. On the other hand, in 1958, the documents were handed to the Philippine
government along with two sets of microfilm of the entire collection, with the U.S. Federal
Government keeping one set. In 1980s or 1990s, the Proclamation was stolen from the

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 National Library. Investigation was occurred into the widespread theft of historical
documents and a subsequent public appeal for the return of stolen documents. However,
the Proclamation was returned to the National Library in 1994 by historian and University
of the Philippines professor, Milagros Guerrero, who mediated the return of the documents.

C. Content Analysis of the Important Historical Information Found in the Document

One of the interpretation of this document is it serves as the proof of being

independent of our country from the colonists. It is said that it expresses all about the events
occurred during the colonization in 300 years. This document also proved us that we have
rights to live freely and that we can be independent and fought for ourselves as well as for
our country in order to exercise the rights to live with freedom, peace of mind, and unity
with others.
On the other hand, Emilio Aguinaldo believed that through the proclamation of the
Independence of the Filipino people, they would be more encouraged to fought against the
colonizers and could led to a point that the other countries would acknowledge the
Independence of the country. But it did not happen the way it is, neither the Spain nor
United States consider the proclamation of Independence.
Furthermore, this document is all about the injustices and unfair treatment
experience by the Filipinos during that era. It reveals the abuses done by the civil guards,
how they kill unhumaneness and unmerciful abused the Filipinos particularly the prisoners
without any reasons. It reveals how the Spanish friars abused their authority and how they
use the church to cover their political domain. Execution of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Cavite
mutiny, execution of the 3 priests: Padre Gomez Burgos, Zamora (GomBurZa), the kind of
government that Emilio Aguinaldo was established was also present in the document.
According to the document, Aguinaldo declare a dictatorship style of government when the
proclaim the Philippine Independence. It was Aguinaldo, who’s the first dictator and not
Ferdinand Marcos.
In addition to this is the explanation of the Philippine flag, the white triangle
represents the emblem of the Katipunan society while the three stars represents Luzon,
Mindanao and Panay Island since in these three major Islands the revolution started. The
sun represents the gigantic strikes made by the sons of this land towards the progress and
civilization while the eight rays represents the eight provinces of Manila, Cavite, Bulacan,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Bataan and Batangas in which they declared in a state of
war as soon as the revolution outbreak in 1896. Base on this document, the colors blue,
red and white originally commemorates the flag of the United States of America because
according to our history, Americans help us to free from the colonization of Spain. Little
they don’t know, Aguinaldo and his leaders were fooled by them. Philippines was sold to
the United States with the amount of 20 000 000 USD in the Treaty of Paris.

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 There was an interpretation that the said document went so detailed with
Aguinaldo’s pursuit for it but the Katipunan was also sparked the revolutionary movement
was not there. It only emphasizes the part of Aguinaldo and his leaders. The organization
was mentioned on the last part yet Andres Bonifacio and his co-founders were not there.
As we know, there’s a clash between Aguinaldo and Bonifacio. Aguinaldo and his leaders
deserve to have acknowledgement they deserve, but Bonifacio and his people deserve it
too. Hence, the Proclamation of Philippine Independence would not be possible if weren’t
the efforts of both sides. As we have noticed, the document has political biases on its
content and context. There was sense of subjectivity that can be found in the record. Indeed,
the Proclamation was in favor of Aguinaldo’s side since Ambrosio Bautista was with them.

D. Contribution and Relevance of the Document in the Understanding the Grand

Narrative of the Philippine History

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista created, prepared and read the Act of Proclamation of
the Filipino people. It’s not just a simple compilation of documents – it’s the start of our
courage to fight for our independence. He done a lot of contributions in our history yet he
is not that recognize. Even though the Philippines did not obtain the Independence instantly,
his work served as the stepping stone for its pursuance.
The Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People is significant
because it reveals the reasons behind the Philippine Revolution against the Spain, how the
Spaniards abused and treated the Filipinos. This document also discloses the ‘War of
Independence. Moreover, it also reveals what kind of government did Aguinaldo
established after they proclaim the Independence in the hands of the Spaniards and also it
reveals the explanation of the real meaning of the Philippine flag.
The Proclamation commemorates the declaration of their inherent and inalienable
right to freedom and independence. Furthermore, Emilio Aguinaldo believed that through
that declaration, it would inspire people to fight against the Spaniards.

E. Relevance of the Document to the Present Time

Every 12th of June, Independence day is being celebrated annually. It is essential to

the Filipinos because this was the time where the country declared independent from
hundreds of years of colonialism. This document served as the primary source of Philippine
Independence.
The day Philippine Independence was proclaimed and written by Ambrocio
Rianzares Bautista, it is considered as one of the turning point in our history. The fight for
our freedom did not stop right there since other countries are still trying to colonized us,
some won but today, we are enjoying that freedom.

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 Today, 2021, is another turning point in our history. Despite the fact that we already
have the country’s independence, we still felt isolated and prisoned due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Our actions are very limited and the freedom we had on the recent years is not
the same as today. It is not because we are being colonize again by other country but it is
because we need to follow the guidelines of government agencies that we need to stay at
home in order to stay healthy. We need to be more careful in everything we touch and to
everyone whom we talk to.
This document is not that recognize especially in history classes in Elementary and
Secondary schools. Indeed, it served as an eye-opener to the Filipinos regarding the
proclamation of Philippine Independence and the misconceptions about our common
beliefs. There are historical truths that was set aside and overlooked but through this
primary source, we were enlightened. By spreading this document, many people,
particularly the Filipinos will be able to be enlightened about Philippine Independence. It
will also influence us to became patriotic since the struggles that our country faced by is
no joke. Through this, it will help the students to know more about our history better.

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