C. Z
Content and Contextual
Analysis of Selected Primary
Sources in Philippine History
Learning Objectives:
* To familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different
historical periods of the Philippines
+ Tolearn history through primary sources,
* To properly interpret primary sources through examining the
content and context of the document.
* To understand the context behind each selected document.
In the preceding chapter, we have discussed the importance of
familiarizing oneself about the different kinds of historical sources. The
historian’s primary tool of understanding and interpreting the past is the
historical sources. Historical sources ascertain historical facts. Such facts
are then analyzed and interpreted by the historian to weave historical
narrative. Specifically, historians who study certain historical subjects and
events need to malte use of various primary sources in order to weave the
narrative. Primary sources, as discussed in the preceding chapter, consist
of documents, memoir, accounts, and other materials that were produced at
the period of the event or subject being studied.Using primary sources in historical research entails two kinds of
criticism. The first one is the external criticism, and the second one is the
Internal erttictsm. External criticism examines the authenticity of the
document or the evidence being used. This is important in ensuring that
the primary source is not fabricated. On the other hand, internal criticism,
examines the truthfulness of the content of the evidence. However, this,
eriticism requires not just the act establishing truthfulness and/or accuracy
but also the examination of the primary cources in terms of the context of
its production. For example, a historian would have to situate the document
in the period of its production, or in the background of its authors. In other
words, it should be recognized that facts are neither existing in a vacuum
nor produced from a blank slate. These are products of the time and of the
people.
In this chapter, we are going to look at a number of primary sources
from different historical periods and evaluate these documents’ content in
terms of historical value, and examine the contest of their production. The
primary sources that we are going to examine are Antonio Pigafetta’s First
Voyage Around the World, Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng Katipunan, the 1898
Deciaration of Philippine Independence, Political Cartoon’s Alfred McCoy's
Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1941),
and Corazon Aquino's Speech Before the US Congress. These primary sources
range from chronicles, official documents, speeches, and cartoons to visual
arts. Needless to say, different types of sources necessitate different kinds of
analysis and contain different levels of importance. We are going to explore
that in this chapter.
A Brief Summary of the First Voyage Around the World by
Magellan by Antonio Pigafetta
This book was taken from the chronicles of contemporary voyagers
and navigators of the sixteenth century. One of them was Italian nobleman
Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in his fateful
circumnavigation of the world. Pigaferta’s work instantly became a classic
that prominent literary men in the West like William Shakespeare,
Michel de Montaigne, and Giambattista Vico referred to the book in their
interpretation of the New World. Pigafetta’s travelogue is one of the most
important primary sources in the study of the precolonial Philippines. His
account was also a major referent tothe events leading to Magellan's arrival
in the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the hands ofLapulapu’s forces in the Battle of Mactan, and in the departure of what was
left of Magellan's fleet from the islands.
Examining the document reveals several insights not just in the
character of the Philippines during the precolonial period, but also on
how the fresh eyes of the Europeans regard a deeply unfamiliar terrain,
environment, people, and culture. Locating Pigafetta’s accountin the context
of its writing warrants a familiarity on the dominant frame of mind in the
age of exploration, which pervaded Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth
century. Students of history need to realize that primary sources used in
the subsequent written histories depart from certain perspectives. Thus,
Pigafetta’s account was also written from the perspective of Pigafetta himself
and was a product of the context of its production. The-First' Voyage Around
the World by Magellan was published after Pigafetta retumed to Italy.
For this chapter, we will focus on the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta as
he wrote his firsthand observation and general impression of the Far East
including their experiences in the Visayas. In Pigafetta’s account, their feet
reached what he called the Ladrones Islands or the “Island of the Thieves.”
He recounted:
“These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a
fish bone at the end. They are poor, but ingenious, and great
‘thieves, and for the sake of that we called these three islands
‘the Ladrones Islands.”
‘The Ladrones Islands is presently known as the Marianas Islands, These
islands are located south-southeast of Japan, west-southwest of Hawaii,
north of New Guinea, and east of Philippines. Ten days after they reached
Ladrones Islands, Pigafetta reported that they reached what Pigafetta
called the isle of Zamal, now Samar but Magellan decided to land in another
uninhabited island for greater security where they could rest for a few days.
Pigafetta recounted that after two days, March 18, mine men came to them.
and showed joy and eagerness in seeing them. Magellan realized that the
men were reasonable and welcomed them with food, drinks, and gifts. In
turn, the natives gave them fish, palm wine (uraca), figs, and two cochos.
The natives also gave them rice (umai), cocos, and other food supplies.
Pigafetta detailed in amazement and fascination the palm tree which bore
fruits called cocho, and wine. He also described what seemed like a covonut.
His description reads:
“This palm produces a fruit named cocho, which is as large
as the head, or thereabouts: its first husk is green, and two
fingers in thickness, in it they find certain threads, with which
‘they make the cords for fastening their boats. Under this husk‘Pigafetta characterized the people as “very familiar and friendly" and
willingly showed them different islands and the names of these islands.
The fleet went to Humunu Island (Homonhon) and there they found what
Pigafetta referred to as the "Watering Place of Good Signs." It is im this place
where Pigafetta wrote that they found the first signs of gold in the island.
‘They named the island with the nearby islands as the archipelago of St.
Lazarus. They left the island, then on March 25th, Pigafetta recounted that
they saw two ballanghai (balangay), a long boat full of people in Mazzaval
‘Mazaua. The leader, who Pigafetta referred to as the king of the ballanghai
(balangay), sent his men to the ship of Magellan. The Europeans entertained
these men and gave them gifts. When the king of the balangay offered to give
“Magellan a bar of gold and a chest of ginger, Magellan declined. Magellan
sent the interpreter to the king and asked for money for the needs of his
ships and expressed that he came into the islands as a friend and not as
an enemy. The king responded by giving Magellan the needed provisions
of food in chinaware. Magellan exchanged gifts of robes in Turkish fashion,
red cap, and gave the people knives and mirrors, The two then expressed
their desire to become brothers. Magellan also boasted of his men in armor
who could not be struck with swords and daggers. The king was fascinated
and remarked that men in such armor could be worth one hundred of his
men. Magellan further showed the King his other weapons, helmets, and
artilleries. Magellan also shared with the king his charts and maps and
shared how they found the islands.
After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king's brother who was
also.a king of another island. They went to this island and Pigafetta reported
‘that they saw mines of gold The gold was abundant that parts of the ship
and of the house of the second king were made of gold Pigafetta described
‘this King as the most handsome of all the men that he saw in this place. He
was also adorned with silk and gold accessories like a golden dagger, which
he carried with him in a wooden polished sheath. This king was named Raia
Calambu, king of Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and Caragua), and the first
king was Raia Siagu. On March 31st, which happened to be Easter Sunday,
‘Magellan ordered the chaplain to preside a Mass by the shore. The king‘heard of this plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the Mass with the
other king. Pigafetta reported that both kings participated in the mass, He
wrote:
“when the offertory of the mass came, the two kings, went
to kiss the cross like us, but they offered nothing, and at the
elevation of the body of our Lord they were kneeling like us,
and adored our Lord with joined hands.”
After the Mass, Magellan ordered that the cross be brought with nails
and crown in place. Magellan explained that the cress, the nail, and the
crown were the signs of his emperor and that he was ordered to plantitin the
places that he would reach. Magellan further explained that the cross would
‘be beneficial for their people because once other Spaniards saw this cross,
‘then they would know that they had been in this land and would not cause
‘them troubles, and any person who might be held captives by them would
‘be released. The king concurred and allowed for the cross to be planted. This
‘Mass would go down in history as the first Mass in the Philippines, and the
cross would be the famed Magellan's Cross still preserved at present day.
After seven days, Magellan and his men decided ta move and lock for
islands where they could acquire more supplies and provisions. They learned
of the islands of Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Zzubu (Cebu) and intended to
go there. Raia Calambu offered to pilot them in going to Cebu, the largest
and the richest of the islands. By April 7th of the same year, Magellan and
his men reached the port of Cebu. The king of Cebu, through Magellan's
interpreter, demanded that they pay tribute as it was customary, but
‘Magellan refused. Magellan said that he was a captain of a king himself and
‘thus would not pay tribute to other kings. Magellan's interpreter explained
‘to the King of Cebu that Magellan's king was the emperor of a great empire
and that it would do them better to make friends with them than to forge
enmity. The king of Cebu consulted his council. By the next day, Magellan's
men and the king of Cebu, together with other principal men of Cebu, met in
an open space. There, the king offered a bit of his blood and demanded that
“Magellan do the same. Pigafetta recounts:
“Then the king said that he was content, and as a greater sign
of affection he sent him a little of his blood from his right arm,
and wished he should do the like. Our people answered that
‘he would do it. Besides that, he said that all the captains who
came to his country had heen accustomed to make a present
to him, and he to them, and therefore they should ask their
captain if he would observe the custom. Our people answered.that he would: but as the king wished to keep up the custom,
let him begin and make a present, and then the captain would
do his duty”
‘The following day, Magellan spoke before the people of Cebu about peace
and God. Pigafetta reported that the people took pleasure in Magellan's
speech. Magellan then asked the people who would succeed the king after
‘his reign and the people responded that the eldest child of the king, who
‘happened to be a daughter, would be the next in line, Pigafetta also related
‘how the people talked about, how at old age, parents were no longer taken
into account and had to follow the orders of their children as the new leaders
of the land Magellan responded to this by saying that his faith entailed
children to render honor and obedience to their parents. Magellan preached
about their faith further and people were reportedly convinced. Pigaferta
Wrote that their men were overjoyed seeing that the people wished to
‘become Christians through their free will and not because they were forced
or intimidated.
‘On the ith of April, the people gathered with the king and other
principal men of the islands. Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged
‘him to be 8 good Christian by burning all of the idols and worship the cross
instead. The king of Cebu was then baptized as a Christian. Figafetta wrote:
“To that the King and all his people answered that thy would
obey the commands of the captain and do all that he told them.
‘The captain took the king by the hand, and they walked about
on the scaffolding, and when he was baptized he said that
he would name him Don Charles (Carlos), as the emperor his
sovereign war named; and he named the prince Don Fernand
(Fernando), after the brother of the emperor, and the King of
‘Mazavva, Jehan: to the Moor he gave the name of Christopher,
and to the others each a name of his fancy”
After eight days, Pigafetta counted that all of the island's inhabitant
were already baptized He admitted that they burned a village down for
obeying neither the King nor Magellan. The Mass was conducted by the
shore every day. When the queen came to the Mass one day, Magellan gave
‘her an image of the Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta himself. The king of
Cebu swore that he would always be faithful to Magellan. When Magellan
reiterated that all of the newly baptized Christians need to burn their idols,
‘but the natives gave excuses telling Magellan that they needed the idols to
‘heal a sick man who was a relative to the king. Magellan insisted that they
should instead put their faith in Jesus Christ. They went to the sick manand baptized him. After the baptismal, Pigafetta recorded that the man was
able to speak again. He called this a miracle.
im number, drawn up in three squadrons: they came down
upon us with terrible shouts, two squadrons attacking us on
the flanks, and the third in front. The captain then divided his
men in two bands. Our musketeers and crosskow-men fired
for half an hour from a distance, but did nothing, since the
bullets and arrows, though they passed through their shields
made of thin wood, and perhaps wounded their arms, yet did
not stop them. The captain shouted not to fire, but he was
not listened to. The islanders seeing that the shots of our
guns did them little or no harm would not retire, but shouted
more loudly, and springing from one side to the other to avoid
our shots, they at the same time drew nearer to us, throwing.
arrows, javelins, spears hardened in fire, stones, and even
mmmé. co that we could hardly defend ourselves. Some of them
cast lances pointed with iron at the captain-general.”
accent peed aro cic
men charged at the natives and tried to intimidate them by burning an entire
village but this only enraged the natives further. Magellan was specifically
‘targeted because the natives Imew that he was the captain general. Magellan
was hit with a lance in the face. Magellan retaliated and pierced the same
native with his lance in the breast and tied to draw his sword but could
not lift it because of his wounded arm. Seeing that the captain has already
deteriorated, more natives came to attack him. One native with a great
sword delivered a blow in Magellan's left leg, brought him face down and the
natives ceaselessly attacked Magellan with lances, swords, and even with
their bare hands. Pigafetta recounted the last moments of Magellan:
“Whilst the Indians were thus overpowering him, several
times he tured round towards us to see if we were all insafety, as though his obstinate fight had no other object than
togive an opportunity for the retreat of his men.”
Pigafetta also said that the king of Cebu who was baptized could have
sent help but Magellan instructed him not to join the battle and stay in the
balangay so that he would see how they fought. The king offered the people
of Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange of Magellan's body but
‘the chief refused. They wanted to keep Magellan's body as a memento of
‘their vietory.
‘Magellan's men elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captain. Pigafetta
also told how Magellan's slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed them.
and told the king of Cebu that they intended to leave as quickly as possible.
Pigafetta alleged that the slave told the king that if he followed the slave's
advice, then the king could acquire the ships and the goods of Magellan's
fleet. The two conspired and betrayed what was left of Magellan's men. The
‘King invited these men to a gathering where he said he would present the
jewels that he would send for the King of Spain. Pigafetta was not able to
join the twenty-four men who attended because he was nursing his battle
wounds. It was only a short time when they heard cries and lamentations.
‘The natives had slain all of the men except the interpreter and Juan Serrano
who was already wounded Serrano was presented and shouted at the men
in the ship asking them to pay ransom so he would be spared. However, they
refused and would not allow anyone to go to the shore. The fleet departed
and abandoned Serrano. They left Cebu and continued their journey around
the world.
Analysis of Pigafetta’s Chronicle
‘The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents by
historians who wished to study the precolonial Philippines. As one of the
earliest written accounts, Pigafetta was seen as a credible source for a
period, which was prior unchronicled and undocumented. Moreover, being
‘the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that Pigafetta’s writings
account for the “purest” precolonial society. Indeed, Pigafetta’s work is of
great importance in the study and writing of Philippine history. Nevertheless,
‘there needs to have a more nuanced reading of the source within a contextual
backdrop. A student of history should recognize certain biases accompanying
‘the author and his identity, loyalties, and the circumstances that he was in;
and how it affected the text that he produced. In the case of Pigafetta, the
reader needs to understand that he was a chronicler commissioned by theKing of Spain to accompany and document a voyage intended to expand the
‘Spanish empire. He was also of noble descent who came from a rich family in
Traly. These attributes influenced his narrative, his selection of details to be
included in the text, his characterization of the people and of the species that
he encountered, and his interpretation and retelling of the events. Being a
scholar of cartography and geography, Pigafetta was able to give details on
geography and climate of the places that their voyage had reached.
In reading Pigafetta's description of the people, one has to keep in mind
that he was coming from a sixteenth century European perspective. Hence,
the reader might notice how Pigafetta, whether implicitly or explicitly,
regarded the indigenous belief systems and way of life as inferior to that
of Christianity and of the Europeans. He would always remark on the
nakedness of the natives or how he was fascinated by their exotic culture.
Pigafetta also noticeably emphasized the natives’ amazement and illiteracy
to the European artillery, merchandise, and other goods, in the same way
that Pigafetta repeatedly mentioned the abundance of spices like ginger,
and of precious metals like gold. His observations and assessments of the
indigenous cultures employed the European standards. Hence, when they
saw the indigenous attires of the natives, Pigafetta saw them as being naked
because from the European standpoint, they were wearing fewer clothes
indeed. Pigafetta’s perspective was too narrow to realize that such attire was
only appropriate to the tropical climate of the islands. The same was true
for materials that the natives used for their houses like palm and bamboo.
‘These materials would let more air come through the house and compensate
for the hot climate in the islands.
It should be understood that such observations were rooted from the
contest of Pigafetta and of his era. Europe, for example, was dominated by
the Holy Roman Empire, whose loyalty and purpose was the domination of
the Catholic Church all over the world. Hence, other belief systems different
from that of Christianity were perceived to be blasphemous and barbaric,
even demonic. Aside from this, the sixteenth century European economy was
mercantilist. Such system measures the wealth of kingdoms based on their
accumulation of bullions or precious metals like gold and silver. It was not
surprising therefore that Pigafetta would always mention the abundance of
gold in the islands as shown in his description of leaders wearing gold rings
and golden daggers, and of the rich gold mines. An empire like that of the
Spain would indeed search for new lands where they could acquire more gold
and wealth to be on top ofall the European nations. The obsession with spices
might be odd for Filipinos because of its ordinariness in the Philippines, butunderstanding the context would reveal that spices were scarce in Europe
and hence were seen as prestige goods. In that era, Spain and Portugal
coveted the control of Spice Islands because it would have led to a certain
increase in wealth, influence, and power. These contexts should be used and
understood in order to have a more qualified reading of Pigafetta's account
The KKK and the “Kartilya ng Katipunan®
‘The Kataustaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan is arguably the most important organization
formed in the Philippine history. While anti-colonial movements, efforts,
and organizations had already been established centuries prior to the
foundation of the Katipunan, it was only this organization that envisioned
(Q) 8 united Filipino nation that would revolt against the Spaniards for (2)
the total independence of the country from Spain. Previous armed revolts
had already occurred before the foundation of the Katipunan, but none of
them envisioned a unified Filipino nation revolting against the colonizers
For example,
and led one
ition of the nation was largely absent
before Katipunan. On the other hand,
the propaganda movements led by the ilustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar,
Graciano Lépez Jaena, and Jose Rizal did not envision a total separation of
the Philippines from Spain, but only demanded equal rights, representation,
and protection from the abuses of the friars.
‘In the conduct of their struggle, Katipunan created a complex structure
anda defined value system, is izatis i
aspiring for a single goal.
Despite his youth, Bonifacio recognized the value and intellect of Jacinto
‘that upon seeingsJacinto’s Kartilya was much better than the Decalogue he
wrote, he willingly favored that the Kartilya be distributed to their fellow
‘Sate ering eft ato On 8 27gn which epecitc values shoul he uphold Generally, the rules stated in
the Kartilya can be classified into two. The first group contains the rules that
will make the member an upright individual and the second group contains
the rules that will guide the way he treats his fellow men.
Below is the translated version of the rules in Kartilya:
L The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable
Purpose is a tree without a shade, if not a poisonous weed.
T= To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not
virtue.
TIL Iris rational to be charitable and love one's fellow creature,
and to adjust one’s conduct, acts and words to what is in itself
reasonable.
IV. Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal:
superiority in Knowledge, wealth and beauty are to be
understood, but not superiority by nature.
V. ‘The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the
scoundrel, gain to honor.
VI To the honorable man, his word is sacred.
VIL Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered but not time
lost.
‘VIL. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law
or in the field.
TX The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping
secrets.
On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the
children, and if the guide leads to the precipice, those whom
he guides will also go there.
X1— Thou must not look upon woman az a mere plaything, but a
a faithful companion who will share with thee the penaltiesof life; her (physical) weakness will increase thy interest in
her and she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and.
reared thee.
XI What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children,
brothers and sisters, that do not unto the wife, children,
brothers and sisters of thy neighbor.
‘XML Mam ic not worth more because he is a king, because his nose
is aquiline, and his color white, not because he is a priest,
a servant of God, nor because of the high prerogative that
he enjoys upon earth, but he is worth most who is a man of
proven and real value, who does good, keeps his words, is
Worthy and honest; he who does not oppress nor consent to
being oppressed, he who loves and cherishes his fatherland,
though he be born in the wilderness and know no tongue but
his own.
‘(MIV. When these rules of conduct shall be Known to all, the longed.
for sun of Liberty shall rise brilliant over this most unhappy
portion of the globe and its rays shall diffuse everlasting joy
among the confederated brethren of the same rays, the lives
of those who have gone before, the fatigues and the well-paid
sufferings will remain. If he who desires to enter has informed
himself of all this and believes he will be able to perform what
will be his duties, he may fill out the application for admission.
As the primary governing document, which determines the rules of
conduct in the Katipunan, properly understanding the Kartilya will thus
‘help in understanding the values, ideals, aspirations, and even the ideology
of the organization.
Analysis of the “Kartilya ng Katipunan”
Similar to what we have done to the accounts of Pigafetta, this primary
source also needs to be analyzed in terms of content and contest. As a
document written for a fraternity whoce main purpose is to overthrow a
colonial regime, we can explain the content and provisions of the Kartilya as
a reaction and response to certain value systems that they found despicable
in the present state of things that they struggled against with. For example,
‘the fourth and the thirteenth rules in the Kartilya are an invocation of the
inherent equality between and among men regardless of race, occupation,or status. In the contest of the Spanish colonial era where the indios were
treated as the inferior of the white Europeans, the Katipunan saw to it
‘that the alternative order that they wished to promulgate through their
revolution necessarily destroyed this kind of unjust hierarchy.
Moreover, one can analyze the values upheld im the document as
consistent with the burgeoning rational and liberal ideals in the eighteenth
and nineteenth century. Equality, tolerance, freedom, and liberty were values
‘that first emerged in the eighteenth century French Revolution, which spread
‘throughout Europe and reached the educated class of the colonies. Jacinto,
an ilustrado himself, certainly got an understanding of these values. Aside
from the liberal values that can be dissected in the document, we can also
decipher certain Victorian and chivalrous values in the text. For example,
various provisions in the Kartilya repeatedly emphasized the importance of
honor in words and in action. The teaching of the Katipunan on how women
should be treated with honor and respect, while positive in many respects
and certainly a significant stride from the practice of raping and physically
abusing women, can still be = telling of the Katipunan's secondary regard
for women in relation to men. For example, in the tenth rule, the document
specifically stated that men should be the guide of women and children, and
‘that he should set a good example, otherwise the women and the children
would be guided in the path of evil. Nevertheless, the same document stated
‘that women should be treated as companions by men and not as playthings
‘that can be exploited for their pleasure.
In the contemporary eyes, the Katipunan can be criticized because
of these provisions. However, one must not forget the context where the
organization was born. Not even in Europe or in the whole of the West at
that juncture recognized the problem of gender inequality. Indeed, it can
be argued that Katipunan’s recognition of women as important partners in
the struggle, as reflected not just in Kartilya but also in the organizational
structure of the fraternity where a women’s unit was established, is an
endeavor advanced for its time. Aside from Rizal's known Lefter to the
Women of Malolos, no same effort by the supposed cosmopolitan Propaganda
‘Movement was achieved until the movement's eventual disintegration im the
latter part of the 1890s.
Aside from this, the Kartilya was instructive not just of the Katipunan's
conduct toward other people, but also for the members’ development as
individuals in their own rights. Generally speaking, the rules im the Kartilya
can be classified as either directed to how one should treat his neighbor or
‘to how one should develop and conduct one’s self. Both are essential to thesuccess and fulfillment of the Katipunan’s ideals. For example, the Kartilya’s
teachings on honoring one’s word and not wasting time are teachings
directed toward self-development, while the rules on treating the neighbor's
wife, children, and brothers the way that you want yours to be treated is an.
instruction on how Katipuneros should treat and regard their neighbors.
All in all, proper reading of the Kartilya will reveal a more thorough.
understanding of the Katipunan and the significant role that it played in
‘the revolution and in the unfolding of the Philippine history, as we know it
Reading the “Proclamation of the Philippine Independence”
Every year, the country commemorates the anniversary ofthe Philippine
Independence proclaimed on 12 June 1898, in the province of Cavite. Indeed,
such event is a significant tuning point in the history of the country because
it signaled the end of the 333 years of Spanish colonization. There have been
numerous studies done on the events leading to the independence of the
country but very few students had the chance to read the actual document of
‘the declaration. This is in spite of the historical importance of the document
and the details that the decumentsrereaton the rationale and circumstances
of that historical day in Cavite. Interestingly, reading the details of the said
document in hindsight is tellingthe kind of government that was created
under Aguinaldo, and the forthcoming hand of the United States of America
in the next few years of the newly created republic. The declaration was
a short 2,000-word document, which summarized the reason behind the
revolution against Spain, the war for independence, and the future of the
new republic under Emilio Aguinaldo.
‘The proclamation commenced with a characterization of the conditions
in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The document
specifically mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony. The declaration
says:
=..taking into consideration, that their inhabitants being
already weary of bearing the ominous yoke of Spanish
domination, on account of the arbitrary arrests and harsh
‘tweatment practiced by the Civil Guard to the extent of causing
of their commanders, who sometimes went to the extreme of
ordering the shooting of prisoners under the pretext that they
‘were attempting to escape, in violation of the provisions of the
Regulations of their Corps, which abuses were unpunished
and on account of the unjust deportations, especially those
decreed by General Blanco, of eminent personages and of
high social position, at the instigation of the Archbishop and
friars interested in keeping them out of the way for their ownselfish and avaricious purpose, deportations which are quickly
brought about by a method of procedure more execrable than
that of the Inquisition and which every civilized nation rejects
on account of a decision being rendered without a hearing of
the persons accused.”
‘The above passage demonstrates the justifications behind the revolution
against Spain. Specifically cited are the abuse by the Civil Guards and the
unlawful shooting of prisoners whom they alleged as attempting to escape.
‘The passage also condemns the unequal protection of the law between the
Filipino people and the “eminent personages.” Moreover, the line mentions
‘the avarice and greed of the clergy like the friars and the Archbishop himself.
Lastly, the passage also condemns what they saw as the unjust deportation
and rendering of other decision without proper hearing, expected of any
civilized nation.
From here, the proclamation proceeded with a brief historical overview
of the Spanish occupation since Magellan's arrival in Visayas until the
Philippine Revolution, with specific details about the latter, especially after
‘the Pact of Biak-na-Bato had collapsed. The document narrates the spread of
‘the movement “like an electric spark” through different towns and provinces
‘the quick decline of Spanish forces in the same provinces. The revolt also
reached Visayas; thus, the independence of the country was ensured. The
document also mentions of Rizal's execution, calling it unjust. The execution,
as written in the document, was done to “please the greedy body of friars in
‘their insatiable desire to seek revenge upon and exterminate all those who
are opposed to their Machiavellian purposes, which tramples upon the penal
code prescribed for these islands.” The document also narrates the Cavite
‘Mutiny of January 1872 that caused the infamous execution of the martyred
native priests Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora, “whose
innocent blood was shed through the intrigues of those so-called religious
orders” that incited the three secular priests in the said mutiny.
‘The proclamation of independence also invokes that the established
republic would be led under the dictatorship of Emilio Aguinaldo. The first
mention was at the very beginning of the proclamation. It stated:
“In the town of Cavite Viejo, in this province of Cavite, on the
twelfth day of June eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, before
me, Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Auditor of War andSpecial Commissioner appointed to proclaim and solemnize
this act by the Dictatorial Government of these Philippine
Islands, for the purposes and by virtue of the circular
addressed by the Eminent Dictator of the same Don Emilio
Aguinaldo y Famy.”
‘The same was repeated toward the last part of the proclamation. It
states:
“We acknowledge, approve and confirm together with the
orders that have been issued therefrom, the Dictatorship
established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo, whom we honor as the
Supreme Chief of this Nation, which this day commences to
have a life of its own, in the belief that he is the instrument
selected by God, in spite of his humble origin, to effect the
redemption of this unfortunate people, as foretold by Doctor
Jose Rizal in the magnificent verses which he composed when
he was preparing to be shot, liberating them from the yoke
of Spanish domination in punishment of the impunity with
which their Government allowed the commission of abuses by
its subordinates.”
Another detail in the proclamation that is worth looking at is its
explanation on the Philippine flag that was first waved on the same day
The document explained:
“And finally, it was unanimously resolved that this Nation,
independent from this day, must use the came flag used
heretofore, whose design and colors and described in the
accompanying drawing, with design representing in natural
ted:
and the colors blue, red and white, commemorate those of the
flag of the United States of North America, in manifestation
of our profound gratitude towards that Great Nation for