Debunking Myths About Philippine Independence Day

One of the most significant holidays being celebrated in the Philippines is the 12th of June every year. It is because this day marked the end of colonial authorities in the country after over 300 years.

Due to this day's importance and meaning to Filipinos, there are various celebrations being held in different parts of the country to commemorate this day. In point of fact, as early as the first week of June, the nation is adorned with flags of all sizes, from those flying over the nation's highways and malls to those adorning the front doors and gates of almost every house and lot Philippines.

As preparations for the upcoming celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Philippines' independence, the country is pausing to reflect on its past and its heroes. However, you should be aware that Independence Day in the Philippines is mired in a number of myths.

That's why in this article, join us as we try to debunk some of the popular misconceptions surrounding our country's date of independence.

Mythbusters: 8 Misconceptions about Philippine Independence Day

Many legends and misinformation, some of which were taught to us in school, have developed throughout the years around this significant event. The moment has come to put these rumors to rest after they've been spread for decades on end without any basis.

In fact, it's time that Filipino communities dispelled some fallacies surrounding the Philippines' Independence Day.

A. Famous Myths About PH Independence Day

Of course, in order for us to debunk some of the misconceptions, it's essential for us to start with our country's history of this national holiday. Let's begin from the time when our Filipino revolutionaries declared our independence from the colonizers.

Myth #1. The Philippine flag was hoisted and waved by General Emilio Aguinaldo at the Proclamation of Independence.

The Philippine Flag is traditionally said to have been hoisted on June 12, during Independence Day celebrations, by the president of the first Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo. Well, it is true that the flag was raised and the Declaration of Independence from Spain was read at Kawit, Cavite, although it was really Gen. Aguinaldo's legal adviser, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, who did it.

In fact, according to reports, it's possible that General Aguinaldo wasn't even in the country for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Reporter Trumbull White of the United States claims that Aguinaldo was not present in Kawit when the statement was made. According to White's book Our New Possessions, during the Declaration, Aguinaldo was hiding somewhere in the Cavite region to evade an assassination attempt.

FACT: Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Aguinaldo's legal advisor, was the one who hoisted the flag and read the Declaration of Independence.

Myth #2. The reading of the Declaration of Independence took place in the morning.

The morning is a common time for media representations of the proclamation of independence in the Philippines. However, National Anthem composer Julian Felipe claims the proclamation happened between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Since transportation networks weren't as established back then, it was difficult for the delegates from various regions of Luzon to reach Kawit, Cavite, in the morning.

FACT: It occurred in the late afternoon.

Myth #3. June 12, 1898 is when the Philippine flag was raised for the first time.

Alapan, Imus, Cavite was the site of a pivotal fight between Filipino insurgents and Spanish forces on May 28, 1898. The fighting lasted for five hours, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Aguinaldo then hoisted and unfurled the Philippine flag for the first time at the Teatro Caviteo in Cavite Nuevo (today known as Cavite City) after their triumph. There were over 270 prisoners—Spanish soldiers and Filipino insurgents— present during that time.

This famous victory in the Battle of Alapan was the first time the Philippine Flag was ever flown. In fact, May 28 is still celebrated as Flag Day as a way of remembering the Battle of Alapan. The nationwide celebrations of Independence Day also start from this day.

FACT: The Philippine flag was hoisted on May 28, 1898 for the first time.

Myth #4. We always celebrate the official Philippine independence on June 12.

Formerly, July 4 was marked as Independence Day in the Philippines, marking the day the nation won its official independence from colonial rule in 1946 after World War II. However, President Diosdado Macapagal shifted the celebration to June 12 in 1962, the day of Emilio Aguinaldo's first declaration of independence for the Philippines from Spain.

Macapagal thought that moving the Philippine Republic Day to June 12 through his Presidential Proclamation would honor the sacrifices made by the Filipino people during their fight for freedom from Spain, which was then disrupted by U.S. colonial rule for 50 years.

FACT: Prior to the 1960s, July 4 was the day of the Philippine Independence celebrations.

B. Common Misinformation About the Philippine Flag

Myth #5. On the flag, the three stars stand for the three main Philippine islands: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It is a common misconception that those three stars on the Philippine flag stand for the three main island groups, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

But, as stated in the Philippine Declaration of Independence from 1898, the stars represent the "archipelago's three principal islands" where the revolt against Spanish power started and that's the three main islands of the Philippines which are Luzon, Panay, and Mindanao.

FACT: The three stars symbolize Luzon, Panay, and Mindanao.

Myth #6. Patriotic considerations led to the selection of the flag's colors.

We were taught in elementary grade that the flag's colors symbolize bravery (red), readiness to fight and die for independence (blue), and a yearning for peace (white).

Nonetheless, the Declaration of Independence of the Philippines states differently. The article claims that the flag's colors were chosen to honor the United States for lending us a helping hand and support during the war.

FACT: The three colors in the Philippine flags (red, blue, and white) is actually our tribute to the United States.

Myth #7. The Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City is home to the original Philippine flag.

The flag now on display at Baguio City's Aguinaldo Museum is made of cotton. Marcela Agoncillo claims that the "finest satin" was obtained from a shop on Powell Street in Hong Kong and used to create the first flag. The first Philippine flag was designed by Agoncillo in May 1898 from a drawing provided by Aguinaldo. It was then presented to Aguinaldo before he left for the Philippines on May 19, 1898.

When the Philippine-American War broke out, Aguinaldo fled to the north, took the original flag with him, and it got lost. While the flag flown in Baguio today was not necessarily the first, it is said that the flag is Aguinaldo's personal favorite.

FACT: The Philippine flag went missing somewhere in northern Luzon.

C. Interesting Myth about the Philippine National Anthem

Myth #8. “Lupang Hinirang” is our first and only Philippine national anthem

Originally, the Philippines had an anthem called "Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan," which was written by Julio Nakpil at Andres Bonifacio's request.

However, not long after the power struggle that toppled Bonifacio's revolutionary government, this event took occurred. Emilio Aguinaldo assumed power and had Bonifacio executed on May 10, 1897. The original version of "Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan" was unfortunately wiped out during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Nakpil re-created the song from memory as a piano composition years later, and it is still used today.

On June 5, Julian Felipe introduced himself to Aguinaldo with a letter written by Mariano Trias. Then, Aguinaldo asked him to write a march that might be performed at the reading of the Declaration of Independence. This was once known as "Marcha Filipina Magdalo" but was renamed "Lupang Hinirang."

FACT: Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan is the original, while Lupang Hinirang is our second national anthem.

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