Prague, CZ – Today marks the 127th year of the Philippine Independence from over three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. Celebrated annually on June 12, Independence Day honors the nation’s enduring struggle for freedom and sovereignty.
Let’s time travel and revisit the historic moments that made the Philippines an independent nation:
Declaration of Independence
On June 12, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence from the balcony of his ancestral home in Cavite el Viejo (now Kawit, Cavite), located about 30 kilometers south of Manila. The historic event featured the first public raising of the Philippine flag and the debut performance of the national anthem.1
Despite the significance of the June 12 declaration, neither Spain nor the United States recognized Philippine independence at that time. In December 1898, the Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War, with Spain ceding the Philippines to the United States for $20 million.2 This led to the Philippine-American War (1899–1902) as Filipinos resisted new colonial rule. The Philippines finally gained internationally recognized independence on July 4, 1946.
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So…June 12 or July 4: When Is Philippine Independence Day?
Initially, the Philippines celebrated Independence Day on July 4, aligning with the date the U.S. granted formal independence in 1946.
However, in 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued a proclamation moving the observance to June 12. The date was moved to honor the original declaration made by General Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionaries on June 12, 1898.
Here is the official Proclamation 3: PROCLAMATION NO. 28, s. 1962 (Full Title: DECLARING JUNE 12 AS PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY, Date of Approval: May 12, 1962, President: Macapagal, Diosdado P., Sr.
In Conclusion
Overseas Filipino workers and migrants, who contribute to their families and the nation through hard work and sacrifices, embody a new kind of heroism. Just as the heroes of 1898 fought for the country’s sovereignty, today’s Filipinos abroad carry the torch of independence by uplifting the communities, supporting economic progress through remittances, and preserving Filipino culture globally.
Pinoy Care proudly joins Filipinos everywhere in celebrating! Mabuhay and Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!
REFERENCES:
- Volle, A. (2025, May 8). Independence Day | Philippines, History, Celebrations, & Facts. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Independence-Day-Philippines ↩︎
- Source the same as 1 ↩︎
- Legislative Reference and Research Bureau. (n.d.). Proclamations. Senate of the Philippines. ↩︎
