112th Philippine Independence

A hundred and twelve years ago.

It was four in the afternoon. Indios gathered in front of the Aguinaldo Mansion's facade. As described in history books, the air was festive--it was destined to be a day worth remembering. The youngest to become President, Emilio Aguinaldo, stood beside Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista which read the Declaration of Independence. At twenty passed four, Julian Felipe's composition was played for the first time as the flag sewn by Teodora Agoncillo, her five-year-old daughter Lorenza, and Rizal's niece Delfina Herbosa de Natividad was hoisted for the first time as well. From being Indios, we became Filipinos to the rest of the world.

A hundred and twelve years passed. We are a hundred and twelve steps away from where we started as a free nation. But, is that 112th step different from the first?

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It is apparent that we have improved as a nation since the first waves in the air of the three-stars-and-a-sun.   We are a state of equal regard to any free state in the world. We exercise self-government, just as how other independent nations take control of themselves. 

The Philippines now plays a vital role in shaping not just itself but also the world. Lately, the Philippines presided the UN Security Council to work on establishing policies regarding the world's nuclear arms. Such a very important role for attaining world peace and order. In 2003, being one of those third worlds who struggled for freedom, the government sent representations to help establish a government for the newly-independent nation of Timor Leste. Who helps maintain peace in Haiti and Liberia? Well, we are one of those nations which has the most number of UN Peacekeeping Missions dispersed around the globe.

There are many things about what we've become compared to what we were a hundred and twelve years ago. Colonization was the main issue why the concept of independence came into existence on the fertile soils of this paradise of seven thousand one hundred and seven islands. 

At the moment, we are still facing issues that are obstacles to the road of true freedom. We must work towards overpowering neocolonialism. We must open our eyes as a nation and recognize that freedom is not just about self-government. It should be known to us that freedom is also about people working together as one towards a good cause wherein corruption and personal interests are left behind. 

Every Filipino who fought for the privileges that we enjoy and even abuse now deserves our respect. We must thank those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom that some contemporary Filipino who cannot appreciate the worth. 

Mabuhay Philippines!

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Tama na ang sigaw na Sulong Pilipinas. Sumusulong naman tayo. Kailangan lang nating humataw!

Hataw Pilipinas!

***

Sometimes, I can't help to think that independence is just a product of man's ambitious imagination. It's just a concept which exists in the unattainable ideal world. 

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