Layout by: Mark Louie Pocot
Published by: Kristine Caye Emono
Date Published: June 22, 2025
Time Published: 1:20 PM
“He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.”
If many of you recall, that is one of the many statements uttered by our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. However, have you ever reflected on what this statement truly meant and the power it holds, making it enough to guide our historical comprehension today?
From scorching hot battlefields to silent revolutions of wits and wordplays, the Philippines has encountered many moments that continually challenge us to ignite our patriotism and fight for our freedom. For 381 years of being colonized, many countries that caused our country numerous sacrifices, struggles, and, how could we forget, the endless movements all for our motherland's sovereignty.
Nonetheless, the same countries that have caused us fear have influenced today's culture and livelihood. From Spain’s religion and language, to America’s democratic ideals and education, and Japan’s influence on arts and fashion, our past shapes who we are today.
Much like the pages of a book, history has two ends—one may be painful, and the other may be enriching. Between them is our “colorful story,” a freedom shaped by bloodshed but also cultural evolution.
This balance is what we remember every 12th of June, our country's independence from our colonizers and our turning point to claiming what truly was ours to begin with. This day, not any other day, was ours. Started back in 1898, it has been achieved and celebrated as one of the most important events of our nation. From that moment on, it has been the symbol of our patriotism and bravery. Today, as we celebrate this year's day of independence, let us remember what Dr. Rizal has said and take a look back at our rigorous history where it all began, as we continue to create our version of freedom.
SPANISH COLONIAL ERA (1565-1898)
The story of the archipelago started in March 1521 when the Portuguese navigator and explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, arrived in Cebu, as he was headed to the East Indies or also known as the Spice Islands. Fearing the Spanish presence, Lapu-Lapu, along with the people of Mactan, resisted in the Battle of Mactan on April 1521, the first battle of the Filipinos against their colonizers. Soon, this battle would be the cause of Magellan to meet his death and Miguel LΓ³pez de Legazpi to arrive and establish a Spanish settlement. Soon, he became the first governor-general of the country in 1565, initiating their colonization of the Philippines.
Driven by three things—God, Gold, and Glory—the Spaniards greatly influenced today’s religious practices, celebrations, beliefs, and even language. It is also due to them that most Filipinos are Roman Catholic and base their practices on Christian Doctrine. However, we must not forget that they have also oppressed the Filipinos with slavelike systems like “Polo y Servicio” for men and denied education and implemented the “Maria Clara” stereotype to Women.
Because of the oppressions the Filipinos experienced during this era, different movements occurred. The first was the Propaganda Movement (1888). Led by Graciano Lopez Jaena, Dr. Jose Rizal, and Marcelo Del Pilar, they utilized writing as a form of rebellion against the Spaniards. Through the newspaper La Solidaridad and novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, they urged reforms in politics and religion while informing Filipinos about the oppressions done by the colonizers.
Their inks became the fuel for the fire as the literature ignited the Filipinos' patriotism against the Spaniards.
On July 7, 1892, patriots burned their love for the nation as Kataastaasan Kagalanggalang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) was formed by Andres Bonifacio. Along with more than 100,000 like-minded individuals, this group would then be the key contributors to our independence as they fought beyond their abilities in the Philippine Revolution (1896), led once again by Andres Bonifacio and continued by Emilio Aguinaldo, and was intensified with the death of Dr. Rizal. During the Spanish-American War, Spain's defeat ended its rule in the Philippines on June 12, 1898.
This date would then be in numerous history books, as Emilio Aguinaldo waved the Philippine Flag for the first time, symbolizing the country’s freedom against the over 300 years of colonial chains. However, right after this historic moment, the Spaniards passed the power to the United States over the country through the Treaty of Paris for $20 million on December 10, 1898. This moment silently marks another era of colonization, the betrayal that is not yet heard through the screams of liberation.
The 333-year streak of Spanish colonization was ended thanks to the intellect and courage of the Filipinos, who were driven by their immense love for the nation. With the help of the Americans, freedom was achieved. But as the tidal wave ends, another approaches. After a short period of time comes another foreign group prepared to colonize the country and influence our history.
AMERICAN COLONIAL ERA (1898-1946)
Not so long after Emilio Aguinaldo declared the Philippines’ Independence against the Spanish, came the Americans, who opposed the act as they planned to take over the country that same year. This opposition, along with the hostilities happening the next year, caused the Philippine-American War, which would be far worse than the Spanish-American War. With the cholera epidemic and the war going on during the years 1898 to 1913, a great number of deaths occurred, even greater than the battles both countries experienced before.
The revolution may have ended with Aguinaldo’s capture and allegiance to the United States, but some parts of the country, particularly the south, remained devoted to their hometown and fought until 1913.
Though Americans had a shorter colonial time than the Spanish in the Philippines, they implemented the Jones Law in 1916, which helped the Filipinos attain freedom more easily. This law helped the country to be prepared for the Commonwealth Government in 1935, where the Americans still held the major rights in the affairs of the country. However, this is also when the First Filipino President led the country. With Manuel L. Quezon having some of the power in several internal affairs, some could say that this is a better system than the Spaniards’.
The American colonial era may have started in an unfortunate manner, but the United States has gradually become a gateway for our gradual freedom once again. Gifting us with the legacy of democracy and free education whilst improving the economy, transportation, communication, and other infrastructure, their influence has been so beneficial for our country, lasting till today, along with foods like ice cream, cakes, and clothing such as suits and dresses.
However, in the middle of the Commonwealth Period, World War II happened. The global battle of the Axis Powers against the Allied Powers, the Philippines fought and was attacked as well. Being invaded once again, now with a different nation, the country will soon experience another battle and oppression one last time before achieving the long-lost freedom of our motherland.
JAPANESE COLONIAL ERA (1942-1945)
Who could’ve known that the last steps to freedom would be so cruel and bloody?
Hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and starting the Second World War, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Philippines. Days after, MacArthur and his team fled the country, causing the armed forces of American-Filipinos to weaken and surrender. Right then on, Manila was declared an open city, giving opportunity for the Japanese Armed Forces to occupy the place. This then led to the Bataan March in 1942, where more than 80,000 prisoners of war marched with various health problems, causing some to even die.
Under the Japanese Reign and military administration, Jose Laurel was declared President. During this era, the arts and fashion of the Filipinos flourished through woodblock painting and textile production, allowing expression of different depths of emotions and culture apparent till today. Nonetheless, brutality also reigns with looting and executions in several regions where a simple junk man would be beaten up by a Japanese Man only to show off. Despite the flourishing in our creative aspects, livelihood has been tougher than before with inflation and the downfall of our economy happening during this time.
This caused many to oppose their occupation, leading to resistance groups, such as Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) in Nueva Ecija, led by Luis Taruc and other leaders of organized farmers, who extended their control over different parts of the north and fought the Japanese until MacArthur and OsmeΓ±a, who succeeded the commonwealth presidency after Quezon died in 1944, came back to liberate the country once again.
They were unified, creating a defiance so strong it echoed through every corner of the nation.
MacArthur’s armed forces successfully invaded Luzon and defeated the Japanese forces. Then, on July 5, 1945, MacArthur recognized all of the Philippines as liberated. And, to end the Japanese reign, they formally surrendered to the United States’ forces on September 2, 1945.
And to bring the story to an end, the United States finally recognized the Philippines as an independent country on July 4, 1946. Finally, gifting us the freedom lost the first time we achieved it on the 12th of June.
Many wonder why we don’t celebrate July 4 as our Independence Day. The answer is clear: June 12 marks the first time we claimed our freedom against the Spaniards. It is the pivotal moment of our determination to earn our freedom, fight with our wits, preserve our history, and mark this country as our own.
We honor not only our independence but also the countless heroes who showed love for country in many forms—through the battle cries on the frontlines, the quiet wisdom inked on pages, and the silent prayers whispered in the dark, all united by one dream: freedom. Nonetheless, we also honor what was passed onto us: the culture we adapted into our livelihood. From the Spanish Catholicism to American democracy and education, and lastly, the Japanese contribution to our arts served as our pillars to today’s success and heritage.
Independence Day of the Philippines signifies more than the blood, sweat, tears, and even lives sacrificed to achieve such liberty. It signifies the history and culture created and adopted along the battles and oppression, and most importantly, it emphasizes the bravery and patriotism of the Filipinos, whom we consider as our heroes for the freedom we are experiencing today.
With that, may we always remember Dr. Rizal’s statement. Let us learn and protect what was hard-earned by our ancestors, and finally, it is our time to wave our flag with history-driven pride, as it was first waved 127 years ago.
REFERENCES:
[1] Cullinane, M., & Borlaza, G. (2025, June 9). The Spanish period. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-Spanish-period
[2] Historian, T. Z. (2023, July 2). The Maria Clara Complex: How did conservative Spaniards molded the Philippine womanhood. Medium. https://thezoomerhistorian.medium.com/the-maria-clara-complex-how-did-conservative-spaniards-molded-the-philippine-womanhood-a125fc772fdc
[3] Kapampangan Media. (2023, June 11). The katipunan – history, significance, and people leading to Philippine Independence. https://kapampangan.org/the-katipunan-history-philippine-independence/
[4] July 4, 1946: The Philippines gained independence from the United States: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans. The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. (2021, July 2). https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/july-4-1946-philippines-independence
[5] Leviste, E. N. (2024, July 10). Consolidation, contestation, and convergence: Revisiting American influence on the development of Philippine Social Sciences. East. https://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/consolidation-contestation-and-convergence-revisiting-american-influence-the
[6] Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Hukbalahap rebellion. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Hukbalahap-Rebellion
[7] Sabillo, N. M. (2020, December 1). Japanese period in the Philippines. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/japanese-period-in-the-philippines-239641263/239641263
[8] Japanese colonial art in the Philippines. prezi.com. (n.d.). https://prezi.com/p/on4u8icnlhxs/japanese-colonial-art-in-the-philippines/
[9] Rankin, K. (n.d.). Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The British Commonwealth, Eastern Europe, the Far East, Volume III. U.S. Department of State. https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1943v03/d984
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