113th Philippine Independence Day

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 in Cavite II el Viejo (now Kawit), Cavite, Philippines. With the public reading of the Act of the Declaration of Independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain, which had been recently defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

The declaration, however, was neither recognized by the United States nor Spain. The Spanish government later ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War. The United States finally recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila. July 4 was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until August 4, 1964 when, upon the advice of historians and the urging of nationalists, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 designating June 12 as the country's Independence Day. June 12 had previously been observed as Flag Day and many government buildings are urged to display the Philippine Flag in their offices. (wikipedia.com)

Ako'y isang Pinoy sa puso't diwa

Pinoy na isinilang sa ating bansa
Ako'y hindi sanay sa wikang mga banyaga
Ako'y Pinoy na mayroong sariling wika.

Wikang pambansa ang gamit kong salita
Bayan kong sinilangan
Hangad kong lagi ang kalayaan.

Si Gat Jose Rizal nuo'y nagwika
Siya ay nagpangaral sa ating bansa

Ang hindi raw magmahal sa sariling wika
Ay higit pa ang amoy sa mabahong isda.

xoxo,

beia