Unit Activity.

Content and contextual analysis

Research about the background of the author and documents using the internet in pre-
reading activities. After you submitted your pre-reading activities, get your readings from
your instructor to examine the primary source using the guidelines presented in the
content analysis. Finally using your own words and using guidelines enumerated in the
relevance in understanding history and relevance to present times, write the post-
reading activities.
READING NO. 2: Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People

Pre-reading Activity:
Background of the Author
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (1830-1903)
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, also known as Don Bosyong was born on
December 7, 1830, in Biñan, Laguna to Gregorio Enriquez Bautista and Silvestra
Altamira and a distant relative of Rizal family. He finished his law degree at the
University of Santo Tomas and practiced his profession in Manila. He offered legal
advice and services to his clients and defending their cases in court free of charge.
As a patriot of the country, Bautista joined the Propaganda Movement
spearheaded by Marcelo H. del Pilar and solicited funds to support the campaign for
reformations in the Philippines. Also, he is elected one of the officers of the Liga Filipina,
an association founded by Rizal. But, after its dissolution, Bautista became a leading
member of Cuerpo de Compromisrios and wrote the nationalistic newspaper of the
revolution, La Independencia.
He was arrested and jailed in Fort Santiago last July 1896, upon the outbreak of
the Philippine Revolution, but later on, he was released. Then, he starts hiding in
Malabon after the government gave him a second warrant of arrest after finding that he
is involved in the revolution. Then, returned to his hometown Biñan, Laguna when
Governor-General Fernando Prime de Rivera proclaimed a general amnesty by the
“Pact of Biak-na-Bato” of December 14 and 15, 1897.
Bautista was appointed to the twenty-member “Consultative Assembly” with
powers to deliberate and advice the Governor-General on the problems that were
political a, governmental or administrative in nature. Also, he became Aguinaldo’s
adviser and penned several important state documents like the Act Proclamation of the
Independence of the Filipino People — one of his most famous and significant written
documents. And he is the one who first waved the Philippine flag on June 12, 1898 at
Aguinaldo’s balcony in Kawit, Cavite.
Later, on June 14, 1899, he was elected president of Revolutionary Congress
and and became the second President of Malolos Congress. Moreover, he was
appointed as the judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan.
 He died of a fatal fall from a horse-drawn carriage on December 4, 1903 at age
of 73.
https://www.academia.edu/9953486/AMBROSIO_RIANZARES_BAUTISTA_THE_UNSUNG_AUTHOR_OF_THE_ACT_OF_PROCLAMATION_OF_INDEPENDENCE_BY_THE
_FILIPINO_PEOPLE_June_12_1898_

Historical Background of the Text

The Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People is also tittle as
Acta de la proclamación de Independencia del Pueblo Filipino. It is created from May to
June 1898 of Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista and was read on June 12, 1898, on the
balcony of President Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence at Kawit, Cavite. From that day, it is
declared as a national holiday. This declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons.
One of the witnesses was an American, L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery. The
proclamation of Philippine independence was promulgated on August 1 when many
towns have been organized, under the rules laid down by the Dictatorial Government.
The Act of Proclamation of Independence of the Filipino People found in the
National Library of the Philippines. It is not on public display but can be viewed with
permission like any other document held by the National Library. Sometime in the 1980s
or 1990s the Declaration was stolen from the National Library. As part of a larger
investigation into the widespread theft of historical documents and a subsequent public
appeal for the return of stolen documents, the Declaration was returned to the National
Library in 1994 by historian and University of the Philippines professor Milagros
Guerrero, who mediated the return of the documents.
The proclamation is for Filipino audiences and other countries. It is the way
would inspire the Filipino to fight more eagerly against the Spaniards and at the same
time, lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country.
What is the purpose? If we look at the historical context, it was read on June 12,
1898, in Kawit, Cavite on the balcony of President Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence. The
day was declared a national holiday. The declaration was signed by 98 persons. It is to
proclaim the sovereignty and independence of the Philippines from the colonial rule of
the Spanish Empire.
https://knappily.com/onthisday/the-philippines-independence-spain-united-states-aguinaldo-264#:~:text=The%20most%20significant%20achievement
%20of,to%20witness%20the%20historic%20event.
http://www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/independence.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Declaration_of_Independence

While-reading activity:
Content Analysis of the Important Historical Information Found in the Document
The Filipino rebels were portrayed as brave warriors because they were the ones
that orchestrated the independence of the Philippines. The important terms in historical
information found in the document are dictatorial government, dictatorship is the
government or a social situation where one person makes all the rules and decisions
without input from anyone else and it implies absolute power were one person takes
control of a political situation. Amelia Aguinaldo issued an appeal formally establishing
the dictatorial government which The orders issued under their authority of Biak na-Bato
Republic. The revolutionary public is a form of government whose main tenants are
popular sovereignty, rule of law, and representative democracy. Emilio Aguinaldo,
establish a Filipino government in the wake of his military victories with the respect and
to be fair to Fernando Primo De Rivera For the establishment of the revolutionary
government, after a month of dictatorial government the revolutionary government was
formed in 4 departments. The Department of foreign affairs, Navy and Commerce,
Department of war and public works, Department of police and internal order justice
education and hygiene, Department of Finance agriculture add manufacturing industry.
The Malolos Constitution created a Filipino state whose government was popular
representative and responsible, it is specifically provided for safeguards against abuse
and individual rights of the Filipino. And the misconception in the Philippine history,
Emilio Aguinaldo was the one who wrote the Declaration of Independence and wave the
flag of the Philippines during the proclamation of independence in Cavite wherein the
fact it was Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. In the front of a jubilant learn crowd during the
proclamation the Philippine independence in character ability. Declaration of
Independence is a battle cry to fight their motherland. Philippine flag, the color red,
white blue was adopted in the USA, as a manifestation of our profound gratitude to
General Emilio Aguinaldo.
The Philippine flag is this a rectangular design that consists of a white equilateral
triangle, two stripes, three stars, the sun and it's eight rays, and its colors. The white
triangle symbolizes the Liberty, equality, end of fraternity. a blue stripe it’s for peace,
truth, and justice. And the red stripe symbolizes patriotism. The gold sun signifies unity
freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. And each ray embodies a province with a
significant in the1896 Philippine revolution against Spain, this provinces are Bulacan,
Cavite, Manila, Pampanga, Morong, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija. The three
stars in the white triangle are for our three-island group which is Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao. The Philippine national anthem what's composed in 1898 by Julian Felipe
and the lyrics came from the Spanish poem Filipinas, written by Jose Palma and it is
originally written as accidental music.

Post reading activity

Contribution and Relevance of the Document in Understanding the Grand Narrative of
Philippine History
Philippine Declaration of Independence happened when Filipinos declared war
as they cannot take how Spaniards used their power to abuse Filipinos. But then,
Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty
and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain.After the
decades of being under the colonization, Philippines finally achieved freedom that up
until is experienced.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/philippine-independence-declared?fbclid=IwAR3AXCM20xilb3IzArRWgIHHeWvngdMlPYjOPzMb3ulXzTeZmb2Z-qqYRNE

Relevance of the Document to the Present Time

Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Philippines. He was a politician, a
revolutionary, and of course a military leader. If we're going to compare and contrast his
personality and capabilities in the current time, we could find the resemblance to our
ruler often called Duterte or known formally as President Rodrigo Duterte. These
presidents have done things that are never be done by any other leaders of the
Philippines.
Dictator Don Emilio Aguinaldo is against the Spaniards, and won over the
invaders, just like the current president who aims to redact the number of Filipinos who
have been under slavery in different countries. President Duterte has saved numerous
OFWs who suffers from their abusive masters. Don Emilio Aguinaldo and President
Rodrigo Duterte have a single goal it is to break the chains clutched on the Filipinos.
The chain symbolizes abuse and inequality and chokes their freedom of speech.
Furthermore, Don Emilio Aguinaldo and President Rodrigo Duterte use their powers to
claim what belongs to their motherland. In the current time, President Rodrigo Duterte is
trying to make a way to retrieve the ownership of the West Philippine Sea, just like Don
Emilio Aguinaldo who never stops fighting against the invader, after the Spaniards,
Americans came. Yet, he still risks his life to protect his land. President Rodrigo Duterte
is also trying to do his best to regain the power of ownership regarding the West
Philippine Sea. The point is that as long as the matter concerns with the country, then
they shall fight and gain every part and every right of it.
These scenarios and notable happenings will forever reminisce. Those deeds of
the mentioned president will never lose their place in the history of the Philippines.
Those presidents that mentioned, have vital and notable deeds ever made. Without Don
Emilio's courage, then we won't be called ourselves Filipinos and the tradition and
culture that we have won't even imply our identity. Without Don Emilio's bravery, there
won't be the freedom we are currently rejoicing and enjoying. In connection, without the
current president who possesses the bravery and courage we might not savor all alone
our lands, maybe those OFWs who were being abused will forever be living a miserable
life under the hands of their ruthless masters and their land's unfair laws that favor only
and shall only to their countrymen.
The Domino effect has never stopped in rippling. Maybe, President Rodrigo
Duterte had Don Emilio Aguinaldo and other great former presidents as his reference to
do great for his country and to fight for his land. Also, those happenings strengthen and
forged the hearts of the Filipinos that they must be proud that numerous people have
risked their lives for the future generations to have a life that doesn't suffer from slavery
and inequality. Also, those happenings which in the present is called as history plays
significant roles in each and everyone's lives. Those happenings define who we are and
what we are today, and those happenings make us even grateful to accept and be
proud of our nationality.