The Philippine Independence (non text book version)

Happy Independence day! Oh wait, was it June 9? Wait wait, it’s still June 12? What is this I hear that July 4 is our real independence day?

Let’s see, according to text books, the Philippines declared our independence on June 12, 1898 from Spain. Later that year (December 10 to be exact), Spain surrendered the Philippines to the US which means our independence was not really recognized by other nations.

On July 4, 1946, the US finally gave the Philippines independence and exactly one month later, President Macapagal changed the date to June 12 in the name of nationalism and as advised by historians.

This year, it’s still set to June 12 but is celebrated on the 9th so we’ll have a long weekend. The president cancelled the yearly June 12 parade to cut costs. Whatever happened to nationalism? Where are the historians? How can this happen especially when our current president’s dad is the same president who changed the date to June 12?

With this, I greet you with the new standard Independence day greeting:

“Happy independence day! Kelan nga ba?”