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Friday, March 29, 2024

Honoring General Emilio Aguinaldo, revolutionary and president

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March 22, 2018 marked the 149th birthday of General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy, the foremost revolutionary who dared declare our country’s independence from our Spanish colonizers and went to war against the United States in pursuit of the country’s freedom and sovereignty.

Philippine history and heritage is my other passion. Thus, as an ardent student of our history, being invited to the celebration of Gen. Miong’s 149th birthday in Kawit, Cavite, his hometown, was exciting for me.

I know how Aguinaldo’s image has been, and continues to be destroyed by some groups. Before I started to seriously study the Philippine revolution, all I knew was what was superficially taught in high school and the lopsided lessons I received in college. I was one of the many who believed that Aguinaldo was a traitor and yes, I worshipped Andres Bonifacio as my hero.

Historical accounts especially from primary and secondary sources made me understand the context of important events relative to the Philippine revolution of 1896 and 1898. I realized how generations of Filipinos have unjustly crucified General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Another reason why I wanted to attend Aguinaldo’s 149th was because the event’s guest of honor was Senator Juan Edgardo Angara. I wanted to closely listen to what he would say about Aguinaldo. I was interested to know how Senator Sonny regards the General. I thought I would feel if he would merely go through the motions and just superficially pay tribute to him. In fairness to Senator Sonny, his message was not only meaningful, it was also witty and inspiring.

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Senator Sonny spoke about General Aguinaldo as the youngest President at 29 years of age, and the oldest ex-president so far because he passed on at the age of 94. Because he lived long, Aguinaldo was witness to many changes and important events in the country’s history. He saw how carriages were replaced by automobiles and cars, he saw how our buildings were lit up with electricity.

Angara said that the general went through two world wars, witnessed how our motherland was colonized by three foreign powers, and was there when the country became an independent republic. General Aguinaldo not only witnessed the evolution of a new country, he also personally contributed to the birth of the new republic.

I would even go farther. General Emilio Aguinaldo led our forefathers and mothers in claiming and fighting for our country’s independence. The revolution gave birth to the Republic of the Philippines.

According to Angara, it is important to remember “El Claudillo” for his contributions to our country. One of which being “it was under the General’s leadership that the Katipunan forces, and hence the Philippine revolution achieved decisive military victories.” When the revolution exploded in 1896, General Aguinaldo led the Katipunan in Cavite against the Spaniards. Angara stressed that “Kung ang Sigaw sa Pugad Lawin ang unang nagmitsa sa armadong rebolusyon, ang mga tagumapay naman po ni Heneral Aguinaldo sa Cavite ang nagpabaga at nagpaliyab sa apoy ng pagkakasarinlan nating mga Pilipino.”

Angara spoke of how difficult it was to achieve our independence and how thousands of Filipinos contributed and continue to contribute to our freedom as a country. He, however, said that “without a doubt, to achieve our freedom, General Emilio Aguinaldo gave so much—his contribution (was) more significant than any other.”

Quoting national artist Nick Joaquin, Angara asserted, “hindi sa pagpunit ng cedula naengganyo ang mga Katipunero sa mga karatig na probinsya. Naudyok sila sa balita na noong Agosto 31 at Setyembre  1, 1896, pinalaya ng mga hukbong pinamumunuan ni Heneral Aguinaldo ang mga bayan ng Kawit at Imus. At pagdating ng Nobyembre, nabatid nila na napatalsik ang pwersa ng mga Kastila at buong probinsya ng Cavite ay ganap na hawak na ng mga Pilipino.”

This kind of analysis is rarely heard by the public, especially our young people. Many are under the impression that it was Andres Bonifacio who won our independence for us. Such unfortunate misunderstanding of what transpired during the revolution is a reason why General Aguinaldo is unfairly judged by the present generation. Not many know what he did so we have the freedoms we enjoy, and sometimes, take for granted now. Indeed, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

It is important to emphasize that while the Philippine revolution was being fought in many towns then, the Katipunan’s tremendous growth in numbers was because of the victories won by the Cavite revolutionaries under General Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo was first and foremost a soldier. He was not one of those leaders who stayed behind and only gave orders. He was at the frontlines of the battles he fought and won.

Aguinaldo’s victories in the battlefield was legendary especially when at the same time, Bonifacio was losing the battles he was leading. When the news spread that Aguinaldo was winning in Cavite, thousands wanted to join him. The major towns of the province were brimming with evacuees, families from other places who wanted to join Aguinaldo’s forces.

When Cavite was freed from our Spanish colonizers, the people realized that the revolution can be won for the entire country. Indeed, if only people would study actual historical accounts and not the biased interpretations of modern-day “historians,” Aguinaldo’s contributions to the country will be better appreciated.

Senator Sonny Angara’s tribute to “El Claudillo” also made mention of the General’s other major contributions to our country and the lessons we can learn from Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy, the revolutionary and first president of the Republic of the Philippines.

More next week.

bethangsioco@gmail.com 

@bethangsioco on Twitter 

Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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