Part 2
My last piece talked about the 149th birthday commemoration of General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy in his hometown, Kawit, Cavite, and the speech delivered by Senator Sonny Angara, the event’s guest of honor.
The senator emphasized that it is important to remember General Aguinaldo for many important reasons. He reminded the people in Kawit that the valiant general’s victories in battle signaled a turning point for the Philippine revolution. It inspired many thousands to join the struggle for the country’s independence.
Historical accounts bear witness to the fact that while Andres Bonifacio lost in the battlefield and was forced to retreat and run from the Spaniards for months, the troops under Aguinaldo were winning battles to the point that Cavite was freed from the Spaniards. The news of these victories inspired thousands to join the revolution and entire families flocked to Cavite, the first province to come under the control of the revolutionaries.
Angara also paid tribute to Aguinaldo because he gave our country’s most important symbol, the Philippine flag. Aguinaldo designed the flag and had it made by Marcela Agoncillo in Hong Kong. The flag was first unfurled on May 28, 1898 after Aguinaldo’s victory in the battle of Alapan. Proudly, Aguinaldo and his troops put the national colors on display for the people to see for the very first time.
The flag would again be displayed in Kawit on June 12, 1898 when the country’s independence was declared. This most important event happened in General Aguinaldo’s home, now called Aguinaldo Shrine.
Let me add that it was also during this event when Aguinaldo caused the Marcha Nacional Filipina (formerly Marcha Filipina Magdalo), the country’s national anthem composed by Julian Felipe, to be publicly played for the first time. I can only imagine how proud the people were to have a flag and a national hymn.
Angara noted that General Aguinaldo also elevated the essence of our nationhood when the Malolos Constitution (our country’s first constitution as a republic) was ratified, and the general was proclaimed as first president. This proud moment proclaimed to the whole world that the Philippines had ceased to be a colony, that the country and its people are free and sovereign.
Angara noted that General Miong was only 29 years old when he became president. The senator then said, “Pagnilayan po sana natin ito ng saglit. Ano ba ang nagawa natin noong tayo’y 29 years-old lamang?” Indeed, who among our 29 year-olds can come close to General Aguinaldo’s accomplishments at this age?
Again, this is something that a lot of people overlook when they now consider Aguinaldo, our other heroes, and the context within they operated then. Many of us judge our heroes from the comforts of our offices using standards and knowledge we now have, and not based on the actual existing situation then—a revolution, and a war. How easy for us to condemn, vilify, and mark as traitor someone who has given us so much!
All things considered, General Miong gave most important and lasting gifts to the country and its people, then until now. According to Angara, these make Aguinaldo a hero.
The senator, however, pointed out something important. He said that despite El Caudillo’s bravery and gallantry, he was also like an ordinary person. He also doubted himself and his capacity to unite the country. In December 1898, Aguinaldo wrote a letter to the Filipino people asking for a gift—to be allowed to resign from his position. He admitted to not being well-versed on matters of running a state. He was also having a hard time dealing with “favoritism, selfishness, and bribery shown by other officials.” Aguinaldo, the first president, was also first to complain about what we now know as “trapo politics.”
Before we continue accusing Aguinaldo of incompetence as evidenced by this letter he wrote, let us first remember that the country, until Aguinaldo’s time, has not experienced running our own government. There was no role model for Aguinaldo, nothing. For a 29-year-old, heading the first Philippine government this must be extremely challenging. It was natural for anyone in Aguinaldo’s place to have doubts. It was good that he was prevailed upon by other leaders like Apolinario Mabini and Felipe Buencamino.
According to Angara, “Sa kwento ni Heneral Aguinaldo, ladies and gentlemen, maalala sana natin na totoong tao, hindi mga Diyos ang nagtayo ng ating bansa. Sana maalala din po natin na mga taong tulad natin, hindi mga Diyos-Diyosan ang magdadala sa ating bansa patungo sa kaunlaran at kasaganaan.”
Angara continued, “Our national heroes and heroines comprise a gallery of larger-than-life, almost mythical men and women. They have done extraordinary things that have changed the course of our nation’s history. But each have also made his or her fair share of mistakes. Like everybody else, they come with their own set of frailties, failures, and imperfections. Even in the face of hardships, they too, have their misgivings.”
“That does not strip away the greatness of what they have achieved. In fact, their humanity bounds their greatness, grounds it in reality, and makes it all the more admirable…. Umuusbong kasi ang kadakilaan mula sa pagkukulang at pag-aalinlangan ng tao. Hindi magiging bayani ang isang tao dahil wala siyang pagkakamali at pagkukulang. Nagiging bayani sya dahil naiigpawan nya ang kanyang pagkakamali at pagkukulang para abutin ang tagumpay.”
Angara nailed it. Heroes are people, and people can be heroes. Our heroes, Rizal, Aguinaldo, Bonifacio, Mabini, and all others were not gods. They all had weaknesses and shortcomings. But they all did things for our country, our people. They are all heroes and it is important that we understand what they did, and what they went through. It is important to honor them, not demonize one in favor of another.
More than 100 years ago, an entire generation of Filipinos dreamed of and fought for a free and independent Philippines. One of those who gave us the most was General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy, revolutionary and first president.
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