Emilio Aguinaldo: The First President of the Republic of the Philippines
75Today is the 142nd birth anniversary of our first president Emilio Aguinaldo. He was born on March 22, 1869 at Kawit, Cavite. His parents were Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy. Aguinaldo died on February 6, 1964 due to senility.
On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine Independence right at the balcony of his house in Kawit, Cavite. The event was attended by no less than the secretary of then Commodore George Dewey of United States of America, Col. L. M. Johnson. It was on this occasion that the Filipino flag was first recognized. It was he (Aguinaldo) himself who designed it while he was in Biaknabato. This was sewn by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo in Hongkong. It was on this same occasion that the Philippine National Anthem composed by Jose Palma in Spanish was heard. It was translated into English by Camilo Osias and M.A.L. Lane. Julian Felipe did the musical arrangement.
Even during his younger years, Emilio Aguinaldo already expressed his unselfish interest to serve his country. When his father died he succeeded as the breadwinner and at a young age of just 17 he started serving as head of the barangay before he became a municipal captain (equivalent to mayor today) in Kawit, his hometown.
After Andres Bonifacio appointed him, Aguinaldo was very instrumental in enticing the Katipuneros to join the revolutionary forces against the Spaniards. He led that revolution in 1896.
At the height of revolution in Cavite, the Magdalo forces of Aguinaldo and the Magdiwang forces of Bonifacio became disunited. Because of this, a convention was called known as the Tejeros Convention held at General Trias, (now a city and the present capital of Cavite) on the 28th birthday of Aguinaldo, March 22, 1897.
That convention was headed by Andres Bonifacio and it was agreed that the Katipunan be abolished and a new Revolutionary Government be established. An election for president followed. Aguinaldo was elected and Bonifacio became the External Affairs secretary.
One of the members of the Revolutionary forces, Daniel Tirona, expressed his dissenting opinion against the election of Bonifacio as the External Affairs secretary because of questions regarding his qualifications as Bonifacio was not a lawyer. Bonifacio was hurt with the actuation of Tirona. Along with 25 members, they left the convention hall. This action of Bonifacio resulted to the weakening of the revolutionary forces and Emilio Aguinaldo ordered the killing of Bonifacio.
The Spaniards made a peace pact with Aguinaldo at Biaknabato. On that agreement, war was to be ended. The Spaniards promised to recompense the revolutionary forces and Aguinaldo will be exiled to Hongkong. But when the Spaniards did not honor their commitment, Aguinaldo again led his forces to a new war.
When the Americans arrived on 1898 and waged war with the Spaniards, Aguinaldo thought that the Americans were on the side of the Filipinos. The Americans did not acknowledge the independence that was declared by Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898. Another war ensued, but by this time against the Americans. It was more bloody than the previous fight against the Spaniards. Aguinaldo and his forces fought the American forces for independence. The revolutionary forces were no match to the American forces. Aguinaldo finally succumbed to the wishes of the Americans to side with them. He finally surrendered at Palanan, Isabela on April 1, 1901.
Although he did that mistake, Aguinaldo was still a hero to the Filipinos. His life had been very inspiring to the Filipino people.
