March 22, 2019 proclaimed Emilio Aguinaldo Day

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a proclamation declaring March 22, 2019—the 150th birth anniversary of the country's first president—Emilio Aguinaldo Day.

Under Proclamation 621 signed on November 8, Duterte designated the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as the lead agency for the celebration.

The President said the NHCP may convene an inter-agency task force to plan, coordinate and implement effectively all programs and activities in relation to Aguinaldo's birth anniversary.

Duterte said Aguinaldo, one of the leaders of the revolution that ended three centuries of Spanish rule in 1898, "symbolized the desire of the nation to be self-reliant, independent and free from oppression."

"[T]he State recognizes the necessity to rekindle the Filipino spirit through the lessons of history and encourages every citizen to emulate and honor our forefathers," the proclamation stated.

Aguinaldo was president from January 1899 until his capture by American forces in March 1901. He later swore allegiance to the United States, which colonized the Philippines for nearly 50 years that ended in 1946.

Aguinaldo died in February 1964 at the age of 94. — BM, GMA News