Why Bacoor, Cavite celebrated ‘Independence Day’ on August 1

On Tuesday, Aug. 1, people took to the streets in Bacoor, Cavite to celebrate "Independence Day."

The event, which featured a reenactment, marked the first commemoration of the 1898 Bacoor Assembly.

According to a report by Athena Imperial for GMA News, a number of residents of Bacoor believe that it was on August 1 that our freedom was truly declared.

Mayor Lani Mercado was quoted as saying that the "Solemn Proclamation of Independence of the People" was held on this day at Bahay Na Tisa, owned by the Cuenca Family.

National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Dr. Rene Escalante said that the proclamation on June 12 is still officially recognized as Independence Day, but some historians discovered details in the fine print.

What's the difference between the June 12 proclamation and the ratification on August 1? A video released by the official Facebook page of the City of Bacoor explains.

"Pagkatapos ng proklamasyon sa Kawit, umalis na si [Emilio] Aguinaldo at nagpunta na sa bahay ni Cuenca, kasi 'yon ang parang Malacañang n'on e," Cesar E. A. Virata, President of the Cavite Historical Society, shared.

"Sa pagtatapos ng Hulyo, 'yong mga nahalal na Presidente Munisipal, pinapunta sa Bacoor para sumumpa sa kanilang katungkulan," Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo, President of the Philippine Historical Association added.

Aguinaldo wanted to show that he had the support of the military and other leaders from different towns and provinces.

Citing Audie Corpus and other historians, Calairo explained that the June 12 proclamation was not signed by Aguinaldo and it contained the word "protectorate", implying that the Philippines is still under the control of the US.

The August 1 document, on the other hand, has an attestation that it was signed by Aguinaldo on August 6.

"Ayon kay [Apolinario] Mabini, ang June 12 draft ay mostly military ang nanguna. Ang sabi niya, kailangan magkaroon tayo ng isang draft na ang pipirma o mangunguna ay mga presidente munisipal dahil ang layunin natin ay hindi lamang kalayaan, kung hindi makilala tayo ng mga ibang bansa," Calairo said.

Maibini himself wrote the August 1 draft, adding a "civil ingredient" to the declaration. The original June 12 document was written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista.

According to Virata, sharing this information with the public is essential, as it shows that Filipinos wanted true freedom.

"'Yong history natin, parang gawang Amerikano. Kung sinoman ang panalo, sila ang sumusulat ng kasaysayan. Kaya ito pong mga bagay na ito ay parang naisatabi na lamang.

"Mahalaga 'yong  mga pangyayari sa Bacoor. Mabuti para sa ating mga kabataan na talagang malinagawan [sila sa] mga [nangyari] sa atin...na tayong mga Pilipino ay talagang naghangad na maging malaya," Virata shared. — AT/LA, GMA News