The Ugly Truth Behind Today's Celebration of the Philippine Independence

This more-than-a-just-life-size monument of Andres Bonifacio along with some symbolic figures of the rebolusyonarios was constructed in 1933 in Caloocan, Metro Manila. This bronze sculpture was designed by the country's National Artist for the Visual Arts (Sculpture) in 1973, Guillermo Estrella Tolentino. 

It's 6:30 in the morning and I am on my way home after a night shift duty. I thought it's gonna be an easy day for me, but this heavy traffic along EDSA near Monumento has just quickly given me some headaches. And oops, yeah! I almost forgot that today is going to be another special day for the Filipinos. I realized that today, June 12, is a major holiday and it's the commemoration of the 116th anniversary of the Philippine independence.

And that could be an unquestionable reason why as early as past 6 in the morning today, people from different parts of Metro Manila are already flocking the areas of the Monumento Circle. I guess, some are just curious observers only, and maybe others were already a constant, annual witnesses to this occasion. While quite a few maybe--like this street vendor, might just be here for business reason alone.

This street vendor is grabbing the chance to sell some Philippine flags. However, he might know as well that this will be a one-day business opportunity only.

The Cadet Corps Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) is starting to assemble in the venue of the celebration.

And here they are, all set and ready.

The Monumento Circle has now become the usual venue for these kinds of national occasion. I guess this place has been serving its purpose over the years and because of this, it is now considered as a symbolic cultural ground. By just merely criticizing this enormous masterpiece of Guillermo Tolentino which depicts Andres Bonifacio and his people's thirst for freedom, you'll get to realize how strong the faith and patriotism of the Filipino people toward their endless pursuit of the nation's independence.

On my way home, there's no other way but to pass by this area. This enabled me to notice how people are getting ready for today's celebration. Unexpectedly, there are some questions that just popped up in my mind until it eventually clouded some of my thoughts.

I understand how valuable this day is for every Filipino. Like what was being taught at school, June 12, 1898 is a day to remember. It was when the nation's independence was formally proclaimed in front of the masses in Kawit, Cavite by the country's first president, Emilio Aguinaldo. It's when the word 'independence' was finally brought back to life since the Philippines already has the capacity to stand by its own feet. Yes, it was the time when the country has finally tasted this kind of freedom from the one-sided dictatorship of Spain.

The celebration of the Philippine independence is being done yearly and you might say it's worth celebrating. But despite of that, did it ever come to your mind how should national freedom really feel like? Have you ever asked, if in case Bonifacio is still alive today, what would he feel about 'our' independence? Would he be part of these rebellious activists who usually parade the streets while raising some signboards full of annoying anti-government slogans; or might he be one of these government officials who intentionally swapped democracy to dictatorship? These are some of the questions that have just worsened my throbbing headache.

Media people are now also getting ready to cover this national event

I think it's a little ironic to see these policemen equipped with riot shields surrounding the area where 'freedom' is about to be celebrated.

Historically speaking, we are now free from these Spanish conquistadores who slaved the country over a hundred years back and that's why we are commemorating. But I guess this kind of independence is not what we need today. The truth is, this nation is still trapped inside this metaphoric bird cage of poverty, sickening corruption in the government, unemployment, slow and stagnant economic growth, compromising system of education and the list goes on and on. To cut it short, we really have not yet experienced how real and sweet freedom should feel and taste like.

This flock of pigeons inside this cage is one of the important emblems of the ceremony. Releasing them into the air mainly symbolizes independence. Like these birds, the Filipino people of today might still feel being caged--not free from these unresolved national crises.

The ceremony might start in a short while. For sure there will be a special guest speaker who will soon deliver a speech about how and why this occasion is worth celebrating. I know he won't define 'independence' the way I understand it. But let's just say Bonifacio is just around the corner, alive and attentively listening. Do you think he will agree that our quest for freedom is over now?


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