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The ruling military junta of Myanmar (formerly Burma) has again found a flimsy reason to extend the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi. She is supposed to be released this May 27 after almost two decades of house arrest but a weird incidence transpired that prompted the military junta to charge her of violating the provisions of her detention. It was the foolish misadventure of an American, John William Yettaw, that provided another obstacle for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. She is now facing another five years of imprisonment. As if the 19 years of being a government hostage in her own home was not enough. It was not a vacation at all. She was forcefully separated from her husband and children. She was not even present when her husband died from cancer.
The move of charging her of violating the terms of her house arrest is clearly another dirty political tactic to prevent Suu Kyi from participating in the scheduled general elections in her country next year. She continues to be a threat to the despotic and unjust rule of the military junta. Depriving her of her victory in 1990 was not enough to silence her. She remains to be the legitimate head of state and head of the government as prime minister-elect although she never took power. As recognition of her efforts to gain democracy, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 which she was unable to personally receive because of her detention. She was the only recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize who was unable to attend because of imprisonment. Her son received the prize on her behalf. She used the US$ 1.3 million to establish a health and education trust fund for the Burmese people. These are basic social services that are hardly provided by the government because of ruined national economy. Myanmar is among the poorest countries in the world that the United Nations has given it a Least Developed Country status.
Politically speaking, Aung San Suu Kyi is not as fortunate as former-President Cory Aquino. Although she has the support of the international community with regard to the legitimacy of her 1990 victory, no successful “people power” revolution ever materialized to backup Suu Kyi’s claim to victory. She was always the peace advocate and she probably never wanted to encourage risky mass demonstrations against the junta. What she is experiencing right now is more akin to the suffering of Ninoy Aquino, Mohadas Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela. She is a prisoner of conscience. Does she need to become a martyr before the illegitimate rulers of Burma relinquish power? She has suffered enough but like Ninoy, she is also willing to sacrifice her life for the freedom of her people. If the Burmese 2010 general elections has to have any semblance of credibility, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her political party must be allowed to participate.
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Imeldific –adj. Ostentatiously extravagant to the point of vulgarity
Just a few days after the release of the Philippine Bar Exam results, another woman has made it to the top ten of yet another list. However, being included in this new list is not something that is much coveted. It is not a list of people who are worthy of admiration and honor. It is a list that enumerates the names of notorious people throughout history who are considered to possess one of the worst forms of human character flaws, namely, GREED. Not surprisingly, our very own Imelda Marcos is included in this list. The said list is Newsweek Magazine’s list of The Greediest of All Time.
It is not clear what were the criteria used by Newsweek but it is safe to say that the magazine has accurately and convincingly sampled history’s greediest people. The list is only comprised of eleven names. Imelda Marcos is number eight in the list. She even outranked the biggest Ponzi (pyramiding)-type WallStreet scammer, Bernard Madoff. This is somewhat justified because although Madoff was able to con people and institutions to the tune of more than $50-billion worth of investments, he did not squandered the meager resources of a starving country. On the other hand, some of the names that outranked Imelda included Genghis Khan and Charles Ponzi.
Newsweek Magazine noted: “She saw it as her duty to provide ‘some kind of light, a star’ for the impoverished Filipino people over whom her husband presided. So she took $5 million shopping sprees to New York and Rome, reportedly owned the world’s largest collections of gems and 3,000 pairs of shoes.”
Imelda Marcos always publicly projected herself as the embodiment of a nationalistic and religious Filipina. She is even fond of wearing the traditional dress, baro’t saya (along with her fancy diamond or ruby necklace). She is also fond of praying the rosary in front of the glaring flashes of cameras. All of these displays are completely hypocritical and expressions of bad taste. Imelda’s greed is legendary that an English word was even invented just to define her brand of extravagance, greed, and hypocrisy.
Perhaps a more appropriate shorter, alternative title of the Newsweek list would be: History’s Imeldifics.
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The insulting racist article was already removed from the HK Magazine website. Chip Tsao has already apologized in public. However, many Filipinos in Hong Kong and back at home are still furious. This is because Mr. Tsao’s apology seemed not very sincere. Some even interpreted it as another insult because of the implication that the real fault was on the Filipinos’ inability to understand a satire. The columnist defended his article by saying: “English, being a global language, is open to different interpretations by those who come from various cultural backgrounds.” This might be true but bigotry will always be bigotry regardless of the language or the cultural background. It does not require a degree in International Politics to understand bigotry or racism. Here is the complete text of Mr. Tsao’s controversial article:
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The Abu Sayyaf Group is like a cancer that keeps on recurring. It has now metastasized. Hence, completely eradicating it is now more difficult than ever. There are actually more than one guerrilla group of Abu Sayyaf spread throughout the Mindanao archipelago. The many factions have no centralized leadership. If one group is annihilated, another group will resurface. If one leader is captured or killed many other leaders will replace the former.
The recent kidnapping of the three International Red Cross workers is an evidence that the Abu Sayyaf group is again becoming agressive and more malignant. It is another malevolent attempt to get the attention of the world in hearing their twisted and perverted version of Islam. It should be noted here that Islam, as a religion of peace, never encourage or tolerate agressive war or violence against civilians. The only justified Holy War in the Koran is defensive war. Obviously, kidnapping civilian humanitarian workers is againts the basic tenets of Islamic Holy War. Although far from being unprecedented, the targeting of Red Cross workers is considered as uncivilized and utterly barbaric. Red Cross has aways been considered as neutral. Traditionally, Red Cross has always been considered as exempt from being an intentional or tactical target of warfare. However, the warfare that is being waged by the Abu Sayyaf is far from being traditional or even rational. The group might have originally started its terrorist activities under the pretense of Islamic ideology but it has now completely deteriorated into purely ruthless banditry.
The government should never have capitulated with the irrational and cowardly demands of the self-styled mujahideen. The government forces should never have moved even an inch farther from the Abu Sayyaf lair. The demand of military pull-out is only an indication that the rats are already being cornered. Cordoning the area would assure that the terrorists would have smaller breathing space. However, a more precise tactic should be used. It is hard to fathom why the military is fond of using artillery attacks. It would be tantamount to killing a mosquito with the use of a cannon. A smaller commando unit would be more effective but the military cordon should be maintained to minimize the possibility of escape.
Like metastasized cancer, eradicating the Abu Sayyaf would be very difficult. It would require a grand but very precise strategy. Many would be sacrificed in the process. The military option is just the initial step. Removing the main tumor would be good but preventing the further development and spread of other tumors is also equally important.
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“Non Omnis Moriar” is the Latin motto of the Knights of Rizal which can also be found in the official emblem of the organization. It can be translated in English as “Not all of me shall die.” I am not certain if it was uttered or written by Rizal himself as his personal motto. However, it is a quotation that is attibuted to the ancient Roman poet, Quintus Horatius Flaccus, otherwise known simply as Horace. It does not really matter whether Rizal indeed uttered or used the quotation as his personal motto. What matter is that Rizal is an embodiment of that quotation.
Although Jose Rizal was executed by the Spanish regime more than 112 years ago, his ideals and influence never died. The Order of the Knights of Rizal is just one of the living proof that not all of Rizal had died. His legacy and ideals lives on. The Knights of Rizal is not only just an ordinary fan club. It is neither a fanatic group that worship a hero. It is an organization that seeks to spread the patriotic teachings of Rizal. It is an organization that seeks to honor Rizal by emulating his exemplary service to the country. Hence, it is is not surprising why many notable Filipino statemen and professionals are members of the organization. Manuel Quezon, Carlos Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Hilario Davide, Ambeth Ocampo, Heherson Alvarez, Rufino Cardinal Santos, Jaime Cardinal Sin, and Benigno Aquino, Jr. are just some of the notable Filiipnos who became members of the Knights of Rizal.
The prestige of the organization is mainly because of its members who had accompished great things in service of the Philippines and humanity in general. Nonetheless, it should not mistaken that the organization is a highly exclusive or discriminating club. It is an organization that welcomes all people of any race, nationality, educatinal background, or economic status. The minimum qualification is the endorsement of at least two active members. Although it is an exclusive male fraternal order, it has women and youth affiliate organizations.
The Order of the Knights of Rizal was founded by Col. Antonio Torres on December 30, 1911. The organization was incorporated in 1916. It has gained its independent legislative charter in 1957 as promulgated in Republic Act 646, otherwise known as the Charter of the Knights of Rizal. The organization was originally known in its Spanish name as Orden de Caballeros de Rizal. Presently, the organization has more than 25,000 members all over the world.
Rizal is not just the national hero of the Philippines, he was a champion of humanity against tyranny. His genius and accomplishments were dedicated to the ideals of freedom and universal brotherhood. The Order of the Knights of Rizal is just one of the living legacy that was inpired by Rizal.
When I was a child, I thought the organization was some kind of a religious cult. I thought the organization was the same as the religious movement that worship Rizal as a god and Filipino Christ incarnate. I was wrong. The members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal are far from being fanatics or zealots. They come from all walks of life. Athough there are some members who are academicians, professionals, judges, and statemen, majority of the members are from the common people.
Last December 30 (Rizal Day), I was initiated and became a member of the Order of Knights of Rizal. My father encouraged me to join the organization in which he is also a member. The ceremony was simple. It was more akin to the ceremonies of Freemasonry and Knighthood. It was one of my proudest moments. I only hope that I could live-up to the expectations and ideals of the organization.
References:
http://www.knightsofrizal.org/content/
http://theknightsofrizal.org/about_history.html
http://www.knightsofrizal.net/
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Contrary to common notion, science does not always arrive at conclusions as absolute truths. Although concrete empirical evidences are the best proofs, the interpretations of these proofs are subject to consensus. In spite of the rigorous testing, experimentation, data collection, and peer reviews, scientific theories are not always established as facts. There are some scientific issues that remain to be controversial. It seems that scientists are divided into camps when it comes to some important issues. The issue of climate change is one of the hotly debated issues today. Although all scientists agree that there is indeed significant change in the climate, they do not agree on what is causing it.
However, most experts assert that the main cause of global warming can be traced to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuel. On the other hand, there are some heretics that oppose this human factor theory. These scientists also have their voluminous pile of confirmable data to support their assertions. They are pointing out to the fact that the earth had already undergone dramatic climate changes in the past, long before humans existed. Some factors that are being examined for periodic and dramatic climate change are the sun’s activity, ocean’s currents, volcanic activities, and cosmic rays. It has also been noted that the correlation between the amount of carbon dioxide and high global temperature and other greenhouse gases may not necessarily have a cause and effect relationship. At worst, the cause and effect relationship might be reverse. The high temperature is causing greenhouse gases from natural sources to be released into the atmosphere.
Since Al Gore and the IPCC have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace, the world awareness on climate changed has risen. The efforts of Al Gore to propagate climate change awareness have earned him global recognition as a serious environmental advocate. His most notable work was the film documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Although the film itself has received international awards, there are some critics who pointed out the obvious biases in the way the film documentary was presented. Some critics dismissed the film as an outright propaganda material and money-making venture to further Al Gore’s political agenda. The film documentary fed on the fears of people by presenting a doomsday scenario. The supposedly scientific facts presented were grossly exaggerated and misleading. Some theories and assumptions were even presented as facts. Al Gore might have political agenda under his sleeves but the recognition of his efforts has resulted in global awareness and actions. Al Gore became the high-priest and global preacher of the gospel about climate change. Some politicians are now riding in the bandwagon.
In the Philippines, the politician most notable for riding with the bandwagon of climate change politics is Governor Sarte Salceda of the province of Albay. He even formed an office that will focus on his policies related to climate change. This office is the Center for Initiatives and Research in Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA). Like Al Gore, Governor Salceda is not an expert on climate change. He is not even a noted environmentalist. He is an expert in economics. Whatever the real intention of Governor Salceda in his present environmental advocacy, it seems that it is benefiting Albay Province. This province is now declared as the pilot province for a national program on climate change adaptation and mitigation. Funds poured in the province as a result. The areas of agriculture, infrastructure, and education are the concerns of the said program. National and international conferences were already held in Albay regarding climate change. Since the devastation of typhoon Reming in 2006, climate change has become a real issue in Albay that is now being addressed. Hopefully, the people of Albay are the ones that will truly benefit from the initiatives of the local government. On the other hand, if Governor Salceda is really serious in proving his sincerity about his environmental cause, perhaps it would not be a very big sacrifice if he will give up his cigarette smoking.
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For some conspiracy theorists and superstitious, the number 21 has special significance in the death of Ninoy Aquino. A less known fact about Marcos was that he was very superstitious that he could even be considered as an occultist. Aside from believing in destiny, he was also an ardent believer in numerology and amulets.
Marcos was particularly fond of the number seven and its multiples. He even commissioned furnitures in Malacanang with carved designs incorporating the number seven. On the other hand, there is a supposed pattern in the historic dates associated with Marcos. Two important dates are September 21, 1972 (Martial Law Declaration) and August 21, 1983 (Ninoy’s assassination). Marcos was also a combat intelligence officer of the 21st Infantry Division during World War II. For some, the number 21 is a clue on who masterminded the murder of Ninoy.
However, numerology is not an accepted evidence in court. I really do not believe in the numerology mumbo-jumbo. Even if Marcos was superstitious, he could not possibly conveniently chosen August 21 as an auspicious date to order the assassination. Even if Marcos was superstitious, he was not stupid.
Although Marcos had the motive, opportunity, and means to order the assassination of Ninoy, the murder was badly planned to have the credence of a Marcos murder signature. It was too obvious and stupid. Either the already dead Galman jumped while he shot Ninoy or he shot way over his head.
The number 21 might not really be connected to the murder of Ninoy but there are at least 21 questions that need to be answered to solve the 25-year old murder mystery.
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It has been a month since the “re-organization” at the office. I was in a state of shock and perhaps mourning during the past one month. I really did not know how to properly react. I find it difficult to write about something which impact I did not fully digest.
I initially felt relieved from the daily drudgery of writing about monotonous topics required by my job. I felt relieved from the repetitive and meaningless routine that I had learned to tolerate for almost two years. The truth about it is that I will miss my coworkers more than my work. I will miss the breakfast and coffee break chats at the pantry. I will miss the occasional nonsensical Yahoo Messenger conferences. I will miss the idle afternoons. I will miss reading and clicking the daily-changing YM status messages of my colleagues.
Aside from the economic impact of the “re-organization” at the office, it also brought serious psychological wounds. Some had to relocate and become detached from their families and love ones. Meanwhile, the majority had to face the prospect of uncertain future.
We were like passengers and crew of a sinking ship who were forced to jump into a raging sea because the ship cannot anymore carry the weight. Although we were given “life jackets” they are still not enough for some of us to stay afloat long enough to find another ship to board. I know the company has to survive. However, in its act of self-preservation, it had to trim down its crew. In the process, it has not only taken away our livelihoods but also taken away a portion of our sanity.
The fog of uncertainty looms ahead. But I am still optimistic. Starting all over again is difficult, especially if you are raising a family. However, I consider the present condition as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to rise above the situation and stop being a victim of circumstance. Global economic circumstances might be beyond my control but this does not necessarily mean that I should fall in despair.
Where do we go we from here? Well, perhaps the more appropriate statement would be: “LET’S START FROM HERE!”
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Today the Philippine nation celebrates its 110th year anniversary of the declaration of independence from Spain. It is ironic and a disappointment that today is a working holiday. True to her “holiday economics,” President Arroyo again moved the non-working holiday to a more convenient date. This is to encourage the so-called domestic tourism. Well, how can you expect people to travel for pleasure if they hardly can afford to buy rice?
The Macapagals seem to have this penchant for moving historical dates. GMA’s father, former President Diosdado Macapagal, was the one who moved Philippine independence day celebration from July 4 to June 12. Aside from agrarian reforms, it was his other lasting legacy to the Filipino people. Unlike President Gloria’s “holiday economics,” her father’s initiative revived the pride of Filipinos. Historically speaking, July 4 independence day was merely granted by the Americans while June 12 independence day was the result of the blood and toil of our ancestors who overthrown their former Spanish masters during the Philippine Revolution.
Flag-raising and wreath-laying rites were held in various parts of the country. Most notable of these was the balcony reenactment at the Aguinaldo Mansion in Cavite. (By the way, the said balcony was not there in 1898. It was only added in 1923.) Although not as poetic as the American Declaration of Independence, the words that were shouted from that window 110 years ago were more than mere rhetorical protest. It was a declaration that led to the severing of the 333-year-old umbilical cord that connected the Philippines to Mother Spain. This declaration, along with other symbols of nationhood, heralded the birth of the Philippines as a nation.
Here is the original Spanish text of the Philippine Declaration of Independence:
Acta de la Proclamación de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino
En el pueblo de Cavite Viejo comprensión de esta provincia de Cavite, a doce de junio de mil ochocientos noventa y ocho: ante mí Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Auditor de guerra, Delegado especial nombrado para proclamar y solemnizar este acto por el Gobierno Dictatorial de estas Islas Filipinas, al efecto y en virtud de la circular que dirigió el Egregio Dictador de ellas Don Emilio Aguinaldo Fami, congregados los infranscristos entre Jefes de su Ejército y representantes de los otros de ellos que no han podido concurrir y vecinos notables de varios pueblos de las mismas, teniendo en cuenta que cansados ya sus habitantes de sobrellevar el ominoso yugo de la dominación española por las aprehensiones arbitrarias y malos tratos que hacía la Guardia Civil hasta causar la muerte por condescendencia, y hasta expresa disposición de sus Jefes que llegaban a veces a ordenar el fusilamiento de los aprehendidos bajo el pretexto de que intentaban fugarse en contravención de lo que se dispone en los Reglamentos de su Instituto cuyos abusos se dejaban impunes y por las deportaciones injustas especialmente las decretadas por el General Blanco de personas ilustradas y de cierta posición social a moción del Arzobispo y frailes interesados en mantenerles en el obscurantismo por sus miras egoístas y codiciosas, deportaciones que se llevan a cabo desde luego mediante un procedimiento más execrable que el de la Inquisición y que rechaza toda nación civilizada por resolverse sin audiencia de los que a él están sometidos, determiaron hacer un movimiento insurreccional en Agosto de mil ochocientos noventa y seis, a recobrar la independencia y soberanía de que les privó España por medio del adelantado Miguel López de Legazpi que continuando el rumbo seguido por su predecesor Hernando de Magallanes, que arribó a las playas de Cebu y ocupó esta Isla por medio de pacto de amistad que celebró con su Rey Tupas, aunque fue muerto en el combate habido en dichas playas a que le provocó el Rey Kalipulako de Manktan, receloso de sus malas intenciones, desembarcó en la Isla de Bohol haciendo también el célebre pacto de sangre de amistad con su Rey Sikatuna para después de tomar por fuerza a Cebu, porque el sucesor Tupas no le consintió ocuparlo, venir a la capital de Manila como así hizo, granjeando igualmente la amistad de sus Reyes Soliman y La Kandela y tomando después posesión de ella por todo el Archipiélago para España, en virtud de las órdenes del Rey Felipe II que dados estos precedentes históricos porque en derecho internacional no es reconocida la prescripción establecida por las Leyes para legitimar hasta la adquisición viciosa de bienes de particulares, no se puede poner en duda la legitimidad de tal movimiento que calmó y no del todo sofocó la pacificación propuesta por Don Pedro A. Paterno con Don Emilio Aguinaldo como presidente del Gobierno Republicano constituído en Biaknabato y aceptado por el Gobernador General Don Fernando Primo de Rivera bajo condiciones que se establecieron unas escritas y otras verbales, entre ellas, las amnistía general para todos los emigrados y condenados: que por incumplimiento de alguna que otra de estas condiciones después de la destrucción de la Escuadra Española por la Norteamericana y bombardeo de la plaza de Cavite, volvió Don Emilio Aguinaldo para iniciar una nueva revolución, y apenas que dio la voz para efectuarse el treinta y uno del mes próximo pasado, algunos pueblos se anticiparon a moverse, y el veintiocho entre Imus y Cavite Viejo fue copada y tuvo que rendirse una fuerza española de ciento setenta y ocho al mando de un Comandante de Infantería de Marina, propagándose este movimiento como chispa eléctrica en los otros pueblos, así de esta misma provincia como de los de Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna y Morong, algunos con puertos y tal es el éxito del triunfo de nuestras armas verdaderamente asombroso y sin ejemplo en la historia de las revoluciones coloniales que en la primera solo quedan por rendirse los Destacamentos de Naie e Indang, en la segunda no existe ya ninguno, en la tercera esta localizada la resistencia de iguales fuerzas en el pueblo de San Fernando en él concentradas la mayor parte y el resto en los de Macabebes, Sesmoan y Guagua; en la cuarta en la Villa de Lipa, en la quinta en la Cabecera y Calumpit; y en las dos restantes en sus respectivas Cabeceras y próxima a estar completamente sitiada la Ciudad de Manila por las nuestras amén de las provincias de Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Union, Zambales, y algunas otras de las Islas Visayas insurreccionadas en algunos de sus pueblos, en unos casi a raíz de aquella pacificación y en otros aún antes, de suerte que puede darse por segura la independencia de nuestro territorio y reivindicada nuestra soberanía, y tomando por testigo de la rectitud de nuestras intenciones al Juez Supremo del Universo, bajo la protección de la Potente y Humanitaria Nación Norte Americana, proclamos y declaramos solemnemente en nombre y por la Autoridad de los habitantes de todas estas Islas Filipinas, que son y tienen el derecho de ser libres e independientes, que están desligadas de toda obediencia a la Corona de España, que todo lazo politico entre unos y otra, está y debe estar completamente roto y anulado y que como todos los Estados libres e independientes, tienen plena Autoridad para hacer la Guerra, concluir la paz, celebrar tratados mercantiles, contraer alianzas, reglamentar el Comercio y realizar todos demás actos y cosas que los Estados Independientes tienen el derecho de hacer, y poseídos de firme confianza en la protección de la Divina Providencia, comprometemos mutuamente para sostenimiento de esta declaración, nuestras vidas, nuestras fortunas y nuestro bien más sagrado que es el honor. Admitimos, aprobamos y confirmamos con las disposiciones emanadas de ellas, la Dictadura constituída por Don Emilio Aguinaldo a quien acatamos como Jefe Supremo de esta Nación que empieza ya hoy a tener vida propia, por creer haber sido el instrumento elegido por Dios, a pesar de sus humildes dotes para efectuar la redención de este desdichado pueblo, preconizada por el Doctor Don José Rizal en los versos magníficos que compuso al ser puesto en Capilla para ser fusilado, librádole del yugo dela dominación Española en castigo de la impunidad que su Gobierno dejaba de los abusos que cometían sus subordinados, y de los fusilamientos injustos de dicho Rizal y otros que fueron sacrificados para contentar a la frailocracia insaciable en s used hidrópica de venganza y de exterminio de todos los que se oponen a sus maquiavélicos fines con conculcación del Código Penal que dio para estas Islas, y de los de personas meramente sospechosas, ordenados por los Jefes de Destacamentos, a instigación de los frailes sin forma ni figura de juicio y sin auxilio spiritual de nuestra sagrada Religión, igualmente que para el mismo fin fueron ahorcados los eminentes patricios curas filipinos Doctor Don José Burgos, Don Mariano Gómez y Don Jacinto Zamora, cuya sangre inocente derramada en virtud de intriga de esas corporaciones mal llamadas religiosas que simularon la insurrección militar estallada la noche del veintiuno de enero de mil ochocientos setenta y dos en el fuerte de San Felipe de la plaza de Cavite, atribuyendo su promoción a dichos mártires para impedir el cumplimiento del Decreto-Sentencia dictado por el Consejo de Estado en el recurso contencioso Administrativo interpuesto por el Clero Secular contra las Reales Ordenes por las que se mandó entregar los curatos que poseía en este Arzobispado a los Recoletanos en cambio de los que regentaban en Mindanao que se cedían a los Jesuítas, revocándolas por completo y ordenando la devolución de aquellos curatos cuyo expediente quedó archivado en el Ministerio de Ultramar; a donde fue remitido en los últimos meses del año anterior para extender la oportuna Real Prohibición; fue la que hizo brotar el árbol de la libertad de este nuestro querido suelo, haciéndolo crecer los inicuos procedimientos empleados para oprimirnos más y más, hasta que agotada la última gota del cáliz de nuestros sufrimientos, estalló la pasada insurrección en Caloocan, se propagó en Santamesa y continuó con las inmediatas en esta provincial, donde el heroísmo sin igual de sus habitantes dio al traste con los combates del General Blanco, y contuvo a las numerosas huestes del General Polavieja por espacio de tres meses, sin los elementos de guerra de que hoy disponemos y empezando con armas propias de este país qie son el bolo, caña agusada y saeta. Además conferimos a nuestro renombrado Dictador Don Emilio Aguinaldo todas las facultades necesarias para desempeñar dibidamente su Gobierno inclusas las prerrogativas de indulto y amnistía. Y por ultimo se acordó unánimemente que esta Nación ya Independiente desde hoy, debe usar la bandera que hasta ahora sigue usando, cuya forma y colores se hallan descritos en el Adjunto dibujo con el remate que representa al natural con tres referidas armas significando el triángulo blanco como distintivo de la célebre Sociedad “Katipunan” que por medio de pacto de sangre empujó a las masas a insurreccionarse; representando las tres estrellas las tres principales Islas de este Archipiélago, Luzon, Mindanao y Panay en que estalló este movimento insurreccional; indicando el sol los agigantados pasos que han dado los hijos de este país en el camino del progreso y civilización, simbolizando los ocho rayos de aquél las ocho provincias: Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Marinduque, Bataan, Laguna y Batangas, declarando en estado de guerra apenas se inició la primera insurrección; conmemorando los colores azul, rojo y blanco los de la bandera de los Estados Unidos de la América del Norte, como manifestación de nuestro profundo agradecimiento hacia esta Gran Nación por la desinteresada protección que nos presta y seguirá prestando. Y empuñando la dicha bandera la presenté a los Señores congregados: Don Segundo Aveliano, Don Tiburcio del Rosario, Don Sergio Matias, Don Agapito Zialeita, Don Glaviano Alonso, Don Mariano Legazpi, Don José Turiano Santiago y Acosta, Don Aurelio Tolentino, Don Félix Ferrey, Don Felipe Buen Camino, Don Fernando Canon Faustino (hijo), Don Anastasio Gimenez, Don Timoteo Bernali, Don Flaviano Rodriguez, Don Luciano Masancay, Don Narciso Muguya, Don Gregorio Villa, Don Luis Perez de Tayle, Don Canuto Celestino, Don Marcos Foesien, Don Martin de los Reyes, Don Ciriaco Bansa, Don Manuel Santos, Don Mariano Toribio, Don Gabriel Reyes, Don Hugo Lim, Don Emiliano Lim, Don Fausto Tisono, Don Rosendo Simon, Don Leon Tanyangues, Don Gregorio Bonifacio, Don Manuel Salafranca, Don Simon Villareal, Don Calixto Lara, Don Beneventura Toribio, Don Zacarias Fajardo, Don Florencio Manulo, Don Ramon Ganas, Don Marcelino Gomez, Don Valentin Polintan, Don Felix Polintan, Don Evaristo Dimulantu, Don Gregorio Alvarez, Don Sabas de Guzman, Don Esteban Francisco, Don Guido Yap-tinchay, Don Sillariano Rianzares Bautista, Don Francisco Arumbulo, Don Antonio Gonzalez, Don Juan Arevalo, Don Ramon Delfino, Don Honorio Tiengea, Don Francisco del Rosario, Don Epifanio Saguil, Don Ladislao Afable Jose, Don Sixto Rolian, Don Luis de Lara, Don Marcelo Basa, Don Jose Medina, Don Epifanio Ciriaia, Don Pastor Lopez de Leon, Don Mariano de los Santos, Don Santiago Garcia, Don Claudio Tria Tirona, Don Estanislao Tria Tirona, Don Daniel Tria Tirona, Don Andrés Tria Tirona, Don Carlos Tria Tirona, Don Sulpicio P. Antony, Don Epitasio Asuncion, Don Catalino Ramon, Don Juan Bordador, Don José del Rosario, Don Riverso Pulido, Don José Maria del Rosario, Don Ramon Magcanes, Don Antonio Calingo, Don Pedro Mendiola, Don Estanislao Calingo, Don Numercano Castilla, Don Federico Toma Cruz, Don Teodoro Yates, Don Ladislao Dina, los cuales juraron solemnemente reconocerla y defenderla hasta la última gota de nuestra sangre. Por esto lo cual extiendo la presente Acta que forman conmigo los concurrentes en este acto como asi mismo el único extranjero Subdito Norteameriacano Mr. L. M. Johnson Coronel de Artilleria que asistió a el mismo de que certifica.
