June 12 Independence Facts

Source: Video Message on PH Independence Day 2021 6/12/2021

1. Philippine independence was declared several times—each one different. - Some of the more notable instances include Andres Bonifacio's declaration on April 12, 1895, and another by Emilio Aguinaldo on October 31, 1896.
2. Filipinos formed a secret society to rebel against Spain. - This secret society was formed in Manila in 1892. Emilio Aguinaldo joined the group in 1894 and became the leader. As the society’s numbers began to grow, the Spanish discovered their plans forcing them to act sooner than originally planned.
3. The proclamation of Philippine independence took place on a Sunday. - According to Julian Felipe, Philippine independence was proclaimed on a Sunday afternoon, between 4 to 5 PM. 
4. Spain and the U.S. did not recognize Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence. - Although Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898, this was not recognized by Spain and the U.S. because Spain sold the Philippines to the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris on Dec. 10, 1898.
5. Philippine Independence Day used to be celebrated on July 4. - The United States granted the Philippines its independence on July 4. This date is now considered Filipino-American Friendship Day. In the early 1960s, the Philippine Historical Association lobbied for June 12 to be the official Independence Day once again. In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued a proclamation recognizing such change. He reportedly told journalist Stanley Karnow: "When I was in the diplomatic corps, I noticed that nobody came to our receptions on the Fourth of July, but went to the American Embassy instead. So, to compete, I decided we needed a different holiday." It was in 1964 when the country began celebrating Independence Day on June 12 again. 
6. Emilio Aguinaldo himself designed the Philippine flag. - Aguinaldo then visited Marcela Agoncillo in her Hong Kong home and asked her to make the flag. With the help of her daughter Lorenza and Jose Rizal’s niece Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, Agoncillo hand-sewed the Philippine flag which took 5 days to complete. The stars, sun and the triangle were made with fine satin.
7. The three stars in the flag originally stand for Luzon, Panay and Mindanao. - While most Filipinos today know that the three stars represent the three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Back then, Panay was referred to as one of the archipelago's three principal islands.
8. The flag’s colors (red, white and blue) were a salute to the American flag. - This little bit of trivia was mentioned in the Declaration of Independence which was written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. However, in Emilio Aguinaldo’s succeeding speeches, he stated that the color red stood for Filipino bravery, blue represented how Filipinos would rather die than surrender to the enemy and lastly, the color white symbolized the Filipino people’s love for peace.
9. The colors of the Philippine flag can be used as signals. - One thing that makes the Philippine flag unique is that its colors not only symbolize things, they are also used to indicate the nation’s current state. In peaceful times, the flag is raised with the blue strip on top. On the other hand, if the country is in a state of war, the flag will be flown with the red strip on top.
10. There was an earlier version of the National Anthem but Emilio Aguinaldo preferred something different. - A Filipino in Hong Kong composed the earlier version of the National Anthem which Aguinaldo brought home. However, he wanted something with a marching beat. He then asked Julian Felipe to make some changes. Felipe’s composition featured elements from the Spanish Royal March. Aguinaldo approved the revision.
11. The first Philippine anthem was commissioned by Andres Bonifacio. - Not many Filipinos may know that there was a Philippine anthem, the very first one, before the National Anthem we now know as Lupang Hinirang. It had the title “Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan” and was composed by Julio Nakpil upon the request of Andres Bonifacio.
12. The original copy of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence is kept in the National Library. - The document was one of the many revolutionary papers that were stolen from the National Library. Fortunately, it was returned in 1994 by Milagros Guerrero, a professor at the University of the Philippines.

References:

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/philippine-independence-day-facts-a00297-20200612-lfrm3

http://www.sdrapartments.com/blog/12-interesting-facts-about-philippine-independence-day