Philippine Independence Day: A Walk To Financial Freedom

Today, many Filipinos here and all around the world commemorate the Philippines’ 111th Independence Day. June 12 was the day when General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Filipinos in Kawit, Cavite, in 1898. It was also the day saw that the National Flag of the Philippines was first unfurled and the newly born nation’s national anthem was first played.

It’s the Philippines walk to sovereignty and freedom from the colonial rule of Spain. Although this date was not initially recognized by the United States or Spain it’s now the official date as signed into law by then President Diosdado Macapagal.

While the Philippines first celebrated its Independence Day on June 12, its independence was only recognized on July 4, 1946 by the United States. Henceforth, Independence Day was observed on July 4, but in the name of nationalism, and upon the advice of historians, Republic Act No. 4166 was signed into law by President Diosdado Macapagal in 1964, proclaiming June 12, which up to that time had been observed as Flag Day, as Independence Day. Wikipedia – Philippine Declaration of Independence.

This is why the independence date has to be proclaimed as June 12.

There was no difficulty in adhering to June 12, however, because although Aguinaldo Government was a dictatorship in view of the military operations he was then leading, he led in converting it into a republican Government in the Malolos Congress. Moreover, the celebration of independence refers to its proclamation rather than to the final establishment of the government. In the case of America, when independence was proclaimed on July 4, the American Government was still a confederation and it was much later when it finally became a federal government.

The historical fact was that the Filipinos proclaimed their independence from foreign rule on June 12. Even the national anthem and the Filipino flag which are essential features in the birth of a nation were played and displayed respectively at the independence proclamation in Kawit.” From June 12 as Independence Day

Are Filipinos Really FREE?

Geesh. I’m not an opinionated guy but I just wonder why so many Filipinos need to go out of the country in search for a greener pasture and to make needed money. Consider this:

We Filipinos should not mislead ourselves into thinking that independence and democracy are well and alive in the Philippines. They’re not! What increases is poverty and corruption, poverty which is the contradictory of independence, and corruption which is the contradictory of democracy. -  from The Democracy and Independence by Rizza

And this:

I love my country. I love the Philippines. And I fervently hope that my children will grow up to once again see it led by people who truly and sincerely love it too. Way beyond personal/vested interests. No politicking. No corruption. Plain and simple HONEST government service to the people. -  from 111 Years of Philippine Independence

Has it something to do with politics? Is there such thing as political freedom? Geeeshh, I told you I’m not that opinionated.

But there’s only one thing I know I can do.

Is sending OFW’s out of the country a good sign of independence?

We honor Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and brand them as the new heroes of the nation. But are they really given the proper assistance when they finally come back home?

I’m also a former OFW. I’ve been working as a factory worker in Taiwan for six years. And I know how hard and painful being away from your family and from the country you love most.

I worked with professionals such as Engineers, Teachers, and Nurses. You may not believe it but we all do the same dirty work.

I saw dads cry when they have no enough money to send to their own families. I saw how they desperately make arrangements with the boss just to get an overtime pay.

Why do Filipinos need to go the other shore in search of much needed finances for their family? These days it seems that there is an exodus of skilled and professional human resources from the Philippines.

Let me again barrow Miss Rizza’s statement:

“What increases is poverty and corruption, poverty which is the contradictory of independence, and corruption which is the contradictory of democracy.”

My Own Walk To Financial Freedom

Many OFW’s who come back to the country for good are not actually “that good” in terms of financial matters. Many will need to re-apply and go back to the same bondage on the other shore.

Many who are not anymore qualified to go back are not even qualified to be absorbed on local jobs. Worse, many will go broke after a year or two because they simply don’t know how to invest that little hard earned money.

FORTUNATELY, I’m in the group where I got myself broke after just one year because I had no idea how to properly invest that little money. And I came to the point where I incurred large debt. Yeah, what a shame on me.

But said I was FORTUNATE and blessed to go this way because finally I learned that there’s a much better way to make money without having to leave the country, although the learning process was too painful and humbling at best.

It’s a true walk to financial freedom and I know for sure I can make it.

Form this day of the Philippine’s 111th Independence Day I’ll be moving forward to that financial freedom and one day be able to extend this growing knowledge to fellow OFW’s here and around the world.

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