A Freedom fought for

The concept of freedom is quite a vague one, freedom is defined as the ability to act or change without restriction, or having the strength and resources to achieve one's goals. Freedom is frequently related with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "making one's own laws," as well as having rights and civil liberties to exercise them without government intervention. Freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of choice, and freedom of expression are all examples of political freedom that are frequently addressed.

In this case, freedom for the Philippines means independence from the hands of the Spaniards. Independence refers to a situation in which a person, nation, country, or state's people and population, or a portion of them, have self-government and, in most cases, sovereignty over their area. 

Independence Day (Filipino: Araw ng Kasarinlán; also known as Araw ng Kalayaan, "Day of Freedom") is an annual national holiday in the Philippines honoring the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898 on June 12. We celebrate our independence from the Spaniards; we Filipinos had been controlled by Spain for nearly 300 years, and the torture, prejudice, and unfair oppression had finally ended, replaced by a free country, free to set its own laws and rule over its own land. Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Restituto Javier, Guillermo Masangkay, Aurelio Tolentino, Faustino Manalak, Pedro Zabala, and a few other Katipuneros proceeded to Pamitinan Cave in Montalban, Rizal to introduce new Katipunan members. Viva la independencia Filipina! wrote Bonifacio. or Long Live Philippine Independence on the cave walls to indicate the secret society's goal. Bonifacio also led the Cry of Pugad Lawin, which signaled the start of the Philippine Revolution. In protest against Spanish conquest, members of the Katipunan, led by Bonifacio, tore their community tax certificates (cedulas personales). 

In 1896, the Philippine Revolution began. On December 14, 1897, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato was signed, establishing a truce between the Spanish colonial administration and Filipino rebels. Emilio Aguinaldo and other revolutionary leaders were exiled to Hong Kong under the provisions of the agreement after accepting 400,000 pesos from the Spanish government. On June 5, 1898, at his home in what was then known as Cavite El Viejo, Aguinaldo issued a decree proclaiming June 12, 1898 as the day of independence. The Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino was solemnly read by its author, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Aguinaldo's war counselor and special delegate. The Philippines were unsuccessful in gaining worldwide recognition for their independence, particularly from the United States of America and Spain. The Philippines were later given to the United States by the Spanish government in the 1898 Treaty of Paris. The Philippine Revolutionary Government refused to accept the treaty, and the two sides fought the Philippine–American War as a result.

On July 4, 1946, the Philippines gained independence from the United States of America. President Harry S. Truman issued Proclamation 2695 on July 4, 1946, officially recognizing the Philippines' independence under the Philippine Independence Act (also known as the "Tydings–McDuffie Act").

The fight for freedom wasn't an easy one, wars, bloodshed and sacrifice were all needed to achieve it. But are we truly free? Right now we are yes, there are no other countries ruling over our land, but will history itself repeat? we'll never know.

"Independence Day" retrieved June 2, 2022 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(Philippines)

"Freedom" retrieved June 2, 2022  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom

"Independence" retrieved June 2, 2022 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence