Sa manlulupig, ‘Di ka pasisiil

 “Sa manlulupig, ‘di ka pasisiil” is one of the lines from our national anthem, Lupang Hinirang that speaks for the history of the Philippines. Being captured, colonized, exploited, and abused for hundreds of years, by different colonizers, we have fought our way into freedom, with blood being shed, and lives lost. On June 12th, 1898, our flag was waved on Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s balcony in Kawit, Cavite. It was the day when the Philippines was proclaimed free from the capture of the Spaniards, after more than 300 years. 

Up until this day, we celebrate June 12th as our National Independence Day.  It is our most significant holiday for it symbolizes our freedom from years-long of abuse and exploitation from our colonizers. We celebrate Independence day by waving our national flag and placing them in public places – it is as if we are replicating what Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo did; waving the Filipino flag to commemorate independence. The road that our ancestors walked on in order for us to be free from the hands of our colonizers was not easy – relationships were destroyed and lives were lost. We celebrate independence day not only to commemorate our separation from the Spaniards but to honor the lives that were lost during the countless battles; big or small. We honor the lives of heroes, soldiers, and even ordinary citizens that sacrificed everything they had in order for our freedom. And although years have passed, we still live on and tell the stories of our heroes – big or small; silent or not. We live to tell the tales of those to who we owe our freedoms. 

“Sa manlulupig, ‘di ka pasisiil” will always become timeless, for as long as we live, we will celebrate the day that the Filipinos stood up, and rebelled against our colonizers. We will tell the stories of the battles and the heroes. Independence Day will always be significant, for it is the proof that we, the Filipinos, will not stand still – we will fight for what’s right – sa manlulupig, hindi tayo magpapasiil.  

SOURCES:

http://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0//attachment/2019/2019-06-13/f3795e59-d2f4-4029-ac75-ed29068a5427.jpeg