Jan. 23, 1899: Inauguration of the First Philippine Republic

On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Republic, was officially inaugurated in a grand ceremony at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. This historic event marked the establishment of the first republic in Asia, with Emilio Aguinaldo taking his oath as the first President of the Republic. Aguinaldo’s speech articulated the nation’s aspirations to live under a democratic regime, free from foreign domination. He declared, “Great is this day, glorious this date, and forever memorable this moment in which our beloved people are raised to the apotheosis of Independence.”

On Jan. 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, popularly known as the Malolos Republic, was inaugurated amidst colorful ceremonies at the Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan Province. This was also the first republic in Asia. Aguinaldo took his oath of office as President of the Republic. He stated the aspiration of the nation “to live under the democratic regime of the Philippine Republic, free from the yoke of any foreign domination.” In conclusion, he declared: “Great is this day, glorious this date, and forever memorable this moment in which our beloved people are raised to the apotheosis of Independence.”

Significant Decrees by Aguinaldo

To make the event more memorable, Aguinaldo issued a decree granting pardon to all Spanish prisoners of war who were not members of the Spanish regular army and at the same time, granting to Spaniards and other aliens the right to engage in business within the limits of the Republic.

Aguinaldo wore a formal attire with top hat, white gloves, and bow tie and carried a tasseled gold-knobbed cane.

The food at the inaugural banquet was European and the menu written in French.

Aguinaldo entourage entering Barasoain Church, Jan 23 1899 — Aguinaldo’s entourage enters Barasoain Church

Philippine Army in Malolos Plaza — Philippine army soldiers at the plaza in Malolos

Malolos inauguration of Republic Jan 23 99 — The residents of Malolos and guests celebrate the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic

Sixto Lopez n Felipe Agoncillo 1898 — Jose “Sixto” Lopez (LEFT) and Felipe Agoncillo (RIGHT), Philippine ambassadors to the United States. Agoncillo was commissioned as Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate treaties with foreign governments. PHOTO was taken in 1898.

Diplomatic Efforts in the United States

While the Republic was being inaugurated, Felipe Agoncillo, the Philippine ambassador to the United States, was actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to gain recognition for the fledgling nation. Agoncillo addressed the U.S. Senate, appealing to them to acknowledge the Philippines’ right to self-determination. His appeals, however, faced significant challenges, especially with the outbreak of the Philippine-American War on February 4, 1899, which complicated the situation further.

Agoncillo statement 3,The Scranton Tribune Jan 25, 1899 Page 1 — The Scranton Tribune, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Jan. 25, 1899 Page 1

Agoncillo vain struggle to get recognition, SFC Jan 27 1899 — The San Francisco Call, issue of Jan. 27, 1899

Agoncillo wrote a memorial addressed to the US Senators on January 30, reminding them to follow the precedents of their own country of recognizing the right of all nations to be free and to create and reform their own political institutions.

Juan Luna Ferdinand Blumentritt Felipe Agoncillo at Litomerice Czech. 1899 — Juan Luna (LEFT), the Filipino painter, and Felipe Agoncillo (RIGHT) visiting Ferdinand Blumentritt, the Austrian teacher, historian, and ethnologist and close friend of the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, at Litomerice, Austria-Hungary, in 1899. [Litomerice is now a part of the Czech Republic].

[When the Philippine-American War broke out on Feb. 4, 1899, which affected the decision of the US Senate to ratify the Paris peace treaty that ceded the Philippines to the Americans, Agoncillo moved to Canada. From there, he sailed to London, where he resumed his diplomatic activities and continued bringing into public knowledge about the newly born Filipino nation in the Far East that was struggling from American domination. When his funds ran out, he sold his wife’s jewelry and resumed his work.]

Malolos Filipino govt capitol 1899 — Capitol of the First Philippine Republic at Malolos. Photo taken in 1899.

Stamps of the 1st Philippine republic — Source: The San Francisco Call, Sept. 24, 1899 Page 27

Banknote First Philippine Republic April 1899 — A bank note issued by the First Philippine Republic on April 21, 1899. The symbol used for the Peso was the same as for the US dollar.

El Heraldo de la Revolucion Jan 22 1899 — Issue dated Jan. 22, 1899. The Voice of the Philippine Revolution (1899). In the wake of Commo. George Dewey’s destruction of Spain’s Pacific Fleet in Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo declared the independence of the Philippines on June 12, 1898. El Heraldo de la Revoluci�n began semiweekly publication in September, continuing until fighting broke out between the Americans and Filipino forces on February 4, 1899

A waterway in Malolos 1898 underwood — Original caption: “A Waterway of Aguinaldo’s Capital, Malolos, Philippine Islands”. Photo was taken in 1898.

[Description from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:School_Begins:

Caricature showing Uncle Sam lecturing four children labelled Philippines (who appears similar to Philippine leader Emilio Aguinaldo), Hawaii, Porto Rico and Cuba in front of children holding books labelled with various U.S. states. In the background are an American Indian holding a book upside down, a Chinese boy at door, and a black boy cleaning a window. Originally published on p. 8-9 of the January 25, 1899 issue of Puck magazine.

Caption: “School Begins. Uncle Sam (to his new class in Civilization): Now, children, you’ve got to learn these lessons whether you want to or not! But just take a look at the class ahead of you, and remember that, in a little while, you will feel as glad to be here as they are!”

Blackboard: The consent of the governed is a good thing in theory, but very rare in fact. England has governed her colonies whether they consented or not. By not waiting for their consent she has greatly advanced the world’s civilization. The U.S. must govern its new territories with or without their consent until they can govern themselves.

Poster: The Confederated States refused their consent to be governed, but the Union was preserved without their consent.

Book: U.S. First Lessons in Self Government

Note: (on table) The new class Philippines Cuba Hawaii Porto Rico]

Agoncillo gets saucy — Issue of Feb. 3, 1899

Cultural and Political Context

The inauguration took place against a backdrop of significant cultural and political developments. The Capitol of the First Philippine Republic in Malolos became the center of the new government, issuing currency and publishing official documents that reflected the aspirations and identity of the Republic. The banknotes issued bore the symbol of the Peso, similar to the U.S. dollar, symbolizing the economic ambitions of the new nation.

Challenges and Propaganda

The struggle for recognition and the fight against American colonization were ongoing. In the United States, satirical and propaganda images, like those published in Puck magazine, depicted the U.S. as a colonial power imposing its will on its new territories, including the Philippines. These images often portrayed Filipinos and other colonized peoples in a derogatory manner, reflecting the imperialistic attitudes of the time.

Legacy of the Malolos Republic

The inauguration of the First Philippine Republic remains a significant event in the history of the Philippines. It was a bold assertion of the Filipino people’s desire for self-governance and independence, laying the groundwork for future struggles and eventual freedom from colonial rule. Despite the challenges and conflicts that followed, the Malolos Republic is remembered as a symbol of the Filipino spirit of independence and resilience.