Philippine History -- Countdown to Independence: The Aguinaldo Diary

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The Philippine Revolution
Countdown to Independence: The Aguinaldo Diary

May 28, 1898.	Barrio Alapang, Kawit. The Philippine revolution of 1898 started at ten o clock in the morning, a fight that lasted till three o clock in the afternoon, when the Spaniards surrendered with all their arms to the Philippine revolutionaries. I took advantage of this glorious opportunity to introduce and wave the national flag, which was saluted by an immense multitude with cheers of delirious joy and tremendous vivas for a Filipinas Independiente.
May 31, 1898.	On this day was realized our second triumph, in Binakayan, at the place called El Polvorin, where the revolutionaries attacked a Spanish detachment of some 250 men, who surrendered in a few hours. Again, I used the opportunity to unfurl our national flag, on top of the seaside Polvorin, so it might be seen by the international warships congregated on the bay witnessing the providential events being experienced in the Philippines after 300 years of Spanish dominion. An hour has scarcely elapsed when another flag of ours was seen waving from the tower of the Bacoor church, signalling a new triumph against the Spanish troops garrisoned in that town. And thus the revolution marched from triumph to triumph, vouched for by the great number of prisoners arriving in Cavite from all parts of Luzon.
June 1898.	I visited Admiral Dewey, who after complimenting me on the "rapid successes of the Philippine Revolution," informed me that the French and German admirals had asked him why he permitted the Filipinos to use a flag unrecognized by their navies, to which Dewey had replied that the Filipinos used the same flag with his knowledge and consent (because) by their courage and firmness in war, they were worthy of such a right.
June, 1898.	The Dictatorial Government agreed, in the town of Kawit, on the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12. I sent a committee to notify Admiral Dewey, inviting him to take part in the ceremonies. The Admiral sent his secretary to excuse his attendance, alleging that it was mail day.