HISTORY 100 | ECE II-2-F
Document Analysis
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Type of document: Article Online
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Title of the book/article: The Proclamation of Philippine Independence
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Author/s: Dr. Sonia M. Zaide (The Philippines: A Unique Nation). Some of the information were from a
source: History of the Filipino People, where the author was Teodoro A. Agoncillo.
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Year/ Date Written: The article was published on June 10, 2016. Though the original works were written
earlier.
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URL (internet source):
philippine-independence/
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What was the purpose of the author in writing this text? The purpose of the author is to inform the
reader about the events surrounding the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, emphasizing its
significance, and providing historical context. It describes the key figures involved, the reasons behind
the proclamation, and the ceremony itself.
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Why did the author write the text? The author perhaps wrote the text to commemorate the event, educate
the public about Philippine history, and highlight the importance of the declaration of independence in the
country's struggle for freedom.
https://philippinereporter.com/index.php/2016/06/10/the-proclamation-of-
THREE major concepts synthesizing the text
1. The proclamation of independence on June 12, 1898, was a critical or unforgettable moment in Philippine
history, symbolizing the nation's desire for freedom from Spanish colonial rule.
2. Emilio Aguinaldo's leadership in pushing for the declaration, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista's drafting of
the declaration, and the involvement of others like Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo in creating the flag were crucial
to the event.
3. The raising of the Philippine flag, the playing of the national anthem, and the reading of the declaration
were all carefully planned to inspire the people and signal the birth of a new nation.
What did you find out from this document that you might not learn anywhere/elsewhere?
The document highlights the disagreement between Aguinaldo and Mabini regarding the timing of the
declaration. While the general knowledge is that independence was declared, the passage provides insight into
the differing opinions on the strategic importance of such a declaration at that specific moment in the revolution.
Also, the mention of an American officer signing the declaration provides a specific detail that might not be
known by the public.
In your document analysis, is this PRIMARY or SECONDARY source?
This is a SECONDARY source.
Defend your answer:
The text is a secondary source because it's a retelling and analysis of historical events based on other
sources. It references the works of historians Teodoro Agoncillo and Sonia Zaide, indicating that the author is
compiling and interpreting information from primary sources and pre-existing historical accounts rather than
providing a firsthand account of the events. It is an interpretation of the actual event using other sources.
Furthermore, the publication was in the 21st century already, which is more than a century already ever since the
event took place. Anyone who can be a primary source is now dead considering the dates of when the event
took place.