The Philippines will celebrate today June 12- the 118th Philippine Independence Day -commemorating the first declaration of freedom from Spanish rule in 1898 with General  Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.

However, the Spanish government did not honor that declaration.

It was after the Spanish-American war where the country was again granted her “independence” by the winners of the war (America) on July 4, 1946, the same date as the American Freedom Day.

Much debate followed so that in 1964, the Philippines reversed its recognition of Independence Day on June 12 and July 4 was renamed Philippine Republic Day.

President Noy Aquino will be at the Luneta at 8 am today  followed by the usual vin d’honneur  with the diplomatic corps in Malacanang.