@rapsantos 6 February 2021 more from that month

57th Death Anniversary of the 1st Filipino President

On this day (**February 6**), the year was **1964**. **Emilio Aguinaldo**, the ***1st President of the Filipino Republic*** dies at the age of 94. One more month, then he'll be 95 at that time. **Pres.** **Diosdado Macapagal** issued *15 days of mourning* to honor the revolutionary general. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_Aguinaldo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diosdado_Macapagal

Before his death, since he was captured & surrendered to the Americans on **March 23, 1901**, Miong (his nickname) took an oath of allegiance to the United States and was granted a pension from the government until his retirement & private life. He decided to run again as President of the Commonwealth Republic but lost to his former *aide-de-camp* and a veteran of the Revolutionary forces, **Manuel L. Quezon**. In **1942**, he appealed to Gen. Douglas MacArthur to not wage war with the Japanese so he collaborated with Imperial Japan during **World War II**, until MacArthur returns in **1944** then liberated Manila in **1945**, and orders the arrest of Miong because he cooperates with the Japanese, but was released by presidential amnesty. In **1950**, **Pres.** **Elpidio Quirino** appointed Miong as a member of the **Council of State** where he served a full term. In his later years, he devoted his attention to veterans’ affairs, the promotion of nationalism and democracy in the Philippines, and the improvement of relations between both countries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_L._Quezon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elpidio_Quirino https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Council_of_State

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aguinaldo_Shrine_at_Kawit,_Cavite.jpg Two years before his death, On **May 12, 1962**, **Pres. Macapagal** changed the celebration of **Independence Day** from *July 4* to *June 12* to honor Aguinaldo and the Revolution against the Spaniards. 5 months later, Miong was rushed to the **Veterans Memorial Medical Center** on **October 5, 1962**. While he was in the hospital in **1963**, he donated his property at Kawit, Cavite to the Filipino Government. His home serves as a shrine (**Aguinaldo Shrine**) to "*perpetuate the spirit of the Revolution in 1896*." At **3:05 a.m**. (**February 6, 1964**), Miong died of *coronary thrombosis*, as the whole nation mourns for 15 days, funeral services were held on **February 15, 1964**. Miong was buried in his hometown of Kawit, Cavite. On **August 4, 1964**, under **Republic Act No. 4166**, *June 12* is officially proclaimed as ***Philippine Independence Day*** and the *4th of July* was renamed ***Philippine Republic Day*** (also called ***Filipino-American Friendship Day***). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Memorial_Medical_Center https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronary_thrombosis https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1964/08/04/republic-act-no-4166/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Day_(Philippines)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_Aguinaldo This was Aguinaldo's misfortune to our history, he may live a longer life and reached America's colonization to the invasion of Imperial Japan. If he died sooner on the battlefield, then his heroism would be undeniable. But, let us recognize Aguinaldo's contributions to our history, our national anthem, our flag, and his leadership of the revolution at the age of 28. **Sources**: Lead Image from https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/emilo-aguinaldo-150th-birthday-history https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1434/today-in-philippine-history-february-6-1964-general-emilio-aguinaldo-died-at-the-veterans-memorial-hospital https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/868508/did-you-know-emilio-aguinaldo-death-anniversary https://www.britannica.com/biography/Emilio-Aguinaldo