Prelude to Sagada Trek 2006: AMCI's Centennial Trek
In June 12, 1898 between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, General Emilio F. Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from the balcony of his residence in Kawit, Cavite.
During the ceremony, the Philippine Flag was unfurled while the Philippine National Anthem was played by the band. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read the Act of the Declaration of Independence, which he himself wrote. The declaration was signed by 98 persons including American L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery.
Following the declaration of Philippine Independence, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated in the morning of January 23, 1899 amidst colorful ceremonies at the Barasoain Church.
General Emilio F. Aguinaldo took his oath of office as President of the Philippine Republic. During his inaugural address, President Aguinaldo 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 his concluding remarks, 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."
The Ayala Mountaineers Club, Inc. (AMCI) on the occasion of the centennial celebration of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, in partnership with the Philippine Centennial Commission, and the Department of Tourism, retraced the November 1899 to March 1901 route traversed by President Emilio F. Aguinaldo, his family, cabinet members and soldiers of the First Philippine Republic in their retreat from pursuing American forces, dubbed the Centennial Trek.
The Centennial Trek reflected on the experiences of President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his companions as they held free the government of the First Philippine Republic from foreign domination; and on the fervor of their nationalism, which gave them the strength to overcome the risks and hazards of their retreat. It also served as a means to evoke a stronger sense of nationalism during the centennial celebration of Philippine Independence at the grassroots level by making the people of the communities along the route aware of the role of their forebears in the defense of the then new independent Filipino nation.
The Centennial Trek aimed to:
1) Establish a trail of historic and cultural significance;
2) Instill nationalism and appreciation of Philippine Independence;
3) Foster pride in being a Filipino;
4) Promote the preservation and love of nature; and
5) Appreciate the characteristics of each place touched by the route.
The historical basis of the Centennial Trek was derived primarily from the National Historical Institute-authenticated English version of the diaries of Dr. Simeon Villa and Dr. Santiago Bartolome entitled "Aguinaldo's Odyssey," published in 1963.
Plaques of National Appreciation were awarded to the people of towns, barrios, and sitios along the route who "... one hundred years ago provided aid and comfort to President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his Cabinet as they held the first Philippine Government free from the invading Armed Forces of the United States of America …" The plaques were signed by Hon. Salvador H. Laurel, Chairman of the Philippine Centennial Commission, Hon. Mina T. Gabor, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, and Mr. Ruben V. Mallari, Chairman of AMCI.
The route passed through 3 regions (Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley); spanned 8 provinces (Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Cagayan, and Isabela); and traversed 2 mountain ranges (Cordillera and Sierra Madre), connecting the China Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
The route was divided into 4 sections:
Leg 1: Bayambang, Pangasinan to Sagada, Mt. Province
Team Leader - Emmanuel H. Torralba
Leg 2: Sagada, Mt. Province to Ramon, Isabela
Team Leader - Joselito D. De Guzman
Leg 3: Ramon, Isabela to Ilagan, Isabela
Team Leader - Eliseo S. Coyoca
Leg 4: Ilagan, Isabela to Palanan, Isabela
Team Leader - Atty. Wilfredo E. Nuesa
AMCI members Dennis G. Ausa and Humberto F. Barlaan were the only participants who completed the entire route.
The project was funded by the Ayala Corporation, and the Philippine Centennial Commission.
The Department of Tourism provided the valuable coordination with the various local government units.
Other sponsors included San Miguel Beer, FedEx, Coca-Cola, La Tondeña, and MBf Card Inc.
~ Carpe Diem ~
During the ceremony, the Philippine Flag was unfurled while the Philippine National Anthem was played by the band. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista read the Act of the Declaration of Independence, which he himself wrote. The declaration was signed by 98 persons including American L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery.
Following the declaration of Philippine Independence, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated in the morning of January 23, 1899 amidst colorful ceremonies at the Barasoain Church.
General Emilio F. Aguinaldo took his oath of office as President of the Philippine Republic. During his inaugural address, President Aguinaldo 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 his concluding remarks, 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."
The Ayala Mountaineers Club, Inc. (AMCI) on the occasion of the centennial celebration of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, in partnership with the Philippine Centennial Commission, and the Department of Tourism, retraced the November 1899 to March 1901 route traversed by President Emilio F. Aguinaldo, his family, cabinet members and soldiers of the First Philippine Republic in their retreat from pursuing American forces, dubbed the Centennial Trek.
The Centennial Trek reflected on the experiences of President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his companions as they held free the government of the First Philippine Republic from foreign domination; and on the fervor of their nationalism, which gave them the strength to overcome the risks and hazards of their retreat. It also served as a means to evoke a stronger sense of nationalism during the centennial celebration of Philippine Independence at the grassroots level by making the people of the communities along the route aware of the role of their forebears in the defense of the then new independent Filipino nation.
The Centennial Trek aimed to:
1) Establish a trail of historic and cultural significance;
2) Instill nationalism and appreciation of Philippine Independence;
3) Foster pride in being a Filipino;
4) Promote the preservation and love of nature; and
5) Appreciate the characteristics of each place touched by the route.
The historical basis of the Centennial Trek was derived primarily from the National Historical Institute-authenticated English version of the diaries of Dr. Simeon Villa and Dr. Santiago Bartolome entitled "Aguinaldo's Odyssey," published in 1963.
Plaques of National Appreciation were awarded to the people of towns, barrios, and sitios along the route who "... one hundred years ago provided aid and comfort to President Emilio F. Aguinaldo and his Cabinet as they held the first Philippine Government free from the invading Armed Forces of the United States of America …" The plaques were signed by Hon. Salvador H. Laurel, Chairman of the Philippine Centennial Commission, Hon. Mina T. Gabor, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, and Mr. Ruben V. Mallari, Chairman of AMCI.
The route passed through 3 regions (Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley); spanned 8 provinces (Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Cagayan, and Isabela); and traversed 2 mountain ranges (Cordillera and Sierra Madre), connecting the China Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
The route was divided into 4 sections:
Leg 1: Bayambang, Pangasinan to Sagada, Mt. Province
Team Leader - Emmanuel H. Torralba
Leg 2: Sagada, Mt. Province to Ramon, Isabela
Team Leader - Joselito D. De Guzman
Leg 3: Ramon, Isabela to Ilagan, Isabela
Team Leader - Eliseo S. Coyoca
Leg 4: Ilagan, Isabela to Palanan, Isabela
Team Leader - Atty. Wilfredo E. Nuesa
AMCI members Dennis G. Ausa and Humberto F. Barlaan were the only participants who completed the entire route.
The project was funded by the Ayala Corporation, and the Philippine Centennial Commission.
The Department of Tourism provided the valuable coordination with the various local government units.
Other sponsors included San Miguel Beer, FedEx, Coca-Cola, La Tondeña, and MBf Card Inc.
~ Carpe Diem ~