The Malolos Congress, which was held in Malolos, Bulacan, got its name from the place where it took place. This event, also known as the Revolutionary Congress, was organized by Emilio Aguinaldo, who selected more than 50 delegates to participate in the congressional elections on September 15, 1898, at Barasoain Church.

The event was filled with a sense of happiness and positivity. The Pasig Band performed the National Anthem, and Aguinaldo then proceeded to declare the start of the congress by announcing the election of officers.

Following the ceremonies, the Congress elected the following officials:

• President: Pedro Paterno
• Vice-president: Benito Legarda
• First Secretary: Gregorio Araneta
• Second Secretary: Pablo Ocampo

The most important achievement of the Malolos Congress for the Philippine independence are as follows:

1. On September 29, 1898, they officially approved and recognized the declaration of Philippine independence that had taken place in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.
2. They passed a law that authorized the Philippines to borrow Php 20 million from banks to cover government expenses.
3. They established educational institutions such as the Universidad Literatura de Filipinas and other schools.
4. They played a crucial role in drafting the Philippine Constitution.
5. They made the important decision to declare war against the United States on June 12, 1899.

The important details on the Malolos Constitution are the following:

• A Committee led by Felipe Calderon drafted the first constitution of the Filipino people.
• The constitution was the first Republican Constitution in Asia.
• It drew inspiration from the constitutions of Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Belgium, and France.
• Minor revisions were made, mainly due to objections raised by Apolinario Mabini.
• The final draft of the constitution was presented to Aguinaldo, paving the way for the establishment of the first Philippine Republic.
• The constitution established a democratic republic with three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
• It called for the separation of church and state.
• The president of the republic was granted executive powers, to be exercised with the assistance of the cabinet.
• Judicial powers were vested in the Supreme Court and other lower courts to be created by law.
• The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was to be elected by the legislature with the agreement of the President and the cabinet.

On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Republic, was established in Malolos, Bulacan, with General Emilio Aguinaldo as President. Aguinaldo had previously formed a Dictatorial Government and a Revolutionary Government, declaring independence on June 12, 1898, to inspire the people’s fight against the Spanish and gain international recognition. The Malolos Republic adopted the Constitución Política de la República Filipina, replacing the previous government. However, the Republic did not last long, as Aguinaldo was captured by the American forces on March 23, 1901, leading to its dissolution. On April 1, 1901, Aguinaldo announced allegiance to the US, ending the First Republic and acknowledging US sovereignty over the Philippines. The Philippines remained under US rule until it regained formal independence on July 4, 1946 (The Kahimyang Project, 2012). 

The Filipino-American War timeline began on April 28, 1898, with the United States (US) initiating a war against Spain. On May 1, 1898, the historic Battle of Manila Bay took place, prompting the US to occupy the Philippines. Then, on August 13, 1898, the Mock Battle of Manila occurred, during which the Spanish demonstrated their determination to fight to the last. The Mock Battle of Manila on August 13, 1898, during the Spanish-American War, was a symbolic display of resistance by the Spanish forces in Manila. Despite their weakened position after the defeat in the Battle of Manila Bay, the Spanish attempted to show determination to fight. However, it was more of a show than a genuine battle. The American forces, under Major General Wesley Merritt, surrounded Manila and negotiated the city’s surrender. The “Mock Battle” served as a prelude to the eventual surrender of Manila to the United States, marking the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

On December 10, 1898, John Hay signed the Treaty of Paris, which marked the end of the Spanish-American War and the cession of the Philippines to the US. However, on January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was established in Malolos, but it was not recognized by the Americans. The outbreak of the Filipino-American War began on February 4, 1899, after a soldier named Willie M. Grayson killed a Filipino soldier, serving as a catalyst for the conflict. This incident has come to be known as Unang Putok sa Panulukan ng Silencio at Sociego, Sta.Mesa.

The Battle of Pasong Tirad occurred during Aguinaldo’s retreat to the northern part of the Philippines, and General Gregorio del Pilar, the rear guard commander, suggested making a last stand at the advantageous terrain of Pasong Tirad to temporarily halt the pursuing Americans. Del Pilar’s plan aimed to buy time for Aguinaldo to widen the distance between him and the enemy. Aguinaldo reluctantly approved the suggestion, and on December 2, 1899, the battle took place. Pasong Tirad, a 4,500-foot high pass with a narrow trail, provided a strategic view of the surrounding area. The American forces, led by Major March, pursued relentlessly to capture Aguinaldo and end the resistance. The Americans found a secret trail and surprised Del Pilar’s defenders, resulting in their defeat. Del Pilar was wounded but tried to escape, only to be shot and killed by a Krag rifle. The Americans looted his body for souvenirs. The news of Del Pilar’s death deeply affected Aguinaldo and his followers, who were determined to continue the fight against the Americans  (Agoncillo, 1990).

In his book “The Ordeal of Samar,” Joseph Schott (1964) vividly describes the events in Balangiga on the night of September 27, 1901 The American sentries on guard posts noticed an unusual number of women heading to church, heavily dressed and carrying small coffins. One sergeant became suspicious and opened a coffin, finding a child’s body inside. The woman claimed it was due to cholera, and the sergeant allowed her to pass. However, had he searched further, he would have discovered concealed cane-cutting bolo knives in all the coffins.

        On the morning of September 28, Pedro Sanchez, the native chief of police, gathered around 80 laborers for their daily cleanup of the town, while Company C of 71 men and three officers was having breakfast at mess tents. Only three armed Americans were outside – the sentries walking their posts. Suddenly, chaos erupted as the bolo men launched a surprise attack. The church bell rang, and the mob of bolo men streamed out, attacking the soldiers. The laborers joined in, attacking with bolos, picks, and shovels.

         Company C, taken by surprise and outnumbered, suffered heavy casualties in the first few minutes. However, a small group of American soldiers managed to fight back, killing approximately 250 Filipinos. In the end, 48 soldiers were killed or missing, 22 were wounded, and only 4 were unharmed. The survivors escaped to the American garrison in Basey.

        In response to the massacre, Captain Bookmiller led a retaliatory force to Balangiga, killing some bolo men on the shore and executing 20 hiding in a nearby forest. As American soldiers were buried, Captain Bookmiller quoted from the Book of Hosea, “They have sown the wind and they shall reap the whirlwind.” This marked the end of the short-lived policy of benevolent assimilation in Balangiga (Schott, 1964).