1898 – “Philippine Independence Declared with Afro-Filipino Support”

On June 12, 1898, the Philippines declared independence from Spain. Among those who fought in the revolution were Afro-Filipino descendants of African and Latin American maroons brought during the Spanish colonial era. These communities, such as those in Cavite and Manila, contributed soldiers, artisans, and messengers to the revolutionary cause. While often omitted from dominant narratives, Afro-Filipinos played important roles in resisting colonial oppression and later American occupation. The June 12 declaration symbolized not only freedom from Spain but also the assertion of a diverse Filipino identity, enriched by African ancestry through centuries of global colonial exchange. Afro-Filipino heritage remains underexplored but vital to the archipelago’s history of resistance and cultural hybridity.