The Philippine Republic is about to reach its centenary year as a nation. Filipinos will
    take time to commemorate significant events in their history; the culmination of nearly
    four centuries of struggle for nationhood, the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in
    1896, the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 and the ratification of
    a Philippine Constitution by the 1898 Malolos Congress in January of 1899. These events
    give the Philippines the distinction of having the first constitutional democracy in Asia.

        As people celebrate milestones in their lives to establish their worth, so will the celebration
    of 100 years of freedom demonstrate the greatness and cohesiveness of the Filipino race.