Tomorrow, our nation will mark its 127th Independence Day.

We understand that this year’s celebration will continue to echo the multi-year theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” (Freedom. Future. History). We join our countrymen from across the globe in this celebration spearheaded by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

When the NHCP launched this theme in 2023, the Commission said it aims to “give focus on the freedom that our forebears struggled for, in the future that they dreamed of for the country, and the history that we seek to remember and honor them with.”

“The multi-year commemoration seeks to highlight the events and realities that gave birth to the Filipino nation, from the proclamation of Philippine Independence up to the end of the First Philippine Republic,” the NHCP said. “It also aims to raise from the regions and provinces across the Philippines their stories of revolutionary struggle and incorporate them into the national narrative of our independence and nationhood,” the NHCP added.

Our view is that this theme helps us understand better the meaning of “foundation” – the things and events in life that help define who we are as a people. This theme helps us all understand that our ability to create a bright future for ourselves and our children is founded on Freedom. This freedom is founded on our understanding of history. Our history tells of the saga of the Filipino men and women who gave their all just so we can enjoy the blessings of Independence today.

Tomorrow, we will join many of our countrymen in a silent prayer of thanksgiving for the sacrifice of our forebears who stood and fought for our independence.

Meanwhile, on this day, June 11, we join our fellow Rizaleños in honoring the leaders of the province who, 124 years ago, took a bold stand to call for the creation of a separate, free, and independent Rizal Province.

Today is the province’s own version of “Independence Day.”

The story of how Rizal became a province is worth retelling. As we have said before, this is a story that highlights three important lessons: One: That “Independence” is a choice; two: “independence” is also a responsibility; three: that one has to prove that he or she deserves the “Independence.”

Here’s a brief review of that lesson-filled story.

Prior to June 11, 1901, there was no Rizal province. The towns and cities that would eventually become part of the province were formerly part of two erstwhile provinces: The province of Manila and the province of Morong.

In February of 1901, the then-American supervised government decided to re-draw the geopolitical subdivisions of the country to create a more civilian type of government. More than 200 delegates to the Philippine Commission gathered to discuss that issue.

There was a heated debate on a proposal to merge the then-province of Morong with the then-province of Manila. The pro-Manila proponents said Morong was not strong enough nor fit to be an independent entity.

It must have been tempting for the representatives of Morong to capitulate. After all, Manila was then already the center of government and commerce. It would have been convenient for the people of Morong province to agree to be contented to live in the shadows of its richer neighbor.

However, they opted to take a firm stand – and won. So, on June 11, 1901, the Philippine Commission approved the creation of an independent province which was named after Dr. Jose Rizal.

Independence did not prove easy. In the mid-70s, what started as a province with 29 municipalities was eventually dismembered to pave the way of the creation of Metro Manila. Many thought the province may end up as a backward neighbor of the bustling metropolis.

History proved them wrong. Rizal province, with its 13 municipalities and component city, has performed well beyond expectations. For the past nine (consecutive years, Rizal province has been the country’s number one most competitive province. It is one of the best at attracting investors and businesses and consistently proves as a beacon of good local governance as it has repeatedly received the annual SGLG award which stands for Seal of Good Local Governance.

It now stands as a proud, prosperous neighbor of the National Capital Region.

Dr. Rizal emphasized the need for the Filipino to prove that he is worthy of independence. When Rizaleños were given their “independence” in June 11, 1901, they made sure they did exactly what the national hero asked them: treat it as both a privilege and a responsibility.

Happy birthday, Rizal Province!