DOCUMENT IMAGES OF THE ORIGINAL PAPERS IN SPANISH AND THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO’s DECLARATION FOR BAMBAN ON JUNE 6, 1899

Investigating History:
DOCUMENT IMAGES OF THE ORIGINAL PAPERS IN SPANISH AND THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO’s DECLARATION FOR BAMBAN ON JUNE 6, 1899

There is a major shift going on at the US National Archives and Records Administration NARA, that would benefit Filipino historians, researchers and writers with the availability on-line, of massive collections of Filipino documents captured by the Americans during Philippine-American War. This news is already making a great leap in research and in writing history that facilitate the availability of documents, manuscripts and literature at one’s click of the mouse at the PC, laptop or even on smart phone.

Thanks to Kabalen Abe Joel Mallari (fellow Bambanense, a pride of this town for his many talents as writer, historian, archeologist and cultural worker) for alerting me to this new research tool from NARA. I checked NARA website as suggested by Abe Joel Mallari and found the file for General Emilio Aguinaldo’s original letter addressed to the Secretary of War on June 6, 1899, declaring Bamban as his headquarters at the height of the Philippine-American War.

The Aguinaldo Letter of Declaration made possible for the recognition of this town by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines NHCP, as one of the Capitals of the Republic during the Philippine-American War. A National Marker now stands in front of the original Municipio (municipal building) of Bamban, highlighting the role of our town as one of the bastion of our Country’s struggle for freedom.

I downloaded all images pertaining to this General Aguinaldo Letter of Declaration, including the original translation made by the group of Americans led by Captain John Taylor, including the notes from the Office of the Adjutant General of the US War Department.

I have seen the Facebook article of Dr. Lino L. Dizon (our famous Tarlaqueno historian), as well as the contribution of another famous Kapampangan historian from Magalang; Louie Bartolo, PhD, and these inspired me to check the NARA website and see the original document images for these important documents.

In 2005, when I was commissioned by the Sangguniang Bayan to make the new design of the Bamban Corporate Seal, it was already my idea to incorporate in symbolism, the role of Bamban as one of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s Headquarters and our country’s Capitals, as well as in the struggle for our Nation’s Independence in 1899. Years later, that Bamban Corporate Seal was approved by all National Government agencies concerned; from the Office of the President to the Department of Interior and Local Government – DILG and then National Historical Institute. It is now the official Municipal Seal of Bamban that currently in use.

Bamban had been in the crossroad of our National History, from Philippine-American War to WWII. For a Bambanense like me, it is with deep pride to hold to such distinction that this town had been in our History. And for this, we will be putting into permanent exhibit, the facsimile of these important documents, at our Bamban Museum in the Gallery of Philippine-American War, so that present and future generations shall uphold the importance of this town and the role played in our National Struggle for Independence.

© 2026 Rhonie C. Dela Cruz
Bamban WWII Museum/Historical Society

PGT – Tarlac Provincial Tourism Office