Independence Day of Mexico

SEPTEMBER 16 is Mexican Independence Day. It is a celebration of the “cry of independence” on September 16, 1810, which started a revolt against the Spaniards. The Cry of Dolores (El Grito de Dolores) was made by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 15 at the entrance of the Army of Three Guarantees led by Agustín de Iturbide to Mexico City on September 27, 1821. The Army of Three Guarantees (Ejército de las Tres Garantías) was the name given to the army after the unification of the Spanish troops led by Iturbide and the Mexican insurgent troops of Vicente Guerrero, consolidating Mexico’s independence from Spain. The decree creating this army appeared in the Plan de Iguala, which stated the three guarantees which it was meant to defend: religion, independence, and unity. Mexico was to be a Catholic country, independent from Spain, and united against its enemies.

By tradition, annually, on the eve of September 16, the President of Mexico rings the bell of the National Palace in Mexico City. After the ringing of the bell, he repeats a shout of patriotism based on the “Grito de Dolores,” and concludes with the threefold shout of ¡Viva Mexico! from the balcony of the palace to an assembled crowd in the Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, one of the largest public plazas in the world. He rings the bell again and waves the national flag to an applauding crowd. This is followed by the playing and mass singing of the national anthem, with a military band from the Mexican Armed Forces playing.

Mexico, officially United Mexican States, is in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered in the north by the United States; and in the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and to the east is the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico City is the capital and most populous city of the country. It is considered one of the most important financial centers in the Americas. It is oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two founded by Amerindians (Native Americans), the other being Quito, in Equador.

Filipinos commiserate with the Mexican people on the recent magnitude-8.2 earthquake that struck their country that caused the death of at least 58 persons and massive damage to property. Although diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Mexico started on April 14, 1953, the two countries have long enjoyed warm and friendly relations that stemmed from mutual exchange of commodities, practices, customs, and traditions that dates to the time of the Galleon Trade. The Philippine Legation in Mexico that opened on September 17, 1953, was elevated to the rank of an embassy on July 25, 1961. The Philippines has an embassy in Mexico City, while Mexico maintains an embassy in Makati City. We greet the people and government of Mexico led by President Enrique Peña Nieto on the occasion of its 207th Independence Day anniversary.