Manila, June 12 -- For renowned historian Danilo Madrid Gerona, June 12, which commemorates the country's declaration of independence from Spain in 1898, will always have a special place in the hearts of the Bicolanos.

This, despite the misconception that the region was indifferent to the nationalist sentiment of the time and therefore not part of the struggle for sovereignty under the colonial regime.

"Even in the eight rays of the sun on the Philippine flag that Aguinaldo presented, the Bicol Region was not included. The rays represent the first eight provinces that led the uprising against Spanish rule," Gerona said.

He said the region's socio-economic status could partly be the reason why Bicol got wind of the clamor for independen...