Alternate History Idea- The Philippine Empire

What if in an alternate timeline, in 1823, Andrés Novale’s Revolt, turned into a full on Revolution, and overthrew the Spanish Colonial Government, and made the Philippine Empire?
 
I don't really think of an empire per se, but a republic that would be expanding as years passed by, especially if there's British intervention
 
If the Philippines achieve independence at around the same time and through the same means as Latin America, I think they would probably be seen similarly to how the Latin Americans were seen, ie more valuable as trading partners than as colonial subjects. I'd expect Britain and the Netherlands would be the main allies for the Philippine state, at least at the beginning. Once the industrial revolution really gets underway, the Philippines is going to become important as a source of raw materials. If the Philippines expands into Borneo, they could get access to the coal there, which could help fuel their own industrialization. China is nearby and the Philippines is likely to take an interest in it- after all, that's why they were colonized in the first place. Assuming the Philippines is even a mid-level power by end of the 19th century, it might end up with a treaty port of its own. I could also see an eventual Russo-Japanese war equivalent between the Philippines and the Dutch, though I'm not sure the Philippines would be able to win that. They're also likely to butt heads with Japan eventually, which could cause problems, but assuming they have allies they won't be as easy a victory as Japan vs Russia was.

This is of course, assuming that everything goes well for the Philippines. It could easily also turn out as another banana republic dependent on a great power and unable to control its own destiny.
 
Also want to ask, if Andrés Novales did establish their empire, what would become of José Rizal? Would he become a sort of Filipino Sun Yat-Sen?

Also, what would the Philippine Empire flag look like?
 
I think it is possible if Diego Silang won as a double POD..or a successor of Diego Silang revolt happened in the early 19th century.
 
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