History of Balzi
The history of Balzi (Balzian: Historia dos Balsi; Filipino: Kasaysayan ng Balsi) traces the origins of the Republic of Balzi back to the Empire of Rivera in 2018, which controlled Mainland Balzi until the successful Montessorian Revolution in 2019 led to the establishment of the Republic of the Montessori Legue. Internal conflicts and a subsequent civil war resulted in the creation of the First Unified Balzian Republic, with Carl Miguel Salgado Victa as its first president.
In 2020, Balzi entered the international micronational community, becoming a key player through the formation of the Accande Terrie Ornindo Organization. Over time, Balzi faced challenges from rival micronations, particularly Monzen, and went through periods of dominion under Renderfeit before regaining full sovereignty in 2022. Today, Balzi remains focused on Balzian First policy, international relations, and cultural development, with Marcha Vasillica being its national anthem since 2024.
Prebalzi (2018-2019)
Origins and Early Rule under the Empire of Rivera (2018)
The roots of the Republic of Balzi can be traced back to 2018, under the rule of the Empire of Rivera, also referred to as the Riveran Gang (RVG Empire). This organization gained significant influence among the youth in Mainland Balzi, including Legue City. President Carl Miguel Salgado Victa, now the leader of Balzi, was originally a member of the Riveran Empire. During this period, Mainland Balzi, including Legue City, was controlled by the Riveran Empire from 2018 to 2019.
The centralized governance of Rivera led to dissatisfaction among various factions, which eventually culminated in the Montessorian Revolution. The movement aimed to break free from the Empire of Rivera’s control. On April 29, 2019, the revolution succeeded, marking the establishment of the Republic of the Montessori Legue.
Montessorian Revolution and Independence (2019)
April 29, 2019, is now celebrated as National Day in Balzi. On that day, under a heavy rain, President Carl Miguel Salgado Victa, together with General Donila, General Pengson, and General Jackson, raised the first Montessorian Flag in Legue City. This event symbolized the independence of the Montessori Legue from the Empire of Rivera. After gaining independence, the newly formed republic faced internal conflicts, primarily due to a power struggle between President Victa and his generals.
This internal unrest culminated in a Civil War, leading to the dissolution of the Montessori Legue and the birth of the First Unified Balzian Republic. To avoid further internal conflicts and to symbolize a new beginning, the name Balzi was adopted for the republic. President Carl Miguel Salgado Victa became the first President of the newly-formed Balzi, with General Donila serving as its first Vice President.
One of the earliest national projects in Balzi was a cleaning operation across Legue City, initiated and led by President Victa. This effort involved the cooperation of citizens and was seen as an important step in promoting civic responsibility in the new republic.
First Republican Era (2020-2021)
Expansion into International Micronational Affairs (2020)
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 significantly impacted the Republic of Balzi, as the Philippine government implemented widespread lockdowns. During this time, President Victa began exploring the world of micronations through social media. Inspired by micronations such as Molossia, Victa set out to establish Balzi as a player in the international micronational community.
In May 2020, President Victa engaged with the Nanosium Community on Nathan Arguelles’s YouTube channel, a popular platform for mappers and micronationalists. After exchanging contacts with Arguelles, Victa was welcomed into the Nanosium community on Messenger by Jhurysse Magtoto and James Angelo Nones, two fellow YouTube mappers. Their interest in micronations led to the creation of Nanosium, Blazetopia, and Esta-Grik (now the Region of Kratosia in Balzi).
These micronations, together with Balzi, formed the NanoZiTopium Alliance, the first formal alliance encountered by Balzi. President Victa was appointed as the chairman of the alliance. However, concerns over the alliance’s limited membership led to its dissolution in September 2020 and the establishment of the Accande Terrie Ornindo Organization on September 18, 2020, with Balzi holding the position of Secretary-General. This date, known as Liberation Day, is celebrated annually in Balzi as it marks a significant turning point in Philippine micronational affairs.
Rivalries and Conflict with the Association of Micronations in the Philippine Islands
The formation of the Accande Terrie Ornindo Organization triggered tension with the Association of Micronations in the Philippine Islands (AMPI), an existing micronational organization. During 2020, Balzi’s government focused on improving the Accande Terrie Ornindo under the leadership of President Victa. With increasing membership, the organization became more diverse and influential in the Philippine micronational community.
Balzi, at this time, briefly established Blazetopia as a colony and successfully integrated Esta-Grik, now Kratosia, as a region of Balzi. However, the rapid growth of the organization and its influence alarmed rival micronations, particularly AMPI. By January and February 2021, the Accande Terrie Ornindo began to experience internal strife, with many of its member nations leaving.
Dominion Under Renderfeit (2021-2022)
In response to the challenges facing the Accande Terrie Ornindo, President Rey Jr Mancio of Renderfeit extended an offer to Jhurysse Magtoto, leader of Blazetopia, to become part of Renderfeit’s sovereignty. Following this, President Victa pursued a similar agreement, seeking stability for Balzi. In July 2021, Balzi became a Coppacian Dominion of Renderfeit, while maintaining its autonomous operations within the Accande Terrie Ornindo.
During this period, Carl Miguel Salgado Victa served as both the Prime Minister of Balzi and Secretary-General of the Accande Terrie Ornindo. Notably, on August 4, 2021, Balzi granted its first citizenship outside of the Philippines to Tarun Batra from India.
By 2022, Balzi was actively involved in improving its standing within the Accande Terrie Ornindo, and the rivalry with AMPI began to wane due to AMPI’s decline. However, internal challenges within Balzi led to the drafting of the 2022 Constitution of Balzi, which President Victa and others have since sought to revise through charter change for greater autonomy.
Second Republican Era (2022-Present)
Balzi regained its independence from Renderfeit on July 5, 2022, a day now commemorated as Republic Day. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for Balzi, with a renewed focus on self-governance and international relations. In 2022, President Victa remained heavily focused on the Accande Terrie Ornindo, celebrating the organization’s Second Foundation Day on September 18. However, by 2024, Victa acknowledged that his excessive focus on the Accande Terrie Ornindo had been a strategic mistake.
Ravenian Crisis and Diplomatic Victory (2023)
In early 2023, Balzi faced its first major diplomatic crisis during the Ravenian Crisis. A new micronation, Ravenia, was discovered near the Mainland Balzi, which sparked tensions between Balzi and Monzen, a rival micronation. Both nations sought to influence Ravenia, with Balzi considering Monzen’s potential success a national threat.
Through diplomatic efforts, President Victa managed to secure Ravenia’s alignment with Balzi, marking a significant diplomatic victory over Monzen. This event also deepened the rivalry between President Victa and Matthew De Villa, the Chairman of Monzen.
The Marcha Vasillica, with lyrics drafted by President Victa, was officially declared the National Anthem of Balzi on August 18, 2024, through Presidential Decree No. 8. While national symbols, such as passports and identification cards, were considered for development in 2023, these projects were eventually discontinued.
The Present Era and Constitutional Reforms (2023-2024)
Following a period of relative inactivity in late 2023, Balzi made a significant comeback in early 2024. President Victa delivered a successful State of the Nation Address and initiated recruitment efforts, leading to a 540% increase in participation. On July 3, 2024, Victa dissolved the Senate and the 2022 Constitution, launching a Constitutional Convention tasked with drafting a new constitution. The Interim Government of Balzi was established, restoring the office of the Prime Minister.
Balzi today is a nation focused on self-improvement and advancing its standing in the global micronational community. Its history is marked by conflict, diplomacy, and an unwavering drive for sovereignty under the leadership of President Carl Miguel Salgado Victa.