Summer, barbeque and fireworks come to mind when Americans are asked about the fourth of July. But to Filipinos, it is not just the United States of America’s (USA) independence day. It is also the day we were granted our independence from the USA’s Commonwealth Government after the Second World War. Since then, the Philippines and USA have been friends and allies who maintain closeness that some may call a “special relationship” (The Manila Times, 2014).
A celebration was done in honor of this day. It was a two-team alliance effort from Optimizers and Superpower. Picture a room with red, blue, white and yellow decorations and a photobooth, which was beside the food corner, at the back. The celebration started with the national anthem of both countries. Afterwards, we proceeded with the welcoming remarks. It was followed by the history of the friendship day. It all started on December 10, 1989 when the Treaty of Paris was signed. The Philippines was sold by Spain to USA for $20,000,000. Since then, the economy of the Philippines relied on the USA’s. It is believed that democracy, through “Filipinization” and the Commonwealth government, was the greatest legacy of USA to the Philippines; USA influenced us with party politics and free trade relations.
We also discussed a controversial special issue. The Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) Community was soaring with pride as the Supreme Court of USA passed same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015. However, it is “not acceptable” in the Philippines until now and same-sex marriage is still far in the future. Furthermore, we discussed about Filipino influence in the USA. With 3,000,000 Filipino migrants, they are the second largest Asian group. Therefore, it is hard to miss a Filipino store and a kababayan. The reporting continued with notable Filipino-Americans (Fil-Am). Fil-Ams such as Bobby Murphy, co-founder of Snapchat and Cristeta Comerford, White House Executive Chef are making it big in the USA. Also, we tackled some fun facts before ending.
The last part of the program was a chow down because what better way is there to understand a country than have a taste of their food? While eating, different videos were shown such as how Fil-Ams in USA celebrate the event and how Americans react to Filipino food and culture. The celebration then ended with our instructor giving the closing remarks. All in all it was a successful event. However, there are certain things which we could have done better.
When something ends, you suddenly realize things that you could have done better. It is like the feeling of knowing what to say after you have already let the words out of your mouth. Opportunely, the Friendship Day is celebrated every year; it is an IRFS legacy to celebrate it during IRFS 141, the special issues class. So what could be done next time? More issues should be involved such as the Visiting Forces Agreement or the South China Sea dispute or the result of next year’s elections in both countries. We should tackle on the current status of our relationship and see if we are gaining, losing or remaining stagnant. It can be celebrated and debated with a bigger audience from IRFS Majors to the Political Science body to the whole Carolinian Community until more and more people will be aware of the event and most of all, the reasons behind it.
It is true that some Filipinos are more attached to the American dream than others. With USA’s dominance in show business, some Filipinos hope to also experience the American good life they see on their screens. Greencard holders and naturalized citizens even try to petition for their family to join them in USA. Conversely, there are also Filipinos who oppose. Anti-Americanism is the disapproval of American influence. One view might suggest that it is the ideology of enmity when wielded by nationalists who seek to strengthen heir identity (Tidwell, 2007). Tidwell further writes that Fallows (1987) argues that the Philippines is a damaged culture without a strong sense of nationalism. There is a failure in creating a unified Filipino identity. It could be that the Fil-Am relationship is so strong that we lose our sense of patriotism.
The Philippines celebrates friendship days with her former colonizers. From Spain to USA to Japan, I guess the question now is “Who are the Filipinos?” It is commendable that we maintain relationships with them but what about our own neighboring provinces? Not only should we be thinking of what is out there but also what is within us. In addition to uniting and harmonizing with the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese, I hope we find to do the same things with our fellow Filipinos within our country and around the world. After all, one of the beautiful qualities of friendship is to understand and be understood.
How the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Celebrates Friendship Day (2010)
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| U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. (center) proposes a toast with Philippine Foreign Affairs Sec. Alberto Romulo (left) and Dean of Diplomatic Corps Arch. Edward Joseph Adams (right). In his remarks, Ambassador Thomas said “…Great things are possible, but hard work lies ahead. We stand ready, as a friend, to assist.” |
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| Around 800 people from the American Embassy, the diplomatic corps, the Philippine government, non-government organizations and other guests attended the reception. |
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| The 2010 Fourth of July reception was capped by a grand fireworks display to the delight of the guests. |
How Filipinos in America Celebrate Friendship Day
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| Los Angeles, 1 October 2012 – The very first full-size statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippine National Hero, in Southern California was finally unveiled in a grand ceremony held on 29 September 2012 at the International Sculpture Garden located in Carson City, California. |
How we celebrated the friendship day
References:
Catseye. “The American Occupation”. Camperspoint Philippines.
August 11, 2004. http://www.camperspoint.com/The-American-Occupation.
Fallows, J. (1987). A Damaged Culture: A New Philippines? Atlantic Monthly. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/1987/11/a-damaged-culture-a-new-philippines/7414/
Manila Bulletin. (2015, July 4). Editorial: Philippine-American Friendship Day | mb.com.ph | Philippine News. Retrieved August 22, 2015, from http://www.mb.com.ph/editorial-philippine-american-friendship-day/
O'Connor, B., & Tidwell, A. (2007). Anti-Americanism in the Philippines. InComparative perspectives (pp. 259-302). Retrieved from https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=Jq4FMb47AnEC&pg=PA259&lpg=PA259&dq=anti-americanism+in+the+philippines+alan+tidwell&source=bl&ots=KlFVhaFu2-&sig=90TLV7HzzsiHOyVk_grcRHgtZkE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAGoVChMInM_fo_e8xwIVzAmOCh1n1Q68#v=onepage&q=anti-americanism%20in%20the%20philippines%20alan%20tidwell&f=false
Philippine Consulate LA. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/PRs%202012/080-2012PR-Rizal%20Monument%20Unveiled%20in%20Carson.htm
The Manila Times. (2014, July 3). Philippine-American Friendship Day - The Manila Times OnlineThe Manila Times Online. Retrieved August 22, 2015, from http://www.manilatimes.net/philippine-american-friendship-day/108883/
The ‘Philippine-American Friendship Day’. (2013, July 4). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from Tempo News in the Flash: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2013/07/04/the-philippine- american-friendship-day/#.VZPW7kYT7_I
Veniles, C. J. (2013). Immigrants outnumber OFWs. Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1-3.
Photos From:
FAFD Virginia Beach. (n.d.). Fil-Am Friendship Day. Retrieved from www.filamfriendshipdayva.com/
U.S. Embassy. (2010). U.S. Embassy Celebrates Independence Day and Philippine-American Friendship Day | Manila, Philippines - Embassy of the United States. Retrieved from http://manila.usembassy.gov/galleries/u2.s.-embassy-celebrates-independence-day-and-philippine-american-friendship-day
This is a good read. -ANFC
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