HAPPY PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

The 4^th of July is such a day of great significance in history for the two long time friends, the Philippines and the United States of America.  Concomitantly on this day, the Philippines will celebrate the Philippine-American Friendship Day, while the United States of America will celebrate its Independence Day from England.  To my mind—just thinking aloud, with all due respect to other people who may hold a contradictory opinion—the United States Independence Day that gave birth to the Union of States of America is something that all the Filipinos should be thankful about giving due credence to a substantial amount of blood the Americans poured in—in part—to redeem the Philippine Independence from the Spanish and Japanese’ imperialisms.  This remark, of course, is not intended to ignore to no degree that the Americans had also, at one time, colonized the Philippines.  I’m just still being a Filipino by nature and nurture, I guess, who values the sense of debt of gratitude.  For this reason, it is just befitting for all the Filipinos to affectionately join the Americans in their celebration of Independence Day—not merely out of courtesy as a good friend, but rather as if it is our own Independence Day it being the father of the Philippine Independence Day by historical facts.              

In the Philippines, the 4^th of July was originally observed as the Philippine Independence Day from 1946—1962 marking its  Independence Day from the United States that was proclaimed on July 4, 1946.  Also, during which proclamation, President Manuel A. Roxas was inaugurated as the first President of the Third Republic of the Philippines. “The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1998 to 1946.”  Between 1941 and 1946, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the latter remained a territory of the U.S. with the Philippine government in exile under the leadership of President Manuel L. Quezon. 

                                               Gen. Douglas MacArthur wades ashore, along with                                                                                                                                President Sergio Osmena, at Leyte, Philippines,                           

on October 20, 1944, when he returns 

On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal, through Presidential Proclamation No. 28, moved the Philippine Independence Day from the 4^th of July to the 12^th of June  (based on the declaration of the Philippine Independence from the Spain made by General Emilio Aguinaldo, at Kawit, Cavite, Philippines, on June 12, 1889).  On August 4, 1964, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law the Republic Act No. 4166 proclaiming the 12^th day of June as the Philippine Independence Day and designating the 4^th day of July as the Philippine Republic Day.  

Proclamation of  the Philippine Independence from the United States of America in 1946 (Source:WIKIPEDIA) 

Since said change, the 4^th of July was frequently informally referred to as the Filipino-American Friendship Day.  On July 10, 1995, President Fidel V. Ramos, by virtue of Administrative Order No. 204, ordered the creation of the National Executive Committee for the commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Philippine-American Friendship Day on July 4, 1996.  Under said order, he officially stated that “this is a milestone in the Philippine history [that] must be appropriately observed… an occasion to rekindle the Philippine-American friendship and chart a new course of relationship with the United States.”   “In celebration of [the] Philippine-American Friendship Day [this year], the Philippine government, led by President Benigno S. [actually C.] Aquino III, is offering a firm handshake to its partners in progress and development, led in the Philippines by United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr.”   

Meanwhile, Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., in his remarks during the celebration of the U.S. Independence Day by the American Embassy in the Philippines on July 1, 2011, reiterated the reaffirmation of the “deep bonds” between the Philippines and the United States and the “commitment to honoring the mutual obligations” of the two nations.  He explained that the said occasion was not only a celebration of the U.S. Independence Day, “but also of the Philippine-American Friendship [Day].”  He pointed out, among others, the significance of relationships and “friendship with great nations like the Philippines,” with which the United States “share[s] historical ties and strong bonds of friendship and family,” for the Americans.  He also reaffirmed the United States’ “pledge to be an ally of the Filipino people long into the future.”     

To all the Filipinos throughout the world, happy Philippine-American Friendship Day! 

To all the Americans around the world—much more for all our American troops—happy 4^th of July!  We love you all! 

References:

1.  Wikipedia

2.  Chan Robles, Virtual Law Library

3.  Embassy of the United States

     Manila, Philippines

     News & Events

4.  Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation

CALLING ALL CYBER FILIPINOS WHO ARE PROUD OF BEING PINOYS THEMSELVES

Fellow Filipinos, are you looking for a decent place on the Net to spend your leisure times?  Are wondering what is going on in the Philippines right now?  Are you searching for a place on the Web that is rich of beneficial and enjoyable stuff—specially put together to entertain Pinoys?  If so, you just found the right place.  We have links to contemporary Philippine news, world news, and Asia-Pacific news published by several prestigious online news organizations that are virtually updated on daily basis.  Not only that, we have:

·         A lot of video games

·         An on-demand music player that has access to a huge collection of our favorite Filipino songs and others

·         Video clips of some of our patriotic songs

·         Videos and slideshows that feature some of the tourists destinations in the Philippines

·         Tagalog, English, and other kinds of movies

·         Interaction pages consisting of:

·         Forum page

·         Video chat

·         Real-time chat room

·         And many more

And take note, it’s all free.

I originally launched this blog site on May 27, 2011, a little more than 3 weeks ago.  Despite the difficulty to get noticed vis-à-vis a huge number of Pinoy blog sites and social networks available out there, I am honestly pleased on the initial outcome of support from our friends and kababayan since then.  I am looking forward to your continuous support and help for our blog site to prosper soon. To my mind, the success of Proud to be Dugong Pinoy International blog site is synonymous to our victory as Filipinos who are proud to be dugong Pinoy.  I don’t mean to compete with other Filipino blog sites, social networks, and the likes on the Internet.  Personally, I appreciate all of them for being visibly out there and loudly expressing Pinoy pride.  It is, indeed, great to know that we are not by ourselves.  After all, we need a lot of sites to accommodate all the Pinoys on the Web contingent on their personal preferences

Some people may have the following questions in mind:

1.  Why do we have to be proud to be dugong Pinoy? 

2.  Why do we have to be proud of the achievements of other Pinoys, like Manny Pacquiao in boxing, Charice Pempengco in the singing industry, and other international Filipino figures?

3.  Why can’t we just be proud of ourselves as individuals?

4.  Why do we have to generalize that we, Filipinos, are all great whenever one of our kababayan (countrymen) stands out and does great in his/her career? 

Because it is a matter of opinion, some of you may agree and disagree with me on these issues.  We just have to respect each other’s opinion.  The following are my viewpoints in response to the foregoing questions:  

1.  Whenever we say that we are proud to be dugong Pinoy, we don’t mean to be pompous and blow our own horns.  It is merely an act of self-acceptance that we are what we are in terms of ethnicity.  Unfortunately, there are some Filipinos who are either ashamed or hesitant to be identified as Pinoys once they leave the Philippines.  They think other people will look down to them.  Maybe it’s because we are from a Third World country or perhaps they are mortified by the disgraceful deeds of some Filipinos.  But why throw it on yourself, more particularly on your own ethnicity?  It reminds me of an old Filipino saying: “Saan mang gubat ay may ahas.” (“In any woods, there is a snake.”)  These are words of advice—which I often heard from my great-grandmother who raised me in the Philippines—cautioning people to take necessary precaution.  Adopting this to our discussion, undeniably, there are bad apples in any country on earth; and this should not be taken against the country and its own people as a whole.   By that same token, if there are some bad-mannered or ill-natured Filipinos, it does not necessary follow that all Filipinos are bad. As we all know, stereotyping is irrational.

Also, we should not be discomfited because we are from a Third World country.  It does not make us any less of a person.  Let’s bear in mind that—in a straight-minded and righteous society—“all men are created equal.”  It is my opinion that credence should be given more to our desire and efforts here abroad to improve our lives through dignified means as opposed to lazy people.   We are people of skills and perseverance.  We are people who care about God and have an enormous faith in Him.  We are people with our own identity, heritage, and rich historical background.  We are people who have dreams that we want to realize in a principled way.  We are people of dignity and integrity by nature and nurture.

  

Like the other ethnic groups in the world, let’s be proud of who and what we are.  I believe that an individual will never be complete as a person not until he/she accepts who and what he/she is as a whole.   A person, irrespective of race, who borrows pride from what he/she pretends to be shall forever be empty and live in an illusionary self-respect.  Turning your back on your ethnicity is tantamount to rejection of your own self.   Hence, irrespective of national origin, a person ought to be proud of his/her race if he/she truly wants to have a legitimate self-esteem.  Be proud of yourself, fellows.  Be proud to be dugong Pinoy.     

Inasmuch as I already have gone a little long on this post, let me respond to the remainder of the questions above on my next publication.  I hope to see you again then.

Salamat po kabayan.   Mabuhay po kayo!

HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY JOSE RIZAL

The Philippines and the entire Filipino people of the world will celebrate the sesquicentennial of Jose Rizal on June 20, 2011.  Since the actual birthday of Jose Rizal will fall on Sunday, June 19, 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III, by virtue of Proclamation No.154 he signed on April 26, 2011; declared June 20, 2011, as a special non-working holiday throughout the Philippines to observe Rizal’s birthday.  President Aquino made the declaration “to give the Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies.”  Normally, Rizal’s birthday is just observed as a local holiday of Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, Rizal’s hometown.

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, or Jose Rizal for brevity, was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines.  He was the 7^th child of Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Morales Alonso Realonda y Quintos.  He earned his BS degree at Ateneo Municipal de Manila.  He went to University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, and pursued his studies at Universidad Central de Madrid, Madrid, Spain, where he completed and earned his degree in Licentiate in Medicine.  He also studied at University of Paris, Paris, France, and earned his second doctorate at University of Heidelberg (known now as Ohio University), Ohio, United States of America. “He was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist.”  His most famous works were Noli me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Flilibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) that he wrote in Spanish.  These two books were the ones that awakened the minds and hearts of our ancestors and incited them to rise up against Spain.  Also, “Jose Rizal was the founder of La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that gave birth to the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo.” 


Jose Rizal was sentenced to death by the Spanish colonial authorities in the Philippines and was executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan Field (Luneta, Manila, Philippines) at the age of 35.  Around the site where he was executed, the Filipino people built and dedicated his monument to symbolize the Filipinos' high respect and honor for his martyrdom and patriotism.  Until now, it is constantly guarded by the ceremonial soldiers known as the Caballeros de Rizal (Knights of Rizal).

Thank you Jose Rizal for your zealous loyalty and love for our motherland.  We just hope that the entire Filipino people and our future generations will continue to remember you, together with the rest of our heroes and heroines, with great esteem and recognition that you all properly deserve.   

We, the Dugong Pinoy International, wish to remember you and celebrate your birthday with mammoth pride, honor, and deference.  Doctor Jose Rizal, feliz cumpleaños a tí! (Happy Birthday to you!)  We love you.  May you continue to rest in peace in heaven. 

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!  Mabuhay ang bayan nating mahal!  Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino!         

References:

1.  Wikipedia

2.  Official Gazette of the Philippines

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY PHILIPPINES!

On June 12, the Philippines will commemorate its 113^th year of independence from Spain based on the proclamation made “by the Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo, at Kawit, Cavite, [Philippines] on June 12, 1889”.  During this significant event in the history, the Philippine Flag, made in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo with the help of Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza; was first raised.  It was also the first time when the Philippine National Anthem composed by Juan Felipe was played.

The United States did not recognize the Philippine independence not until July 4, 1946.  Nevertheless, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4166 signed into law by President Diosdado Macapagal in 1964, June 12 was declared the official Independence Day of the Philippines and was made one of the Philippine national holidays.  Additionally, under the same law, the 4th of July was designated as the Philippine Republic Day. 

Once again, a great opportunity for the Filipinos abroad to gather and
celebrate is forthcoming, an immense occasion to once again display our unity and pride as dugong Pinoy (Filipino ethnic group).  Moreover, to grab the chance to mitigate our nostalgia and enjoy—even for a bit—the momentary feeling of being at home through the company of our kababayan (countrymen) here abroad who may feel the same way.  

Allow us to extend our appreciation to all of the Pinoy entertainers from the Philippines for sparing their times to visit and join us on our celebrations of the Philippine Independence Day during the previous years.  They really made them more colorful and full of joy.  Thanks to all of the organizers all over the world for all their times and efforts exerted to ensure that the Philippine Independence Day—a momentous event in the Philippine history that is worthy of commemoration and delight—is never let passed without mark of festivities and honor.

Our gratitude to all of our fallen heroes and heroines, from the time of Lapu-Lapu down to those of World War II, for making the Philippine Independence Day dreams a reality.  This is a legacy of freedom from our ancestors that was dearly redeemed and paid for by their own blood; the very same blood that we, all the Filipinos, have and ought to value.  We just owe it to ourselves.  Filipinos, be proud of it.     

Mabuhay ang dugong Pinoy!  Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!  Happy Independence Day Philippines!   We love you.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

We, the PROUD TO BE DUGONG PINOY INTERNATIONAL, and on behalf of all the Filipino-Americans like myself who are proud to be dugong Pinoy; join all the Americans throughout the world in observing the US memorial day.

Let all marks of respect be conferred to all of the fallen heroes and heroines of the United States of America; they who got wounded and gave their lives to insure that we, all the Americans, and our allies continue to enjoy our freedom.  Let the same magnitude of respect and honor be given to all of our soldiers who might not had been wounded and/or died, but shared the same heroic act of going to the battle to defend the very same freedom and survived.  Lastly, but not the least, the fallen Filipino heroes and heroines, who fought side by side with the Americans during World War II; should also be acknowledged and be bestowed no less than the same scale of recognition and honor.

To our minds, the greeting is Happy Memorial Day not because they got wounded and died in the battles, but for we were blessed of those great and brave people who had an  enormous love for this great nation.  We are happy as we are celebrating the lives of our remarkably gallant and patriotic people. Rejoicing their lives, since, without them; we may not be here having a good time and enjoying the fruits of freedom that was paid by their own lives.  It is our blazing way of saying thank you so much for your splendid gift of love for our country.  It is our way to express how much they are appreciated and loved for what they bequeathed to us. 

Thank you our fallen heroes and heroines.  Our grand salute to all of you.  May you all rest in peace in heaven.  We love you all. 

Happy Memorial Day United States of America!  Long live America!  God bless America!  God bless the whole world!