Philippine-American Day has no definite date

Yesterday, July 4, was the 227th anniversary of United States of America’s declaration of independence and Philippine Republic Day, but not Philippine-American Friendship Day. There was a time when we also used to celebrate July 4 as our independence day for that was the day when the United States officially recognized Philippine independence. But President Diosdado Macapagal changed our independence day to a more fitting day – June 12 – the day when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed our independence from Spain.

It is about time that historical dates be clarified to the public. Yesterday, there were still editorials and news items about July 4 being Philippine-American Friendship Day. The best proof is that there was no Phil-American Friendship celebration yesterday. The Americans celebrated their Independence Day in their embassy. Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople gave a statement to the effect that the friendship between the Philippines and the United States has been beneficial to both countries. But there was no Phil-American Day no definite date has been officially chosen and proclaimed as Philippine-American Friendship Day. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went to Baler, Aurora, to officially commemorate Phil-Spanish Friendship Day. But she did not even issue any statement yesterday. That speaks for itself.

We should have a Philippine-American Friendship Day and the first thing we should do is to determine the most fitting day to celebrate the occasion. Phil-Spanish Day commemorates the day when the last Spanish soldiers surrendered in Baler. To our mind, the most fitting occasion to celebrate Phil-American Friendship Day would be a day that would remind Filipinos and Americans of how they fought side by side in Bataan or the American Liberation of Manila.

Actually, there was a time when Philippine-American Friendship Day was celebrated on November 15, the anniversary of the inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Historically, it was an appropriate date. But President Marcos converted Republic Day into Fil-Am Friendship Day. Then President Fidel V. Ramos restored it to the old date. So now, confusion reigns. We have a Republic Day and a Philippine-American Friendship Day that no one observes.

Celebrations are great occasions to remind our people of their past. That is why town fiestas are very popular. It reminds the townspeople of when they were brought under the bells. The fiesta is our foremost community expression. Holidays should be like that. The government should take the proper steps to have an annual Phil-American Friendship Day. It must find a fitting historical occasion and a fitting program to observe the yearly commemoration. To this day, we still don’t celebrate such great occasions as the EDSA Revolution with a fitting program. It’s just an empty get-together with the current officials in power. The program itself is the thing.