July 4th is Philippine-American Friendship Day

The Philippine and American Flag

Not too many Americans know, but July 4th, beside a celebration of American independence and a celebration of freedom, is also Philippine-American Friendship Day. Philippine Republic Day, July 4, (also known as Filipino-American Friendship Day) is a day in the Philippines designated to commemorate the official recognition of Philippine independence by the United States of America. The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1946. Between 1941 and 1946, during World War II Japanese occupation, it remained a U.S. territory with a government in exile headed by Manuel Quezon initially located in Australia and later in the United States. A campaign to retake the country began in October 1944, when General Douglas McArthur landed in Leyte along with Sergio Osmena who had assumed the Philippine presidency after Quezon’s death. The battles entailed long fierce fighting; some of the Japanese continued to fight until the official surrender of the Empire of Japan on September 2, 1945. The country gained complete independence on July 4, 1946. Initially, the nation’s Independence Day holiday (Araw ng Kalayaan) was held on July 4. Former President Diosdado Macapagal moved it to June 12, the date on which the Malolos Republic had declared independence from Spain in 1898. Philippine Republic Day was created in its place,and it coincides with the United States’s Independence Day on July 4.

The American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines etched with American died from WW II who died in the Philippines or nearby in the Pacific.

A Filipino Sister prays at the American Cemetery in Manila where many Americans are remembered for their sacrifice in the Philippines and Pacific.

Almost three million Filipinos live in the USA, most of whom reside on the West Coast. However, here in New Jersey there are many as well, particularly in Jersey City.The 22nd annual Philippine-American Friendship Day Parade and Festival drew thousands of people yesterday to Jersey City, which has one of the largest Filipino communities in the nation. The festival at Lincoln Park featured food, music and entertainment, including performances by Miss Philippines International 2010 Krista Kleiner, Filipino R&B singer JayR, and Kris Lawrence, the 2006 winner of a Filipino TV network talent search. Read more here to see how Filipinos worldwide honor friendship with the USA. 

On stage at the festival is some house dancing

Gawad Kalinga is the Filipino version of Habitat  for Humanity, begun by the Catholic Church through Couples for Christ originally

What Filipino feast is complete without mouthwatering Filipino food

Another example of how friendship among nations across the globe is the best medicine to the violence and war that inflicts our planet. Jesus prayed to His Father, as seen in the 17th chapter of the gospel of John: “Father, may they be one as you and I are one.”