For the United States, July 4 is the day for their Independence. But years, back, Filipinos also had it as a day in the Philippines designated by President Diosdado Macapagal, the father of our current president, to commemorate the liberation of the country by joint Filipino and American forces from the Japanese occupation at the end of World War II, hence it was called Filipino-American Friendship Day.
The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1941, when it was occupied by Japanese forces, and again by Americans for a brief period after the war. The country gained complete Independence on July 4, 1946. My Lola Viating told me lots of stories about war and the liberation. Including their love story, hers and Lolo Peping. See, my Lolo Peping was a Filipino soldier who fought the Japanese side by side with the Americans. He was one of the soldiers who helped my grandmother's family when the Japanese made my grandmother's house in Tin-ao, Agusan, a garrison, since it was the only big house in the area made of TISA. I think I will have a separate post about that. Anyway, my Lolo Peping was recognized as a War Veteran by the American government. If my grandma claimed the benefits of being a War Veteran, she would have been in the US before she died. But she didn't claim that part of the benefit. She stayed here in the Philippines until she died. She said it was not important. And I think I understand her very well. She loves her country more than anything. And she is proud to be living here till her death.
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 Philippines had declared Independence from Spain in 1898. Filipino-American Friendship Day was created in its place, and it coincides with the United States's Independence Day.
By the way, do you know that July 4 is also the day of Liberation of Rwanda? Well, I found that information today..
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