Accents
FAABC celebrates Philippine Independence Day
Bluffton, South Carolina, USA—I interrupt my series on our cruise getaway with the FAABC commemoration of a very important event, the 112th Philippine Independence Day. The celebration was held last Sunday, a day after the historic June 12.
FAABC is the acronym for the Filipino-American Association of Beaufort County that comprises three big cities: Bluffton, Hampton, and Jasper. Quite a gathering of Filipinos spread out in the state of South Carolina who professed in the printed program “the opportunity to be together on this important day recognizing who we are as a people, rejoicing in our culture and cultivating the heritage that makes us distinct from all others.” If that isn’t enough to put the Pinoy best foot forward, the program had the Philippine flag on the cover boldly bearing Proudly Pinoy 2010. The venue: the Farm Clubhouse in the extensive Farm subdivision where several Filipino families reside.
Mine was the task to deliver the Invocation. Done impromptu, it gave quite an ample mish-mash for folks to pray and reflect, smile, and think about: for each one to address his/her prayer to whatever concept he/she has of the Almighty, considering the racial mix of people—Latinos, Mexicans, Americans, Fil-Ams, and full-blooded Filipinos that came from various parts of Perlas ng Silangan’s 7,107 islands. Of course, I started with my very own province, being clad in a T-shirt that bore the huge letters ILOILO. It was a chance as well to invoke all of us to be prayerful for the needy back home and to be reminded to do our bit for them, even as we were about to feast on the richly laden tables.
The celebration was from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but it was already way past 12:00 when I was made to deliver the Invocation. With a prelude of Pinoy humor, I asked the Lord to inspire us to adopt the best in the American values which is American time and to debunk Filipino time that has been the thorn in many a Filipino gathering. Smile! Guys, a little prick won’t hurt.
Potluck has been in the social fabric of the Pinoy in diaspora, and was therefore the order of the day. Folks brought with them dishes of their own concoction or those hurriedly purchased over the counter, and the result—an array of delectables. The signature lechon was naturally present on the table.
Games for adults and kids made for merriment. The children enjoyed the contests and supots of prizes were up for grabs. Our granddaughter Danika was very happy to get a Dairy Queen gift card. After all the tete-a-tete and some early Goodbyes, time for a game of chance: Bingo was fun till late in the afternoon.
Why was the Independence Day of our country changed from July 4 to June 12? This was asked by some senior citizens in the audience who, in their growing up years in the Philippines, were used to observing July 4 as Independence Day. The switch in dates was amply answered in the printed program that carried an article by former President Diosdado Macapagal. He explained why he worked for the passage of the statute signifying June 12 as Philippine Independence
Day, finally signing the same into law.
As early as his years in Congress, the former President already held the opinion that Independence Day for Filipinos should be changed to June 12 — the date General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Filipinos in Kawit, Cavite, in 1898. He noted that the celebration of a common independence day with the United States on July 4 caused considerable inconvenience. “The American celebration dwarfed that of the Philippines. As if to compound the irony, July 4 seemed tantamount to the celebration of Philippine subjection to and dependence on the United States which served to perpetuate unpleasant memories.”
Pres. Diosdado Macapagal felt that “July 4 was not inspiring enough for the Filipino youth since it recalled mostly the peaceful independence mission to the United States. …On the other hand, June 12 would be a greater inspiration to the youth who would consequently recall the heroes of the revolution against Spain and their acts of sublime heroism and martyrdom. These acts compare favorably with those of the heroes of other nations.”
In the midst of making merry with the happy company, this sacred quote brought the Pinoy back to the significance of the day: “A nation is born into freedom on the day when such a people, moulded into a nation by a process of cultural evolution and sense of oneness born of common struggle and suffering, announces to the world that it asserts its natural right to liberty and is ready to defend it with blood, life, and honor.” Words that make the heart burn with fervor for love of country.
The 2010 FAABC officers deserve our gratitude for gathering us Pinoy to celebrate a memorable day in our nation’s history. Our fellow Ilonggo, the indefatigable president Ellier Gervero of Tapaz, came with his wife Jemima of Pavia and Iliana, their daughter who sang beautifully the American National Anthem. We wished Ileana should have sung, too, the Philippine National Anthem in keeping with the celebration. All in all, the affair was a cooperative effort with the officers as stand-out: Richard Cuanang, vice president; Eileen Buckalew, secretary; Sai Bothe, auditor; Remy Huber, PRO; Naty Orr, business manager; and Teddy Caasi, sergeant-at-arms.
Mabuhay ang Filipino!
(Email: lagoc@hargray.com)
