Empowering the Filipino People
June 5, 2011, 8:00am
MANILA, Philippines — “Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers, and I’ll conquer the world...” — General Douglas MacArthur at Bataan and Corregidor
This weekend, the one just past and the next weekend happen to be important dates that need remembering, internalizing, revering, and just doing the heroic lessons they impart – especially for parents, teachers, and young Filipinos.
Fortuitously, during these past two weeks, FVR had opportunities to participate in these historical events. For our young citizens, it is essential for them to be reminded of the past so that they gain new insights for the present and the future.
For five years, this column has sought to recall events deemed worth revering because they form part of our patrimony of patriotism and gallantry and, therefore, merit the focused attention of younger Filipinos. Hopefully, they, in turn, will inculcate the spiritual and cultural essentials among their families and descendants. In today’s world, these are what national spirit, people empowerment, soldiers’ sacrifice, sustainable development, and economic competitiveness are all about.
In our Asia-Pacific neighborhood, the American, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Indonesian peoples have fought in wars of independence, liberation, and/or defense (to protect their integrity and sovereignty). Among others, Filipinos have been similarly involved in defending their patrimony, freedom, values, and the rule of law, and thus have earned a place of admiration in the community of nations.
On the eve of Philippine Independence Day, events of such primacy need to be remembered, notably:
(1) Philippine Independence Commemoration.
(2) Philippine Flag Days.
(3) Memorial Day (by Americans/Filipino-Americans).
Our sacrosanct National Day
In our Manila Bulletin column, “Philippine Independence Day: Patriotism or Tourism?” (6 June 2010), we wrote that during PGMA’s administration, the fostering of patriotic pride in Filipinos had dwindled. Seemingly forgotten was the work of the “Committee for the National Centennial Celebrations in 1998” constituted by President Cory (AO 223, s-1991) to fortify our national spirit.
Independence Day is the only holiday requiring the presence of our highest officials – the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice – to preside simultaneously at historic venues of our “Freedom Trail,” like Kawit and Balintawak. No other day reflects the common aspirations of past, present, and future generations of Filipinos. For those who willingly offered everything to country – even life itself – Independence Day embodies our proud heritage as a people.
FVR expanded Cory’s Committee by establishing the “National Centennial Commission” (EO 128, s-1993). Chaired by former VP Salvador Laurel, NCC memorialized our countrywide “Freedom Trail” – leading to the upbeat nationwide celebration of our Independence Centennial on 12 June 1998, which was highlighted by commemorative events in countries where the Philippines shares political links, particularly Spain and the US.
Flag Days: Preparing for Independence Day
In the run-up to our Independence Centennial – 100 years after Aguinaldo’s defiant proclamation – our 10th Congress insured that reverence for our National Flag and other cherished symbols of sovereignty are enshrined in the “Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms, and other Heraldic Items and Devices” (RA 8491, February 1998). This law was intended to prime the citizenry for the joyful observance of our National Day.
This law declared the period 28 May to 12 June each year as Flag Days, when all public offices, business establishments, educational institutions, and private homes are enjoined to display the flag.
RA 8491 declares: “Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions... and inculcate in our people just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and proper use of national heraldic symbols.”
Having interacted with Filipino-American communities just last fortnight, we fervently wish that Filipinos here at home would display the same patriotic fervor of our kababayans overseas. As fiercely as we demand our rights as citizens, we should be as intensely proud in manifesting our love of country and people.
These days, however, under P-Noy, very little has been seen or heard of the display/reverence for our national flag in our streets or in places other than large public offices and military installations. In contrast, Fil-Ams showed the flags in hundreds of homes and placed wreaths at Rizal’s monument (in Chicago, Illinois).
US Memorial Day
Last 27 May in San Diego, California, this writer was the guest of honor at the Fil-Am community “tri-event” – Memorial Day, Philippine Independence Day, and Philippine Products and Services Exhibit (PhilFair 2011).
Memorial Day is a US holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as “Decoration Day,” it was first marked by “Freedmen” (freed slaves) in South Carolina in 1865 to remember fallen Union soldiers in the Civil War.
This recognition was later enacted into law under the name “Memorial Day” upon the initiative of veterans – the Grand Army of the Republic – to honor Civil War dead.
Over time, it was extended to honor all Americans who have died in war. Now known as “Memorial Day,” it is a day of remembering those killed while serving in the US Armed Forces, among them thousands of Filipinos who died as American nationals then and, likewise, US citizens of Filipino parentage.
US Memorial Day is an occasion for general expressions of reverent memory, because even ordinary people visit graves of their deceased, whether they served in the military or not. It provides ritual opportunities for local communities to develop greater patriotic spirit and belonging. Traditionally, average Americans observe Memorial Day with deep feelings of national pride and personal motivation for US achievements and goals.
On the other hand, Veterans Day is a holiday honoring military veterans. It is also celebrated as “Armistice Day” or “Remembrance Day” in other countries, it being the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I.
President Woodrow Wilson who first proclaimed Armistice Day on 11 November 1919, said:
“Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of America’s opportunity to show sympathy with peace and justice in all nations.”
Because many people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day, the US Department of Veterans Affairs clarifies that Memorial Day is for honoring military personnel who DIED in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or of wounds sustained in battle. Veterans Day, however, is intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service and underscore that all who served – not only those who died – sacrificed and did their duty.
Fil-Ams proudly celebrate
In remembrance of those who died in the country’s service (Memorial), war survivors (Veterans), and the advance celebration of the 113th Philippine Independence Day, the Council of Philippine-American Organizations (COPAO) of
San Diego commemorated these landmarks through PhilFair 2011 – with a civic parade, Filipiniana products/services exhibits, and fiesta-style entertainment.
COPAO made the decision to involve school children who would otherwise be on vacation starting in June, as part of the early immersion of Fil-Am youth in the heroic struggle of our forebears in defending freedom – a legacy that we all now enjoy.
As a war veteran, filled with pride for the honor our overseas kababayans extend to Filipino freedom fighters, past and present, FVR wholeheartedly joined fellow veterans and youngsters in their PhilFair 2011 parade led by Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Aragon as Grand Marshal.
“Moving Independence Day is a sin”
Last year, President-elect Benigno Aquino III sounded a stinging rebuke against the outgoing PGMA Administration, thus:
“Moving the holiday to 14 June is a sin. He apparently resented PGMA’s move not to declare 12 June a holiday, pointing out that it was on 12 June that ‘we formally became an independent nation’.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 28 May 2010).
With this P-Noy admonition, Filipinos should take heart that in 2011, Independence Day will be properly commemorated in our homeland, in hundreds of our Embassies and Consulates abroad, in thousands of Filipino communities overseas, and among ten million OFWs worldwide.
For Filipinos at home and dual citizens/OFWs everywhere, 12 June is the one day each year that we should fully devote to reinforcing our love of country – and not indulge in self-gratification, escapism, or other frivolous activities.
And, about which the “young once” should teach the “young ones.”
To his credit, P-Noy’s advance Independence Day message to Fil-Ams enjoins: “Let us not only celebrate the freedom that we cherish, but also remember brave Filipinos who valiantly fought for our liberty – our forefathers who engaged in a revolution that has marked our strength and determination.”
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