Independence is happiness -- Susan B. Anthony
By Alex P. Vidal
WASHINGTON D.C. – Bobby Reyes of the Philippine History Group of Los Angeles insists the Filipinos should celebrate Independence Day on July 4, not June 12.
“We reckon that it was only on July 4, 1946, when the United States granted it independence that the Philippines became politically free as a country,” Reyes argued.
In 1998, Reyes criticized the Philippine-independence centennial calling it “no relevance to the United States and the American people.”
He blasted the Philippine National Centennial Commission and the Philippine leaders who insisted on the June 12, 1898, independence calling them “insensitive to the facts of history.”
“They are also insensitive to the feelings of the American people, especially those of Philippine ancestry. To ignore the July 4, 1946, independence is hypocritical. It demonstrates, once more, the myopic view of some Philippine leaders who think that to be pro-Filipino is to be anti-American,” Reyes boomed.
For some Filipinos, the Independence Day parade in Washington D.C. is more interesting to watch than the more popular Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks over the East River.
That’s why we chose to be in Washington D.C. for the "Happy 4th of July Weekend" (we left New York past midnight July 3 and arrived around 6 o’clock in the morning via Megabus July 4, in Washington D.C.)
For a change.
“We reckon that it was only on July 4, 1946, when the United States granted it independence that the Philippines became politically free as a country,” Reyes argued.
In 1998, Reyes criticized the Philippine-independence centennial calling it “no relevance to the United States and the American people.”
He blasted the Philippine National Centennial Commission and the Philippine leaders who insisted on the June 12, 1898, independence calling them “insensitive to the facts of history.”
“They are also insensitive to the feelings of the American people, especially those of Philippine ancestry. To ignore the July 4, 1946, independence is hypocritical. It demonstrates, once more, the myopic view of some Philippine leaders who think that to be pro-Filipino is to be anti-American,” Reyes boomed.
For some Filipinos, the Independence Day parade in Washington D.C. is more interesting to watch than the more popular Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks over the East River.
That’s why we chose to be in Washington D.C. for the "Happy 4th of July Weekend" (we left New York past midnight July 3 and arrived around 6 o’clock in the morning via Megabus July 4, in Washington D.C.)
For a change.
FIREWORKS
Fil-Am Rene Gongora, who has seen the Americans celebrate the Independence Day for 20 years now, said the celebration in New York has always been all fireworks. “Non-stop fireworks which illuminate the skies over the East River,” Gongora observed. “All fireworks. That’s how they always celebrate the 4th of July in New York.”
The same activity in New York will unfolded for the second year in a row, it was learned.
The sparklers exploded over the Hudson River and New Jersey's Liberty State Park's Fireworks near the Statue of Liberty.
We were able to catch the show from many neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan, and parts of Brooklyn and Queens on the way back before midnight,
In New York, the glorious Brooklyn Bridge served as the backdrop for the fireworks.
More than 50,000 were scheduled to burst forth from six floating barges on the water, synchronized to a soundtrack of patriotic standards.
ANNUALLY
Co-sponsored by the National Park Service and Diversified Events, America’s 2015 National Independence Day Parade, was celebrated annually on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
It consisted of invited bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, VIP’s, national dignitaries, and celebrity participants.
The Parade was a major national event which sought to draw the attention of Americans to the real meaning for the holiday.
It is a patriotic, flag-waving, red white and blue celebration of America’s birthday!
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