Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

Independence Day

Holidays / by

It’s July 4th here in the Philippines.  Or, as most Americans would say “the 4th of July.”  The 4th of July is an important day for Americans, it is Independence Day, the anniversary of the day that the Colonists in the New World declared Independence from the United Kingdom, in 1776.  True Independence was not achieved until 1789 after a war was faught against the British, but it is the date that Independence was declared that is remembered and commemorated each and every year.

In the Philippines, there is a very similar scenario.  The Philippines really became an Independent Republic on Jully 4th, 1946 when the United States gave Independence to the country, following World War II.  However, the Philippines does not celebrate Independence on July 4th.  Instead, they celebrate their Independence on June 12.  June 12, 1898 is the date that Filipino Revolutionaries declared their Independence from Spain.  At the same time, the Spanish were involved in a War with the USA (the Spanish American War), and as part of the treaty ending that war, the United States purchased the Philippines from Spain for the sum of $20 Million.  Thus, after the purchase, the USA began colonizing the Philippines, and the Philippines was in for nearly 50 years of American Rule, after enduring around 400 years of rule by the Spaniards.

So you see the similarities?  Both of our country’s celebrate Independence on a date other than when the became Independent!

Originally, the Philippines celebrated Independence on July 4, but in the 1960’s they changed their Independence day to June 12.  The person who made the change officially was Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, the father of current Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  After changing Independence Day, July 4th was still retained as a National Holiday, it was called “Philippine American Friendship Day” although that holiday was abandoned years later.  Today, it is not a holiday, but many Filipinos do tend to keep that in mind in July the 4th, and I find that people will often greet me “Happy Independence” on July the 4th.  I doubt that many Americans know the dates of such special occasions in other countries like that, so I consider such a greeting to be quite special.

There is certainly a lot of history between the Philippines and the USA.  Not all of it is happy, but in general, I would say that most Filipinos have a love in their hearts for the USA and for American people too.

Happy 4th of July to all of my fellow Americans!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. A Grand Happy 4th to you Bob and our fellow Americans!

    I was very happy to read your blog today especially because of your detailing the similar events of Independence for both The Republic of Philippines and The United States of America.

    I have discussed the role of the US in the Philippines after the Spanish Amrican War and most who are interested are not aware of the purchase of the Philippines by the US and the past conflicts surrounding it. Obviously both countries are arm in arm and continue to work together on many fronts.

    I am hopeful the United States Congress will finally pass the veteran benefits payments now before them for those brave Filipino men and women who served along side the WW2 conflict. It has been too long a wait.

    I appreciate your efforts Bob!

    marshall

  2. Hi marshallmellow – like you, I also hope the compensation will be given to the veterans as it was promised to them decades ago. My father-in-law bought in the U.S. Army during the war, and never received any kind of compensation, although it was promised him indeed. He was never bitter about that though, just took it in stride. Unfortunately, like most World War II veterans, he has already passed away, so even if compensation is granted, it is late, and most of those who fought would never see it. But, it's still the right thing to do.

    Happy Fourth of July to you also marshallmellow.

  3. Bob,Thanks for the July 4th post. The fourth of July has been, indeed, a majic day in American history. Not only was the Declaration appoved that day, but John Adama and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4th, 1826, exactly 50 years after they collaborated on the Declaration of Independence. Also Vicksburg fell to the Union army on July 4th , assuring the Union would be preserved. I still continue that a good thing though I'm a Southerner. 🙂
    I agree that giving the Filipino WWII veterans their promised compensation is long overdue. The U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines do have a special relationship, but I've noticed there is less interest in the Philippines from the U.S.governmen and media now than in some other Asian nations. I've often thought forming an American Philippine association to strenthen relations between the two countries through, maybe again, providing one place at West Point for a Philippine high school graduate. This time of course the relationship would be much more an alliance of equals than the one between 1898 and 1946. Thanks for reading and a happy July 4th to all my fellow Americans and a great weekend to all the expats and Filipinos who read Bob's great site.
    Richard

  4. Hi Richard Wilson – happy Fourth of July to you, also, and thank you for reading my site today. I totally agree with you that there is a lot less interest in the Philippines these days compared to years ago. Sadly, a lot of Americans these days don't even know where the Philippines is. I remember when I first married Feyma, my are asked — the Philippines? Isn't that in South America? Oh boy…

  5. hello bob
    happy 4th, not to get off topic but how did u hear about or started interest in coming to philippines? with me it was my uncle that told me filippina was best woman for family and very loveing,oh yeah and beautiful hehehe. for my family we usually get together at the beach for a nice cookout and time with family we havent see in awhile.this year will be certainly different as i will be going offshore to retrieve 150 lobster traps and bring them to port for maintanance.i will say a special prayer to respect all my family and good health to all.
    nice article bob salamat kayuu 😀

  6. Hi Ron W – Happy Fourth of July to you. I used to be a ham radio operator, for many years, and I've talked to a lot of people in the Philippines over my radio. That's how I kind of got interested in the place. Then I was penpals with Feyma, and that's what drove me to come here for the first time. Good luck with your lobster fishing tomorrow, I hope the traps are all full!

  7. happy fourth to you Bob. I will be working this fourth. My uncle who lived in Medfrod, Oregon was a ham raidio operater. His name was David Putman. His call letter were W7KZU. He was well known in these parts as he was one of the drivng forces in puting up the reapeater stations all over northern calif. and S. oregon. He was actve from the WWII days until he died. He said that he lost many of his best ham friends to the computers..He talked of them as if they had died. Here I am talking to you on this computer. ❗ 😎

  8. Hi don – I suppose I was one of those people who left ham radio when the computers came along, once the Internet was here I never looked back. I did enjoy my days as a ham radio operator, but it's been more than 15 years since I've done that.

    Happy fourth don!

  9. Bob, Happy 4th to you and family!
    Going anywhere for fireworks? Me?I will be working on the 4th which is tomorrow. Wish I dont have to work but, I have to be there 🙁 I guess is not that bad, more money he he he hehe.

    Planning to watch fireworks after work though. Our City always have a great show.

    Thank you and regards to Feyma.
    Tess McClung

  10. Hi Tess – happy Fourth of July to you also! No, no fireworks for us to. Firstly, the Fourth of July is not celebrated here so no fireworks will be found around the area, and secondly, fireworks are illegal in Davao anyway. But for me, in my heart, is a lot more to the fourth than fireworks. I'll spend the day remembering a lot of good things about my country, its heritage, culture, and struggle for freedom over the centuries. Thank you again Tess.

  11. Hi Bob,

    Happy Fourth of July to you and all U.S. friends and sympathizers! Have a great barbecue day, folks!

    …from the Land of Freedom, where air is full of sunlight and where the Flag is full of Stars.

    Cheers!

  12. Hi MarcelinaWW – happy Fourth of July to you too. I hope you have a great day and a great barbecue! we are going to barbecue some baby back ribs later, and cook up some onion rings. It should be good!

  13. Now, Bob that's not fair! There was no need for you to tell us what you're going to barbecue. Hot dogs would have been just fine. Oh well,
    have a great day to you and Feyma.

  14. Hi MarcelinaWW – okay, upon reflection I think you're right., I spoke too quickly and it wasn't fair to you. After all, it will be the fourth here before it is there, and I'll be enjoying my baby back ribs before you even put your hot dogs on the grill. Because I spoke quickly like that, I'm going to save a rib for you. But you'll have to come over here to enjoy it! Do you want sauce on that or not? 😆

  15. Hi Bob- Happy fourth of July to you and all your fellow Americans.

    After reading you post, and realising that most Australians are aware of why you (Americans) celebrate your independence on 4th of July, I realised that I wasnt sure why we celebrate Australia day on the 26th of January. Did a bit of quick research and found out that it is the date of the establishment of the first British settlement on the continent of Australia. ( boy I must have been asleep the day we did that one at school 😳 )

    It is only a matter of time when Australia becomes a republic, and then we will have a date with some real significance to Australians 😀

    Might have a hotdog and a bud to help you guys celabrate 😎

  16. Just reading the comments and I wanted to highlight something I just read about in the most recent online edition of the Manila Times . They had a timely article about some Filipino/a folks that have graduated from the naval Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the US Army's academy in West Point, New York.

    It seems that these fine individuals did a great job studying and have come back to the PI to apply what they experienced and learned!

    *mmmmm….baby back ribs AND onion rings*

  17. Hi anthony – thank you very much. Enjoy that hot dog in the Budweiser for me too! Maybe I'll have to break down and have a beer tonight to, but something I don't do very often. The first year that the Aussies have their own Independence Day, I'll have a special celebration myself in your honor!

  18. Hi marshallmellow – I read an article a couple of days ago about a half Filipino fellow who is graduating from West Point this year. It was encouraging other mestizos (half Filipino, half another race) to go back and join the Philippine army to serve the country. Personally, I would prefer my children not to do that. My second son, who is almost 12 years old, has set for about five or six years now that he wants to join the military when he is old enough. He, though, wants to join the US military. I personally don't want him to join the military, because I fear for his safety. However, if he is to join the military, I would prefer that he join the US military, because they're better equipped and such. Nothing against the Philippines is just a matter of his safety. We'll see what happens.

    What will you be cooking today Marshall?

  19. I have shared similar concerns as you Bob about the safety of my adopted sons. They have both served in the US Army and had their share of situations. I am proud of them both and they are now out of the military and on to others things. My oldest is also married to a lovely Filipina and he was the one that influenced me tofollow in his footsteps (rather than the other way around 😆 )

    Today I will be joining my wife and several other couples and families for a bbq in Long Beach. We have a quasi-organized group of filipina/American couples that share many good times together (The last was a birthday party at Jolibee's). I think we are having Tri Tip Beef *yumyum*…

    Cheers!

  21. Hi Bob, Well i'm doing the Americian thing today on the 4th, I'm working at double time and a half. After that i will put some hamburgers on the grill 😛 I just got home from Davao a few days ago…sorry i missed you, but i was busy with my Fiancee. Even as we speak she is on her way back to Don Carlos (nice little city). Take care Bob, and happy 4th

  23. Hi Bob,

    Happy 4th to you and all the Americans out there! Ken and I are getting ready for a barbecue – steaks and corn on a cob, yummy! We're heading out to a friend's townhouse on the Hudson – we'll say hello to Lady Liberty for you, Bob. 😀 It's a bit rainy here in NYC so I hope we'll have a good fireworks display.

    Re Filipino WWII vets, I do hope they get to see some US benefits before they die, since they were fighting under the USAFFE. It's just fair, in my opinion. My Dad, who is a USAFFE veteran, will be happy to see it (who wouldn't?). However, I feel more for the veterans who really need it – the benefits will help them pay for their medical care.

    It has been my yearly pilgrimage to honor these surviving veterans on April 9th (Araw ng Kagitingan – Day of Valor) which also commemorates the fall of Bataan. Would you believe, there's only 15 of them left in Davao – or, at least, the ones who make it to the ceremonies? This year, our family hosted a breakfast reception in their honor. They went home happy and content with some giveaways/souvenirs of the day. See, it doesn't take much to make them happy, in these final years of their lives… Anyway, I didn't mean to sound too dramatic here, I just really feel for them.

    Okay, gotta get back to my barbecue prep. Those baby back ribs sound good! I'd like some sauce on mine, please! 😉 Please say hello to Feyma. Take care always…

    God bless America and the Philippines!

  24. Hi Hudson – Thank you for leaving your comment. I hope you're enjoying a great Fourth of July. In the past I have worked on many a fourth, earning a big overtime pay like you're talking about! Nothing wrong with that!

  25. Hi Tina – I hope you and Ken had a great fourth of July! I hope the steaks and the corn were very good. We also had corn on the cob with our baby back ribs, but the corn wasn't too good, the baby back ribs were great though. I the Statue of Liberty before, but only when I was a child. Seeing the statue on the Fourth of July would certainly be a treat, and you're lucky for that.

    Maybe this will be the year that the benefits come through for the Filipino veterans! They do deserve it.

  26. Hi john.j. – Somebody had to do it! At least we put the differences beside and your country and mine are friends now, and have been for years. The best of friends.

  27. 1700s you beat us British!!

    Oh well even family members fight occasionally..HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

  29. hi Sir Robert. I belive most of the rebels against the crown were british themselves or first generation. Asjohn said sounds more like a family squoble. Happy 4 july to all out there.

  31. Hi Bob I AM JUST BACK FROM 10 DAYS IN THE KRUGER PARK RECHARGING THE BATTERIES AFTER A REALLY STRESSFUL 3 MONTHS. SEEING AS A AM NOW PART OF THE FAMILY . KEEP A BED SPARE FOR ME ON MY NEXT VIST . RE VIC AND HIS COMMENTS WELL WHAT MORE CAN ONE SAY . LIFE IS A CIRCUS AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE CLOWNS I SUPPOSE.YOUR BOLGS ARE A PART OF A LOT OF PEOPLES LIVES MYSELF INCLUDED.AND REEALLY ENJOYED. I BELIEVE YOU DO MORE PROMOTION OF THE PHIL THEN ANY PHIL EMBASSY DOES. MY WIFE CALLS YOU AND FEYMER PHILS GOODWILL AMBASSADORS YOU MARTINS HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS OUT HERE

  32. Hi frank fealey – Thank you so much for your VERY kind comments, Frank. I appreciate it very much, and please pass along my thanks to your wife as well. By the way, I have been to Kruger National Park, and I love the place!

  35. Happy 4th of July ! Bob, I thought I read somewhere that at one point in time The Philippines could have become a posession of the USA similar to how Peurto Rico is, Can you clarify this or did I misread something somewhere ? Thanks.

  36. Hi Bob New York – I hope you enjoyed your 4th. The Philippines was a colony of the United States from the late 1800's until 1946. I do not believe that the Philippine people would want to be a possession of the USA, they are quite proud of their independence, as they should be. 😀

  37. Hi Bob. On a lighter note: The $20M paid by the U.S. to Spain in 1898 included Cuba and Puerto Rico.

    $20M now is the cost of some American homes nowadays.

    Talking about inflation in just 110 years…. 😆

  38. Hi Dr. Sponk Long – hate, that is a pretty good value there. Actually, I didn't realize that Spain included Cuba and Puerto Rico for that price, I think I'll have to go back and do a little bit of research because it's something I didn't know.thanks for your comment Dr. Long.