Dumaguete Celebration :Philippine American Friendship Day 2020

July 4th was the day when the United States recognized the Philippines as an independent state in 1946. Now we Filipinos celebrate July 4 as Philippine-American Friendship Day.

But the Philippines only celebrated July 4 as its Independence Day until 1962. That year, President Diosdado Macapagal changed the country’s official Independence Day to June 12, to mark the day that the Philippines had declared independence from Spain in 1898.

Dumaguete City is known a the little American Town in the turn of the 20th century. When the American Missionaries, Teachers, and Military Soldiers have begun to fell in love with a place they called home.

This year during the Philippine-American Friendship Day the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Negros Oriental -Siquijor Council & the Order of the Knights of Rizal Dumaguete City & Negros Oriental Chapters once again collaboration for saving our 98 years old almost forgotten Dumaguete American Cemetery in Daro Dumaguete  City holding the event in the cemetery for the first time in history.

The Event Committee was led by  Prof. Phitz Jaculbe Enojo, Sir Penn T.Larena, Sir Charles Lelis Tuozo, Queen Marie Truno Ferraren, Dr. Cesar Estrope, Sir Marlon Fernandez Sumanoy, Sir Berber Arcaya and the men and women who help us in this event.

Also Presented in the occasion was  Dr. Henry A Sojor, KGOR the  Provincial Administrator  of Negros Oriental, Former Ambassador & Fulbright U.S. Scholar  MacArthur Flores Corsino KGOR

Michelle Diputado Dy, Sir Rodolfo Jull B Locsin Jr.,KOR , 2019 Magbanua Scout Awardee Rover Scout Cezar G.Lopez and Senior Scout Vincent Mark Enojo both from Silliman University . 

Sean Diputado Dy sung the two National Anthems Lupang Hinirang  & Star-Spangled Banner and during the wreath-laying ceremonies he sung God bless America and Adult leader Marlon Fernandez Sumanoy sung Pilipinas kong mahal for the Community Singing. Historian Penn T. Larena hosted the Program.

The event was so privileged to have Mr. Daryl Robinson a student leader, retired US Navy for 20 years and a part-time instructor at the Psychology department and graduate student from Maryland USA, a brother Masonic as our Keynote Speaker.Mr. Robinson talked about freedom and This pandemic crisis we are all facing rights now, just to live our lives full of hope, love, helping hands, and to be in service with our fellowmen in our community. 

.In celebrating the Philippine-American Friendship Day in Dumaguete  City is just a revival of old tradition every 4th of July.To Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan, KCR, Dr. Kenneth Coo, KCR, and Council Chairman Judge Antonio Alcantara for all your support.

A  long history that should be remembered and passed on to present and future Filipinos and Americans. Freedom and independence are not given. It is earned. This is especially true in our history. What we must remember is the struggle of thousands of the bravest Filipinos and American soldiers who died for it.

God bless America and The Philippines, To God be all the Glory