Patriotic Month of July

By: Veronica Leighton

 

July marks the most patriotic month in this country for the celebration of the American Independence every fourth of July commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 240 years ago in 1776.

As ethnic immigrants in this country, we likewise enjoy celebrating this patriotic holiday like we do in celebrating the Philippine Independence every June 12th, feeling the same patriotism, love and ardor in our hearts, thus we rejoice the historical celebration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day on July 4th–two countries BFFs forever and ever. Please read Joe Mauricio’s Objectively Harsh column on page 22, touching on this special day and a story about the latest development (a win!) on the Philippines/China’s dispute over the maritime international territories in the West Philippine Sea.

As you can glean in this issue, we have a full coverage of the Philippine Independence Week Committee’s (PIWC) very successful gala celebration headed by Ms. Mercy Matousek and her committees this year. PIWC, so far, is the only remaining, standing, and going-stronger celebration of such kind (there used to be four independence groups in this community, believe it or not). Congratulations to the PIWC 2016 committee officers and members, and enjoy our cover and pages 40 & 41 pictorial of the celebration.

Our celebratory pages in this issue were dampened by the news of the recent terrorist attack in Nice, France during the celebration of their annual independence celeb called Bastille Day, the French National Day that commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the VI’s Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king’s power was no longer absolute.

This Nice tragic incident claimed more than 80 lives, and still increasing everyday in news reports. Our prayers go to the victims, their families and to the country of France that are now mourning over this unexplainable and horrific incident.

Canada is another country that’s celebrating its historical day on July 1, the enactment of the Constitution Act, 1867 which united the three separate colonies of the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a single Dominion within the British Empire called Canada.

Hail to the beloved countries of America, France and Canada for their historic celebrations of the momentous events for their sacrifices, fights and endurance that all occurred in the month of July.

Mabuhay tayo at silang lahat na ating mga kaibigan!

Please enjoy your favorite columnists’ special July articles which they write with you, special readers, in their minds. The variety of summer topics, happenings and all kinds of activities will make you feel the excitement and joyful spirit of these summer months. Yes, hot and humid, but we must remember that these are only short summer months, then long winter months follow.

Save the date …October 29,2016 for the 22nd gala event of the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame 2016.

Photo taken at the Philippine Independence Week Committee’s gala night evemt at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, from left to right: Cora Guzon (Reservation/Seating Chair, Veronica, PRO, Flor Kramer and Dr. Virgilio Jonson, founding member of PIWC’s Board of Trustees.