July 4 is best known as the Independence Day of the United States. But here in the Philippines, the day is known for another celebration: Filipino-American Friendship Day.
“Today, we also honor Philippine-American Friendship Day, a unique and symbolic expression of the strong and historic bonds between us,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim in his speech. “We are all part of the amazing history of Philippine-American friendship.”
This year marks the 243rd anniversary of the Independence Day of the United States. And to celebrate the day, United States Ambassador Sung Kim and Foreign Sec. Teddyboy Locsin, Jr. reaffirmed the importance of our diplomatic relations at the Fourth of July celebration at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila.
“I am deeply proud to call the Philippines my home,” said Ambassador Sung Kim, who had previously been named as one of PeopleAsia‘s Men Who Matter 2018 awardees. “I can’t think of a better place than the Philippines to celebrate the importance of our diplomacy and the ties that join our nations.”
He considers our countries’ ties a “unique and symbolic expression of the strong and historic bonds.” To him, the United States and the Philippines have “shared values and interests and “shared history and culture.”
The ambassador also pointed out how the two countries have continuously worked together for the benefit of our people, from the Philippines’ chairmanship to the Association of South East Asian Nations in 2017 to the return of the Balangiga Bells last December and a mutual commitment to regional peace and security.
“She (America) is the larger image of ourselves as we are her smaller image, and we care for her as we hope she cares for us,” added Foreign Sec. Teddyboy Locsin, Jr.
Among those in attendance were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III, Senate President Tito Sotto, Supreme Court Justices, leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other members of the cabinet and congress. Ambassador to the United States and PeopleAsia president and publisher Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez was in attendance, as well.
July 4 also coincides with the anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, following the official U.S. recognition of Philippine independence in 1946.
“Some of us may wish for variety, but we know and history shows it: there can be only one — true friendship, like that of our two Presidents,” said Sec. Locsin.
For the toast, Sec. Locsin quoted Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Hayley when the Philippines refused to vote with an Anti-American Majority in the United Nations.
“America has many friends in good times; but only true friends in challenging times,” he concluded.
