4th Of July

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Congress approved the wording of the Declaration on July 4 and then sent it to the printer. Whether John Hancock, as the elected President of the Second Continental Congress, or anyone else signed the document that day is unknown, because that document has been lost — presumably destroyed in the printing process. Hancock's name and that of a witness do appear on the typeset broadside that was published within a few days. On August 2 in the following month, an engrossed document in script form was signed by Hancock and other delegates.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is often also viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic overtones.

In the Philippines the 4th of July is celebrated as the Filipino-American Friendship Day. It was designated by President Diosdado Macapagal to commemorate the liberation of the country by joint Filipino and American forces from the Japanese occupation at the end of World War II.

The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1942, when it was occupied by Japanese forces, and again for a brief period after the war. The country gained complete independence on July 4, 1946.

Initially, the nation's Independence Day holiday (Araw ng Kalayaan) was held on July 4. Former President Diosdado Macapagal moved it to June 12, the date on which the Philippines declared independence from Spain in 1898. Filipino-American Friendship Day was created in its place, and coincides with the United States' July 4 Independence Day.

Another reading: The Independence Day That Wasn't.

HAPPY EATING and FIREWORKS TO EVERYONE WHO WILL CELEBRATE THIS JULY 4th

Condolence

Our age is starting to show when the people that took care of us when we were in high school begins to disappear one at a time. The month of June witnessed another loved one saying goodbye and so is the beginning of July. No one lives forever, but it is hard to let go of a loved one.

To Manning and Gil your batch mates joins you in your grief and convey our deepest sympathies. You are all in our prayers and may GOD guide you in this hour of need.

The following were copies of emails sent by batch mates who received the news.
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Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 3:40 PM

Abdon wrote:

To All Batch mates,

Manning's father passed away. Viewing tomorrow (July 2, 2008) at Humphey's mortuary I think this is in Chula Vista.

Abdon Pugal
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Saturday, June 28, 2008, 7:35 AM

Francis wrote:

For every body's information,

Gil Pizzaro's father died this morning. The remain lies at Dalluay funeral parlor.

Francis Rivero