Independence Day

Friday was Independence Day in the Philippines.  The June 12 observance of Philippine’s Independence Day started when then President Diosdado Macapagal signed the Republic Act No. 4166 on August 4, 1964.  This Act legalized the holiday, which is based on the Declaration of Independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionary forces from the Spanish colonization on June 12, 1898 .  The Philippines’ flag was raised and its national anthem was played for the first time in 1898.  However, liberty was short-lived because Spain and the United States did not recognize the declaration.  The 1898 Treaty of Paris ended the war between Spain and the United States. Spain surrendered the entire archipelago comprising the Philippines to the United States.  The Philippines started a revolt against the United States in 1899 and on  July 4, 1946 was granted sovereignity by the US through the Treaty of Manila.  Independence Day was officially observed on July 4 until the Republic Act No. 4166, which moved the holiday to June 12th. 

Tom & LaDawn at the Manila Temple

Because it was a holiday, I had the day off work.  We decided it would be a great day to go to the temple, so we hired a car and a driver and left our apartment at 6:00 am and traveled the 12 kilometers to the Temple in Quezon City.  We arrived about 6:20 only to see many people already on the temple grounds.  When we went into the recommend desk we were told that the next available session was at 8:30 am.  So we received "reservation cards" and waited.  What a wonderful place to wait!  We enjoyed our time just basking in the spirit of the temple and the people who were there.  It was a wonderful day!

Later that evening we went to a restaurant near the hotel titled "One Way".  It has become a favorite place to get a good meal.

Goodbye for now from the Pearl of the Orient!