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American-Philippine Friendship Day Celebration July 4

     There has been so much debate about celebrating Filipino-American Friendship Day that has taken the luster about the occasion.

      Few Americans care about this for the simple reason that the Fourth of July happens to Independence Day in their home turf. With the number of Filipinos actually celebrating it dwindling with each passing year, it won't be far-fetched when the time comes when the event gets scrapped altogether.

      It sure is a confusing moment for Filipinos. The radicals treat Americans with scorn (their policy makers actually) so such a celebration is like pouring gasoline on fire.

      Meanwhile, more and more Filipinos (not just Filipinos actually) look up to the American Dream as a one-way ticket out of their financial difficulties. And so unlike those who abhor anything American, they embrace the belief that the only way out for the Philippines is to become a state of the United States.

      Still, one cannot help but reflect about friendship, or what passes off for it in a world where relationships hardly mean anything anymore.

      It is true that Filipinos down the years have a lot of legitimate gripes against American policy makers. That of course is not enough reason to declare Americans as enemies of the state.

      As many Filipinos routinely dismiss their government officials as people who do not represent the interest of the majority, it should not be difficult to expect the same attitude from the average American in relation to their leaders.

      If there is any loathing that must be done for actual and imagined unkind treatment, it should be reserved for our leaders more than the Americans. The Americans are accountable to Americans first, in the same manner that Filipinos should be accountable to Filipinos first.

      Going by this thinking, if Americans need to be unkind to Filipinos in the best interest of the American people, we have no right to complain. It is a different thing though when Filipino leaders put American interest first.

      It is strange logic when Filipinos think they have a right to decide for American policy. It is not only because they have a right to their own discretion (or indiscretion, as the case may be) but because giants don't give in to dwarves.

      The best thing to do would be to do as best we can with what we have. If America, as a friend, gives us a lift now and then, fine. Their worse behavior should be the least of our worries. We have to stand up and survive on our own.

      It is not about America. To be more specific, it is not about friendship. source: Editorial, Sunday Post

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