June 12- Philippine Independence Day!

"A nation is born into freedom on the day when such a people, moulded into a nation by a process of cultural evolution and sense of oneness born of common struggle and suffering, announces to the world that it asserts its natural right to liberty and is ready to defend it with blood, life, and honor." -by: Pres. Diosdado Macapagal

Yes! Today Philippines is celebrating its Independence Day. I still vividly remember when I was a student we were tasked to make Philippine flag and placed it in all corners of our classroom. We learned from school how we fought for this freedom, to be independent from foreign aggression. At a young age, I learned how my forefathers fought and strive their right for liberty... that made me aware and proud of my origin. That Filipinos are brave people..that many suffered a lot from foreign aggression.

My grandparents were one of the many people who fought for this freedom...they recalled to me their experiences & sufferings during the war. One of my grandfather is a veterans of the war. He was a former soldier during the war. From him, I learned a lot about what it is to be a Filipino...the values, cultures, traditions & how to fight for your rights as an individual. He was my constant allies in all my doubts and questions before about being a Filipino....our traditions and cultures. He explains to me well why it was all that and learn to value it by heart. He pass away with pride & love being a Filipino. He never migrated to the states knowing he was given an opportunity then, still sticking to his beliefs and love of his country amidst the luxuries life he would suppose to have. My grandfather was a brave and patriotic man. He told me then wherever I go I should be proud of my origin. Well, I did not feature here today, the ramblings of my grandfather before or about the life of my grandfather....I just made mentioned him cuz he's one of the great man who fought for this indepence.

Now that I am living away from my country, I am damn more proud that I am a FILIPINO! I learned to value more my traditions, cultures and the values of a filipino family.

To all Filipinos Happy Indepence Day!