Fourth of July and the Philippine-American Friendship Day, 2020
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 05 Jul 2020
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America and Francis Scott Key, the composer of Star-Spangled Banner, would have enjoyed meeting Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. They were men of valor and integrity just like the fighting senator from the Philippines.
Today, Fourth of July 2020, marks the 244th year in existence of the United States of America since the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the United States Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
In the Philippines, the Philippine-American Friendship Day (formerly known as Philippine-American Day) is commemorated, a tradition that dates back to 1955 when former President Ramon Magsaysay, by virtue of Proclamation No. 212, s. 1955, established the observance of “Philippine American Day.” The following year, by virtue of Proclamation No. 363, s. 1956, the celebration became a yearly event. During former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos’ administration, the event was formally changed to Philippine-American Friendship Day.
(Source: http://www.congress.gov.ph/)
What better way to celebrate two historic occasions than to enjoy a sustained note from 8-division boxing great Senator Emmanuel “ Manny” Pacquiao of the Republic of the Philippines.
https://youtu.be/9fEOGsfk-1c
Video courtesy of Mr. Robert Lyons, CEO, Starflite International, Inc.
Painting courtesy of Mr. Jun Aquino.
During his visit to Washington, D.C., Philippine Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao presented this painting to former President Barrack Obama on the 63rd annual U.S. National Prayer Breakfast back in February 2015. (Photo by Andrew Kyle Aquino)
_______________________________________________
Star-Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key (lyrics) and John Stafford Smith (music)
O say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
The earliest surviving sheet music of National anthem of the United States
"The Star-Spangled Banner", from 1814.
_________________________________________________________________________
July 4, 1946: In ceremonies held in the temporary Independence Grandstand (built in front of the Rizal Monument), the Philippine flag is raised while the U.S. flag is lowered. The flagpole in front of the Rizal Monument is thus known as the Independence Flagpole, commemorating the culmination of the quest for national independence.
July 4, 1946: During the inauguration of the Third Republic, President Manuel Roxas shakes the hand of General Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur of the United States, then the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP).
Happy 244th Birthday, America...land of the free and the home of the brave!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
"The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 23 Nov 2025Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 23 Nov 2025Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 23 Nov 2025"Bam" Rodriguez Stops "Puma" Martínez in 10
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 23 Nov 2025Abdullah Mason Edges Sam Noakes in War, Becomes Youngest Current World Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 23 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 2: 1908 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, ENGLAND
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 22 Nov 2025FRANCISCO VERON DOMINATES ROIMAN VILLA IN MAIN EVENT OF PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM IN FORT LAUDERDALE
Sat, 22 Nov 2025Lining enters Round of 32
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 22 Nov 2025The Ring IV: Night of Champions Set to Ignite Riyadh Saturday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 22 Nov 2025Final list of candidates announced for elections at World Boxing Congress 2025
Sat, 22 Nov 2025RING/DAZN PPV Card Gives Bang for the Bucks
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 21 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
Fri, 21 Nov 2025JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 20 Nov 2025Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 20 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 20 Nov 2025