Mime fun at the 'festival' of fourth fun on the first!  Whew what a sentence a lot of people joined in to enjoy and have great time for a good cause at the American Association of the Philippines sponsored event at the International School. I do have a short video blog in the works and will post that too soon! Here's some pictures of Scott Nagle sent to mikeinmanila. It was a good day overall, live bands, a little bit of speeches but mostly good clean fun.

The booths at the IS offered food and drink there where rides and slides and games and a Dog training show as well. It was good day overall for many who came by and just savored the fun filled day of enjoyment that happens every year. I remember attending past events from years ago - a few at the embassy when I was a kid - now that was a long time back - not that long though!

The American Association of the Philippines was established in 1949, AAP''s purpose is the general welfare of United States citizens in the country. Services include: Social Welfare: educational, financial, medical assistance;repatriationsn, and RH- Blood Volunteer donor listing. AAP also sponsors Patriotic Events: George Washington Birthday, 4th of July, Memorial Day and are owners of the American Historical Collection.  Saturday, July 01, 2006 First of July: 60th anniversary of Fil-Am friendship

A slightly overcast day… but the rain waited till after the fireworks. It all kicked off for the Fourth of July in Manila for the expatriate US community here. It was fun and lively hosted as part celebration, part fund raiser for the American Association of the Philippines.

Estimates are about 160,000 American Citizens live permanently here with another 60,000 who drift through at anytime putting it at 200,000 Americans in the Country. It is three days away from the official fourth celebration usually held at the US embassy in Manila but today's was more a "people-kids-community event."Americans and Filipinos gathered at the IS or International School in Fort Bonifacio. In this former US commonwealth which it's Recognition of independence as a Nation 60 years ago - when US President Harry Truman signed the order that was slightly delayed by World War Two. Today was a lot of fun and www.FYITV.net was there in force; we'll have the story on the web in short order.
 

AAP President Glendon Rowell,U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Event Chair and Vice President Sandra Tockes and Treasurer Frank Tockes.
To most Americans it is independence day to Filipinos it was also for many years till the current presidents father changed it to June 12th - in line with the first declaration of independence from Spain - which by the way was signed also by American Naval officers as witnesses! But it was not until the formal recognition by the US Congress and signed by Harry Truman that the US pulled down old glory and up went the Philippine flag a scene you can on any 100 Peso note by the which took place on July 4th, 1946 at the Luneta.

A Double Celebration on July 4: U.S. Independence and Philippine-American Friendship