Fil-Am Day celebration to reunite former base workers in
The Philippines' and the United States' national flags will fly high once again in this former US military bastion in the Asia-Pacific region where thousands of former base workers are expected to join the Filipino-American Friendship Day celebration on the 4th of July.
"This is the right moment to reminisce the valor of the Filipino and American soldiers, some of whom are our friends or relatives, who sacrificed their lives during the war to ensure us the peace and freedom we enjoy today," Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand C. Arreza said.
"But their friendship did not end after the war in 1945. Filipino civilian employees have helped in the operation of the Subic Naval Facility, the biggest US military installation outside the mainland USA," he added.
At least 26,000 Filipino workers have been directly employed in this Naval Facility performing tasks in the different activities such as the Naval Station, Naval Supply Depot, Ship Repair Facility, Public Works Center, Naval Station and the Naval Magazine.
After the Philippine Senate voted 12-0 in 1991 in rejecting the US military presence in the country, the last American soldier left Subic Naval Base in 1992 which formally ended the Americans' 92 years of military presence in the country.
By virtue of Republic Act 7227 passed by the Philippine Congress, which was sponsored by then Rep. Felicito Payumo (1st District, Bataan), the Subic Bay Freeport and the Special Economic Zone were created under the management of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), thereby turning Subic Bay from being a military base into a civilian commercial-industrial complex.
Senator Richard Gordon, then Olongapo City mayor, was appointed chairman of SBMA, and persuaded thousands of former base workers to volunteer in securing and maintaining all properties left behind by the Americans. Residents from Olongapo City, Bataan and Zambales also responded to the call.
The transformation of the Subic Naval Base into a bustling economic hub, known as the Subic Bay Freeport was seemingly miraculous. The Freeport is now a favorite destination among local and foreign tourists and investors.
Lawyer Ferdinand Hernandez, SBMA deputy administrator for Administration, said: "As we celebrate this historical date when Filipinos and Americans sealed the perpetual friendship between their respective countries, it will also be the day for former base employees to say hello to their former co-workers."
He noted the celebration will be very special as it will serve as a reunion for all former base workers, while promoting greater friendship with the foreign nationals staying inside the Freeport zone and nearby communities.
Highlights of the celebration will be performances by the BONGO Band with lead vocalist Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., dance performances of the Anna International Performers and a musical number by the Philippine Air Force Band.
The public will enjoy reminiscing the music and songs of the 50s, 60s up to 80s with the Flintstones and the Gang, the Oldies But Goodies Band and special numbers to be performed by Amerasians.
The activity will start with a motorcade that will go around the city and culminate with a fireworks display at the Boardwalk area. (PNA)
"This is the right moment to reminisce the valor of the Filipino and American soldiers, some of whom are our friends or relatives, who sacrificed their lives during the war to ensure us the peace and freedom we enjoy today," Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand C. Arreza said.
"But their friendship did not end after the war in 1945. Filipino civilian employees have helped in the operation of the Subic Naval Facility, the biggest US military installation outside the mainland USA," he added.
At least 26,000 Filipino workers have been directly employed in this Naval Facility performing tasks in the different activities such as the Naval Station, Naval Supply Depot, Ship Repair Facility, Public Works Center, Naval Station and the Naval Magazine.
After the Philippine Senate voted 12-0 in 1991 in rejecting the US military presence in the country, the last American soldier left Subic Naval Base in 1992 which formally ended the Americans' 92 years of military presence in the country.
By virtue of Republic Act 7227 passed by the Philippine Congress, which was sponsored by then Rep. Felicito Payumo (1st District, Bataan), the Subic Bay Freeport and the Special Economic Zone were created under the management of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), thereby turning Subic Bay from being a military base into a civilian commercial-industrial complex.
Senator Richard Gordon, then Olongapo City mayor, was appointed chairman of SBMA, and persuaded thousands of former base workers to volunteer in securing and maintaining all properties left behind by the Americans. Residents from Olongapo City, Bataan and Zambales also responded to the call.
The transformation of the Subic Naval Base into a bustling economic hub, known as the Subic Bay Freeport was seemingly miraculous. The Freeport is now a favorite destination among local and foreign tourists and investors.
Lawyer Ferdinand Hernandez, SBMA deputy administrator for Administration, said: "As we celebrate this historical date when Filipinos and Americans sealed the perpetual friendship between their respective countries, it will also be the day for former base employees to say hello to their former co-workers."
He noted the celebration will be very special as it will serve as a reunion for all former base workers, while promoting greater friendship with the foreign nationals staying inside the Freeport zone and nearby communities.
Highlights of the celebration will be performances by the BONGO Band with lead vocalist Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., dance performances of the Anna International Performers and a musical number by the Philippine Air Force Band.
The public will enjoy reminiscing the music and songs of the 50s, 60s up to 80s with the Flintstones and the Gang, the Oldies But Goodies Band and special numbers to be performed by Amerasians.
The activity will start with a motorcade that will go around the city and culminate with a fireworks display at the Boardwalk area. (PNA)
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
7:55 AM
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