Typhoon recovery prompts low-key PH Independence Day observance

Recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku took center stage as the United Filipino Organization held a scaled-down observance of the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day last June 12 at the UFO Pavilion in Garapan.

UFO president Carlito Marquez said the community deliberately opted for a simpler ceremony this year out of consideration for residents still rebuilding their lives after the devastating storm.

“You might wonder why this year we are here at the UFO Pavilion celebrating our Philippine Independence Day,” Marquez said. “Unlike the other years where we are doing this somewhere in the hotels. Last year we were in a resort. I guess obviously the reason why we are here, everybody knows that we are still recovering from the devastation of the typhoon.”

Marquez noted that many residents continue to deal with the storm's aftermath, including power issues and damage to homes.

“Because we are still suffering from the aftermath of the typhoon, we decided to suspend the celebration of PistangPinoy,” he said. “It is very hard to gather all our kababayanwhen some of them are still fixing their houses and some of them have lost their jobs.”

The annual Pistang Pinoy celebration, one of the Filipino community's biggest cultural events, was canceled this year as families and businesses focus on recovery efforts.

Marquez said the modest gathering was intended to show solidarity with those still struggling.

“We don't have much breakfast for this morning activity,” he said. “Unlike last year that we have good chow at the hotel. Now, we are good for coffee and, I guess, pandesal.”

Gov. David M. Apatang thanked the Filipino community for its contributions to the CNMI and praised workers who have helped the islands recover from Sinlaku.

“I know that a lot of our hard-working workers out here in the community, this road would not be paved like this if it wasn't for our foreign workers,” Apatang said. “Hard-working Filipinos that are hard-working under the sun out here.”

He added: “Especially now, after a typhoon and damage here in the Commonwealth, we see everybody out there working together in the community to try to clean this island. We really appreciate it.”

Apatang also highlighted ongoing recovery efforts and thanked Filipino workers throughout Saipan, Tinian, and Rota for helping restore normalcy across the islands.

Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho emphasized the important role Filipinos have played in the CNMI for decades and called for greater unity among all residents.

“This island is a diverse community, so we need to embrace with one another,” Camacho said. “To promote stronger community, let's all work together.”

Northern Marianas College president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero said the observance served as a reminder that the pursuit of freedom and self-determination is shared by peoples around the world.

“I think it's fitting that, as we prepare to celebrate July 4th here in the CNMI, that we recognize the hunger for freedom, the hunger for independence, the hunger for self-autonomy is universal,” Deleon Guerrero said. “It's what the founding fathers of the CNMI fought for in the Covenant, and it's what the people of the Philippines fought for 120-some years ago.”

He also credited the Filipino community for helping build the modern CNMI.

“They are, in many ways, some of our founding fathers and mothers,” Deleon Guerrero said. “They helped build the economy, build the infrastructure, and build the CNMI as we know it.”

Messages from Philippine government officials were also read during the program. These included greetings from Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa P. Lazaro, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., Labor Attaché Saul T. De Vries of the Migrant Workers Office under the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Philippine Consul General Rosario P. Lemque of Guam.

The messages paid tribute to the sacrifices of Philippine heroes, recognized the contributions of overseas Filipino workers, highlighted this year's theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan” (“Freedom, Future, History”), and reaffirmed the Philippine government's commitment to serving Filipinos abroad.

Although Philippine independence was officially granted on July 4, 1946, Filipinos worldwide commemorate the symbolic declaration of freedom from Spanish colonial rule on June 12, 1898.