CEBU, Philippines - We're starting the month of July today, and three days more it would be Fourth of July. The day is known as the Independence Day of the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence 240 years ago, on July 4, 1776.
It was a kind of Amexit as 13 American colonies declared that they were a new nation and were no longer part of the British Empire. It is similar to the recent Brexit, with the British leaving the European Union.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino under the tutelage of its new general manager, GM Anders Hallden, will celebrate the 4th of July with activities showcasing the culture and traditions of the United States. From June 25 to July 10, the hotel's Uno restaurant is promoting American food, where select media friends were invited to the opening salvo.
Tomorrow, July 2, there will be an American Festival at the gourmet walk and a concert at 8 p.m. On July 3, activities will start with a motorcade to show off American bikes and cars with a lagoon BBQ party in the afternoon. On the 4th of July itself, it will be Blaze of Glory Fashion Runway, with its American corporate sponsors at the Pacific Grand Ballroom, and a fireworks display - maybe Cebu City's last fireworks display, excuse me, because pyrotechnics will be banned under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.
We are familiar with American culture because of the decades of American rule and we have about 4 million Filipino Americans, or Fil-Ams, in the US. In fact, every Filipino can point to some relative living in the States as a result of the four waves of migration. The first wave consisted of Filipinos who were passengers of the Manila Galleon and the second wave occurred when we were U.S. citizens living in a territory of the Unites States. Filipinos who served during World War 2 were part of the third wave while the fourth were via visas for family reunification and professionals - nurses particularly - who found jobs there.
At the Waterfront media dinner, there were food stations with elements of American cuisine on display. At the Live Cooking section, New York Pasta was offered like the Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce & Meat balls and Pizza Sliders. There were also Vegetables, Pulses, Salads (Caesar) and Creamy Pumpkin Soup.
The Roast Meats section served Blackened Pork Chop, Ham Leg, BBQs and Hamburger Sliders while Mexican-American dishes featured Tacos and Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Peppers. Italian American Classics like the Stewed Beef Carbonara in Red Wine Sauce, Chicken Parmigiana and Fish Nuggets were available too. My favorites were the Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs and the delicious Leg of Ham.
On display at the Desserts section were sweets like Peanut Cake, Carrot Cake, Pecan Pie, Cheese Cake and assorted cupcakes, all dressed in lively colors of the American flag and decked in symbols like the American eagle. I was given a choice between beer (Budweiser) and Whiskey (Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey) and I could have replied, "Why have only one drink when you can have two?" But self-discipline prevailed and I took only a bottle of beer. (FREEMAN)