- April 28, 2024
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To celebrate Philippine Independence Day, the Philippine American American Association of Palm Coast gathered for a dinner and dance June 12, at the Palm Coast Elks Club.
At the celebration, President Femi Malcolm-Smith delivered a speech in which she thanked the guests for coming, including County Commissioner Milissa Holland and Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming.
Malcolm-Smith said, “113 years ago, on June 12, 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from the colonial rule of Spain.
“This is a great day in our history. Ours was the first nationalistic revolution in Asia.
“It carried the hopes and dreams of the Filipino people to be free of foreign domination. That was the birth of the Philippine Republic, which stands to this day.
“In this great country, the United States of America, a melting pot of many cultures, we will push forward our heritage and identity and be a shining example in our community.”
She went on to say that Filipinos contribute in many ways to society. “We are among the highest educated people in the United States, we are above average in income, we work hard, we educate our children, and we pay a lot of taxes.”
The mission of Malcolm-Smith’s term as president is to “foster and nourish the basic warmth that we Filipinos are so famous for.”
SEE IT IN PERSON
A Philippine cultural presentation will take place 2-4 p.m. June 25, at the Flagler County Public Library. The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners declared the week of June 12 to June 18 as Philippine Week in Flagler County.
