On this day, Independence Day, I want to tell all of you why I love being a Filipino and why I love living in the Philippines, despite the political headaches, bad traffic, polluted air and crime rate in Manila. You can't have it all but I believe this country is still a slice of heaven on God's good earth. And Pinoys are just the best in the world!
The glorious sunset over Manila Bay
The cuisine! You name it--lechon, adobo, bagoong, daing and tuyo, the different types of sinugba or inasal (barbecue), pancit molo, kilawin, etc. And that includes Max's Fried Chicken instead of KFC, and Jollibee anytime over McDonalds.
The sweetest and juiciest mangoes in the world! Yum!
Our fabulous tourist sites like Boracay, one of the best beaches in the world; Bohol where the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier, lives; a marvelous feat of ancient engineering that is the Banaue Rice Terraces and Sagada with its cool mountain air; windswept Batanes with its massive stone cliffs; Davao and its peaceful culturally integrated peoples; and many many more.
The colorful fiestas all year round that honor patron saints, holidays, historical events, or simply the Filipinos' triumphs over constant adversity. (Above is the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon.)
And most of all, the fabulous smile--inviting, warm and sincere--you can spot it anywhere in the world and know that it belongs to a Filipino. Happy Independence Day everybody! Mabuhay ang Pilipino at ang Pilipinas!(Many thanks to the different Pinoy web sites from where some of these beautiful photos came from. We salute you for your dedication in promoting the Philippines and our wonderful heritage.)
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