| 06.12.2018 – When you live in another country and explore their culture you think it’s more about them than the rest of the world. Today, if you are from the Philippines and residing overseas you would probably won’t notice about celebrating Philippine Independence Day that was 120 years ago to this day from 1898. But majority of OFW would find the time to honor this day.
Though whenever you can most would still find it to share their respect for their home country. I was aware of this day but I don’t know how to celebrate it. There’s no “How to Celebrate” kind of article if you are outside that country. Several weeks ago after dropping off to take another bus out of Adelaide I found this place... |
It is the ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk at North Terrace, of course if you’re not from this place you won’t even bother to see historical landmarks. This memorial was built to honor Australians and New Zealanders who made their sacrifice for their country by sending their men and women in major theaters of war.
Australia is big in keeping their heritage and identity intact the same with New Zealand. But the Aussies are passionate not only in culture but also in history giving spotlight to those who gave their lives and served their country for their future generations, which is the most respectful way to keep these people in everyone’s memories that is something that I find it different comparing to the term “Pinoy Pride,” which is bluntly about more of selfish egoism than really paying respect for individual accomplishments not to honor the country.
The Aussies are laid back and conservative in keeping their historical heritage as for the reason there are several statues and landmarks in the nearby area. The ANZAC Centenary Memorial Walk not only honoring the people who serve their country, but also the other countries where they went and give their invaluable service as there are a list of countries besides the annual ANZAC Day last April, which honors those who landed in Galipoli on 25 April 1915. But also those who participated and served in the succeeding major wars that includes the Philippines.
It is a bit of walk in the cold night earlier when I got off prior to my regular stop and decide to take the detour going to the Memorial Walk by Elder Park, which was just the opposite side of this place. The long street of Kinstore Avenue is where the Memorial Walk can be found and it’s like a hill climb from crossing Elder Park then taking a right to this street to Kinstore Avenue. There the granite flooring you will find countries where the ANZACs have participated and honors the countries that became part of this historical landmark. There are so many locations of landmarks unexplored in my personal perspective that deserve another visit.
For now, what caught my attention was the Philippines name marked as one of the countries along the memorial walk and this was several weeks back. When Philippine Independence Day was a few days away I made plans to come back and honor the country’s 120 years of independence from the Spanish occupation.
At the same time my respect for Australia and New Zealand has become more than just country from where I’m now. It is something what the Philippines I wish they would do the same with their historical heritage than using it for their political views or enriching once self. But putting honors to the country and the people who sacrificed their lives in making that freedom of democracy happen.
It is wishful thinking when you live in another country you get to see the difference on how you celebrate the historical heritage. Today 120 years of Philippine Independence is not about taking freedom for granted, but honoring those who gave their lives not only those who lead them you also have to include the men and women who took part in making it happen.
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