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rs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the Philippines and the United States share a long-standing friendship based on family, shared history and commitment to democratic values. But in her proclamation, she repeated a claim that the Filipino-American National Historical Society (FANHS) has been passing off as an outright lie, if not a historical hoax.

“Mrs. Arroyo’s message on the occasion of the Philippine-American Friendship Day on July 4th was read by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde during a media briefing in Malacañang Palace.”

The Office of the Press Secretary and Filipino diplomats should have checked first the accuracy of the supposed landing of the first Filipinos on Oct. 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California – before releasing the claim to Mrs. Arroyo. The citation of the historical hoax might have made Mrs. Arroyo a laughing stock among American mainstream and Asian historians.

The press release continues: “’The ties that bind our nations are strong. They are based on family, a shared history, and a common commitment to democratic values. This is a day that celebrates the special relationship between the Philippines and the United States,’ Mrs. Arroyo said in her statement.

“Filipinos and Americans have enduring historical, cultural and economic ties personified by the almost three-million Filipinos who live in the United States including America’s important role in the history of the Philippines during World War II.

“After 9/11, these bonds became even stronger when the President committed the Philippines in the fight against global terrorism.

“In 2008, the United States remains the Philippines’ top trading partner, cornering 14.6 percent of the country’s total trade.

“Last year, exports to the Unites States totaled $8.207 billion while imports were valued at $7.222 billion, or a trade surplus of $985.84 million.

Filipino Americans is the second largest Asian-American group in the United States next only to the Chinese community.”

Contrary to the press release issued by Mrs. Arroyo through the Philippine Consulate General, the United States Congress has not declared October as the commemoration of the supposed landing of the first Filipinos on Oct. 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California. Mrs. Arroyo and her Office have been made suckers by the so-called Hoaxbalahaps who belong to the FANHS.

The press releases said further: “The US Congress has established two months in celebration of Filipino-American culture in the United States.

“The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrated in May, and the Filipino-American History Month celebrated every October to commemorate the first landing of Filipinos on October 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California.”

* Editor’s Note: Contrary to the press release issued by Mrs. Arroyo through the Philippine Consulate General, the United States Congress has not declared October as the "Filipino-American History (Heritage) Month" on account of the supposed landing of the first Filipinos on Oct. 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California. Mrs. Arroyo and her Office have been made suckers by the so-called Hoaxbalahaps who belong to the FANHS. The FANHS claims that Filipinos were the first Asians to land in the Continental U.S.A. although primary records show that the Spanish galleon that landed in California on Oct. 18, 1587, carried not only Filipino crewmen but also Japanese and Chinese passengers. For the proof of the FANHS' hoax, please check the article written by Hector Santos, as per the hyperlink below.

* Here are articles that contradict the hilarious claims of the FANHS, AKA Filipino-American National Hoaxbalahap Society:

The Filipino Heritage Month Is a Big Hoax. It's "OctoberFake."  

FANHS Continues to Trumpet “OctoberFake”  

Did Philippine indios really land in Morro Bay? (By Hector Santos, founding chairman of the Philippine Historical Group of Los Angeles)

“In the Philippines, the Filipino-American Friendship Day is being commemorated every July 4, to commemorate the liberation of the country by joint Filipino and American forces from the Japanese occupation at the end of World War II.

“While World War II ended in 15 August 1945, the United States recognized the independence of the Philippines on July 4, 1946, upon the signing of the Treaty of General Relations between the US and the Philippines.” # # #

P ress Release Issued by

The Philippine Consulate General

3600 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 500

Los Angeles, CA 90010

Tel. (213) 639-0980/Fax (213)639-0990

Website – www.philippineconsulatela.org