By Lucy-Claire Saunders

It’s time to celebrate independence from not one, but two conquerors. And that’s just what Metro Vancouver’s Filipino community plans to do this weekend.

"This year, we’re going to celebrate our independence, rain or shine," said Loi Lau, who works for the Multicultural Helping House Society, a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that helps new immigrants.

On June 12, 110 years ago, General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the Spanish were defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the 1898 Spanish-American War.

But because America helped the small islands defeat their European occupiers, it would take another 48 years before the U.S. would recognize the Asian pacific country as a sovereign nation — and in the spirit of American generosity, give them the same day to celebrate independence as their own, July 4.

It wasn’t until 1964 that President Diosdado Macapagal proclaimed June 12, formerly observed as Flag Day, as The Philippines’ true Independence Day.

After the U.S., Canada has the second-largest Filipino community in the world. In B.C., there are approximately 100,000 Filipinos and 64,000 living in Metro Vancouver.

"We are the third largest minority behind the Chinese and Indian communities," said Lau.

Last year, the MHHS threw an Independence Day celebration bash at Slocan Park in Vancouver, drawing a crowd of over 4,000. Lau hopes that even more people will come this year as the weather starts to brighten.

While June 12 is the official day of Independence, back in The Philippines, President Gloria Arroyo announced that the celebrated day would be observed through a non-working holiday on Monday June 9 in order to create a long weekend — and stimulate spending.

President Arroyo’s move to strap tradition in the back seat in favour of a GDP booster plan is symbolic to many who question just how free the average Filipino is.

"Millions wallow below the poverty line and the nation lives in an inverted pyramid where 10 per cent of the population controls 90 per cent of the nation’s wealth," says an editorial in the Bohol Chronicle. "It is a social volcano waiting for its time to erupt."

But to be fair, President Arroyo did order that everyone get a free day of transit on Monday. And she did order a three-day "livelihood showcase," where vendors can sell their goods.

Free transit and shopping — a gesture of goodwill from a president haunted by seven unanswered impeachments.