Samu't-Sari / Anything Goes

12/06/2026

Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the LGBTQIA+ community, commemorate the history of civil rights movements, and advocate for universal equality. Globally, the month honors the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, while in the Philippines, it aligns with a long-standing legacy of activism dating back to June 1994, when the country hosted the very first Pride March in Asia.

Global Significance and Origins
The foundational roots of Pride Month are built upon both global and local historic milestones:

*The Stonewall Catalyst: On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York. The ensuing multi-day protests led by transgender women of color and gay activists launched the modern global fight for LGBTQIA+ liberation.

*Asia's First Pride March: In June 1994, the Progressive Organization of G**s in the Philippines (Progay) and the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) organized "Stonewall Manila". Around 60 individuals marched from EDSA to the Quezon Memorial Circle, pioneering the Pride movement across the Asian continent.

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE DAY—known locally as Araw ng Kasarinlan or Araw ng Kalayaan—is celebrated annually on June 12. It is a national regular holiday commemorating the country's declaration of independence from more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule in 1898.

Historical Overview

*The 1898 Declaration:
On June 12, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from his ancestral home's window in Kawit, Cavite. This historic event saw the first public unfurling of the National Flag of the Philippines and the performance of the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang.

*Shift from July 4:
The Philippines was subsequently colonized by the United States and then occupied by Japan during World War II. The U.S. formally recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946. For several years, July 4 served as Independence Day. However, in 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 28, moving the holiday back to June 12 to honor the Filipinos' own assertion of freedom rather than a date granted by a foreign power.



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08/06/2026

FILIPINO - CHINESE FRIENDSHIP DAY
- is celebrated on June 9 every year. It is a day set aside to celebrate the cordial friendship between the Philippines and China. It coincides with the day that official diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China were established. Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day was created under Proclamation No. 148 and was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2002. Both countries have a lot of shared history, common traditions, and culture. On this day, every Filipino and Chinese, whether living in the country or staying abroad, are encouraged to strengthen their bond with the other nation’s citizens.

History of Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day
The Philippines started considering having better relations with China at the start of the 1970s as they believed it would benefit both countries immensely. A few years later, on June 9, 1975, diplomatic relations were established between the two nations through the signing of the Joint Communique by both countries’ leaders. For over 47 years, Filipino-Chinese relations have been gradually built. They have attained smooth development and remarkable achievements in all areas of bilateral cooperation.

Over the years, several major bilateral agreements have been signed between China and the Philippines. The Joint Trade Agreement was signed after diplomatic relations were established between both nations. The Joint Trade Agreement was established in 1975 and still exists today. In 1978, the Postal Agreement and the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement were signed to ensure the delivery of goods and technological advancements.

In 1979, the Air Services Agreement and Cultural Agreement were signed to further strengthen the relationship between China and the Philippines. Then in 1992, the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement was signed.

A few years later, in 1999, the Visiting Forces Agreement, Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation, and Tax Agreement were all signed by both nations to the delight of both governments. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, in May 2000, both countries signed a Joint Statement. This defined the framework of bilateral relations in the 21st century.

08/06/2026

MANILA, June 8 (Reuters) - The death toll in ​a powerful 7.8‑magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday has risen to at least 32 with dozens of people injured, disaster ‌officials said, as Manila stepped up search and rescue operations.
The quake, which triggered tsunami warnings across several countries, hit early in the morning about 20 km (12.4 miles) off Sarangani province, with the tremors felt strongly across Mindanao and 420 km (261 miles) away in the city of Manado on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The Philippines mobilised military and disaster response teams and authorities were verifying preliminary reports of 32 people killed and 134 ​injured across Mindanao, mostly from falling debris and landslides, according to civil defence officials.
Tsunami warnings were cancelled after more than six hours in the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia ​and the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, where residents in coastal areas had been told to evacuate immediately to higher ⁠ground.

The disaster came eight months after the Philippines suffered its deadliest tremor in 12 years, opens new tab, when a shallow 6.9 magnitude quake hit off the central island of Cebu, killing 79 people. ​Two powerful quakes struck Mindanao two weeks later, the strongest at a magnitude 7.4.

Source: Reuters