DECLARING AUGUST 13, 1954, PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN DAY

WHEREAS, August 13, 1898, marked the official
beginning of relations between the Philippines and the United States and the
commencement of a happy and mutually profitable association between Filipinos
and Americans;

WHEREAS, on the occassion of the 56th anniversary
of that event, it is appropriate that the two peoples renew and further
strengthen the bonds that bind them in view, particularly, of the prevailing
critical world conditions that threaten their security and the democratic
institutions that they have jointly developed and staunchly defended at the
cost of their resources and blood;

WHEREAS, it is meet and proper that this historic
event in the lives of the two nations, loyal partners in the active defense of
freedom, be properly commemorated so that it may ever remain a source of
inspiration in the noble effort to insure the success and permanence of the
free and democratic enterprises in which they are engaged and which constitute
their contribution to the peace of the world and the happiness of mankind; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable that the two peoples be
afforded every opportunity to get together on an intimate basis and encouraged
to find a common medium for the friendly, intelligent and unselfish appraisal
of the problems as well as the advantages that arise from their present
relationship, always in a spirit of cooperation and with due regard for each
other’s right, interests and aspirations;

Now, THEREFORE, I, Ramon Magsaysay, President of
the Philippines, do hereby declare August 13, 1954, as Philippine-American Day.
I call upon all our people and all Americans residing within Philippine
territory to observe this date with appropriate ceremonies designed to promote
mutual understanding and helpfulness and to enhance the practical significance
of the intimate association existing between Filipinos and Americans and
between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of
the Republic of the United States of America. I especially call on all civic,
business, religious and service organizations and schools, both public and
private, to devote this date to exercises calculated to advance knowledge and
wider appreciation of the value of Philippine-American relationship and of the
benefits derived from it.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of
July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the
Independence of the Philippines, the ninth.

(SGD.) RAMON MAGSAYSAY
President of the Philippines

By the President:
(SGD.) FRED RUIZ CASTRO
Executive Secretary