Guam proclaims Filipino Independence and Heritage Month

Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo signs a proclamation declaring June 2011 as Filipino Independence and Heritage Month as Consul Kerwin Tate (extreme left), Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio (second from left) and Sen. Dennis Rodriguez (extreme right) look on. DFA Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Guam has declared June 2011 as Filipino Independence and Heritage Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana said Wednesday.

Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo signed a proclamation that recognized the common history and heritage of Filipinos and Guamanians and how the two cultures have intertwined.

Calvo also expressed gratitude to the Filipino community in the unincorporated territory of the United States for their “positive contributions” to the island.

He emphasized the fact that a number of top officials in his administration are Filipinos or have Filipino heritage.

Consul Kerwin Orville Tate, Vice Consul Maria Paz Cortes, and Cultural Officer Jo Ann Alonzo witnessed the event at the Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex in Adelup, together with the officers and members of the Filipino community in Guam.

Senator Dennis Rodriguez from the 31st Guam Legislature, who is of Filipino descent, was also present during the signing ceremony.