Happy birthday, America!

Last Friday, the United States of America celebrated its 249th Independence Day. As prophetically envisioned by John Adams, the second president of the US, Independence Day will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. "It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more." True enough, all around the country, this very important holiday is celebrated with town parades, concerts, family picnics, and fireworks displays.

- Atty. Marco F. G. Tomakin

But beyond the pomp and pageantry, this holiday should be observed with due regard for the values of heroism, courage, and freedom. The wisdom of the Founding Fathers in believing the concept of a democratic form of government is borne out of the belief that power resides in the governed and not in the tyranny of an absolute monarchy. Though democracy is a messy experiment with often a clash of opinions, yet it is in its fragility that the nation ga