In 1959, the year I was born, Carlos P. Garcia was the president of the Philippines. Garcia was anti-communist, which the Americans liked, but nevertheless he was strongly devoted to the nationalist cause.

Another key way the United States influenced Philippine culture was through arts, literature, and entertainment. American television shows such as "Perry Mason" and "Rawhide" were being broadcast in the country. Popular American songs from 1959 such as those by Buddy Holly and Marty Robbins would be heard on Philippine radio. The Philippine people inherited many American army surplus vehicles, changing the character of Philippine roads and cities. The Americans influenced the ways Philippine people went shopping, how they ate, and what they spoke: English is now the official second language of the Philippines. Moreover, although Catholicism had already firmly taken root in the country due to the Spanish influence, American protestant religions made their mark around the...
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