Independence Day celebrations ring of pride, love for freedom
Published Jun 12, 2018 10:00 pm
By (Dhel Nazario, Kate Louise Javier, Freddie C. Velez, Francis T. Wakefield, Zaldy C. Comanda, and Mario B. Casayuran)
AGUINALDO FLAG – The Aguinaldo Flag on display at the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City is preserved as a silent witness to the historic establishment of the Philippine Republic when it was first hoisted and waved 120 years ago in Kawit, Cavite. (JJ Landingin)
The 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence yesterday was celebrated at different parts of the country, especially in places historically linked to the Filipinos’ struggle for freedom from over 400 years of Spanish rule.
Heavy rains did very little to stop Vice President Leni Robredo who pressed on with the annual wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila.
The ceremony drew a crowd who woke up early to witness the Vice President walk up to the Rizal Monument and give her snappy salute while drenched in her traditional Filipiniana outfit.
In a statement, Robredo said that our freedom today faces “many dangers," from “poverty," to “deprivation of justice," the “disregard for human rights," and the taking over of the country's territories.
Yet she believes that the Filipinos that she know will not give in to these challenges but instead stand up and fight for our freedom.
HERO OF INDEPENDENCE — Senator Richard Gordon (third from left), together with Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (fourth from left), leads thousands of Bulakenyos in the wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo at yesterday’s 120th Independence Day celebration on Barasoain Church grounds in the City of Malolos, Bulacan. (Freddie C. Velez)
At the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim led the Independence anniversary rites amid a continuous downpour and called on Filipinos to be heroes in their own simple ways.
“Even in our own little ways, we can be a hero. By just obeying traffic rules, disposing garbage properly, helping other people, you can be a hero,” Lim said.
The MMDA chairman also urged his countrymen to work hand in hand to achieve the true independence that our heroes, like the Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio, envisioned and sought for.
At the historic Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos, Bulacan, Senator Richard J. Gordon laid a wreath before the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, then called on all Filipinos to determine their share in earning the freedom they enjoy.
“Freedom is earned, not inherited,” he said and turned to the youth of the nation as he called to mind National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s message that the future of the country is in their hands so they must strive hard to pursue an education.
For his part, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the commemoration reminds us not only of the brightest part of our history but also the continuous importance of freedom as an invaluable gift that heroes sacrificed for.
In Cavinti, Laguna, Mayor Milbert Oliveros unveiled a statue of a Filipino soldier with a young girl to immortalize the military’s contribution to nationhood.
Oliveros said his constituents want to blaze the trail for our countrymen to follow. “Our soldiers sacrificed a lot for us to enjoy our booming eco-tourism as well as the peace and order in our community, this is a small recognition compared to what they have been doing for the people of Cavinti,” he said.
In Baguio City, Cordilleran pride and love for freedom was depicted in at artwork titled “Unconquered Cordillera” – a 12x16 foot assemblage to celebrate Philippine Independence.
The artwork was unveiled at SM City Baguio, where cultural dances from the six provinces of Cordillera were also presented as part of the celebration.
AGUINALDO FLAG – The Aguinaldo Flag on display at the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City is preserved as a silent witness to the historic establishment of the Philippine Republic when it was first hoisted and waved 120 years ago in Kawit, Cavite. (JJ Landingin)
The 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence yesterday was celebrated at different parts of the country, especially in places historically linked to the Filipinos’ struggle for freedom from over 400 years of Spanish rule.
Heavy rains did very little to stop Vice President Leni Robredo who pressed on with the annual wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila.
The ceremony drew a crowd who woke up early to witness the Vice President walk up to the Rizal Monument and give her snappy salute while drenched in her traditional Filipiniana outfit.
In a statement, Robredo said that our freedom today faces “many dangers," from “poverty," to “deprivation of justice," the “disregard for human rights," and the taking over of the country's territories.
Yet she believes that the Filipinos that she know will not give in to these challenges but instead stand up and fight for our freedom.
HERO OF INDEPENDENCE — Senator Richard Gordon (third from left), together with Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (fourth from left), leads thousands of Bulakenyos in the wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo at yesterday’s 120th Independence Day celebration on Barasoain Church grounds in the City of Malolos, Bulacan. (Freddie C. Velez)
At the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim led the Independence anniversary rites amid a continuous downpour and called on Filipinos to be heroes in their own simple ways.
“Even in our own little ways, we can be a hero. By just obeying traffic rules, disposing garbage properly, helping other people, you can be a hero,” Lim said.
The MMDA chairman also urged his countrymen to work hand in hand to achieve the true independence that our heroes, like the Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio, envisioned and sought for.
At the historic Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos, Bulacan, Senator Richard J. Gordon laid a wreath before the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, then called on all Filipinos to determine their share in earning the freedom they enjoy.
“Freedom is earned, not inherited,” he said and turned to the youth of the nation as he called to mind National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s message that the future of the country is in their hands so they must strive hard to pursue an education.
For his part, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the commemoration reminds us not only of the brightest part of our history but also the continuous importance of freedom as an invaluable gift that heroes sacrificed for.
In Cavinti, Laguna, Mayor Milbert Oliveros unveiled a statue of a Filipino soldier with a young girl to immortalize the military’s contribution to nationhood.
Oliveros said his constituents want to blaze the trail for our countrymen to follow. “Our soldiers sacrificed a lot for us to enjoy our booming eco-tourism as well as the peace and order in our community, this is a small recognition compared to what they have been doing for the people of Cavinti,” he said.
In Baguio City, Cordilleran pride and love for freedom was depicted in at artwork titled “Unconquered Cordillera” – a 12x16 foot assemblage to celebrate Philippine Independence.
The artwork was unveiled at SM City Baguio, where cultural dances from the six provinces of Cordillera were also presented as part of the celebration.