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Philippines marks 126th Independence Day
Government officials on Wednesday led the celebration of the Philippines’ 126th Independence Day in several locations.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the flag ceremony and laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument at Luneta Park in Manila on Wednesday morning.
In his message for Independence Day, Marcos underscored that true freedom could be witnessed among Filipinos who fight their day-to-day struggles.
He added that he is inspired by the daily struggles of ordinary Filipinos who overcome challenges through their courage and strength.
Pinaglabanan Shrine
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo meanwhile led the flag raising ceremony which began at 8 a.m. at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, according to Mark Makalalad’s report on Super Radyo dzBB.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, pinangunahan ang paggunita sa ika-126 anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kalayaan sa Pinaglabanan Shrine sa San Juan City @dzbb pic.twitter.com/Qg61jPUXmz
— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) June 12, 2024
Following this, the officials lit the Sulo ng Kalayaan up to the monument and offered flowers. A 21-gun salute was also conducted.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora earlier said it was an honor to have Gesmundo as their guest.
Kahalagahan ng kalayaan at sakripisyo ng mga bayani, kinilala ni Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo sa paggunita ng Araw ng Kalayaan sa Pinaglabanan Shrine @dzbb pic.twitter.com/S2UqmsrGEd
— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) June 12, 2024
He said this was an acknowledgment of the city’s contributions to the country’s independence.
The Pinaglabanan Shrine was built to commemorate the 1896 Battle of Pinaglabanan, which was the first encounter between members of the Katipunan and the Spanish Guardia Civil.
Kawit, Cavite
In Kawit, Cavite, meanwhile, Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo led the flag raising ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also graced the occasion, saying that the heroism of the nation’s forefathers who freed the Philippines from colonizers will never be forgotten.
“Daang taon man ang lumipas, hindi malilimutan ang dakilang sakripisyo ng ating mga ninuno. At magpakailanman, ito ay tatanawin nating utang na loob sa kanilang nag-alis ng tanikalang bumihag sa ating Inang Bayan, sa kanilang nag-alay ng dugo at buhay upang makamtan ang mga tinatamasa nating kasaganaan, kapayapaan at kalayaan,” he said.
(Even if a hundred years have passed, the great sacrifice of our ancestors will not be forgotten. We will always have a debt of gratitude to those who freed our country, to those who sacrificed their blood and lives for the peace and freedom we now have.)
The senator also highlighted the Filipinos’ resilience and determination to overcome challenges and uphold independence.
“Kasaysayan ang testigo sa mga landas na ating tinahak, at ito na rin mismo ang saksi sa katotohanang hindi bago sa atin ang mga pagsubok. Ngunit anumang hagupit ng tadhana, hindi nagpatinag ang lahing Pilipino na pinanday na ng panahon,” Revilla added.
(History is a witness to the paths we have taken, and it is also a witness to the fact that challenges are not new to us. But no matter what fate may be, the Filipinos do not waver.)
A socio-civic parade was also held at the venue, according to a report by Susan Enriquez on Unang Balita.
It was on June 12, 1898 that the Philippine flag was first unfurled at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine signifying the country's declaration of independence from Spain.
Mausoleum of the Veterans of the Revolution
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. meanwhile led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Veterans of the Revolution (Panteón de los Veteranos de la Revolución or the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución) inside Manila North Cemetery.
The Mausoleum of the Veterans of the Revolution is a memorial and national monument dedicated to Filipino revolutionaries of the Philippine Revolution of the 1890s and the Philippine–American War.
Davao City
Vice President Sara Duterte meanwhile was in Davao City for the Independence Day celebration.
In her speech, Duterte said that the freedom that Filipinos experience now is a result of the efforts of the country's ancestors to reclaim their rights and to govern the country as a sovereign nation.
Quezon
Senator Francis Tolentino attended the Independence Day celebration in Lucena City, Quezon, along with Quezon Governor Angelina Tan and Vice Governor Anacleto Alcala III, according to a report by GMA Integrated News stringer Peewee Bacuño.
In Gumaca, Quezon, local government officials and employees, as well as teachers and students, took part in the Independence Day Parade.
Barasoain Church in Malolos
Speaker Martin Romualdez on the other hand was at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan with Governor Daniel Fernando.
The church is where the first democratic republic in Asia was born.
Romualdez, in his speech, urged Filipinos not to take freedom for granted.
He urged Filipinos to take responsibility in fighting poverty, corruption, and injustice.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) previously said that the number coding traffic scheme will be suspended during Independence Day.
It also announced road closures for the celebration.
Wednesday, June 12, has been declared a regular holiday as provided for in Proclamation 368. —Joahna Lei Casilao and Giselle Ombay/KG/VBL, GMA Integrated News
