DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY – It was on June 12, 1898 when the
freedom of the Filipinos from foreign repression was declared. 114 years after
that momentous day, the Filipino people still value their sovereignty to a
great extent that celebrating Independence Day has already been part of their
culture. On the day that the Filipinos obtained their independence, their
culture has been marked significantly forever. Traditions, beliefs and the arts
of the Filipinos have been revolutionized in lieu of the liberty they have
attained.
This year, Filipinoshonor the 114th year of
Philippine Independence and the 25th Anniversary of the 1987
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, and as part of itsannual traditional
celebration, the Philippine government, led by President Benigno S. Aquino III
and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), will be
holding “Kalayaan 2012”. The entire month of June 2012 will be dedicated
for the commemoration of Philippine freedom.Activities for the month will be in
line with the theme for this year which is “Kalayaan: Pananaguta nng Bayan
para sa Tuwid na Daan”.
The activities for “Kalayaan
2012” willbe reflective of the culture of the Filipinos and will feature
Philippine liberty through the arts. The entire Independence Week will be
packed with various exciting activities organized by the country’s very own
government agencies and offices. It will begin with Paco Park Presents “Panata sa Kalayaan”, a musical tribute tothe
renowned national artist for literature, Amado V. Hernandez, will be held on
June 8, 2012, Friday, 6:00 PM at the Paco Park in San Marcelino, Manila. It is
a free-for-all show where special guests will be performing such as soprano
Raye Lucero of the Mabuhay Singers, baritone Ronnie Sta. Maria and guitarist
Eddie Suarez.
Sinekalayaan, a 3-night film showing event that will feature films about
Philippine Independence, will be held during the beginning of the Independence
Week, 8:00PM at the Open Auditorium, Rizal Park in Manila. Aishite Imasu Mahal Kita 1941, starring Dennis Trillo and Judy Ann
Santos, will be shown on June 9; Sakay,
starring Julio Diaz, will be shown on June 10; and The Forgotten War, starring Kyla Lapus and Baron Geisler, will be
shown on June 11.
Musikalayaan Concert, a concert led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),
National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) to celebrate the Flag Day and Independence Day, will be
held on June 9, 2012, Saturday, 6:00PM at the Central Lagoon in Rizal Park,
Manila. Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, will be the
guest of honor for this event. This will also be attended by NHCP Executive
Director Ludovico Badoy and NPDC Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas. Various
Filipino performing artists will be showing off their musical talents for the
commemoration of the independence of the Philippines.
On June 10, 2012, Sunday, 8:00 AM, a send off ceremony for
the “Paradang Pag-anyaya” will be
led by the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters of the
Philippines, Inc. (AVFCFFPI) in cooperation with the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Parks Development Committee
(NPDC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority (MMDA). Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jesse M. Robredo will be the guest of honor for
the occasion. Other guests are the Hon. Juliet H. Villegas, Hon. Ludovico Badoy,
Mr. Jose Go, and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and
Industry President Mr. Tan Ching, who will be giving an inspirational message
for that day.
Following that event, there will be a free Concert at the Park “Mahal kong Bayan”, 6pm
at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium, Manila. Everybody is invited to watch an
hour of ballet set in Philippine music featuring Ballet Repertory Philippines,
joined by dancers from the Ballet Dance Academy.
A Philippine Independence Day celebration will not be
complete without a tribute for the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Enjoy
the30-minute spectacle of light and sound sculptural tableau for 3 days
honoring Dr. Jose Rizal that feature poignant moments of Rizal’s final hours.
This is a collective obra of four national artists, Leandro Locsin, Lamberto Avellana,
Lucio San Pedro and Rolando Tinio, The “Martyrdom
of Dr. Jose Rizal: Light and Sound Presentation” will be on June 11-13,
2012 at the Execution Site in Rizal Park Manila. This is free of charge so that
everyone can take pleasure in the entertaining exhibition.
On June 11 and 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila, government
agencies will also be setting up various exhibits. The Department of
Agriculture (DA) will present their “Agri-Aqua
Fair and Exhibit”. Exhibitions will also executed by several lead agencies.
There will be a static display, silent drill, sky diving and band exhibition by
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG);
a slow drill exhibition by the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA); and a
drum and bugle exhibition by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The culminating day on June 12, 2012 of the “Kalayaan 2012”
will still include several cultural activities such as a Filipino Indigenous games Exhibition, led by the Philippine Sports
Commission,that features Arnis and PencakSikat. There will also be a Special Kalayaan Concert from 1-9PM for
the SadiganngKalayaan and LuzViMinda, and Party
Kalayaanfrom 9pm-12mn at the Quirino Grandstand. In the evening, a
spectacular and breath-taking Special
Fireworks Display will be presented to highlight each segment of the
concert for that night.
“Kalayaan 2012” will surely be an exciting and educational,
month-long event that will bring out the cultural and Filipino pride in
everyone. This will make people realize the true value and reveal the luster of
freedom that the Filipino ancestors have worked hard for in the years before
June 12, 1989. (Betty Lou Peñera, PIA)
No comments:
Post a Comment