The 113th Independence Day celebration is President Aquino's first time to join the entire nation in commemorating this historic event.
The recently concluded 113th anniversary of the Philippine Independence is one historic and momentous event since it’s the first time for His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III to lead the celebration as the 15th President of the Republic.
National Historical Commission prepared a spectacular program for the sad day’s activities. At 7am, President Aquino led the Wreath Laying and Flag Raising ceremonies at the historic Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite where the Philippine Flag was unfurled back in the year 1898. The President delivered his first Independence Day Message as President of the Philippine aligned with this year’s theme Kalayaan: Paninindigan ng Bayan.
Later at 4pm, in Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila, Aquino was received with honorary welcome as the President of the Republic of the Philippines with their brand of parade named Sandigan ng Kalayaan, executed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard as they exhibited their strong and continuing loyalty and allegiance as Vanguards of Freedom to the State.
Aquino also shared in his speech, “My father once said that the Filipino is worth dying for. My mother articulated it again after she won back our democracy: The Filipino is worth living for. I have now committed my life to showing the world the truth that both my parents proclaimed.”
But the spectacular part of the afternoon’s celebration were some of its highlights, which included the singing of the national anthem Lupang Hinirang by 250 voices from various government chorale groups.
Then the parade in the said celebration was supplemented with special audio-visual presentations shown via three huge led screens situated in strategic areas of the grandstand. Along with it are interpretations of four known theater companies, e.g. Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Tanghalang Pilipino, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, and Phil. Stagers Foundation. But amongst the four theater groups, the two latter groups made more appealing and fitting presentations.
Gantimpala Theater Group painted scenes of community development as tucked in the episode on socio-economic benefits to be derived from the kind of leadership this administration can foster. The costumes were not that extravagant, but the movements were far better from the previous presenters.
One of the theatrical groups who presented a moving dramatization of how the Philippines can succeed in building a nation of free race.
Philippine Stagers Foundation, a Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) awardee provided a more Disney-like production dressed in all-white and stood out among the three presenters. Legacy was the theme tackled by this hundred plus-youth dominated theater company with a rather moving presentation due to its original music and Broadway-like performance. Only this group made a novel act as opposed to the three groups that seemed like to have recycled production numbers.
Philippine Stagers Foundation, a 100-strong man performers made a stirring and outstanding musical presentation before the President Noynoy Aquino, distinguished guests and Filipinos who came over to witness the grand celebration of Philippines' 113th Independence Day.
The finale was an awesome highlight dubbed as
Panunumpa sa Watawat and was staged by the Barasoain Kalinangan Theater Foundation and ABS-CBN’s Star Power champion Angeline Quinto sang and belted out her high-pitched voice for the event’s theme song.
Actor Cesar Montano and beauty queen-turned actress Precious Lara Quigaman hosted the affair.
A float called
Inang Bayan capped the program as it featured the best employees in the fields of medicine, science and technology, local government, international diplomacy, economic development, ICT, military, agricultural productivity, environment protection, social science, social justice, peace and order, public administration, banking and finance, and media.
Siklab ng Kalayaan, a special fireworks display, and a musical concert of various bands, cultural dance groups and choral groups heightened the renewed nationalism and love of country among Filipinos who came to celebrate at the venue and watched the live telecast. As a whole, the celebration was a spectacular display of theatrical talents. Cesar Montano at Precious Lara Quigaman hosted the afternoon’s event.
