114th Independence Day to be celebrated thru the arts

By Jose Rafael Cesar Atencio

Thursday 7th of June 2012

QUEZON CITY, June 7 (PIA) -- Organizers led by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) said the 114th Independence Day celebrations dubbed “Kalayaan 2012” will be reflective of the Filipino culture and arts.

The event commemorates the country's independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, and will have for its theme “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan.”

Festivities will begin with Paco Park Presents “Panata sa Kalayaan,” a free musical tribute to renowned National Artist for Literature Amado V. Hernandez on June 8, Friday at 6:00 p,m. at Paco Park in San Marcelino, Manila. This will be free concert featuring soprano Raye Lucero of the Mabuhay Singers, baritone Ronnie Sta. Maria and guitarist Eddie Suarez.

Meanwhile, a three-night film showing event dubbed “Sinekalayaan” will feature films about Philippine Independence from June 9 to 11 at the Open Auditorium, Rizal Park in Manila every 8 p.m. Among these are "Imasu Mahal Kita 1941," starring Dennis Trillo and Judy Ann Santos, to shown on June 9; "Sakay," starring Julio Diaz, on June 10; and "The Forgotten War," starring Kyla Lapus and Baron Geisler, on June 11.

The Armed Forces of the Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways; on the other hand, will stage ‘Musikalayaan,’ a concert to celebrate Flag and Independence Day on June 9, 6:00 p.m. at the Central Lagoon in Rizal Park.

Various Filipino performing artists will be showing off their musical talents for the commemoration of the independence of the Philippines.

On the following day at 8:00 a.m., a send off ceremony for the “Parada ng Pag-anyaya” will be led by the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters of the Philippines, Inc. (AVFCFFPI), in cooperation with the NHCP, NPDC, AFP and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

After the ceremony, there will be a free concert at the park, “Mahal kong Bayan” at 6:00 p.m. at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium.

Also, 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 the 30-minute spectacle of light and sound sculptural tableau for three 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.

Entrance is free.

On June 11 and 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila, government agencies will be setting up various exhibits. The Department of Agriculture (DA) will present their “Agri-Aqua Fair and Exhibit.”

Exhibitions will also be presented 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 Pencak Sikat.

There will also be a Special Kalayaan Concert from 1:00-9:00 p.m. for the Sadigan ng Kalayaan and LuzViMinda, and Party Kalayaan from 9:00 p.m. -12:00 midnight 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, the NHCP said. (NHCP/PIA/RJB/JRCA/PIA-NCR)