All system go for the Independence Day on June 12

MANILA, June 6 -- On June 12, 2012, Filipinos will honor the 114^th year of Philippine Independence and the 25^th Anniversary of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.  As part of its annual celebration, the government led by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), will hold “KALAYAAN 2012: PANANAGUTAN NG BAYAN PARA SA TUWID NA DAAN.”

As a kick off activity, a flag raising ceremony will be held on May 28,2012 at the Pambansang Dambana ng Watawat ng Lahi in Alapan, Imus Cavite.   This is in recognition of FLAG DAY, to be led by Cavite Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi and NHCP Chair Dr. Serena Diokno, other government agencies and LGUs.

The activities for KALAYAAN 2012 will be reflective of the culture of the Filipinos and will feature Philippine liberty through the arts. The week-long Independence celebration will be packed with various exciting activities organized by government agencies and offices.

PACO PARK PRESENTS “PANATA SA KALAYAAN”, a musical tribute to the renowned national artist for literature, Amado V. Hernandez, will be held on June 8, 2012, Friday, at 6:00PM at the Paco Park in Manila.  It is a free show with special guest performers such as soprano Ray Lucero of the Mabuhay Singers Group, baritone Ronnie Sta. Maria and guitarist        Eddie Suarez.

SINEKALAYAAN, a three-night showing event to feature films about Philippine Independence at the Open Auditorium, Rizal Park  every 8pm       from June 9 to June 11, 2012.  AISHITEMASU MAHAL KITA 1941, starring Dennis Trillo and Judy Ann Santos will be screened on June 9,2012;   SAKAY, starring Julio Diaz will be shown on June 10, 2012; and THE FORGOTTEN WAR, starring Kyla Lapus and Baron Giesler, on June 11, 2012.

MUSIKALAYAN CONCERT, a concert led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) to celebrate the Flag Day and Independence Day, will be held on June 9, 2012, 6:00PM at the Lagoon Area of the Rizal Park.

PARADA NG    PAG-ANYAYA spearheaded by the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters of the      Philippines and the NHCP will be the activity on June 10, 2012 at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium.  This will be followed b y a free CONCERT AT THE PARK,”MAHAL KONG BAYAN”AT 6PM, a ballet set in Philippine music featuring Ballet Repertory Philippines and the Ballet Dance Academy.

From June 11-13, 2012,    the MARTYRDOM OF DR. JOSE RIZAL: LIGHT AND SOUND PRESENTATION, a 30minute spectacle of light and sound sculptural tableau honouring our national hero, will 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.

One of the many exhibits on display at the Rizal Park will be sponsored by the Department of Agriculture entitled AGRI-AQUA FAIR AND EXHIBIT, FROM June 11 –12, 2012. 

Other entertaining exhibitions will include static display, silent drill, skydiving and band exhibition provided by the AFP AND THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).  A slow drill exhibition by the Philippine National Police Academy and a drum and bugle exhibition by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also be featured.

On the culminating day that is June 12 several cultural events have been lined up for the whole day such as a Filipino Indigenous Games Exhibition, led by the Philippine Sports Commission featuring Filipino games – arnis and pencak sikat.  There will also be a SPECIAL KALAYAAN CONCERT from 1 –9 pm for the Sandigan ng Kalayaan and LUZVIMINDA and the PARTY KALAYAAN from 9pm to 12mn and will feature various concert artists and singers.

As a finale number 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, week-long event that will bring out the cultural and Filipino pride in everyone. This will make every Filipino realize the true value and reveal the lustre of freedom that our Filipino ancestors have worked for since 1989.  (PIA)