‘Simpler, theatrical, cultural’ 113th Independence Day rites planned–NHCP

A vendor sells flags of various sizes along Roxas Boulevard, Manila ahead of the Independence Day celebration on June 12. INQUIRER/Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s 113^th Independence Day celebration on June 12 will be “simpler, theatrical [and] cultural,” the chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) said in a press briefing Wednesday.

“It’s the simplest ones, I’m told,” Maria Serena Diokno said.

Diokno said that at least P10 million has been set aside for this year’s Independence Day celebration.

She said that unlike last year’s display of 10 floats, this year’s parade will only have one, to be called “Inang Bayan” and would feature outstanding government employees of 2011.

Director Nilo Agustin, creative director of the event’s technical working group, said in a statement that “instead of the usual float which is more expensive, the committee decided to use 20 electric tricycles or commonly known as e-trikes, which shall be the special feature of the parade.”

The use of e-trikes in the parade is in “keeping with PNoy’s [President Benigno Aquino III’s monicker] thrust of promoting alternative modes of transportation, which is eco-friendly and non-reliant to fossil fuel,” NHCP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy said in the same statement.

Four theater groups will dramatize the June 12 parade in a four-part tableau to highlight love of country, leadership, community development and socio-economic development.

The event, which is also President Benigno Aquino III’s first Independence Day celebration as chief executive, will be held simultaneously across the country.

The day will start with flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at 7 a.m. on different historical sites. President Aquino will lead the ceremonies at Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit,Cavite; Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo at Gat Andres Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte at Barasoain Church in Bulacan, Senator Teofisto Guingona III at Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City, Defense undersecretary Ernesto Carolina at Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery and  Senator Francis Pangilinan at the Pamintuan Mansion in Angeles City.

The President will host the traditional vin d’ honneur in Malacañang after the early ceremonies. Guests will include the Papal Nuncio, Cabinet members, key officials from the Senate, Congress and the private sector.

The President is also scheduled to attend the parade in the afternoon.

A job fair to be hosted by the Department of Labor and Employment on the same day will have over 100 employers from government agencies, the private sector, and overseas offering 20,000 jobs.

The Department of Transportation and Communication will also offer free rides on the Metro and Light Rail Transits from 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

Filipino movies will be shown every night at the Rizal Open Auditorium in Rizal Park from June 10 to 12. The movies include: Eddie Romero’s Intramuros, Cesar Montano’s Panaghoy sa Suba and Joel Lamangan’s Aishite Imasu 1941.

Local government officials will lead the celebration in different regions while Philippine embassies and consular offices abroad will also have their own celebratory activities, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.