Simple rites for Independence Day

By: Jose Santino S. Bunachita, Julit C. Jainar June 12,2016 - 10:53 PM

Cebu City Acting Mayor Margot Osmeña, Acting Vice Mayor Leah Japson and north district Rep. Raul del Mar release the doves. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Cebu City Acting Mayor Margot Osmeña, Acting Vice Mayor Leah Japson and north district Rep. Raul del Mar release the doves in the annual Independence Day celebration. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

With Independence Day falling on a weekend, yesterday’s observance in Cebu was muted with no civil military parade to mark the annual event.

In Cebu City, Acting City Mayor Margot Osmeña, Acting Vice Mayor Lea Japson and Rep. Raul Del Mar of Cebu City’s north district were on hand to join City Hall’s employees and department heads to attend rites at the Plaza Sugbo grounds.

This year’s celebration carried the theme “Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong” and it kicked off with a Mass at 7:30 a.m. followed by a short program that lasted for 30 minutes.

In her speech, Osmeña said Cebu City residents must do their share as “caretakers of the country’s democracy” by ensuring peace and justice and protecting each other from fear, ignorance and poverty.

“Let no one be left behind. And with your support and always with God’s grace, we will be able to be called a truly free people,” she said.

Abellana National School reenact the making of the Philippine Flag in the annual Independence Day celebration. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Abellana National School reenact the making of the Philippine Flag in the annual Independence Day celebration. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

The 118th Independence Day celebration ended with Osmeña and Japson releasing a pair of white doves and City Hall employees and officials heading home to spend the holiday with their families.

At the Capitol, a flag-raising ceremony was held followed by the recitation of the Filipino pledge to the flag and the singing of the Sugbo hymn.

No elected officials were present, only some department heads led by Capitol Administrator Mark Tolentino and some employees.

“It’s the initiative of the province because it’s our Independence Day, so it’s important to honor it even if it’s a Sunday. Since it’s a family day, not everybody will be able to attend so we didn’t require everybody to attend,” Tolentino said.

In Mandaue City, a Mass was held at the St. Joseph Parish attended by city government department heads and employees followed by a floral offering at the Rizal-Bonifacio Monument.

An intermission number was performed by the Labogon Elementary School and Opao Elementary School Dance Troupe.

In a speech, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede said the freedom enjoyed by the country requires people to take responsibility for their actions and to be aware of the consequences of their actions on society.

“To remain free, we need to respect the rights of others, we need discipline and follow the simplest laws to the most complex,” Bercede said.

He also called on city residents not to remain onlookers but to join in effecting positive change./UP Cebu Intern Amy A. Macalinao

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TAGS: Abellana National High School, Cebu, Cebu City, ceremony, Independence Day, Mandaue City

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