President Marcos to lead Independence Day rites

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will attend Independence Day rites in Rizal Park in Manila, and this year’s theme is “Independence. Future. History.”

Simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies will be held in Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, San Juan, Caloocan, Angeles City, Cebu City and Davao City, according to a calendar of activities released by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

A grand parade will be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

Exhibits will also be launched: the “Minting the Revolution: Revolutionary Heroes in Numismatics Collection” at the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite and “Exhibit of Rare Collections: 125th Philippine Independence Day Celebration” at the National Library of the Philippines in Manila.

The Department of Labor and Employment will also lead the #BatangMalaya anti-child labor campaign and various job fairs nationwide.

The NHCP reminded attendees to wear face masks to ensure safety, and bring waste containers and umbrellas.

Attendees may also bring flaglets and use the hashtag #PH125 when posting on social media, the commission said.

Last week, Marcos led the launching of the commemorative coin set for the 125th Independence Day in Malacañang.

The central bank issued the coin set featuring depictions of the 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence, the birth of the country’s first republic at the Barasoain Church, and the Filipinos who fought during the Philippine-American War.

President Marcos will also receive a framed commemorative postage stamp from the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost).

The 125th Independence Day commemorative stamp, printed in se-tenant format, shows the sewing of the Philippine flag by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa Natividad in Hong Kong.

The other stamp will feature the raising of the Philippine flag in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.

The official logo for the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood would appear on the official first-day cover.

PhlPost produced 40,000 copies of the Independence Day stamp, and the layout was done by in-house graphic designer Israel Viyo. — Evelyn Macairan