 |
| (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Public Information Office) |
As warm as the shining rays of the sun, the solidarity of the Batangueños was felt in the celebration and commemoration of the Philippines' 126th annual Independence Day held in the early morning of June 12, 2024 at the Marble Terrace situated at the Provincial Capitol Compound in Batangas City. Led by the Provincial Government of Batangas under the supervision of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), the celebration took place via a short program divided into three parts and guided by this year's theme "Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan (Freedom, Future, History)".
The celebration kicked off with a civic-military parade, featuring the brave Filipino Soldiers or members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines along with other uniformed ranks in the Province of Batangas and members of various other sectors and organizations. Participating in the said parade include the Philippine Army 59th Infantry Batallion, Naval Forces Reserve Southern Luzon, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army Reservists – 401st Community Defense Center, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Batangas State University (BatStateU) ROTC, Batangas Chamber of Commerce, Natatas Symphonic Band, Batangas Province Scholarship and Educational Assistance Program Scholars from BatStateU, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Provincial Assistance for Community, Public Employment, and Youth and Sports Development Office. Aside from the walking contingents, various equipment, service vehicles, and operation assets of the aforementioned participating offices and agencies were presented and showcased throughout the parade.
Focusing on commemorating the country's independence and paying tribute to the Philippine flag, BatStateU's Dulaang Batangan presented a patriotically dramatic performance to highlight the second part of the celebration. Governor Hermilando Mandanas, along with Vice Governor Mark Leviste and Provincial Administrator Wilfredo Racelis, led the raising of the Philippine flag along with the singing of the country's National Anthem followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag led by Vice Governor Leviste along with Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent and the "First Lady" of Primetime Sanya Lopez. As a symbol of gratitude and respect for the heroes who defended the Philippines from foreign invaders, the traditional offering of flowers followed the aforementioned activities which was jointly led by Governor Mandanas, First Lady Atty. Angelica Chua-Mandanas, Vice Governor Leviste, Provincial Administrator Racelis, Chief of Staff Ma. Isabel Bejasa, members of the Provincial Council, and heads of provincial government offices. The Clash 2023 Grand Champion John Rex paid tribute to the freedom enjoyed across the country through a special performance.
In his message, Governor Mandanas emphasized the spirit of change existing within every Filipino citizen to promote development and true freedom, stating, "Pagbabago tungo sa kaunlaran, pagbabago tungo sa tunay na kalaayan, sa kahirapan, sa pagkakasakit, sa pagkawala ng hanap-buhay, at mga pangangailangan na pang-araw-araw natin…ito ang tunay na kalayaan. (Change towards prosperity, change towards true freedom, poverty, illness, loss of livelihood, and our daily needs...this is true freedom.)" The Father of the Province of Batangas also expressed his solidarity with the current administration's emphasis on having the freedom to know the true situation, freedom to showcase true concern for the countrymen, and above all, the bravery to defend the spirit and true independence of the country. The governor also praised the custom of the Batangueños which, according to him, is a big part of the country's history, noting "that the great and heroic Province of Batangas is where the true Filipino spirit sprouts, grows, and bears fruit - godly, truly humane, nature-loving, and pure love for our country - which is manifested in true service. (Ang dakila at magiting na Lalawigan ng Batangas ay kung saan sumisibol, lumalago, namumunga ang tunay na diwang Pilipino – maka-Diyos, tunay na maka-kapwa-tao, makakalikasan, at wagas na pagmamahal sa ating bansa – na ipinakikita sa tunay na paglilingkod."
Governor Mandanas also challenged all those elected, those chosen by the people to serve to fulfill their duty because "we [elected government officials] are the ones who are trusted, the ones who are expected, the ones who are truly responsible …to have a beautiful and happy life for a long time. This is the change that we will record in our history. (Tayo [mga inihalal na opisyal ng pamahalaan] ang pinagkakatiwalaan, ang inaasahan, ang tunay na may pananagutan…upang magkaroon ng maganda at masayang buhay sa mahabang panahon. Ito ang pagbabago na ating itatala sa ating kasaysayan.)" The inauguration of the "Kulay Saliw ng Karilagan, Pamana at Kalayaan" exhibit by Eric Punzalan at the PTCAO wrapped up the province's Philippine Independence Day celebration this year which was filled with the spirit of appreciation, unity, and love for the country. Open to the public until June 21, 2024, the one-man art exhibit curated by the founding president of Angeli Artists Guild is for the benefit of Museo ng Batangas, Safe Harbor Church (SHC), and BAGSIK (Batangueñong Grupo sa Sining at Kultura), the oldest art group in the province, considering that the province is home to great national heroes and outstanding creative minds. “I am a landscape artist and shall showcase the beautiful scenic spots of the province, as well as the architectures we inherited. We can feel this beauty because we are free to visit these places… we have been freed from the colonizers for a long time,” said Punzalan in an interview with the Philippine News Agency as he aims to make the showcase a firm testament that the Philippines is not “lagging behind in the field of visual arts".
(With words by Mark Jonathan R. Macaraig, Batangas Provincial Public Information Office, and Pot Chavez, Philippine News Agency)
