The Philippines celebrates its 114th annual national holiday on June 12, 2012 in commemoration of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.
The declaration of the Philippine independence from the colonial rule of Spain concluded the Philippine Revolution. Philippine independence, however, was not recognized either by the United States or by Spain. The Spanish government later ceded the Philippine archipelago to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, and the United States granted independence to the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila.
July 4 was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared Tuesday, June 12, 1962 a special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence." On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed the July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed the twelfth day of June as the "Philippine Independence Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to observe June 12 with rites befitting Independence Day. June 12 had previously been observed as Flag Day, which was moved to May 28.
Celebrations
The Philippine government, led by President Benigno S. Aquino III and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), will be holding “Kalayaan 2012”. The entire month of June 2012 will be dedicated for the commemoration of Philippine freedom. Activities for the month will be in line with the theme for this year which is “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan”.
The activities for “Kalayaan 2012” will be reflective of the culture of the Filipinos and will feature Philippine liberty through the arts. The entire Independence Week will be packed with various exciting activities organized by the country’s very own government agencies and offices. Prior to the date, concerts, musicals and other activities honoring the culture and identity of the Filipino people will be held in various locations in Manila and in other cities of the archipelago.
A Philippine Independence Day celebration will not be complete without a tribute for the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Enjoy the 30-minute spectacle of light and sound sculptural tableau for 3 days honoring Dr. Jose Rizal that feature poignant moments of Rizal’s final hours. This is a collective obra (masterpieces) of four national artists, Leandro Locsin, Lamberto, Avellana, Lucio San Pedro and Rolando Tinio. The “Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal: Light and Sound Presentation” will be on June 11-13, 2012 at the Execution Site at Rizal Park in Manila.
On June 11 and 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila, government agencies will also be setting up various exhibits. The Department of Agriculture (DA) will present their “Agri-Aqua Fair and Exhibit”. Exhibitions will also be executed by several lead agencies. There will be a static display, silent drill, sky diving and band exhibition by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); a slow drill exhibition by the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA); and a drum and bugle exhibition by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The culminating day on June 12, 2012 of the “Kalayaan 2012” will also include several cultural activities such as a Filipino Indigenous Games Exhibition, led by the Philippine Sports Commission, that features Arnis and Pencak Sikat. There will also be a Special Kalayaan Concert from 1-9PM for the Sadigang Kalayaan and LuzViMinda, and Party Kalayaan from 9pm-12mn at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila. In the evening, a spectacular and breath-taking Special Fireworks Display will be presented to highlight each segment of the concert for that night.
(Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1761337939963)
The Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC) joins its host country in commemorating this auspicious occasion of celebrating its freedom day. CPSC conveys its warm felicitations to the Philippine nation and its people on its 114th Independence Day!
