BACOLOD City – The celebration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day at the public plaza on Tuesday gathered the most number of people so far in Bacolod, according to Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
“This is the biggest crowd we have for this celebration,” Leonardia said in his speech, comparing the attendees to those in the previous Independence Day celebrations in this capital city.
The city government estimated the crowd to have reached 5,000.
The celebration started with a flag-raising ceremony at the public plaza at 6:30 a.m.
A wreath-laying ceremony followed at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, also at the plaza, then a program.
In the afternoon, a parade was held from Lupit Church to the public plaza.
During the program, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Corporate Service Group manager Mary Abigail Cruz-Francisco read GSIS president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas’ message.
Aranas was supposed to be the guest speaker but his attendance was cancelled due to his travel abroad, Leonardia earlier said.
Part of Aranas’ message read: “Freedom, indeed, speaks to what it truly means to be human, and it is at the bedrock of the world’s most advanced societies. And yet, those who truly understand what it means to be free also know that freedom is never absolute, and that the true limitations on freedom are mandated not by oppressive states or ruthless dictatorships, but by mutual respect between persons who acknowledge each other’s humanity and dignity.”
In his message, Aranas also apologized for not making it in the celebration.
“I regret that prior commitments have prevented me from joining all of you at this memorable event, but I am grateful, nonetheless, for the chance to share with you some thoughts on what you have all gathered to celebrate today – our freedom as a sovereign people,” he wrote./PN
