Several top government officials joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday as Filipinos gathered at Rizal Park in Manila to mark the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
The ceremonies featured the traditional flag-raising, wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument, and the annual “Parada ng Kalayaan” (Freedom Parade). This year’s celebration carried the theme “Ang Kalayaang Pinapangarap.”
Among those attending were First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III. They stood alongside President Marcos as thousands of Filipinos paid tribute to the nation’s hard-won freedom.
In his Independence Day address, President Marcos underscored the value of selfless leadership and public service. “True leaders are those who sacrifice their own interests for the good of the people,” he said in Filipino.
Speaker Dy highlighted that independence is meaningful only when its benefits are experienced by all citizens. “Freedom must always go hand in hand with progress. Hindi sapat na tayo ay malaya kung marami pa rin ang hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng pag-unlad,” he said.
He added that celebrating independence also entails creating opportunities for Filipinos to access decent jobs, quality education, and better futures for their families.
“Ang kalayaan ay may mas malalim na kahulugan kapag ito ay nagbubukas ng oportunidad para sa bawat Pilipino na magkaroon ng disenteng trabaho, dekalidad na edukasyon, at mas magandang kinabukasan para sa kanilang pamilya,” he noted.
The event served as both a reflection on the country’s struggle for self-rule and a reminder of the ongoing responsibility to build an inclusive and prosperous Philippines.