The Mandaluyong City local government celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 9, its 77th Liberation Day from the Japanese Imperial Army's occupation in 1945 as well as its 28th Cityhood Anniversary.

In a set of photos posted on Facebook, Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, together with Congressman Boyet Gonzales, Vice Mayor Anthony Suva, and other city government officials, offered flowers at the Liwasang Katubusan and held a short program as they remembered the heroism of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War 2.

Mandaluyong City was first known as the barrio of Santa Ana de Sapa, which was part of the district of Paco, province of Tondo. It was later named San Felipe Neri by the Spaniards in honor of the patron saint of Rome and was separated civilly from Santa Ana de Sapa in 1841.

The city was significant in the Philippine Revolution of 1896 as the baluarte (territory) of the Katipunan or "Makabuhay" group, with seventeen branches.

On March 27, 1907, it was renamed the Municipality of Mandaluyong by virtue of House Bill No. 3836 which was authored and sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Magsalin, then the Representative of the District of Rizal. Many government infrastructures were established during the American Period, including the Correctional Institute for Women, Welfareville Compound, The Boy's Town, and the National Center for Mental Health.

During World War II, Mandaluyong lost many of its citizens, but with the timely arrival of the American Liberation Forces and the Philippine Commonwealth troops on February 9, 1945, the municipality was saved from further damages. That day became a red calendar day for Mandaluyong marking its liberation from the Japanese Imperial forces by the Allies.

Years later, a House Bill, which eventually became Republic Act No. 7675, "An Act Converting the Municipality of Mandaluyong into a Highly Urbanized City to be known as the City of Mandaluyong," was filed. It was signed by Former President Fidel V. Ramos into law on February 9, 1994, which was ratified through a plebiscite on April 10, 1994, making Mandaluyong the 5th city in Metro Manila.