BY RICHIELYN CANLAS
Around 7,000 Manileños trooped to Moriones Street in Tondo to join and watch the civil and military parade that highlighted the celebration of the 452nd founding anniversary of the City of Manila on June 24.
Photo from Manila City Hall Reporters Association (MACHRA)/Manila Bulletin
The civil and military parade was organized by the city government to present Manila's cultural diversity. It also aimed show the local government’s appreciation and support for different sectors and stakeholders in the city.
Photo from Manila City Hall Reporters Association (MACHRA)/Manila Bulletin
The parade featured the vibrant performances of students and colorful floats representing the six districts of the City of Manila, showcasing the citizens’ creativity and culture.
Manila's Muslim community also sent their representatives and float showing their culture and appreciation to Rajah Sulayman, one of known leaders of Manila in the past.
Photo from Manila City Hall Reporters Association (MACHRA)/Manila Bulletin
Contingents from the six districts wowed the crowd as they performed festival dances that represent their places.
District 1 performed the dances of the Lakbayaw festival; District 2, the Caracol festival; District 3, the Chinatown festival; District 4, the Bulaklakan festival; District 5, the Tatarin festival; and District 6, the Buling-buling festival.
Government agencies also joined the military parade, including the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Manila Police District (MPD), Bureau of Fire Protection-Manila Fire District (BFP-MFD), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Manila City Jail (BJMP-MCJ), Joint Task Force National Capital Region-Armes Forces of the Philippines (NCR-AFP) Contingent, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Manila Field Office (MFO).
Atty. Princess Abante of the Office of the Mayor said this is the first civil and military parade in Manila and they are looking forward to have another one next year.
Meanwhile, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) monitored the flow of traffic as the police helped guide the motorists to the alternative routes during the parade.