The Manila Police District (MPD) estimated that over 30,000 people were at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Wednesday, June 12, to witness "Parada ng Kalayaan 2024," the highlight of this year's Independence Day.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons, Ilocos Norte First District Representative Sandro Marcos, Vinny Marcos, and Simon Marcos, attended the event. Also present were Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and delegates from the local and national governments.
According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the parade featured 22 beautifully decorated floats from different provinces and national government agencies, showcasing the rich history of the Philippines.
The various floats depicted 11 significant events representing the country's struggle for freedom from colonial rule: the Cry of Candon, Ilocos Sur; the Tres de Abril Revolt, Cebu; the Battle of Alapan, first unfurling of the Philippine flag and Proclamation of Independence; establishment of the Comite Central Filipino; Cinco de Noviembre Revolt and establishment of the Negros Republic; the Cry of Santa Barbara and the establishment of the Federal State of the Visayas, Iloilo; first flag hoisting in Mindanao; the siege of Fort Pilar, Zamboanga; the lowering of the Spanish Flag in Jolo, Sulu; end of the Siege of Baler; and the establishment of the Malolos Congress and the first Philippine Republic.
The parade also featured a procession of the 10 original branches and cabinet departments of the first Philippine Republic: the Department of War and the Navy; the Department of Public Instruction; the Department of Public Works and Communications; the Department of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce; the Department of the Interior; the Department of Finance; the Department of Foreign Relations; the Supreme Court of Justice; the National Assembly; and the Office of the President of the Philippines.
The highlight of the parade was the "Inang Bayan" float, designed by artist Diego Imao.
The float represented Inang Bayan herself and her three children: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
It also depicted the mountains, islands, and other bodies of water in the country and, most importantly, symbolized the flame of revolution for the independence of the Philippines.
A fireworks display followed along with a performance by the Nation's Girl Group, BINI.
Other activities that marked Independence Day included the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony led by President Marcos, the Kalayaan Obstacle Course, and Filipino Kusina Warrior Cooking, where participants made their own versions of the Filipino pancit and their best adobo recipes, among others.
The NHCP stated that this year’s Independence Day theme is “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan,” with activities aimed at honoring Filipino heritage anchored in the spirit of freedom and unity.
