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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Manila marks 455th year with tribute to Rajah Sulayman

Manila marks 455th year with tribute to Rajah Sulayman

Published Jun 24, 2026 09:47 am

Marking 455 years of history and resilience, the City of Manila opened its founding anniversary rites on Wednesday, June 24, with a wreath-laying ceremony honoring pre-colonial ruler Rajah Sulayman, setting the tone for a day that celebrated identity, unity, and civic pride.

Vice Mayor Chi Atienza led city officials and community leaders at Liwasang Rajah Sulayman in Malate, where the tribute underscored Manila’s deep historical roots as it continues to navigate modern-day challenges.

Vice Mayor Chi Atienza leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rajah Sulayman monument in Malate, Manila, on June 24, 2026, as the city marks its 455th founding anniversary, honoring its pre-colonial heritage and enduring resilience.
Vice Mayor Chi Atienza leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rajah Sulayman monument in Malate, Manila, on June 24, 2026, as the city marks its 455th founding anniversary, honoring its pre-colonial heritage and enduring resilience.
Rajah Sulayman, the last native ruler of pre-colonial Manila who resisted Spanish colonization in the 16th century, is widely regarded as a symbol of the city’s early sovereignty and enduring spirit.

Carrying the theme “Matatag sa Hamon, Pinagtibay ng Panahon,” this year’s celebration highlighted how the capital has endured centuries of transformation, from its pre-colonial beginnings to its role as the country’s political and cultural center.

"Sa loob ng 455 taon, nanatiling matatag ang ating minamahal na lungsod sa kabila ng mga hamon ng panahon (For 455 years, our beloved city remained strong despite the challenges of time)," Atienza said during the ceremony.
"Mula sa mayamang kasaysayan at kultura hanggang sa tibay ng loob ng bawat Manileño, patuloy nating pinatutunayan na ang Maynila ay lungsod na hindi sumusuko (From our rich history and culture to the inner strength of every Manileño, we continue to prove that Manila is a city that never gives up)," the Vice Mayor added.

She urged Manileños to reflect on their shared heritage while continuing to build a stronger, more unified city.

The morning rites served as the symbolic opening of Manila Day, leading into the State of the City Address later in the afternoon, where key developments and future directions for the capital are expected to be outlined.

City officials said the annual celebration is not only a commemoration of Manila’s founding but also a reaffirmation of its enduring spirit, one shaped by history and sustained by its people.

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