Travel To Angeles City

Angeles City celebrates 113th Philippine Independence Day

Angeles City celebrated the 113th year of the Philippine independence today, June 12, 2011, at the Pamintuan Mansion witnessed by an unprecedented number of attendees.

The former site of the central bank located at the corner of Sto. Miranda and Sto. Entiero Streets, Pamintuan Mansion was where the first anniversary of the Philippine independence was celebrated by Emilio Aguinaldo, as such, the place is now recognized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as a heritage site.

The celebration started with the flag raising ceremony as the people sung the Philippine national anthem, Lupang Hinirang. This was followed by the allegiance to the Philippine flag (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas).

A short but meaningful message was delivered by Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan. He recalled the victory of our heroes to claim the country’s independence, the victory of the EDSA Revolution to gain back democracy, as well as the victory of Angeleños to rise from the devastation of Mt. Pinatubo 20 years ago, and how the common people, the unnamed heroes, played a big role in all these revolutions.

An interpretative dance was performed by Peter de Vera’s Sinukwan  portraying how the death of our national hero, Jose Rizal, has set aflame the fire for our countrymen to fight the oppressors and eventually win back the country’s sovereignty.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, who also has a Kapampangan blood, was the events guest speaker. He was introduced by Angeles City Vice-mayor Vicky Vega-Kabigting.

The highlight of the celebration was the re-enactment of the first celebration of the Philippine independence on June 12, 1899 by Emilio Aguinaldo at the Pamintuan Mansion. This was presented in a short play by the UYAT Theater Group. The play ended with the symbolical waving of the flag by the character playing the role of Emilio Aguinaldo at the window of the historical house.

The Kuliat Foundation Inc., the Angeles City Information Office and Angeles City Tourism Office, all joined hands to make the Independence Day Celebration presentation.

The commemoration of the 113th Philippine independence was simultaneously observed in Luneta Park in Manila, Tirad Pass in Cavite, and Barasoain Church in Bulacan, along with other heritage sites of the country recognized by the NHCP.