ILOILO CITY — Philippine independence, when compared with other countries, is “still very young” but the country “has performed remarkably well,” University of the Philippines (UP) in the Visayas Chancellor Dr. Ricardo Babaran has said.
Other “prominent countries count several hundreds or even a thousand years to celebrate their survival,” said Babaran, who was the guest of honor at the celebration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the Plaza Libertad here Tuesday.
“We established our growth in terms of politics, economy and other aspects of society. The reason why we are here today is because we have nurtured that existence,” he said, expressing confidence that Filipinos can “put our acts together and go forward to claim a fully independent nation” amid the “divisiveness” in the country.
In his speech, Babaran emphasized that independence begins with respect, which also emanates from doing what is right.
He called on everyone to respect the environment.
“Part of our independence as a country is our land and water territories. For the portion of the land and seas that we claim to be our own, we give respect and we (are) assured of independence when we take good care of our resources,” Babaran said.
“There are many reasons to celebrate our independence. There are still heroes among us; there are great men and women who continue to inspire us; there are so many things to be hopeful about,” the chancellor said.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt John Bulalacao, Director of Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas), in his message read by Senior Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso, said Tuesday’s celebration is a call “to renew our individual and collective commitment to keep this country free for future generations.”
“We all share a common goal of achieving peace, safety and security, which are among the attributes of a free and independent nation,” he said.
The celebration, spearheaded by the Iloilo city government, began at 7 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at Plaza Libertad.
Plaza Libertad was in itself a historic site because it served as the last stronghold of the Spanish forces in Panay.
It was where the flag of the first Philippine Republic was raised in triumph after Spain surrendered Iloilo to the revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado on Dec. 25, 1898, according to the marker at the center of the Plaza.
The early morning celebration was capped with the release of doves, led by the guests of honor and city officials under Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon. (Perla Lena with reports from Caihra Santillan and Rosilfa Andrea Mallada, OJTs/PNA)
