Agusan del Sur celebrates solemn but joyful independence day

By David M. Suyao

Wednesday 13th of June 2012

AGUSAN DEL SUR, June 13 (PIA) -- Hundreds of people gathered on Tuesday at the Naliyagan Plaza to celebrate the 114th Independence Day and to witness and take part on the opening day of the “mother of all festivals” in Agusan del Sur, the Naliyagan Festival.

At around 6 a.m., provincial, municipal, and barangay officials gathered at the St. Vincent Ferrer parish church and at the Naliyagan Plaza ground for the mass.

After the mass, officials marched towards the Rizal monument for the solemn wreath-laying ceremony, which ended with a 21-gun salute from the 401st Infantry Brigade under the command of Colonel Romeo Gan.

After the wreath-laying ceremony, the Philippine National Anthem was sung by the Provincial Choral Ensemble, simultaneous with the raising of the giant national flag led by Governor Adolph Edward Plaza and second district Congressman Evelyn Plaza-Mellana, followed by the raising of the provincial flag led by Vice Governor Santiago Cane Jr. and members of the 13th Sangguniang Panlalawigan members. With the singing of the Agusan March, the Naliyagan flag was raised, together with the 316 barangay flags.

In his welcome remarks, Cane said the celebration of Philippine Independence is very important in Philippine history because it is the day that Filipinos became free from the rule of the foreign forces.

Delivering his message, Plaza said the celebration of Philippine Independence is a moment to look back from the past and remember the struggles, the courage, the loyalty, the morale, the pride, and the intelligence of our forefathers.

“As we celebrate the 114th Independence day today, we must remember the pride and the courage of our forefather in order for us to inherit this very precious gift we now enjoy, our independence. We have to embrace that ever since we inherit this gift, we become empowered to stand by our own in moving forward in order to become strong and determined, to have a better life and prepare the best for the future of our children, for them to become responsible and productive. And we ended the program for the Independence Day Celebration, I officially declare the Naliyagan Festival open,” Plaza said.

The celebration of the 114th Independence Day ended with the release of the 114 balloons and doves symbolizing freedom and high vision for the future. (RER/DMS/PIA 13-Agusan del Sur)