Bacolod City – Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya will be the guest of honor and speaker during the 125th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence at the Bacolod City Public Plaza today.
This year’s theme is “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan (Freedom, Future, History).”
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez will deliver the Independence Day message, while Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran will give the welcome remarks after the flag-raising rites to be attended by the Bacolod City Police Office and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
The flag-raising ceremony will be preceded by an ecumenical prayer to be led by Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod; Pastor Jophone Galanza, president of Negros Occidental Conference; Imam Monib Cali from the Islamic Center; and Pastor Jun Cordova of Jesus our Light Christian Fellowship.
The wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier will be attended by the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, led by BGen. Orlando Edralin, Gasataya, Benitez, Familiaran, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod.
The closing remarks will be delivered by Councilor Al Victor Espino, while a military parade will follow after the program, starting from Lizares Street. (Chrysee Semillano via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)