Skip to main content

Iloilo to host Independence Day 2015 rites

Departing from tradition, this year’s 117th Independence Day ceremonies will be held not in Luzon but in Iloilo’s Sta. Barbara town, where the Philippine flag was first raised to inaugurate the provisional revolutionary government of the Visayas in 1898.

The vin d’ honneur (wine of honor) will also be done at the newly restored Iloilo provincial capitol with Senate President Franklin Drilon describing it as a celebration that will “showcase to the nation Iloilo’s remarkable progress and achievements.”
Santa Barbara, Iloilo's Flagpole Park
“Let us make use of that momentous event to show this nation the soaring aspirations of Ilonggos – that with our past, present and near future achievements, we are poised to reclaim Iloilo’s rightful place as Queen City of the South,” Drilon said in a statement.

He added that the event is a “national affirmation and acknowledgement of Iloilo’s rise as a progressive and developing center in the Visayas.”

Philippine flags now line the streets of Santa Barbara where President Aquino is expected to lead the Independence Day flag-raising ceremony at the town plaza on June 12.

Customarily, the flag-raising ceremonies for Independence Day celebrations were done at the Rizal Park in Manila. Last year, it was done in Naga City.
Church and Convent restored by the National Historical Commissione of the Philippines
Santa Barbara was chosen as the site of this year’s celebration because it was where the Philippine flag was first raised outside of Luzon on Nov. 17, 1898.

The President will also inspect the restoration of the Santa Barbara Church and Convent, which served as the general headquarters and military hospital of the Visayan revolutionary forces in the late 1800s. It was on the convent’s balcony where Santa Barbara native General Martin Delgado, first civilian governor of Iloilo province, declared the famous cry of Sta. Barbara (Fuera España, Viva Filipina).

Built in 1845, the church is of Baroque Renaissance architecture with a neoclassic façade. In 2012, the National Historical Commission declared Sta. Barbara as one of the historic sites in Iloilo following its role in the 1898 Philippine Revolution.

Vin d’ honneur

After the flag raising ceremony, the President will motor to Molo church in Iloilo City and onto the restored Iloilo provincial capitol for the traditional vin d’ honneur, the first outside of Malacañang Palace.
Casa Real de Iloilo
Photo credits to Vincent Valencia
A traditional morning reception, vin d’ honneur takes place biannually in Malacañang: first, to mark the New Year, and second, to celebrate the anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12.

More than 50 ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, Cabinet members and other government officers are expected to attend the rite.

News article reposted from The Philippine Star

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Santa Barbara Centennial Museum

The Santa Barbara Centennial Museum was built in 1998 as part of the Centennial Freedom Trail Site Project of the Philippine Centennial Commission. The museum houses antiques, artifacts and photos that tell the story of Santa Barbara’s historical heritage. The museum has two wings: the left wing is the historical wing while the right wing has been designated as the changing museum. In the historical wing is Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado’s Exhibit. The items on exhibit here are: Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado’s Exhibit – the greatest revolutionary hero of the Visayas, and the first Filipino Governor of Iloilo under the American regime. 1. GMTD’s bed 2. GMTD’s backbone – spared by the Delgado clan for display to the museum with document of permission 3. Documents written in Spanish attesting of him as the first Filipino Governor of Iloilo 4. Photos of him with his family 5. Frames explaining the Cry of Santa Barbara and his biography 6. Revolutionary insignia o
Post a Comment
Read more

Our Lady of the Smile in Jibao-an, Santa Barbara

In time for the Lenten Season, a new attraction has emerged in Santa Barbara particularly in Brgy. Jibao-an near its boundary with the town of Pavia.  Called as the Our Lady of the Smile, the statue sits on top of a man made mound called the Hill of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Located in a former ricefield, the "hill" is about 2-3 storeys high with snaking paths going all the way up. The winding path is dotted with the Stations of the Cross for simple pilgrimage along the way making devotees and tourists as well experience Via Crucis all year round. At first it may seem so near but as you follow the path, you feel like treading the path Jesus took along the road to Calvary. But it only takes around 15-20 minutes to complete the whole trek, even under the scorching heat of the sun. A brisk walk or a few jogs would make it even faster. The hill is photogenic from almost all angles but the best spot is marked with a selfie or posing deck which captures th
Post a Comment
Read more

The Catmon tree

The living symbol of Santa Barbara is the only Catmon Tree growing in the entire town. Before the town was renamed after the saint, it used to be called catmon , as this variety of trees were landmarks in the route up Central Panay. Katmon (Family: Dilleniaceae , Synonyms: Dilenia speciosa , other names: Bihis, kulammbug, palali ) has thick foliage and distinctly big white flowers that eventually becomes round fruits. The fruit is sour but refreshing - my tastebuds likened the taste to kamias with hints of green apple and like the pomelo it becomes sweet at some certain points.  The only surviving in the whole town which was previously named after it is right next to the police station - safely guarding it like a treasure. After all it is the only living symbol of  the town of Santa Barbara. Read more.
Post a Comment
Read more