President Rodrigo Duterte’s first Independence Day speech was disrupted by a pocket of protesters branding him as traitor.
THE 16th President, Rodrigo R. Duterte waved the Philippine flag, from the same spot as the first president of the Philippine Republic did a hundred years ago.
As Mr. Duterte proudly hoisted the tri-color, a young boy sang the opening verse of the Philippine National Anthem รก capella, later to be joined by a choir. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra surged through the song for a heartwarming crescendo. The crowd burst into cheers, “Mabuhay and Pilipinas.”
A group of veteran soldiers from Cavite, who squeezed themselves through the crowd to get a better view of the President, quietly wiped away their tears.
“We mark a hundred years of learning what it takes to rise from a diverse mix of language groups, islands and regions into a self-conscious unity into what Rizal called ‘One Filipino Nation,’” Duterte said in Kawit, Cavite as the country began a weekend fiesta to mark a 120 years since declaring independence from Spain.
On Tuesday morning, Duterte has just started his speech apologizing for arriving late in Kawit, Cavite for the 120th Independence Day celebrations, but he was disrupted by a lightning rally.
The president was momentarily caught off guard, but then continued: “Okay lang. I will understand.”
He then proceeded to wave at the people. “Our Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and free expression,” Duterte added.
The president said that he would just turn to law enforcement officers to “deal with them peacefully” and apply “maximum tolerance.”
“We cannot agree at all times for all seasons,” the president added.
“We may not understand each other, but at least there is a common denominator: We love our country,” Duterte added.
A crowd of about 15,000 packed the Liwasang Hen. Emilio Aguinaldo to witness the reenactment of the declaration of the country's declaration of independence on June 12, 1898.
The men came in sterling barong and the women in gay baro't saya. Their parade was accompanied by the familiar strains of fiesta march songs played by small town bands.
The festivities were part of a grand celebration by Filipinos who temporarily forgot the regional economic crisis to mark the centennial of their independence.
At daybreak, church bells across the archipelago tolled for three minutes as officials gathered at key population centers for flag-raising ceremonies.
Every province, city and municipality hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for the country's achievements and blessings.
The celebration in Manila included a parade depicting the country's struggle against 333 years of Spanish colonialism, a regatta, sky-diving exhibitions and brass band competitions.
An evening of concerts and ''nationwide street dancing'' were preceded by a massive fireworks display over Manila Bay.
This is the first Independence Day rites led by Duterte, who is on his second year of presidency.
Last year, Duterte skipped the 119th Independence Day celebration at the Rizal Park as he was “not feeling well,” as said by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.
The administration of Duterte is facing strong criticism for its brutal war on drugs that claimed thousands of lives. The government is also slammed for cozying up with China at the cost of yielding the Philippines’ sovereign rights, according to critics. — Kristine Joy Patag
THE 16th President, Rodrigo R. Duterte waved the Philippine flag, from the same spot as the first president of the Philippine Republic did a hundred years ago.
As Mr. Duterte proudly hoisted the tri-color, a young boy sang the opening verse of the Philippine National Anthem รก capella, later to be joined by a choir. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra surged through the song for a heartwarming crescendo. The crowd burst into cheers, “Mabuhay and Pilipinas.”
A group of veteran soldiers from Cavite, who squeezed themselves through the crowd to get a better view of the President, quietly wiped away their tears.
“We mark a hundred years of learning what it takes to rise from a diverse mix of language groups, islands and regions into a self-conscious unity into what Rizal called ‘One Filipino Nation,’” Duterte said in Kawit, Cavite as the country began a weekend fiesta to mark a 120 years since declaring independence from Spain.
On Tuesday morning, Duterte has just started his speech apologizing for arriving late in Kawit, Cavite for the 120th Independence Day celebrations, but he was disrupted by a lightning rally.
The president was momentarily caught off guard, but then continued: “Okay lang. I will understand.”
He then proceeded to wave at the people. “Our Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and free expression,” Duterte added.
The president said that he would just turn to law enforcement officers to “deal with them peacefully” and apply “maximum tolerance.”
“We cannot agree at all times for all seasons,” the president added.
“We may not understand each other, but at least there is a common denominator: We love our country,” Duterte added.
A crowd of about 15,000 packed the Liwasang Hen. Emilio Aguinaldo to witness the reenactment of the declaration of the country's declaration of independence on June 12, 1898.
The men came in sterling barong and the women in gay baro't saya. Their parade was accompanied by the familiar strains of fiesta march songs played by small town bands.
The festivities were part of a grand celebration by Filipinos who temporarily forgot the regional economic crisis to mark the centennial of their independence.
At daybreak, church bells across the archipelago tolled for three minutes as officials gathered at key population centers for flag-raising ceremonies.
Every province, city and municipality hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for the country's achievements and blessings.
The celebration in Manila included a parade depicting the country's struggle against 333 years of Spanish colonialism, a regatta, sky-diving exhibitions and brass band competitions.
An evening of concerts and ''nationwide street dancing'' were preceded by a massive fireworks display over Manila Bay.
This is the first Independence Day rites led by Duterte, who is on his second year of presidency.
Last year, Duterte skipped the 119th Independence Day celebration at the Rizal Park as he was “not feeling well,” as said by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.
The administration of Duterte is facing strong criticism for its brutal war on drugs that claimed thousands of lives. The government is also slammed for cozying up with China at the cost of yielding the Philippines’ sovereign rights, according to critics. — Kristine Joy Patag
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