HOUSE CONTINGENT JOINS 2024 PARADA NG KALAYAAN 

The House of Representatives on Wednesday participated in the successful 2024 Parada ng Kalayaan, which was graced by the First Family. The event  held at the Burnham Green, Quirino Grandstand in Manila capped off the celebration for the country’s 126th Independence Day. 

The House contingent composed of about 100 Secretariat officials and employees arrived at the venue prior to the parade, donned in their brown Kalayaan 2024 polo shirt uniform designed by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA). 

Ma. Josefina Ricafort, OIC Deputy Executive Director of the Office of the Secretary-General, said House preparations for the parade started last month. 

“We wanted to show support for our Independence Day celebration and of course for the leadership,” she said. 

“It was actually the National Historical Commission of the Philippines that informed us about the activity. There were several local and national government agencies that were invited to (participate in) the celebration,” Ricafort said. 

She said the House and the Senate each sent 100 participants to the event.  For the walking contingent for the House-Senate float, she said there were 25 participants tapped from each chamber. The rest of the congressional attendees composed the audience contingent to the parade. 

Ricafort said celebrations for the country’s Independence Day commemoration is important for every one and every Filipino, especially now that the country is facing territorial issues. 

“We demonstrate our love of country and love of people. We show to them that we are strong, and we are one,” Ricafort said. 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and their sons -- Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, William Vincent “Vinny” Marcos, and Joseph Simon Marcos -- were all in attendance. 

In his speech, the President urged Filipinos “to show the world that true power is not measured by strength or wealth, but by the true meaning and righteousness of our cause, the fervor of our love for the country, and the unwavering unity of our people.” 

The grand parade started at 5PM from the Cultural Center of the Philippines grounds and featured 21 floats narrative of the events during the country’s quest for independence. 

The Secretaryship of Foreign Relations of the DFA was adjudged the Best Original Agencies and Branches of the Government float category; while the Cry of Sta. Barbara and  establishment of the Federal State of the Visayas of the Iloilo provincial government and the Sta. Barbara, Iloilo municipal government won the First Sparks of Freedom (Historical) float category.

MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA, NAG-UULAT PARA SA ARMED FORCE RADIO, BOSES NG KAWAK PILIPINO This is Terence Mordeno Grana, reporting for AFP Community News, One AFP for Stronger Philippines.