Celebrating Philippine independence<\/p>\n
June 12, 1998, marks the centenary of the declaration of
\nPhilippine independence from Spain, perhaps the most awaited
\nevent in Philippine historiography since the end of American
\ncolonial rule in 1946.<\/p>\n
This year's June 12 commemoration is the climax of five years
\nof hectic preparations and a flurry of centennial-related
\nactivities organized by the Philippine Centennial Commission
\n(PCC) and various \"centennial movements\" and organizations that
\nhave sprouted worldwide since the formation of the PCC in 1994.<\/p>\n
The published calendar of activities for this centennial year
\nalone lists more than 100 events in locations as far away as
\nToronto and Colombo.<\/p>\n
The event is expected to be celebrated by millions of fiesta-
\nloving Filipinos the world over with singing, dancing, parades
\nand processions from Beijing to Bonn, from Jeddah to Singapore.<\/p>\n
A number of heads of state, heads of government and high-level
\nenvoys from neighboring countries and other friendly states will
\nbe participating in the June 12 festivities in the Philippines.
\nIndonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas will represent
\nPresident Habibie at the centennial ceremonies in Manila.<\/p>\n
President Fidel V. Ramos will lead the singing of the
\n100-year-old national anthem and the raising of the Philippine
\nflag in Kawit, Cavite, where the country's first president,
\nGeneral Emilio Aguinaldo, 100 years ago proclaimed independence
\nfrom Spanish colonial rule and unfurled, for the first time, the
\nPhilippine flag.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch the
\ngrand centennial parade, which will take place near historic
\nLuneta Park, where Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal was
\nexecuted by the Spanish Guardia Civil in 1896.<\/p>\n
This year, the Philippines is expecting an influx of local and
\nforeign tourists who want to retrace history by visiting newly
\nrestored historical sites in a so-called \"Centennial Freedom
\nTrail\", a network of historical sites relevant to the Filipino
\nquest for freedom.<\/p>\n
The activities for the centennial celebration have been
\nenvisioned to emphasize not only the historical and political
\naspect of the centennial but also the transformation of the
\nPhilippines into a globally competitive economy, in recognition
\nof what the country has done with its hard-won freedom.<\/p>\n
The Philippine centennial exposition, EXPO PILIPINO, has been
\nbuilt in the former Clark air base in Pampanga to showcase this
\nthrust on June 12.<\/p>\n
The 60-hectare exposition site features the best of the
\nPhilippines' precolonial and colonial past and the Filipinos'
\nvision of the future.<\/p>\n
EXPO PILIPINO houses an ongoing sprawling commercial trade
\nexhibit, where companies from various countries have displayed
\ntheir products and services.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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