Cebu City to keep Independence Day rites short, parade-free

Simple and short.

This will describe the activities that the Cebu City Government has prepared to commemorate the 120th Philippine Independence Day.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said that in past celebrations, employees from government offices and students from different schools were asked to participate in a parade and walk from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to the Cebu City Hall.

“Nauwaw gyud ko (I was ashamed) after the first one. I said, ‘forget it, cancel this’,” Osmeña said. He explained that marching and walking under the heat of the sun have nothing to do with independence.

Today’s program

“I’ll just tell them to go home and watch the NBA championship on TV, they will be happy pa,” Osmeña added.

Cultural and Historical Affairs Office officer Bryner Diaz said that the celebration will start with a mass at 7:30 a.m. at Plaza Sugbo, followed by a 30-minute program with a simple presentation and a short message from the mayor.

Department heads, regional directors, civic organizations, officials and employees from the Cebu City Hall will attend the program.

There will also be a week-long exhibit at the Cebu City Museum that will showcase artifacts and paintings of Cebuano heroes starting tomorrow.

Independence Day is observed as a regular holiday in the entire country and Diaz said that the city’s program was intentionally made short so employees and officials can go home early and enjoy the rest of the day with their families. /