SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. yesterday led the 126th Independence Day celebration in Kawit, Cavite.

The senator, together with together with Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla Jr, Cavite 1st district Congressman Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III, and Kawit, Cavite Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo, spearheaded the flag-raising rites at the balcony of General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Bgy. Kaingen, Kawit.

Revilla, Remulla, Aguinaldo, and Alvin Alcid of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) offered a wreath at the tomb of General Emilio Aguinaldo at the back of the shrine on the first part of the program.

“Di ko maiiwasang magbalik-tanaw, na dito sa pinagmamalaki nating lalawigan, isinilang ang ating kasaringlan 126 taon na ang lumipas, dito rin mismo ginunita ang 100 taon ng ating Kalayaan, taong 1998 ng makilahok po tayo dito sa lalawigan ng Cavite bilang ama ng lalawigan, bilang gobernador sa pag-alaala sa mga kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno,” Senator Revilla said in his speech before the crowd at the balcony of the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine.

Mayor Aguinaldo, who was the guest of honor in the event, led the ribbon-cutting of the exhibit Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo/Kawit Tourism’s “Paglulunsad ng Eksibisyong Mga Sayang Pumilaylay: The Lilith Reyes-Perez Collection,”

Around 5,000 civic groups and local leaders joined the traditional kilometer long socio-civic parade from Potol-Magdalo to Zeus (Binakayan-Kanluran).

Several programs were also be held at the Freedom Park such as the Kalayaan Cultural Show and Kalayaan Trade Fair.

A Kalayaan Music Festival organized by the senator and his son, Congressman Jolo Revilla, and Mayor Aguinaldo was launched at the Freedom Park featuring Flow G, Al James, Moonstar88, Imago and 6Cyclemind.

In Gapan City, Nueva Ecija fourth district Rep. Emerson “Emeng” Pascual and younger sister City Mayor Emary Joy D. Pascual led the 126th Independence Day celebrations at the city’s heritage site dubbed “Lumang Gapan” yesterday.

Rep. Pascual said this year’s celebration was “historic” because it was the same site back in the olden days of the first “casa municipal” in Nueva Ecija.

He said the “war that was waged against our oppressors 126 years ago was already finished and the new battle has now shifted into a different kind of war and that is “helping those in need conquer poverty.”

“Lumagpas na po tayo sa pagbubuwis na buhay para lamang makapaglingkod sa ating Inang-Bayan, ngayon po sa panahong ito kaya nating ipagpatuloy ang obligasyong na iyon, na paglingkuran at mahalin ang ating Inang-bayan sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan, Patuloy po ang ating giyera magbuhat nuong 126 taon nating Kalayaan. Giyera para sa pakikipaghamok sa buhay upang makatulong sa ating kababayan,” the congressman told hundreds of those gathered at the “Lumang Gapan” site located along Jacinto and Delos Reyes streets in Bgy. San Vicente.

Joining the Pascual siblings in the celebration were members of the Free Masonry led by District Deputy Grand Master Ruben “Jay” Ilagan III, Vice Mayor Inocencio “Dodong” Bautista Jr., members of the City Council, city hall workers, barangay officials, members of the police and fire department and other invited guests. With Steve Gosuico

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Dennis Abrina