Simple flag ceremonies kick-off PHL’s 122nd Independence Day activities

The local government units of Manila, Kawit in Cavite, and San Juan kicked off this year’s Independence Day celebrations with simple ceremonies amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

To mark the country’s 122 years of independence, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno attended a small flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal monument on Friday morning.

PANOORIN: Executive Sec. Salvador Medialdea at Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, pinangunahan ang aktibidad sa Rizal Park para sa ika-122 taong anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kalayaan. | via @Isa_Umali pic.twitter.com/yb4KIBh4QW

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 11, 2020

Mass gatherings are currently prohibited to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, which has killed at least 1,000 people in the Philippines.

Photos and videos shared by Super Radyo dzBB’s Isa Umali showed a clean and almost empty Luneta (Rizal Park) with only a few government officials and personnel in the area.

Attendees were also greeted by hand-sanitizing and  temperature-checking stations at the entrance.

LOOK: Sitwasyon sa Rizal Park sa Maynila para sa ika-122 anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas. | via @Isa_Umali pic.twitter.com/irrgoXtHw6

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 11, 2020

Malacanang had advised that Independence Day rites in Manila will be allowed to push through provided it would be limited to only 10 people.

Meanwhile in the historical town of Kawit, Cavite, Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo likewise led a simple flag-raising ceremony at the Aguinaldo Shrine.

Mayor Aguinaldo is a descendant of Emilio Aguinaldo who became President of the Philippines after the country declared independence from Spain in 1898.

Watch: Flag raising ceremony in the Aguinaldo shrine with Kawit, Cavite Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo on the 122nd Independence Day of the Philippines. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/BQ873c6oKT

— Corinne Catibayan (@CorCatibayan) June 11, 2020

San Juan City also held a simple Independence Day celebration at Pinaglabanan Shrine, according to Super Radyo dzBB’s Mark Makalalad.

Simpleng seremonya, idinaos sa Pinaglabanan Shrine sa @sanjuancityncr bilang paggunita sa ika-122 Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas I @dzbb pic.twitter.com/ltUuNvzCbO

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) June 12, 2020

 —AOL, GMA News