444th Foundation Day: No work, classes in Manila on Wednesday

Work and classes in both public and private schools are suspended Wednesday, June 24, in Manila as the city celebrates its 444th Foundation Day anniversary. 

 

Proclamation 1029 issued by President Benigno Aquino III last month declares June 24 as a special non-working day in Manila. 

 

"It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies," the proclamation read. 

 

In a separate advisory issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the agency said employees working on June 24 are entitled to at least an additional 30 percent on top of their daily rate and cost of living allowance. 

 

Activities for the celebration of Manila's founding anniversary kicked off on June 15 with a week-long medical mission in several districts of the city. 

 

The city government has also held the 2015 Barangay Awards, a concert at the Rajah Sulayman park dubbed Manila Youth Rocks, and Manila's Got Talent as part of its annual celebration. 

 

On June 24, the city government has scheduled an 8 a.m. thanksgiving mass at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros. 

 

This will be followed by wreath-laying ceremonies at the tomb of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in Intramuros, and the statue of Rajah Sulayman in Malate. 

 

Legazpi, the Philippines' first governor-general, declared Manila as the capital city of the country in 1571. 

 

The 1st Mayor Erap Interzone Ten Ball tournament is also scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. in the Senator Arturo Tolentino Sports Complex. 

 

The new Miss Manila will also be crowned at 7 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

 

According to its website, the proceeds of Miss Manila 2015 will go to the Ospital ng Maynila, and the dialysis center of MARE Foundation, a non-profit institution headed by Dra. Luisa Loi Ejercito-Estrada, wife of former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada. -Katherine Charmaine Alvarez/NB, GMA News