SM City San Jose del Monte Celebrates Independence Day
A meaningful celebration of Pinoy Pride was held yesterday at SM City San Jose del Monte in Bulacan as it commemorated the 120th Philippine Independence Day.
The Independence Day program started at 9 a.m. sharp when mall employees, tenants, affiliates, and partner agencies showed up in traditional Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana costumes as a sign of nationalism.
Entrance of Colors
The invocation was led by members of First City Providential College Baliktanaw Performing Arts who sang the Tagalog version of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer. This was followed by the entrance of colors under the leadership of the mall’s security forces together with the San Jose Band.
The ceremonial singing of Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem, was led by the grand winner of the Bulacan X Factor, Famela Anne Aglabtin. She also gave an unforgettable performance in her rendition of Anthony Castelo’s Daking Lahi.
World-Class Dancers
Members of the Baliktanaw Performing Arts displayed the world-class talent of Filipinos as they danced the Jota de Paragua that originated from Cuyo, Palawan. The women waved their manton, or decorative shawl, while the men held bamboo castanets. The dance came from the Spanish capital of Seville and was adopted by the people of Palawan.
Also present at the event was Tungkong Mangga Barangay Captain Bernardo Medina who thanked SM Supermalls for remembering this important holiday. He was joined by Assistant Mall Manager Nelson Lopez who said Filipinos should always be grateful and honor the Philippine Flag since it symbolizes our triumph and independence.