NEWSFLASH

LUNETA PARADE HIGHLIGHTS INDEPENDENCE DAY

Manila, June 11, 2000 - All is set for the nationwide celebration of the 102nd anniversary of Philippine Independence tomorrow, Monday, June 12.

The main festivities at the Luneta would remind present-day Filipinos of their duty to defend the freedom that their ancestors had fought for them.

"Sumama kayo sa amin dahil magbibigay galang tayo sa ating bayani at sa sagisag ng ating Republika, isang watawat, isang himig, at isang Republika. Hihintayin namin kayo doon (Join us as we pay tribute to our heroes and to the symbols of our Republic, one flag, one anthem and one Republic. We'll wait for you)," Secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta of the Department of Tourism (DoT) said on "JEEP ni Erap: Ang Pasada ng Pangulo," the weekly radio-television program of President Estrada.

Araneta said the Rizal Park rites will have a native touch, using extra-size figures similar to those used in fiestas in Angono, Rizal, and in Lucban, Quezon.

The 18-foot figures, she said, will depict Katipuneros, the precursors of the Philippine soldier, who fought for independence from Spanish rule.

Oscar Atendido, overall artistic director for the celebration, said musical numbers, to precede the parade, will be provided by the Waling-Waling Band and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Following the parade, he said, would be a fireworks display and a "Sayawan ng Bayan (public dance)."

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Jejomar Binay said law enforcers are prepared to provide security to celebrators.

Binay also said the MMDA will not implement the odd-even traffic scheme on June 12 since it is a holiday.