MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. praised the participants of the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 on Thursday, stating that they made the celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day «the most memorable.»

Marcos led the Parangal ng Kalayaan 2025 ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila to honor the winners and teams that participated in the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025.

The President, joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, awarded trophies and prizes to the winning contingents in the float design and festival performance competitions.

He thanked the participants of the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 for their artistic excellence and contribution to raising public awareness of the Philippines’ profound historical events.

«Congratulations to all our participants, all the awardees, and my deepest gratitude to you for making this Independence Day celebration the most memorable,» he said during the awarding ceremony.

«I hope that the spark within you to join such celebrations never fades, never leaves your heart and creative spirit. Because when we do this, we are not just preserving our culture. We are preserving it for the next generation, but more importantly, we are living our culture. We live it with pride, joy, and purpose.»

Marcos presented trophies, certificates of recognition, and the grand cash prize of PHP2 million to the City Government of Candon’s «Cry of Candon» for winning the float design competition, and to the «Tultugan» festival of Iloilo Province and Maasin Municipality, Iloilo, for winning the festival performance competition.

The second-place winners in both competitions—the Cry of Santa Barbara of Iloilo Province (float) and the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City (festival)—also received certificates and cash prizes of PHP1 million each.

The Cinco de Noviembre float of Bago City, Negros Occidental, and the Antipolo Maytime Festival of Antipolo City—San Jose National High School—placed third, receiving certificates of recognition and a cash prize of PHP500,000.

Marcos also awarded certificates and consolation prizes to local government units that participated in the float design and festival performance competitions.

Among them were Malolos City, Bulacan Province, Aurora Province, Cavite Province, the cities of Imus, Dasmariñas, and Cavite, Cavite Municipality, Lanao del Sur Province, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Kalayaan Hall

Kalayaan Hall, located in Malacañang Palace Complex in Manila, Philippines, is a historic building that serves as a venue for official government events and diplomatic functions. Its name, «Kalayaan,» means «freedom» in Filipino, reflecting the country’s independence and democratic values. Originally built during the American colonial period, it has been renovated over the years and remains a symbol of Philippine governance and heritage.

Malacañan Palace

Malacañan Palace, located in Manila, Philippines, is the official residence and workplace of the President of the Philippines. Originally built in 1750 as a Spanish aristocrat’s summer house, it became the presidential palace in 1863 after the Spanish colonial government acquired it. Today, it serves as a symbol of political power and has witnessed key moments in Philippine history, including colonial rule, revolutions, and modern governance.

Parada ng Kalayaan

«Parada ng Kalayaan» (Freedom Parade) is an annual event in the Philippines held on June 12 to celebrate Independence Day, commemorating the country’s declaration of independence from Spanish rule in 1898. The parade features military displays, cultural performances, and floats showcasing Filipino heritage, symbolizing national pride and unity. It honors the sacrifices of heroes and reinforces the values of freedom and sovereignty.

Cry of Candon

The **Cry of Candon** refers to the historic uprising on March 25, 1898, in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, where local revolutionaries led by Don Isabelo Abaya declared independence from Spanish colonial rule. Known as the *»First Cry of the Ilocos,»* it preceded the national Philippine Revolution and symbolized the Ilocano people’s resistance. Today, the event is commemorated with a monument and an annual celebration honoring the bravery of the Candonian rebels.

Tultugan festival

The **Tultugan Festival** is an annual cultural celebration held in **Ilog, Negros Occidental, Philippines**, honoring the town’s rich sugarcane heritage. The festival, whose name comes from the Hiligaynon word *»tultog»* (meaning bamboo), features vibrant street dances, bamboo instrument performances, and showcases the community’s agricultural roots. It highlights the history of sugarcane farming in the region, which has been a key part of the local economy since the Spanish colonial era.

Cry of Santa Barbara

The *Cry of Santa Barbara* (Grito de Santa Bárbara) refers to a historic uprising that took place on September 16, 1810, in Santa Bárbara, Honduras, as part of the broader Central American independence movement against Spanish colonial rule. Inspired by Miguel Hidalgo’s *Cry of Dolores* in Mexico, it marked a key moment in the region’s struggle for freedom. Today, it is commemorated as a symbol of Honduran patriotism and resistance.

Dinagyang Festival

The **Dinagyang Festival** is a vibrant annual cultural and religious celebration held in Iloilo City, Philippines, every fourth Sunday of January. It honors the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and commemorates the arrival of Malay settlers in Panay Island, blending indigenous traditions with Catholic faith. Known for its energetic street dances, colorful costumes, and drum performances, the festival also showcases the rich heritage and devotion of the Ilonggo people.

Cinco de Noviembre float

The **Cinco de Noviembre float** commemorates the **Negros Revolution** of November 5, 1898, when Filipino rebels in Negros Occidental successfully overthrew Spanish colonial rule through a bloodless uprising. The float is a centerpiece of annual celebrations, symbolizing local pride and freedom, often featuring vibrant displays of historical figures and events. It honors the bravery of Negrense leaders and the island’s unique role in Philippine independence.