Iloilo marks Independence Day in historic Santa Barbara

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Government officials, military personnel, veterans, students, and other stakeholders gathered in Santa Barbara, Iloilo on Friday, June 12, to commemorate the 128th Philippine Independence Day through flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies.

The observance honored the sacrifices of Filipino heroes and underscored the continuing responsibility of citizens to safeguard the country’s freedom and contribute to nation-building.

Philippine Independence Day commemorates the June 12, 1898, declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite, after more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule.

Hosting the celebration in Santa Barbara highlighted the municipality’s place in Philippine history.

Known as the “Cradle of Independence in the Visayas,” Santa Barbara was the site of the 1898 Cry of Santa Barbara, which signaled Panay’s support for the Philippine Revolution.

The municipality also witnessed the first raising of the Philippine flag outside Luzon and the inauguration of the Revolutionary Government of the Visayas under Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado.

Leading the ceremony were Lt. Col. Richard S. Caliva, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion, and Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, regional director of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas.

Among those present were Provincial Tourism Officer Aulynn Yue-Sin, who represented Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.; Iloilo Provincial Board Member June Mondejar; Iloilo 2nd District Rep. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta; Santa Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial; and Vice Mayor Ramon Sullano.

In her message, Yue-Sin said the commemoration holds special meaning for Ilonggos because Santa Barbara played a pivotal role in the country’s fight for freedom.

“For us Ilonggos, this celebration holds a deeper meaning. Here in Santa Barbara, the Revolutionary Government of the Visayas was inaugurated and the Philippine flag was raised as a symbol of hope, unity, and self-determination,” she said.

She added that freedom must be continually strengthened through collective action and responsible governance.

“As we reflect on our history, let us embrace our responsibility to shape the future through good governance and inclusive development,” Yue-Sin said, citing the provincial government’s continuing initiatives in education, technology, innovation, renewable energy, tourism, and local economic development.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, called on Ilonggos to reflect on the values underpinning the country’s hard-won freedom and honor the sacrifices of those who fought for independence.

She said Independence Day serves as a reminder that freedom is a legacy that must be safeguarded and strengthened by succeeding generations.

Themed “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” or “Freedom. Future. History.,” this year’s observance emphasized the link between remembering the nation’s past, protecting its freedoms, and shaping its future.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of national government agencies, including the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as public and private schools, postwar veterans, members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, civil society organizations, and local government employees.