Homer Hiceta
Tanghalang Overseas Pinoy (TOPi), a Filipino theatre group based in Qatar, will stage a play today in celebration of the 124th Philippine Independence Day.
A special show entitled “Para sa Bayan” (For the Motherland) will be conducted at Le Park Hotel at 1pm honouring the Philippines and its culture, TOPi Chairman Homer Hiceta told The Peninsula. He added that the event will be an intimate gathering of family and friends.
This is the first time since the pandemic started that TOPi will stage a play. “The performances come in various forms: patriotic group song, Kundiman (a genre of traditional Filipino love songs), Balagtasan (debate in verse form), instrumental music and dance collaboration from hit songs of Filipino theatre shows,” Hiceta explained.
The Philippines will mark its 124th Independence Day on June 12, Sunday. Recently, on June 6, the Philippine Embassy in Qatar commemorated the special occasion gathering government officials, diplomats, and the Filipino community altogether. A special performance by the String Quartet of the Manila Symphony Orchestra was also held.
“Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas” or Rise towards the challenge of a new beginning is this year’s theme for the independence day celebration. Activities in different parts of the world have also been lined-up to commemorate the special day.
Back in the Philippines, simultaneous commemorative programmes will be held in Manila, San Juan City, Cavite, Bulacan, Caloocan, Pampanga, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Davao City. A Socio-Civic parade will be held at 5.30am at Barangay Putol, Kawit, Cavite; and at 6.30am, a Himig Kalayaan Cultural Show will be conducted at Aguinaldo Park, also in Cavite.
Moreover, Trade Fair will happen also at Aguinaldo Park from 7am to 10pm; and the public can also enjoy free metro rail rides (MRT and LRT) on June 12. Independence Day concert at 4.30pm will happen at Rizal Park in Manila; Metropolitan Theatre’s Independence Day concert at 6.30pm, and Fireworks Display at 7pm, at Rizal Park will be conducted. The Department of Labour and Employment have set-up jobs and business fair all over the Philippines on the said day.
Meanwhile, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples will hold a virtual flag raising ceremony at 8am, and for those living abroad, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines will hold an online exhibit on their Facebook page.
