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ONE BALITA PILIPINAS | JUNE 13, 2022

THE GAME | 06.13.22

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41 floats tell story of a nation

By Norman Bordadora

IT WAS the country's most colorful and grand parade. It wouldn't come any finer.

Among the most sentimental was the reenactment of the declaration of Philippine independence by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite. The La Solidaridad float which started the Propaganda Movement was among the most applauded.

It was in Kawit where the national tricolor was first waved to the tune of the National Anthem.

President Duterte accepted the Philippine flag from former Laguna Governor E.R. Ejercito, who marched from the replica of the Aguinaldo mansion after the ''Declaration of Independence'' vignette was finished to the singing of the National Anthem.

But the stop and salute flag-raising ceremony by playing and singing the National Anthem were heard coinciding with the simultaneous nationwide flag-raising ceremonies at LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, various city, municipal and provincial halls, hotels, malls, and police stations.

A replica of the original Aguinaldo house was erected in front of the grandstand.

One touching vignette was that of the Edsa Revolution of 1986. Yellow banners and the golden replica of the Edsa Monument atop the float formed a striking contrast to the 7 p.m. sky.

The replica glistened as a red, white, and blue spotlight flooded the grandstand at nightfall.

Cory, Cory

Mr. Duterte and Mrs. Laurice Guillen, one of the special guests, smiled at each other when the People Power float rolled by the grandstand to the shouts of ''Cory, Cory,'' the flashing of Laban signs, and the upbeat strains of Mambo mambo Magsaysay.

Also, a moving sight was the military contingent which marched slowly but smartly to the bass drum and the zoom of four Philippine Air Force fighter jets, which flew by several times to the applause of the crowd.

Cadets from the Philippine Military Academy led the march of several battalions from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. They carried scores of Philippine flags, flags of the Revolution for Independence, and banners of the provincial commands.

Three Huey helicopters showered the parade with red, white, and blue confetti as they flew by several times--again to thunderous applause from the crowd.

The military parade did feature tanks and other military hardware. But the solemn march of able-bodied soldiers prompted the crowd to hail them ''Mabuhay!'' upon the coaxing of the public address announcer who bellowed ''Mabuhay ang sundalong Pilipino (Long live the Filipino soldier).''

No less colorful were the floats and theater performances about the coming of Islam and the struggle of Filipino Muslims. There were bright banners and vinta sails. Part of the floats with Islamic themes was the sarimanok.

The ''moving street theater,'' which started at the Anda Circle and moved along Roxas Boulevard before passing in front of the grandstand, crawled because the streets were clogged with people.

The parade started promptly at 2:30 p.m. but went well into the early evening.

Price of success

''This is the price of success,'' said National Centennial Commission director Luis Morales after seeing the carefully designed floats moved slowly in front of the grandstand to the applause of the barong tagalog and saya-clad crowd in the VIP section as well as the slippered class in the wings and streets.

The parade opened with a babaylan (priestess) prayer dance, followed by the Flora and Fauna Float, which was sponsored by the Social Security System.

Rollerskating dancers dressed as butterflies and nature fluttering creatures ushered in a float that showed how the Philippines was long ago.

''The Philippines was a paradise as it was blessed by God with trees, flowers and mountains teeming with life,'' read the narrator as the stylized trees, birds and mountains passed the grandstand while the butterflies on roller-skates danced around the float to disco music.

The first wildly applauded float depicted the epic battle between Mactan chieftain Lapu-Lapu and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

The two were shown fighting atop a 20-float surf while 30 other actors, dressed as native warriors and Spaniards, engaged in mock sword fights in front of the float.

P40-M price tag

''It is really a fulfilling experience and we feel very patriotic. Despite all the difficulties, we somehow managed to come up with what could be the greatest parable ever,'' said Romulo de Los Reyes, secretary-general of the Grand Centennial Parade.

De Los Reyes told the Inquirer that the parade could easily cost P40 million.

''That of course would include the conceptualization of the floats the construction of the floats, the talent fees of the actors, actresses, and other performers,'' said De Los Reyes.

He added that the NCC was able to get help from the private sector.

Joel Torre led the showbiz personalities who participated in the parade. He appeared as national hero Jose Rizal in the Rizaliana float sponsored expectedly by RCBC.

Movie and theater directors Anton Juan, Soxy Topacio, Mel Chionglo, Francis Posadas, and Celso Ad Castillo each filled in to put the show together.

The Lucio Tan Group of Companies, GMA Network, Mastercard, Visa and Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons are each sponsored afloat.

The floats also depicted visions of the country's future.

Joining Mr. Duterte in watching some 60 floats and the performance of artists were former President Fidel Ramos, former President Joseph Estrada, former President, and Pampanga 2nd District Rep.-elect Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President-elect Bongbong Marcos, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and other government officials.

The foreign dignitaries were led by Sir Silas Atopare, governor-general of Papua New Guinea. 

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