As we mark the 124th year of our independence, apart from looking back at the hard work of our heroes to emancipate our people and our nation, it is also a time to celebrate our rich and diverse culture.
The Philippines is bustling and thriving with a variety of traditions and cultures that are waiting to be explored. From visual art to performances and even food, our country is bursting with riches to offer. To help us better appreciate the beauty of Philippine culture, Araneta City is marking this year’s Independence Day with offers and events under the theme Kasarinlan; Likha at Talento.
Here are some things that you can do at the City of Firsts in time for Independence Day:
Be free to show off your Pinoy Pride
Show the world how proud you are of our history, culture, and heritage. Strike a pose in front of the giant #ProudPinoy installation in Gateway Mall and show off your selfies or groufies on social media.
A Freedom Wall is also found at the Ali Mall MacArthur Lobby Entrance that will help you share to the world why you love the Philippines, complete the phrase “Ano ang iyong hangad sa bansang Pilipinas?” until June 17 to show the world how much you care for our country.
Be free to celebrate Philippine culture
From Luzon, Visayas, and down to Mindanao, we can find a variety of music, dances, and even textiles that bring color to the very fabric of our identity as Filipinos. Araneta City is celebrating all of these through various events.
First is the Tela Pilipinas Exhibit that is happening from until June 17 at the Gateway Mall Activity Area. The event is organized by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and will showcase Philippine tropical fabrics and other textile products of the country.
Also happening today is the Sayaw Pinoy performances by the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. at the Gateway Mall Activity Area (as part of the Tela Pilipinas Exhibit Ribbon Cutting ceremony), and the Musikang Pinoy performances by the Banda Kawayan Pilipinas at the Farmers Plaza Activity Area.
Be free to embrace art
For art aficionados, a live mural painting took place at Ali Mall on June 9. The activity, which was held in partnership with Gateway Gallery, had the theme “Kamalayan sa Kalayaan” and a time-lapse video will be produced out of the mural painting workshop.
You can bring home some proudly Pinoy products at the Sinag Art Fair at the Ali Mall MacArthur lobby entrance. The fair runs until June 17. You can find paintings and other forms of visual art created by Filipino artists, children’s books, merchandise that reflect Filipino artistry, and other gift items.
And for geography and map geeks, the Gateway Gallery is set to open The Maps to Freedom exhibit. Check out the exhibit for free until July 12.
Be free to receive freebies
When you dine out at Food Express, Food Plaza, Food Gallery, and Dampa until June 19, you can Try the New Lemon-Dou drink for free! Get a free can of Lemon-Dou (Signature Lemon, Honey Lemon or Devil Lemon) for every P260 single or accumulated receipt and raise a glass to our Independence.