Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, together with Vice-Mayor Raul S. Sabangan and the rest of the Sangguniang Bayan, led Bayambangueños in the solemn celebration of the 119^th Independence Day.

The day opened with a parade around the vicinity of the Municipal Hall, with LGU employees and teachers from various schools leading the crowd in waving the Philippine flag. This was followed by a wreath-laying and volley fire ceremony in front of the statue of Emilio Aguinaldo.

In the program following the ceremony, Mayor Quiambao lost no time in driving home the point of the occasion: to honor the sacrifice that our national heroes gave in their fight for freedom from foreign occupation and to celebrate their heroism, something which he said the people should emulate and never forget.

Embarking on this year’s theme, “Pagbabago, Sama-samang Balikatin,” Quaimbao followed through with a food for thought: “Wala na ang mga dayuhang mananakop, ngunit tayo ba ay tunay na malaya ngayon?”

“Di pa natatapos ang digmaan ng kalayaan,” he said, in answer to the question he posed, “sapagkat di pa tayo malaya sa kahirapan, sa ilegal na  droga, sa kriminalidad…”

“Sana tayo ay magkaisa para sa tunay na kalayaan. … Umpisa na para maging bayani laban sa kahirapan, illegal na droga, kriminalidad…” he added.

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Bayambang Municipal Council of Culture and the Arts Executive Director Januario Cuchapin next took the stage to remind the public of the different battles waged by our ancestors in their fight for freedom, starting from Lapu-Lapu’s battle in Mactan up to the founding of the KKK or Katipunan and the eventual declaration of independence in June 12, 1896. Our history of heroism “reminds us to take pride in and emulate the patriotism of our heroes, so that their example will forever be instilled in the hearts” of the coming generations of Filipinos, Cuchapin said.

This year’s guest speaker was well-accomplished educator Dr. Domingo L. Laud, Principal IV of Cipriano P. Primicias National High School, Alcala, Pangasinan. Echoing Mayor Quiambao’s earlier query, Laud said that there are three essences of having real freedom, and these are: (1) having an identity as a nation and people, (2) operating a government that serves and protects its constituents, and (3) having improved living conditions.

Laud remarked that, in Bayambang, a new revolution is being waged, not against invaders this time, but against malnutrition, famine, poverty, unemployment, etc., thanks to the enabling leadership of Mayor Quiambao.

“Each of you is a unique individual, so you each have a significant role to play in the development of your town. You should be the change that you want to be, instead of waiting for the mayor, vice-mayor, councilors, and other community leaders in initiating change. This will make Bayambang truly Balon Bayambang,” Laud said.