Uniformly marked by flag-raising rites, patriotic speeches from local officials and other stakeholders, and centerpiece displays to impact the meaning of the day.
On this the 119th anniversary, SM City Clark’s usual partner in its celebrations, the Philippine Air Force contingent at Air Force City here went the extra mile.
The PAF marching band made the accompaniment in the singing of the national anthem as confetti and a burst of colors filled the air after the Philippine flag was hoisted by a coterie of officials led by Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales.
Also in attendance were Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) president Josh Go, elements of the PAF Civic Military Operations wing led by its director Major Jess Cabusa, Angeles University Foundation president Joseph Angeles, and SM personnel led by its mall manager Andrea Madlangbayan and AVP for marketing Jeff Suarez among others.
The PAF mounted an exhibit of its assets not only in celebration of Independence Day but to commemorate its 70th anniversary with the theme “PAF @ 70: Partnering For Change and Sustaining the Effort Towards a Jointly Engaged Transforming Force For Greater Peace and Security.”
The PAF said the exhibit is meant to showcase the state-of-the-art facilities, services and equipment of the service branch in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“The activity serves as an avenue for the airmen and airwomen of the Air Force to educate and inform the public about its capabilities and mission,” PAF 1st Air Division Deputy Commander Brigadier General Antonio Ramon Lim said in a statement.
“This year’s theme has clearly shown our initiatives to work with organizations and institutions that will help promote the PAF, the vanguard of our territorial skies,” Lim added.
“Although the past few weeks have been a roller-coaster ride for the AFP bearing in mind the country’s current security situation, opportunity like this should not be missed considering the enormous impact it would give to the public,” the official added.
The PAF exhibit will run until June 15.
