The Singkaban Festival-inspired centerpiece for Independence Day at SM City San Jose del Monte. Singkaban is a Bulakenyo art of creating an entrance arch and other decorative materials that are mainly from bamboo.

A respectful and meaningful flag raising ceremony was held in SM City San Jose del Monte’s front perimeter along Quirino Highway as an observance of the 119th Philippine Independence Day.

Flag raising ceremony in observance of the 119th Philippine Independence Day at SM City San Jose del Monte’s front perimeter led by the mall’s Security Guards. 

At exactly 9 o’clock in the morning of June 12, 2017, mall employees, tenants, affiliates together with therepresentatives from the Local Government Unit and Philippine National Police, dressed in national costume, sang the Philippine National Anthem with all their hearts, in which passers-by and entering customers witnessed the most nationalistic activity of the year.

The ceremonial singing of the Philippine National Anthem was led by Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 finalist, Buildex Pagales. It was then followed by hisrendition of Freddie Aguilar’s song, ‘Bayan Ko’and a cultural dance performance by the First City Providence College (FCPC) Baliktanaw Performing Arts.

Gracing the event was San Jose del Monte City Councilor Joey Abela and Tungkong Mangga Brgy. Captain Bernardo Medina who both gave their inspirational speechesfor independence.

The flag raising ceremony was followed by series of cultural show inside the mall led by the FCPC Baliktanaw Performing Arts.

Inside the mall is the Kalayaan Arch – a Singkaban Festival-inspired centerpiece. Singkaban is a Bulakenyo art of creating an entrance arch and other decorative materials that are mainly from bamboo.

The Philippine Independence Day is celebrated simultaneously in SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag and all SM Supermalls nationwide as part of its commitment to be with the community. Commemorating this day should be more than just raising or waving a flag, it is a reminder of how the Filipinos stood up for solidarity, and their determination to claim independence which is inherent right of everyone, and that freedom should not be upon the discretion of foreign nation.