MANILA Mayor Maria Sheilah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan — or simply called Mayor Honey Lacuna — invites all residents, local government officials, employees and everyone with connections to the nation's capital to join the city's 453rd founding anniversary today, June 24, 2024.
A nonworking day in the city by virtue of Proclamation 599, signed on June 19 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Lacuna says the celebration is significant as 453 years have shaped Manila into its stature as the capital of the Philippines, touted as the Pearl of the Orient Seas.
"It is but fitting and proper that the people of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration," the President said in his proclamation.
From a series of activities since May 31, "Araw ng Maynila" culminates in wreath laying at the Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, followed by a civic and military parade.
"To all our partners, both private and public, who have helped us serve the city, thank you very much," Mayor Lacuna said.
The mayor expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed to Manila's growth and leadership among Philippine cities, exhorting citizens to "be proud of the city where you were born, raised, educated, built families and serve."
Manila is one of 16 cities and one municipality comprising Metro Manila or the National Capital Region. It occupies an area of 38.55 square kilometers, bound to the west by Manila Bay.
The capital city is divided into 897 barangay or villages. Each barangay has its own chairman and seven councilors. For administrative convenience, all villages in Manila are grouped into 100 zones, divided into 16 districts.
Recognition of outstanding Manileños
Through the years, celebrating the founding anniversary of the nation's capital has always been a season of glee, pompous ceremonies and recognition of outstanding Manileños, showcasing the culture and heritage of what used to be called the Paris of the East.
This year, besides exemplary individuals, Gawad Manileño has also recognized the city's top taxpayers and employers at the Metropolitan Theater on June 17.
Leading the honorees is San Miguel Corp. Chief Executive Officer and President Ramon Ang for his being a paragon of civic and social engagement not only in Manila, but the whole country as well. He is bestowed the Gat Andres Bonifacio award — the highest honor the City of Manila can extend to an outstanding Manileño. Ang grew up in Tondo.
Maria Rosario "Charo" Santos-Concio is honored as Outstanding Manileño in Movie Acting.
Also honored are Paul John Dalistan Lee for Sports, Emilio Yap 3rd for Mass Media, architect Froilan Robas for Culture and Arts and Esperanza Cabrera for Higher Education among others.
Top Realty Taxpayers are Asian Terminals Inc., Manila North Harbour Port Inc., Megaworld Corp., SM Prime Holdings Inc., International Container Terminal Services Inc., Robinsons Land Corp. and Petron Corp.
Top Business Taxpayers are International Container Terminal Services Inc., Mercury Drug Corp., Asian Terminals Inc., Manila North Harbour Port Inc., Puregold Price Club Inc., Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Golden Arches Development Corp.
Outstanding Employers for Manileños are Jolly Management Solutions Inc., Acabar Marketing International Inc., Fieldmen Janitorial Services Corp., Topserve Service Solutions Inc. and Sanford Marketing Corp. (SM Savemore).
The city government of Manila has also given recognition to its employees who have stayed with the local government unit for at least 25 years in this year's City Service Loyalty Awards at The Metropolitan Theater on June 13.
Lacuna and Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto has formally presented 263 awardees with 25 years of service, 158 awardees with 30 years of service, 52 awardees with 35 years in service and 12 awardees with 40 years in service.
The local chief executives has also given honor to 11 awardees with more than 40 years of service to the city, and are currently due for compulsory retirement.
Felimon Sanchez from the Department of Engineering and Public Works is conferred as the top awardee with 45 years in service.
Other noteworthy activities within founding anniversary month
The City of Manila has participated in the simultaneous flag raising ceremony at Rizal Park and Manila North Cemetery in celebration of 126th Philippine Independence Day on June 12.
Mayor Lacuna has joined President Marcos Jr. and the first family in the flag raising ceremony and wreath laying ceremony at Rizal Park while Vice Mayor Nieto has joined Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at Mausoleo delos Veteranos dela Revolucion inside the Manila North Cemetery.
The annual celebration, with this year bearing the theme "Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan." (Freedom. Future. History) has been held in a total of seven different locations across the country.
Manila has honored Gat Jose Rizal during his 163rd birth anniversary on Wednesday, June 19 at the Rizal Monument.
The mayor is joined by the Deputy Commander of Naval Logistics Center Cpt. Perceeval Buted during the flag raising and wreath laying ceremony.
Representatives from different commissions and organizations such as the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Parks Development Committee, The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the Philippines and Order of the Knights of Rizal also joined the wreath laying at the historical park in the city.
On Sunday, the new Miss Manila has been crowned at the Metropolitan Theater.