By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Bacolod City government will mark the 128th Philippine Independence Day on Friday, June 12, with athlete Brianna Nikola Ang as the guest of honor and speaker.

The commemoration rites will be attended by city officials led by Mayor Greg Gasataya, department heads and representatives from various government agencies.

The program will begin with a simple flag-raising ceremony at 7:00 a.m.

This year’s theme is “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan.”

Ang is the team captain and middle blocker of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts.

Gasataya said they invited Ang to serve as guest speaker because the city is promoting sports tourism.

“We are trying to give our youth the opportunity to deliver their message to us,” he said.

He added that Ang has brought great honor to Bacolod and serves as an inspiration to the youth through sports.

The mayor also expressed gratitude to Ang’s family and Bacolod Tay Tung High School for allowing her to be the guest speaker at the 128th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

Gasataya noted that this year’s activities will be held at the Bacolod City Government Center and at a mall in the city.

He said that in previous years, the event was held at the Bacolod Public Plaza, but the venue is currently undergoing renovation./MAP, WDJ