The municipality of Maribojoc commemorated the 113 th Philippine Independence Day with simple yet momentous rites. Maribojocanons where already at the Maribojoc Presidencia grounds as early as 6:00 a.m. to witness the raising of the Philippine Flag at exactly 7:00 a.m. by Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. and Vice-mayor Fructuoso F. Redulla, Jr. Municipal Councilor Cecilia P. Autentico conducted the singing of the Philippine national anthem with the Bohol and Maribojoc hymns. Punong barangays and their respective Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons took charged of raising the 22 Philippine flags at the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Plaza grounds. PNP Maribojoc and the Bureau of Fire Protection-Municipal Emergency Rescue Unit (BFP-MERU) sounded the serine at 7:00 a.m. sharp and the simultaneous flag raising ceremony commenced. Afterwards, everyone convened at the plaza grounds for a program. Moises Descallar led a Prayer for the Nation that prayed for the country’s woes and for the people to triumph amidst its’ many challenges.

DILG-MLGOO Ted Mascariñas gave a meaningful opening remarks. He said, “Society dictates us that whatever, individual and moral, principles we have – these will also guide us to do what is right. I hope that we could attain independence in the future for the benefit of our country, for our government, for our Maribojoc community.” Redulla gave a rousing inspirational speech during his first Independence Day message as municipal vice-mayor. “As a nation, we have gone through many ups and downs. For the Philippines to be independent, we have to build our economy. True independence is in the midst if we are being true to ourselves and have the choice to decide. As business executive Manny Pangilinan said – we have to change our way of thinking and the way we do things, more suited to us, Filipinos.” Mayor Evasco commended Redulla for his critique on the country’s current condition. “His assessment reminded us that our country is far from what our ancestors aspired for ‘vis-a-vis’ other nations. Our fight for freedom and independence is far from over.” Saint Vincent Institute student Kristel Empleo sung “Magkaisa;” one of the 1986 People Power Revolution’s signature songs written by   Tito Sotto , arranged by Homer Flores and rendered by Virna Lisa Mananzan. M embers of the Maribojoc Children’s Cultural Dance Group coming from Santa Cruz Elementary School performed “Kuradang,” a lively festival dance performed during celebrations.

A floral offering to the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument was made simultaneously with a mass singing of the “Ako ay Pilipino, Pilipinas Kong Mahal and Bayan Ko” medley. Wreath offerers included municipal councilors Lalai E. Pohl, Dodong Arangoso, Boyet Castilla and Poypoy Evasco as well as school administrators Alberta Patulin and Mercy Besa. Liga ng mga barangay president and ex-officio municipal councilor Marcial S. Quiwag gave the closing remarks. Poblacion punong barangay Arnulfo D. Turco, Jr. was the affair’s master of ceremonies. Turco announced during the celebration the national government’s massive reforestation project of planting 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares of land in the country 2011 to 2016. All 22 barangays will have a simultaneous tree planting come June 25 in their respective barangays. On the other hand, the municipality has long been implementing the national greening program through Executive Order No. 10, series of 2007 where it launched the Maribojoc Trees for Life Program (MT4LP) and organized the MT4LP management board.