Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan: DepEd Champions History and Unity in 127th Philippine Independence Anniversary
As the nation proudly commemorates the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Department of Education (DepEd) takes on a proactive role in honoring our history and empowering our youth. This year's theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan”, captures the essence of the celebration—freedom, future, and history—woven together to guide a nation rising from its past and marching into its future.
📜 Honoring Independence Through Action, Not Just Memory
Grounded in Proclamation No. 110 (s.1963) and Administrative Order No. 23 (s.2011), the Department of Education is once again joining forces with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to breathe new relevance into our national observances. Far from a symbolic routine, this year’s celebration—spanning May 28 to June 30, 2025—serves as a catalyst for education, national pride, and civic consciousness.
According to the NHCP, commemorations like these must go beyond fanfare and should spark historical awareness and social responsibility, especially among the youth who represent the future of the Filipino identity.
🎓 Schools as Guardians of National Consciousness
DepEd’s commitment to this celebration extends deep into every classroom, office, and school community. Schools will not only mark June 12, 2025, with a simultaneous flag-raising ceremony, but will also organize activities that inspire deeper reflection: flag displays, forums, symposiums, and story-sharing sessions that bring out the values of heroism, unity, and patriotism.
Teachers and students will take the lead in these efforts, reinforcing national identity through Araling Panlipunan-focused discussions and daily flag ceremonies highlighting personal reflections on freedom and sacrifice.
According to UNESCO, civic education paired with historical consciousness plays a pivotal role in shaping democratic societies. DepEd’s strategy taps directly into this by engaging students as active participants rather than passive observers of history.
🏛️ Empowering the Public Through Government-Community Synergy
A centerpiece of the activities is the “Pampamahalaang Programa at Serbisyo” exhibit, set for June 10–11, 2025 at Rizal Park, which will showcase the various public services and programs offered by different government offices. This event is an opportunity for learners and families to see how national governance reflects the aspirations of our forebears and how citizens can be empowered through participation.
The initiative emphasizes that the fruits of independence—education, infrastructure, social services—are living legacies of our heroes' sacrifices, and not just historical milestones.
🎉 A Nation Celebrates: Flags, Parades, and Collective Pride
On June 12, 2025, communities across the country will unite in a simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at 8:00 a.m., taking place in schools and historic locations. It’s a powerful gesture of unity, anchored in the Filipino spirit of resilience and remembrance.
In Manila, the vibrant “Parada ng Kalayaan” will once again fill Rizal Park and the Quirino Grandstand with life, as local government units (LGUs) and education sector representatives honor the sacrifices that birthed a nation. With drumlines, traditional costumes, and heritage floats, this event fuses culture and civic pride, reinforcing what it means to be a Filipino today.
💼 Empowering Teachers Without Burden
In accordance with DepEd Order No. 53 (s.2003) and its addendums, teachers participating in weekend or holiday activities will receive service credits, ensuring that their dedication is acknowledged. Additionally, participation is voluntary, and must not compromise classroom instructional time as mandated in DO 012, s. 2025 and DO 9, s. 2005.
Support and logistics, including travel and meal allowances, will be covered under the Building Partnership and Linkages Program (BPLP) and respective local government unit (LGU) funds, per Memorandum Circular No. 2025-027.
❤️ A Month of Unity Rooted in Shared Identity
By extending the celebration over an entire month, DepEd underscores that Independence is not merely a moment, but a mindset—one that links our past struggles to our current responsibilities and future ambitions. It is through these community-wide, learner-centered activities that we cultivate a collective consciousness grounded in freedom, informed by history, and inspired by a better tomorrow.
As DepEd actively takes part in the Kalayaan 2025 celebrations, it upholds its mission not just to educate minds, but to shape citizens—Filipinos who know where they come from, believe in who they are, and commit to building a nation worthy of its past.
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