Independence Day ball, parade floats in Cebu City

FAMILIES who were nominated in the search for the 75 “families of distinction” for the 75th Charter Day of Cebu City will be honored in a Grand Independence Day Ball on Tuesday.

The event to be held at the Waterfront Hotel  and Casino is one of four events of the city government on June 12 to mark the country’s  114th Independence Day.

A budget of P.5 million was set for the ball, a Solidarity Run, civic-military parade and traditional Mass and flag-raising.

The Solidarity Run starts at 5 a.m. from Cebu Capitol Area to Plaza Sugbu.

A Mass and flag raising at Plaza Sugbo will take place at 7:30 a.m.

The parade in the afternoon will assemble  at the Sacred Heart School (old campus) with a preliminary program at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The parade will have float dioramas from the pre-Spanish era, Spanish era and Modern Cebu marking events like the “Battle of Mactan” by the San Diego company, the “Making of the Flag”  and “Battle of Tres de Abril by the University of San Carlos (USC) Theatre Guild.

The last float for the “Great Debate of Don Vicente Rama” will be done by the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

Street dancing performers are Tribu Lumad Basakanon, USC Dance Troupe and Dance Sports Committee.

Mayor Michael Rama said he hoped that the heritage, culture and values of the Cebuano “will be inculcated in the minds and embedded in the hearts of the children.”

Several streets wil be closed for the parade starting 1 p.m.

Of the half million peso budget, Councilor Leah Japson said about P350,000 will go to the Independence Day ball.

The budget which Japson presented to the council was  approved by the mayor.