Manila: President Gloria Arroyo led celebrations for the country's 112th Independence Day on Saturday in a pomp-filled ceremony which will be the last under her watch.
The celebration kicked off with a ceremonial flag-hoisting and wreath-laying ceremony to honour the country's national hero Jose Rizal at a park named after the patriot in Central Manila.
Arroyo, who was dressed in an off-shoulder Filipiniana gown, was accorded full military honours.
Some 500 guests, composed of government officials, employees and members of the diplomatic corps, took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony.
After the flag-raising activity, church bells pealed as fog horns blew at the same time as fire truck sirens to announce the start of day-long events that were simultaneously held in Manila, Cavite province, Caloocan City and Malolos City, the seat of the country's first government under President Emilio Aquinaldo.
The activity was highlighted by a military and police parade and a procession of floats that depicted the achievements of the Arroyo government.
Floats symbolising the country's first automated elections figured in the procession, as symbols of infrastructure accomplished under Arroyo's watch such as bridges, airports, communication networks and seaports.
There was also a float depicting the cessation of hostilities between the Arroyo-led government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
