Breakfast, protest mark 128th Independence Day activities

Philippine Consulate officials pose with Filcom guests at the Agahang Bayan

The Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community today began the celebration of the 128^th Independence Day with an Agahang Bayan 2026, the traditional breakfast held at the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor of the United Centre in Admiralty.

Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr. led the ceremonies by welcoming the community leaders.

“Let this day be a reminder that everything we possess and enjoy is a precious inheritance entrusted by those who came before us,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his video message, one of several from government officials.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“It is incumbent for us, the present generation, to carry forward the duty of building the nation where justice, opportunity and dignity are not distant promises but the daily inheritance of every Filipino,” the President added.

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said in a video message: “Wherever they are in the world, our Oveseas Filipino Workers are living symbols of courage, industriousness and hope in every ship, hospital, home, school, construction site or office or any place fo work in every part of the world, where they show the excellence, care and discipline of the Filipino race.”

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac

The breakfast was spiced by musical numbers and raffles of an air ticket and mobile phones.

Filcom guests dance to 'Rock, Baby, Rock

As the community leaders started leaving after the breakfast, a group of Filipinos gathered at the back entrance of the United Centre where the Consulate General is located, with some of the speakers calling the Independence Day fake.

Sheila Tebia, chairman of Gabriela, said Philippine independence is fake because the poor are still not independent from poverty.

Dolores Balladares, chairman of the Unifil-Migrante, said there will be no independence until the government ends its labor export program.

Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr. listens to Sheila Tebia, chairman of Gabriela.

Consul General Israel was seen In the shaded walkway nearby, listening until the group ended their speeches and dispersed. He then proceeded to a waiting vehicle.

The protest was heavily supervised by police in uniform and plainclothes.