ILOILO hosts 117th Philippine Independence Day and Vin D' Honneur on June 12, 2015

ILOILO will be one the spotlight on June 12, 2015 as it plays hosts to two very big events attended by no less than President Benigno PNOY Aquino III.

In the morning PNOY is set to lead the National Celebration of the 2015 Philippine Independence Day in the historic town of Santa Barbara. It is in this town that the first Philippine flag was raised (outside Luzon) after a revolt led by hometown hero Gen. Martin Delgado.

The historic Santa Barbara Parish Church and Convention where, Gen Delgado convened the junta, was given a PhP50 million restoration and make-over in preparation for the event. The town plaza and the flagpole park was also given an additional PhP11million for improvement works as the town's heritage zone will be the venue of the flag raising ceremony. It will be the FIRST National Independence Day celebration outside of Luzon.

Meanwhile, the Old Capitol Building of Iloilo will host the traditional Vin D' Honneur - the FIRST one to be held outside of Malacañan Palace. Vin d'honneur or Wine of Honor is the name of two official receptions hosted by the President of the Philippines at Malacañan Palace on New Year's Day and Independence Day.

This event will be a great showcase of the heritage building's PhP 50+ million restoration project under Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. But even before Malacañan formally announced it as the venue, the provincial government had undertaken the restoration of the old provincial capitol to its colonial architecture. It started in 2012 and will be finished this month to welcome the President, members of the diplomatic corps, political and business leaders and more, by June 12. The Vin D'Honneur is highlighted by a toast between the President and the Papal Nuncio.

Formally known as Casa Real de Iloilo, it was the official residence and office of the provincial governor starting the Spanish colonial period until the modern times.

The old Iloilo provincial capitol has undergone several structural and name changes reflective of the rich history and heritage of the province. Since it was completed during the Spanish period and became the seat of the provincial government, it was called Casa Gobierno de Iloilo, Palacio del Gobernador, Casa Real, Provincial Building of Iloilo, President Garcia Hall and Provincial Capitol of Iloilo.

It was vacated in 2003 when a modern capitol building was built next to it. And this 2015, the newly restored Casa Gobierno will be inaugurated by no less the President coinciding on a historic occasion!

CREDITS
Old Capitol Photos courtesy of Vincent Valencia
Santa Barbara church photo courtesy of Mon Sodusta
Vin D Honneur invitation photo courtesy of Nereo Lujan
Text snippets from Nestor Burgos Inquirer article

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