On June 12, 2020, the Philippines will celebrate its 122^nd Independence from the iron hands of abusive oppressors and nations. But, it seems like history is repeating itself in our very own backyard in the time of a pandemic—independent groups and individuals are protesting against the government’s way of dealing with the crisis.

Now, how will you spend the holiday? You can sleep or binge-watch your favorite shows but, some will commemorate it extra special. A grand mañanita at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman is happening on Friday or various groups labeled it as “Independence day protest” and you know what, everyone is invited!

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan advised protestors to call their future gatherings a mañanita, a reference to Major Gen. Debold Sinas’ controversial May 8 birthday party.

 “Sa lahat ng nais mag protesta sa mga nagaganap na kapalpakan sa palakad sa Gobyerno, please lang tawaging mañanita ang pagtitipon,” tweets the senator. “Magdala ng mga bulaklak para hindi maaring arestuhin, kasuhan o managot ang lahat ng dumalo!”

Sa lahat ng nais mag protesta sa mga nagaganap na kapalpakan sa palakad sa Gobyerno, please lang tawaging Mañanita ang pagtitipon at magdala ng mga bulaklak para hindi maaring arestuhin, kasuhan o managot ang lahat ng dumalo!

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) June 6, 2020

"Inaanyahan po kayo ng Dakila bukas, sa Araw ng Kalayaan, na sumama sa #Mananita sa UP Diliman, simula 10AM. Punuin natin ang lugar ng iba’t-ibang art.

Magkakaroon din ng Creative Resistance broadcast, 5-8PM. Naka livestream ang iba’t-ibang artwork." - Atty. Pochoy Labog pic.twitter.com/wWtIcVXcnP

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) June 11, 2020

For this year’s Independence Day, protestors who will be joining the “mañanita” are all encouraged to wear black shirts and bring party accessories to hold the party.

Meanwhile, netizens called-out Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s ‘I-don't-know-statement’ in an interview regarding the mañanita protest on Friday.

“Hindi ko po alam kung ano yung sinasabi niyong mañanita, pero bawal pa po ang pagtitipon ng higit sa sampung tao…Group yourselves by 10s during a mañanita, we suppose,” Roque said in an interview of GMA News’ Joseph Morong when he asked if it’s okay to hold mañanita this Friday.

Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND-UP)  invites everyone to be part of this Grand Mañanita event this Independence day. Fight for your beliefs, voice out your rights, and make your country proud!