Below are a series of pictures taken when an unexpected spontaneous show of patriotism occurred on June 12, Araw ng Kalayaan, Philippine Independence Day, in front of the Bahay Nakpil-Bautista.
Photography by: Michelle Ting

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista has been initiating various social-oriented activities, mostly for the neighbor’s children. One of these was the kuwentuhan series which opens the world of reading to them, sharing childrens’ stories written in, by, and for Filipinos. Almost always it is held on a weekend day on, or after a significant national holiday. Last year, we featured pictures of our celebration of the Araw ng Kalayaan. We announced the activity, gathered the children, put them in formation and sang the national anthem and pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag. This year because of the heat followed by sudden unpredictable rains, no arrangements were made.

However without any prelude, orchestration or prodding from anyone, our young neighbors so happily and proudly marched in waving our country’s flag, stopped in front of the house, sang and continued to wave their flags and marched off!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!