Hundreds of cyclists, advocates to ride for freedom

All roads will lead to Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds on June 12, as hundreds of cyclists and advocates raise the flag of freedom on Independence Day to stop human trafficking and promote road sharing.

The Independence Day Freedom Ride is a bike ride event organized by advocate group Dakila, in partnership with Centralian Cruisers Cycling Club (C4) which aims to raise awareness on human trafficking and to promote road sharing in Iloilo with the tour of the six district plazas.
The first Independence Day ride in Iloilo was held on June 12, 2013, and participated by more than 500 cyclists.

“We believe that while it is important to celebrate our freedom from colonial rule, it is also important for us to realize that many Filipinos are still enslaved. We want to celebrate our 117th year of independence by continuing the fight for the freedom of others,” Allyn May Canja, coordinator of Dakila-Iloilo said.

“Human trafficking is a serious problem especially in our country because we offer cheap labor. A lot of times we only see women being trafficked for sexual exploitation but in fact, human trafficking can happen to both men and women and for different reasons other than sexual exploitation, such as forced labor. There are even cases of professionals such as doctors who experienced being trafficked,” Canja added.

Freedom Ride is meanwhile part of the "Stop. Look. Listen" campaign of Dakila to popularize the 1343 Anti-Trafficking Hotline. It was launched in Iloilo on April 20, 2013.

Every year around 300,000 to 400,000 Filipinos fall prey to human trafficking in their own country and abroad.

“We are enthusiastic about this event because aside from raising awareness on human trafficking, we also get to promote our cause which is road sharing, and to transform Iloilo City into a more bike-friendly city. We will be riding our bikes for freedom from human trafficking. In a way we feel like we are using our own advocacy, to promote another advocacy.”Biking advocate Daniella Caro said.

The Freedom Ride is part of the Project Freedom Campaign of Dakila, which aims to raise public awareness on Human Trafficking and empower advocates and citizens to become watchdogs in their own communities by driving them into action through grassroots involvement and amplified action through mainstream and digital media.

The Freedom Ride is free and open to the public. This year’s Independence Day Freedom Ride will start at 3:00 p.m. from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds and will pass through the six plazas representing the six districts of Iloilo City.


SM City Iloilo to hold flag-raising activity June 12


In support and commemoration of the 117th Philippine Independence Day, SM City Iloilo will hold a flag-raising ceremony on June 12, 2015, 9 am at the front covered walk of the mall.

This undertaking is being held annually by SM City Iloilo, along with the other SM Supermalls in the Philippines.

SM Supermalls nationwide have been celebrating Philippine Independence Day by way of cultural performances that bring our history and Filipino heroes to life.  A showcase of various forms of Philippine dance in Panay will celebrate grace and creativity that is innately Filipino at SM City Iloilo. The mall will also hold this momentous occasion in our history with an exhibit that will be initiated by the 3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army during the week leading to Independence Day.

A giant centerpiece will be unveiled on June 11, 1 pm at the Event Center.
SM Supermalls is proud to celebrate our Philippine Independence with the rest of the country.


For any information about this event, you can check out the official FB page of SM City Iloiloor call marketing Department at  320 9609 local 128./PR

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