Carrying the national theme, “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong,” Xavier University is set to celebrate the 118th Philippine Independence Day on June 10.

The celebration will feature a flag-raising ceremony and a showcase of performances from various performing arts companies and artists of Xavier, to be held at the XU Covered Courts from 8 to 9 in the morning.

Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) director Hobart Savior is leading the preparations for the Friday show.

"The preparations are running smoothly," Savior said. "All the departments involved are cooperating with sense of ownership and pride with regards to the production."

The director added, "We have contemporary music arranged to score nationalism and patriotism. There is a performance which tells us about our responsibility in claiming what has been promised by our incoming administration."

Performances by XCCA artists, Soundtable, XU Glee Club, and XU Cultural Dance Troupe, according to Savior, will “promote sense of identity and pride as we stand for our independence.”

The XU Band will score the raising of the PH flag while the Xavier Reserve Officers' Training Corps will lead the Foyer Honors.

XU Senior High School classes will be also suspended from during the one-hour special.

University president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, in his message to the academic community, encouraged everyone to join the event, “Let us cherish and celebrate our freedom as one nation!”

Observed by Filipinos here and abroad, Araw ng Kalayaan is an annual holiday every June 12, commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. ∎