It’s Independence Day—the day we can celebrate our country’s trials and tribulations. Now, how can we enjoy the holiday? Sleeping in or watching films like “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis?” These are valid options. But it would be terrible, terrible, if we miss a mañanita at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Our country’s 122nd birthday is definitely something worth celebrating. On Jun. 12, you can do that at the grand mañanita happening at the University Avenue, UP Diliman.

The Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) takes a page out of Sen. Francis Pangilinan’s Twitter. For this year’s Independence Day, CONTEND is holding a grand mañanita to junk the Anti-Terrorism Bill. “Magsuot ng BLACK at magdala ng party accessories! Takits,” reads their Facebook post.

WE ARE ALL INVITED!#JUNKTERRORBILLNOW pic.twitter.com/4ROHm7WcPe

— mayka 🍉 (@maykamaykaba) June 9, 2020

Recently, Sen. Pangilinan advised protestors to call their future gatherings a mañanita. “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!”

Although, GMA News’ Joseph Morong asked Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque if it’s okay to hold mañanita this Friday. “Hindi ko po alam kung ano yung sinasabi niyong mañanita, pero bawal pa po ang pagtitipon ng higit sa sampung tao,” replies Roquie. Group yourselves by 10s during a mañanita, we suppose.

Sen. Pangilinan’s tweet references Major Gen. Debold Sinas’ May 8 birthday party. In his tweet, he also refers to the arrest of Cebuano activists last June 6. This happened right after the arrest of jeepney drivers protesting their rights in Caloocan City.

If you want to celebrate Independence Day right, go to this grand mañanita. Our national heroes would probably applaud in their respective graves.

Art by Tine Paz Yap