Celebrating Independence Day should be festive and vibrant, because this is the time when our country became free from the 300-year Spanish regime.  My son have been bugging me for years already that we have to celebrate Independence Day.  I would like to go to Aguinaldo shrine in Kawit, Cavite so that Kib will see where the Philippine flag was first shown in public and the Philippine National Anthem was heard, but then, laziness strikes, haha.  Nakakatamad mag-drive kapag malayo ang pupuntahan.  I miss my mom during these times that I wanted to go to several places.  She is our travel buddy.

Anyway, Jollibee, the Philippines' number 1 fastfood chain, threw the biggest, star-studded Independence Day celebration last June 11, 2016 at the Metrotent in Pasig City.  We were blessed to be invited to this joyous event to celebrate Pinoy Pride.  This event brought together world-class Pinoy talent in welcoming the 118th anniversary of national independence.

It can be concluded that the Jollibee #PinoyAndProud: 2016 Independence Day Celebration and Countdown was successful.  The event featured the performances of the brightest OPM stars, including Sarah Geronimo, Darren Espanto, KZ Tandingan, Lyka Gairanod, Darlene Vibares, JK Labajo, Itchyworms, and Spongecola.  Jollibee celebrity endorsers such as Jodi Sta. Maria and her son Thirdy and the Legaspi family (Zoren, Carmina, Mavy and Cassy) were also there to join in the countdown.

Here are some of the highlights of the event:

The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1 finalist Darlene Vibares impressed the crowd with a powerful solo performance.

The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1 winner Lyka Gairanod’s passionate rendition of “Iisang Lahi” inflamed the audience’s #PinoyAndProud spirit

Darren Espanto and KZ Tandingan perform Jollibee’s latest anthem, “Sarap at Saya,” which celebrates the joys of being Pinoy and aims to rekindle national pride.

The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1 finalist Darren Espanto performed tracks from his studio album “Be With Me.”

Pop Princess Sarah G. and teen singing sensation Darren Espanto performed the iconic jingle “Beeda ang Saya” with Jollibee

YouTube sensation Balang performs an energetic number with Asia’s Got Talent and #PinoyAndProud dance crew Jr. New System

Jollibee endorser Elmo Magalona takes the Jollibee #PinoyAndProud stage with a rendition of his late father’s classic rap hit, “Mga Kababayan Ko”

The Itchyworms brings the crowd to their feet with their OPM tunes at the Jollibee #PinoyAndProud 2016 Grand Independence Day Celebration and Countdown

Long-time Jollibee endorser and Pop Princess Sarah G. wows the crowd with her hits at the Jollibee #PinoyAndProud 2016 Grand Independence Day Celebration and Countdown.

One of the most anticipated acts in the Jollibee #PinoyAndProud 2016 Independence Day Celebration and Countdown, Sponge Cola’s red-hot rock set fires up the crowd

• Wear your Pinoy Pride --  Jollibee and Uniqlo partnered once again on creating a collection for the Filipinos' well-loved food chain.  Starting June 20th, the new Jollibee x Uniqlo T-shirts will be available in all Uniqlo stores nationwide.  The new collection features five new designs and it was showcased during the countdown celebration featuring three new different styling collections (leisure, summer, denim).

• Sarap-saya Chickenjoy bonding -- For the whole month of June, our favorite Chickenjoy will be served in a limited-edition #PinoyAndProud Independence Day buckets.  The new design was introduced by the Legaspi family during the Independence Day countdown celebration.  The new Chickenjoy bucket features Jollibee and friends in their adorable Filipiniana attire.

• #PinoyAndProud Jolly Friends -- One of the highlights of the Jollibee Independence Day celebration is the grand parade featuring the Jolly Friends (Jollibee, Hetty, Yum, Popo, and Twirlie) wearing their new Filipiniana outfit for the first time ever.  It was a joy to see them wearing our national costumes with pride and they all look cute!

• Jollibee Viber sticker pack 2 -- Share the #PinoyAndProud fever with your family and friends with the Jollibee Viber sticker pack 2, which is available for download for free this month of June.