The Philippine Embassy in Singapore is marking the 128th anniversary of Philippine independence this week, with National Flag Days running from 28 May to 12 June. The centrepiece for the community is Fiestang Pinoy at Suntec Singapore, Hall 406.
If you are planning your week, here is the shape of it.
Fiestang Pinoy at Suntec
Fiestang Pinoy is the family day: food stalls, performances, and community booths under one roof at Suntec Hall 406. Suntec has lifts, seating, and aircon, which makes it the easy choice for taking lola, lolo, and small kids. Take the MRT to Esplanade or Promenade and walk in through the underground link to stay out of the sun.
The embassy confirms the venue and the occasion on its official channels. The full programme and timings land closer to the date on the embassy Facebook page. Set a reminder and check the morning of.
The flag-raising
The 12 June flag-raising is the formal start to the day. It runs early, before work for most kababayan. If you are bringing older family, skip the flag-raising crowd and start at Fiestang Pinoy instead.
Food around Independence Week
Several Filipino restaurants run Independence-week menus, and the embassy has launched a Filipino food guide for Singapore, "Flavors of Diplomacy." For where to eat, our Filipino restaurants directory maps the spots from Lucky Plaza to the heartlands.
Before you go
Confirm the day's programme and timing on the embassy Facebook page the morning of.
Bring water and a change of clothes for toddlers. Halls get warm.
Public transport beats driving around Suntec on a weekday.
Kalayaan here is not the kind of holiday that empties the office. Most of us work that Friday. Fiestang Pinoy is the part you bring the family to.
Hero image: "Rizal Park - Jose Rizal Monument and flagpole base (Manila; 12-31-2019).jpg" by patrickroque01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rizal_Park_-_Jose_Rizal_Monument_and_flagpole_base_(Manila;_12-31-2019).jpg).
