Oh, for sure, there’s definitely some drama around the June 12 holiday celebrations. Like, some people argue that it’s become too commercial—more about mall sales and vacations than remembering what our heroes did. I’ve heard teachers complain that most of us don’t even know who Emilio Aguinaldo is anymore. And honestly, it can get political, too. Some groups protest on June 12 to highlight stuff like government corruption or how some people feel we’re not really free yet because of outside influence, especially the US. I remember last year seeing on social media that some folks wanted to move the date back to July 4, when the US officially recognized Philippine independence, just to make a statement. That split gets people arguing about what freedom even means for us. So, yeah, what’s supposed to be a patriotic day can end up sparking debates about everything from history to present-day politics—just depends who you ask. My family just tries to enjoy the food and time together, but not everyone keeps it that simple. It can totally be a flashpoint for political feelings if you look past all the fireworks and parades.