“Merdeka!” Freedom. “Dirgahayu, Indonesia!” Long live, Indonesia.
These words rang with pride across the courtyard of the Indonesian Embassy in Makati City on Sunday, August 17, 2025, as hundreds of voices sang “Indonesia Raya.” The hymn of independence, performed alongside the Indonesian Choir from the Adventist University of the Philippines, filled the air with a powerful sense of unity and patriotism.
As the red-and-white bicolor flag was hoisted, the emotion of the moment was shared by more than 350 Indonesians, their families, embassy officials, and Filipino friends. The ceremony was a reminder of the journey of a nation that, 80 years ago, claimed its freedom and never looked back.
The anniversary festivities culminated in a joyful “Syukuran,” a thanksgiving gathering hosted by Ambassador Agus Widjojo and his wife Ranny Widjojo. The evening became a showcase of Indonesia’s vibrant culture and young talent.
Performances included the Saman Dance of Aceh by senior high school students from Al-Azhar School in Indonesia, the angelic voices of the Kirana Teenage Choir from Surabaya—fresh from representing Indonesia at the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival 2025—and musical numbers by students from Universitas Negeri Surabaya and members of the Indonesian Diaspora Network in the Philippines.
Each performance brought to life Indonesia’s heritage of art, music, and movement—gifts proudly shared with the Filipino audience who joined the community in celebration.
The flavor of tradition
No Indonesian celebration is complete without the Tumpeng ceremony. The striking inverted cone of yellow rice, cooked with coconut milk, turmeric, and fragrant spices, was the centerpiece of the thanksgiving table. Surrounding it were a medley of traditional dishes—rendang, ayam goreng, urap, semur, teri kacang—each bite evoking memories of home and the comfort of tradition.
The ceremonial sharing of Tumpeng symbolized unity, gratitude, and the bonds of community—values deeply rooted in Indonesian culture.
In his speech, Ambassador Widjojo reflected on the significance of this milestone. He emphasized that “Prosperous People” is Indonesia’s vision and “Advanced Indonesia” its mission towards Golden Indonesia 2045, the centennial of independence.
The ambassador said the road ahead to Golden Indonesia 2045 faces both internal and external challenges. “I am confident that the spirit and fighting spirit of the heroes we have inherited can be our collective capital to overcome these challenges,” he added.
His words echoed the same conviction that has guided Indonesia for eight decades—resilience, unity, and faith in its people.
As the evening closed with laughter, music, and shared meals, it was clear that Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day was not only a look back at history but also a collective step forward toward the future.