As the nation celebrates the 127th Philippine Independence Day this June 12, the vibrant community of Central Mindanao Colleges stands at the heart of what this historic occasion truly means. For CMC students, this day is not just a commemoration of our ancestors' victory against colonizers—it is a call to action, a moment to reflect on the responsibilities of being the torchbearers of our nation’s future. In classrooms and student organizations, through research projects and outreach programs, the youth of CMC are actively shaping the next chapter of our national story. Independence today is no longer about wielding weapons against foreign powers, but about confronting the battles of our time: ignorance, inequality, corruption, and climate change. These are the modern struggles, and it is the students—equipped with knowledge, passion, and purpose—who must rise to meet them. CMC has long nurtured individuals who think critically, act with integrity, and serve with compassion. As we commemorate our hard-won freedom, we must ask: how are we using our independence? Are we living up to the ideals of liberty, democracy, and national pride that our heroes envisioned? For many CMC students, the answer is found in small but significant acts—speaking up against injustice, volunteering in communities, promoting truth in the age of disinformation, and striving for excellence in academics. These acts, though far from the battlefield, are deeply patriotic. They embody the same spirit that moved our forebears to fight for our sovereignty. June 12 reminds us that freedom is not a finished achievement, but a continuous responsibility. To be truly free is to be educated, to be aware, and to be involved. As CMCians march under the banner of patriotism, may they remember that they are not merely beneficiaries of freedom—but stewards of its future. This 127th Independence Day, let us celebrate not only with flags and festivities, but with a renewed commitment to nation-building—starting in our classrooms, our communities, and our own convictions. #IndependenceDay127 #CMCianForChange #FreedomWithPurpose #YouthForTheNation #RaiseTheFlagRaiseTheFuture