TRENDS (27 May 2010)

Feature: Celebrating the National Flag Day on May 28

Iligan City - Reverence and respect to the Philippine flag will be accorded as the city celebrates the 122nd National Flag Day on May 28, at the Anahaw Amphi-theatre, located at Buhanginan Hills, City Hall.

City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz of Iligan and Representative of the Lone Legislative District of Iligan Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr. will lead the entrance of colors, with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and other city officials.

The Philippine National Flag Day is celebrated on the 28th day of May of every year to commemorate the date when the Philippine flag was first unfurled after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle of Alapan in 1898.

The celebration starts from May 28 until June 12, the Philippine Independence Day. All Filipinos are then encouraged to display the Philippine flag in all offices, agencies and instruments of government, business establishments, schools and private homes throughout this period provided that they abide the law governing its proper use and display, as mandated by Republic Act 8491 (The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines).

Republic Act No.8491, an Act prescribing the code of the National Flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devises of the Philippines.

The city’s celebration includes the singing of the national anthem, the Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas, the symbols of the flag and history, and the making of the flag which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.

It shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of the Filipino people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices.

The National Flag of the Philippines(Tagalog: Pambansang Watawat ng Pilipinas) is a horizontal bicolour with equal bands of Royal blue and Scarlet red, and with a white equilateral triangle at the hoist; in the centre of the triangle is a golden yellow sun with eight primary rays, each containing three individual rays; and at each vertex of the triangle is a five-pointed golden yellow star. This flag is unique in that it can indicate a state of war depending on the manner in which it is displayed.

Official sources state that the white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue field for peace, truth, and justice; and the red field for patriotism and valor. The eight primary rays of the sun represent the eight provinces which declared a state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated in the 1896 Revolution of independence from Spain, and placed under martial law by the colonial government: Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, and Batangas. The three stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The modern design of the Philippine flag was conceptualized by President Emilio Aguinaldo during his exile in Hong Kong in 1897. The first flag was sewn by Marcela Marino de Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad (a niece of Propagandista José Rizal). It was displayed in battle on May 28, 1898.

By law, the Philippine flag must be permanently hoisted and illuminated at night at the following locations: a) Malacañang Palace, the Presidential Residence; b) The Congress of the Philippines building; c) Supreme Court of the Philippines building; d) The Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila; e) Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; f) Barasoain Shrine in Malolos, Bulacan; g) Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; h) Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución; i) All international ports of entry; and j) All other places as may be designated by the National Historical Institute.

The Flag, if flown from a flagpole, should have its blue field on top in time of peace and the red field on top in time of war; if in a hanging position or displayed on a wall, the blue field should be to the right (left of the observer) in time of peace, the red field to the right (left of the observer) in time of war.

It is prohibited to deface or ridicule the flag, to dip the flag as a salute, or to add additional marks of any nature on the flag. It may not be used as a drapery, festoon, tablecloth, as a covering for objects, or as part of a costume or uniform.

Several commercial uses of the flag are prohibited, including using the flag as a trademark or for commercial labels or designs. It is forbidden to use the image of the flag on merchandise, or in any advertisement. It also may not be used as a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles;

The flag may not be displayed horizontally face-up, or under any painting, picture or platform. It may not be displayed in "places of frivolity", defined in the Flag Code as marked by "boisterous merriment or recreation."

The flag may be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. Upon the official announcement of the death of the President or a former President, the flag should be flown at half-mast for ten days. The flag should be flown at half-mast for seven days following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The flag may also be required to fly at half-mast upon the death of other persons to be determined by the National Historical Institute, for a period less than seven days. The flag shall be flown at half-mast on all the buildings and places where the decedent was holding office, on the day of death until the day of interment of an incumbent member of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate or the House of Representatives, and such other persons as may be determined by the National Historical Institute.

The largest Philippine flag (180 meters x 92 meters, or 16,560 sq.m., 3.8 tons; worth P30 million) was first unfurled on June 12, 2008, Philippine Declaration of Independence Day, at the Baguio Athletic Bowl. The Hallelujah Prophetic Global Foundation of Galindez Gupana made it from 14,000 yards of taffeta nylon and 1,250 yards of satin (for the stars and sun). This is the third largest flag in the world, next to the flag of Israel (largest according to the Guinness Institution) in Masada, Israel, which is 66,000 sq.m. and the Palestine flag (laid in Damascus, Syria), which is 27,000 sq.m.

A National Flag worn-out through wear and tear should not be thrown on a garbage heap or used as rag. It should be reverently burned to avoid misuse or desecration thereof. Government offices and educational institutions must not display worn out or tattered flags. They should replace the same immediately. (PIA LDN/NHI)


World Vision unites children in 3-day Children’s Congress

The World Vision Development Foundation (WVDF) have gathered children from various parts of the country in the “Island-Wide Children’s Congress” with the theme “Iisang adhikain ating abutin, Kakayahan at talinoy’ gamitin, Kultura’t karapatan ay pagyamanin, Pagbabago’y simulan natin!“ It was a 3-day activity held at Hotel Koresco, Cagayan de Oro City on May 25-27.

“Itong children’s congress ay annual na ginagawa ng mga bata.Sila ay nagtitipon at gumagawa ng kanilang plano. Kasama sa objective nila ay ma reinforce ang kanilang fellowship,” (This children’s congress is done yearly by the kids. They gather together to create plans. One of their objectives is to reinforce fellowship), said Libay Rigor, WVDF Transformational Development Manager.

The event is inclined towards promoting children and youth participation in nation building.

Further, the purpose of the congress is to unite different cultures from Mindanao and to inculcate the value of respecting each other’s differences. More importantly, the activity seeks to elect a new set of officers for their organization as discussed by Chara Mae Pacang, Chairperson of Mindanao Children’s Federation.

Christine Jane Luib, Vice Chairperson of WV National Children‘s Federation added, “4th congress na ni sa Mindanao. Naa sad sa Luzon og Visayas. Sa Mindanao ang venue kay diri sa Cagayan de Oro City,” (This is the 4th congress held in Mindanao. The activity is also being carried out in Luzon and Visayas as well. The venue for Mindanao is here at Cagayan de Oro City).

Regarding the processes being undertaken in the creation of the National Children‘s Federation, she explained, “Mag-start siya sa barangay nga gitawag og BCA, Barangay Children’s Association. Then, mag-elect sila sa ilang barangay og officers para sa PCA o Province Children’s Association before pa mag regional association o kaning Mindanao Children’s Association. Mag-elect napud dayon sila og mga officers, parehas sa amu gibuhat kagahapon. Ang ma-elect dayon mao ang ipadala sa national level for another election para sa National Children’s Federation,” (It starts at the barangay with the BCA, Barangay Children’s Association. After that, the BCA would elect officers for the PCA or Province Children’s Association before proceeding to the regional association; example of which is the Mindanao Children’s Association. Subsequently, those who would be elected will be sent for the national level for another election in order to create a new set of officers for the National Children’s Federation), she said.

It was accentuated further that relevant matters concerning the congress include addressing climate change to encourage children to do their responsibility in protecting the environment. There was also a “Kids Can Save” activity wherein the kids are persuaded to save money for the future. “May discussion rin kami tungkol sa mga children’s rights,” (We also have a discussion on children‘s rights), said Pacang.

The first national congress organized by the World Vision was in 1993 in cooperation with the Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) which is now known as Child Fund (CF).

World Vision is a development-oriented organization working with children, families and communities worldwide. It creates successful communities where everybody can enjoy peace, justice, security, opportunity and happiness through sustainable development, disaster relief and raising public awareness and advocating for justice. More than 116,000 poor children were sent to school by means of its Child Sponsorship Program. (Janinah Jimmin M. Molina-XU DevCom / PIA)