Behind the Philippine National Flag

June 1, 2019 Community Billboard

Each year, from May 28 to June 12, we commemorate National Flag Day as contained in Republic Act 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines and House Bill 5224.

National and local government agencies, business establishments and schools simultaneously raised the Philippine Flag on May 28, the official commemoration of National Flag Day to pay tribute to the noble heroes.

Our flag is more than a piece of cloth; it is an epitome of the life and sacrifices of noble people who shed blood and tears for our independence.

It is a symbol of peace, unity and liberty. The celebration of the National Flag Day is not just an event but a reminder for every Filipino around the world to always look back to where we came from which will guide us wherever we may be.

Filipinos are scattered around the world. According to a 2018 survey on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) by the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA), there are 2.3 million OFWs around the world.

An OFW from Singapore, Ylin Felipe said in an interview that our country will always be the best home to live in. “Sabe nga nila,there is no place like home, nandito yung family mo, sarili mong bayan pa din ang pinakamasayang tirahan”.

For several years, she can only sing the national anthem and see the flag being hoisted on television which makes her cry and remember how happy it is to live in her motherland.

“Noong nagtratrabaho ako doon, kunti lang ang oras magpahinga, kapag malapit na ang Independence Day, laman ng balita ang flag raising, syempre kapag naririnig ko yung awit ng Lupang Hinirang at nakikita ko yung pataas na bandila, maiiyak na lang ako kasi naalala ko yung pamilya ko at yung pinanggalingan ko, lagi ko nalang sinasabi sa sarili ko na uuwi din ako,” she added.

Looking back in your country is also as important as looking back in history. When we look back, we see patriots fighting and dying for our freedom.

Therefore, as we see our flag being raised in the present, we feel the blessing of independence paid for by the heroes of the past, the heroes behind the flag.

“Kahit malayo ako, baonko pa din yung pinag-aralan ko sa Pilipinas, naaalala ko pa din yung Pambansang Awit at yung importance ng respeto sa bandila,” she added.

Raising the flag is the simplest lesson taught to us in school yet the most symbolic way to honor and respect our country. As we raise our national flag and sing the national anthem, we celebrate the life of those behind our independence and we revisit the history to understand the past that illuminates the freedom we are currently enjoying and instill to us love, respect and honor to our dear motherland no matter where we are.

As Giuseppe Mazzini said, “Love your country. Your country is the land where your parents sleep, where that language is spoken in which the chosen of your heart, blushing, whispered the first word of love; it is the home that God has given you, that by striving to perfect yourselves therein, you may prepare to ascend to him”.

Samantha T. Carrera/ABN