114th Philippine Independence Day

'The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as consecrated and honored by the people...' - The Philippine Consitution  Article XIII, Section 1'

 

It is written in   Merci Melchor's book on the Story of the Philippine Flag, that the flag we use today was designed by General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1897 during his exile in HongKong. In May 1898 before boarding the ship McCullough, bound for Manila- he was given the flag by Marcella Agoncillo, who also  sewed the flag with the help of  her daughter Lorenza and Jose Rizal's niece Delfina Natividad .

On June 12, 1898, the flag flew in Kawit Cavite during the declaration of Philippine Independence as Aguinaldo and his men defeated the Spaniards at the Battle of Alapan.

This flag today is a comibination of the Katipunan flags and blue stands for peace, truth and justice; red, for patriotism and valor; and white , for purity and equality. The three stars symbolize the island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The eight rays represent the eight provinces of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna , Batangas and Cavite who first rose in revold against the Spaniards.

Normel, Mimi and Raymond

I remember former Gov. Joseph Maranon, at one time told employees of the Provincial Capitol to display a flag on their tables. From then on, I made use of my former boss' mini flag pole until I found one last year- proudly displayed on my table day by day. Perhaps to remind me and my fellow civil servants that the flag is not just a piece of cloth, it is a symbol of our hopes, dreams of a free and sovereign people.

Today, we bring our flags as a symbol of our pride specially in the field of Sports, Culture and the Arts.

This Pledge of Allegiance should be in our hearts and minds:

Ako'y nanaumpa sa watawat ng Pilipinas, at sa Republikang kanyang  kinakatawan. Isang bansang pinapatnubayan ng Diyos, buo at di mahahati, na may katarungan, kalayaan para sa lahat.

 

It is important for us to know that flags are to be flown with the blue strip on top only to be inverted at times of war.

In a vertical hanging position, the flag is hung with the white triangle also called the union on top, the blue strip to its left.  When flown with other flags, this should be positioned higher than the rest or to the right of other flags, and when on a parade it should be in front of the other flags. 

Let us not forget, the Philippine flag should not be allowed to touch the ground.

This morning at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon grounds, civic groups joined provincial and national government employees in the flag raising ceremony. Governor Alfredo Maranon turned over P500,000.00 assistance for the Girl Scouts of the Philippines-Negros for the repair of their headquarters. He made mention in his message that we must not forget the OFW's considered as the heroes of our generation for the remittances and being number one contributor in the economy of our country. Indeed as a product of OFW parents, I  agree, they are our unsung and modern day heroes.

 

 Today , we were singing  the national anthem with  pride ...for being  born and raised a Filipino ,  I always try to be a Filipino in thoughts, words and deeds coz, indeed I am independent and I am free.

HAPPY 114TH PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY!

     BoyScouts