EDITORIAL
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has urged the public to be part of the various activities the government has lined up in observance of the country’s 126th Independence Day.
"The theme is since last year is 'Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan.' The highlight is on June 12 when a commemorative flag raising will be held. In the afternoon, a huge parade consisting of 22 floats from across the country will feature the government established by Emilio Aguinaldo as well as the towns that were part of the revolution," NHCP History Researcher II Alton Concillado said in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing over PTV4.
He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is inviting the public to witness the parade that will start at 5 p.m. on June 12 from the CCP grounds to Roxas Blvd. up to the Burnham Green across the Quirino Grandstand. A concert will be held after the parade, he added.
Simultaneous flag raising activities will be held in Cavite; Malolos; San Juan City; Caloocan; Angeles City; and NHCP museums across the country. Meanwhile, Concillado said 132 booths were opened on Monday at the Luneta Park. These booths are open to the public, allowing them to access various government services. Aside from Kadiwa ng Pangulo, medical and dental services are also available in those booths.
Last Friday, the government also staged the Musikalayaan, featuring musicians and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Presidential Communications Office said the festival-like celebrations from June 10 to 12 will be held at the Rizal Park Burnham Green in Roxas Boulevard, Manila, right across the Quirino Grandstand.
While watching Freedom Day parades and participating in government projects that directly give the public much-needed services are positive ways to celebrate June 12th, these are just trimmings and embellishments of the real celebration.
The essence of Independence Day is actually to relay to all Filipinos the relevance and importance of nationalism, love of country or patriotism, and the promotion of Filipino values, culture and way of life.
Forming part of the genuine celebration of June 12 are activities that promote the acts of honoring and respecting the Philippine flag, along with the National Anthem.
Since the first unfurling and waving of the Filipino flag after the victorious Battle of Alapan on May 28, 1898 and its official introduction to the fledgling nation in Kawit, Cavite on June 12 of the same year, the flag has remained the single most important and visual symbol of our nationhood.
Congress passed a law in 1998 — Republic Act 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines — to serve as the official guidelines on how to respect the flag, how to display it, and how to use it as the principal Philippine symbol. The law says “reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.”
RA 8491 states that the flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year. The flag ceremony shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the Philippine National Anthem, with the assembly standing in formation facing the flag.
The moment the first note of the anthem is heard, everyone in the premises shall come to attention and place their right palms over their chests; moving vehicles shall stop; those with hats shall uncover; while those in military, scouting, security guard, and citizens military training uniforms shall give salute prescribed by their regulations. Additionally, the law forbids any act or omission that mutilates, tramples, or casts dishonor or ridicule upon the flag.
Using the flag as tablecloth, drapery, or covering for ceilings, statues, and other objects; displaying the flag under any painting or picture or below any platform; as well as wearing the flag, in whole or in part, as a costume or uniform, are not allowed.
The law also prohibits adding any word, figure, mark, design picture, advertisement, drawing, or imprint of any nature on the flag.
Furthermore, RA 8491 forbids printing, painting, or attaching representations of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise or using and displaying the flag as part of any advertisement or infomercial.
Many Filipinos violate these rules on how to respect the flag, not so much as they truly want to do it, but more so because they are not aware that these provisions of the law exist.
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