The order of President Bongbong Marcos for the singing of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and the reciting of the pledge come at a most appropriate time.
I don’t understand why many Filipinos reject this call, and it’s not even a loyalty check for the Marcos family. No, and the sooner we realize that, the more we will appreciate this opportune time to show our patriotism and love for our country.
The order came in a Memorandum Circular (MC) directing and encouraging all government agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs) and educational institutions to integrate the recital of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and Pledge during flag ceremonies.
This is good under the Heraldic Code of the Philippines or RA 8491, “To promote reverence and respect for national symbols, such as the flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms, and other heraldic items and devices.”
When I was in my teens in the 70s, I remember a similar program which was conceived in my father’s office with the slogan ‘Walk Proud You are Filipino’ under the country’s ‘New Society.’
Those were proud years to be a Filipino indeed, what with the establishment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Philippine Heart Center, the San Juanico Bridge, the North and South Luzon Expressways (NLEx and SLEx), the Light Rail and Metro Rail Transits (LRT and MRT), the Pan-Philippine Highway and that iconic Love Bus.
I intentionally omitted the Manila Film Center because of the tragic accident in 1981 which took the lives of 169 workers, but an accident is an accident and certainly not intended by anybody – and that story is reserved for another column someday.
I see some glaring similarities between Marcos Sr’s. Bagong Lipunan and New Society and Marcos Jr’s. Bagong Pilipinas. Only those who truly have much hatred toward the Marcoses would reject a government program like this one where we can express acts of patriotism and love for country by singing a solemn anthem or reciting a pledge.
But allow me to inject a thought on the matter. Marcos Sr. declared that the ‘Philippines will be great again’ during his political campaigns and throughout his term between the years 1965 to 1969 and beyond that.
And so, farmlands were irrigated, school buildings were built, electricity reached the remote countryside, fertilizers were affordable, and the Filipino people beamed with pride.
And I believe it can be done again under President Bongbong Marcos.
The lessons on patriotism and love for country must come at an early stage for citizens, say in elementary classrooms, as we Filipinos need to be patriotic in all aspects of our daily lives. Just look at the Japanese.
They are known for this and the manner of respect they show as to bow to each other and to their flag. Filipinos could learn a lesson or two from them concerning respect, honor, and pride.
Nevertheless, the order from the President does come at a most opportune time. And if I may add, how about wearing a flag pin on your collar? This was a solitary crusade I embarked on a few years back where I pinned flag pins on several individuals at random and the imagery speaks volumes.
Today, the ‘Walk Proud You are Filipino’ has been resurrected and will see fruition for every citizen to emulate.
For after all, we only have one country to love and be proud of. Hence, let us support the call of the President. The ones who came before him after his father wore other despicable symbols and embraced other pledges.
Wake up LTO!
I concur with my Editor-in-Chief Diego Cagahastian on the problem our cities now face concerning the rampant recklessness of motorcycle drivers.
Ka Diego is so correct in saying that “hardly any day passes without a motorcycle accident in the Philippines, but mostly in urban centers like Metro Manila and Metro Cebu where most Filipinos live, work, and play.”
I couldn’t agree more, and I have to call the attention once more the Land Transportation Office (LTO). This agency must do double time to regulate the rapidly growing number of motorcycles on our streets since it has been made so affordable even to the simple daily wage earner.
But even the designated motorcycle lanes have now become imaginary because none of them stay on their lanes.
They weave in and out, side to side, front to back if only to arrive at their destination ahead of us all.
To summarize the laws for motorcyclists, here are the following: Wear a helmet at all times, whether you are the driver or the passenger. Your helmet should be certified by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and should have a Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark; stick to the designated motorcycle lanes if available.
Otherwise, you should keep to the right side of the road, especially when not overtaking other vehicles; Observe the speed limits and traffic signs posted on the road In general, the speed limit for motorcycles in the city is 60 kph and 100 kph on national highways; do not carry more than one passenger at a time (especially a baby squeezed between two adults), and ensure that your passenger is seated securely and wearing a helmet; always signal your intentions when turning, changing lanes, or stopping.
Use your hand signals or your motorcycle’s signal lights to alert other drivers and riders. There are three (3) laws one should learn before going on the road: Republic Act No. 4136 otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
Read them well.
And lastly, which boggles my mind: Avoid using your mobile phone while riding. It is illegal to use a phone or any electronic device while driving or riding a motorcycle.
Okay, but most if not all motorcycle drivers delivering stuff look at their phones while driving as well. That’s a multi-tasking risk right there.
So, is this an exception to the rule, which brings me to the question as well why passenger jeepney drivers and their front-seat passengers are exempted from the seat belt law?
Pastor or impostor?
As I write this, there is a gathering of the flock from impostor Apollo Quiboloy’s KOJC in an attempt to protect him as a Warrant of Arrest may be served any time now.
And then comes a statement from no less than Vice-president Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio saying that equal justice (or something to that effect) must be accorded to her godfather Apollo.
Well, if she’s really a sensible lawyer, then the best advice she should give to this embattled preacher is for him to surrender properly to the legal authorities, without the drama and the ‘hakot’ of his KOJC members.
This way, he can properly present himself and have his day in court. No martyr and no injustice effect should be included but only due process.
After all, if he is truly the appointed “son of God” here on earth, then he shouldn’t be afraid to face a worldly court then.
◆ ◆ ◆
Factoid: Graciano Lopez Jaena ate sardines with his bare hands, wiping them on his coat thereafter. And since his coats have aged badly because of this nasty habit, his La Liga friends bought him new ones, but Jaena pawned them instead and was stuck with his old ones still.
Comments