Giant flag event organizers hope to get Guinness recognition

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The organizers of last Saturday’s unveiling of what is reputed to be the world’s biggest flag here expressed optimism that they will eventually get the recognition from the Guinness Book of Records even though the flag was torn by strong winds during the event.

"As to the size, definitely we met the requirement for a new world record. But as to the recognition in the Guinness, that’s a different story because the tear (on the flag) might cause some technicalities," said Grace Galindez-Gupana, one of the organizers of the event.

Gupana is the owner of ABS Bitter Herbs, a leading sponsor of the project to make the 100 meter by 200 meter flag.

She said that despite the huge tear at the triangle of the Philippine flag, the group is still hopeful that Guinness officials will consider the attempt a success.

She said their group, along with the various local government units of the province, will repair the flag. The flag was formally unveiled before thousands of cheering Novo Vizcayanos and visitors from elsewhere at Ynordenan Hill in Barangay Bone South in Aritao town last Saturday.

Strong winds ripped a portion of the flag while it was being unfurled by some 5,000 volunteers.

Gupana said hundreds of volunteers expressed support for the repair of the flag, which weighs four tons and can cover 20,000 square meters or four football fields.

The organizers hope to break the current Guinness record held by the United States with a giant Stars and Stripes that measured 77.7 meters by 153.9 meters and weighed 1.3 tons.

Organizers said the 100-percent nylon giant Philippine flag will be brought down on Wednesday from the hill to a nearby two-hectare plain where it will be repaired and folded before it can be transported to Los Angeles, California where it will be unfurled again for the centennial celebration of Filipino migration to the US.

"Definitely, we will restore the flag to its original condition. We will not countenance that the flag will be left tattered and torn because that is our symbol as Filipinos," said Gupana.

She said such a historic event should have been a great opportunity for our national leaders, both from the government and the opposition, to unite for one common stand for the honor of the Filipino nation.

"They (national leaders) did not even bother to heed our invitation which would have been an excellent opportunity to unite our divided country. Our friends abroad even asked us if that is really the kind of leadership our country has," she lamented.

The organizers have expressed optimism that the country’s political leaders would heed their call to take part in the unfurling of the giant Philippine flag.

Organizers said that they invited President Arroyo, the former presidents of the country as well as other national leaders who can unite the divided Filipino people.

"Unfortunately, they did not heed our call," she said.

Nevertheless, even without the invited political leaders, Gupana said the event was still a success with the outstanding support of the provincial government and the municipal government of Aritao led by Mayor Ruben Sayo, as well as the participation of thousands of visitors from all over Luzon, including some representatives from the Visayas and Mindanao.