MANILA, Philippines - The oldest Philippine flag has less than 50 years left in its lifetime despite efforts to preserve it.
The flag is being maintained at the Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City.
General Emilio Aguinaldo, the country’s first president, raised it during the declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite exactly 115 years ago today.
But the heirs of Aguinaldo admitted that they are “struggling to preserve†the 115-year-old Philippine flag and other historic flags which revolutionaries used in their long years of struggle to obtain the country’s independence from foreign domination.
“The country’s oldest flag and another flag hoisted by Gregorio del Pilar only have less than 50 years left before they crumble into pieces,†said Emilio Aguinaldo Suntay III, one of the great grandsons of the first president, during the recent National Flag Day celebration.
Suntay said the old flags are kept in a climate-controlled room where a light emitting diode lighting system is installed and temperature and humidity are monitored to prolong their life.
The deteriorating Philippine flag is placed in a mesh that holds its delicate silk and satin fabric inside an acid- and humidity-resistant glass case.
Suntay said that if the Aguinaldo family would bring the oldest Philippine flag to the United States to be preserved, it would take decades to complete the preservation process.
“People might forget it so it is better for us to display it,†Suntay said in Filipino.
So despite the dangers that may cut short the lifespan of the flags, the Aguinaldo museum will again take the risk by allowing public viewing of the old flags in time for today’s 115th Independence Day celebration.
“Every moment that we show these flags is a moment shed out of (their) lifetime, but this is a choice that we risk only to instill their symbolism and values and the patriotism and nationalism in our hearts,†Suntay explained.
Respecting the Philippine flag in this time of incursions in Philippine territory is “probably the best time for Filipinos to internalize the message of patriotism and nationalism symbolized by the flag,†he added.
‘Flag handling 101’ for the youth
Respect for the Philippine Flag is also what war veterans want to instill in citizens, hence they spearheaded yesterday an awareness campaign aimed at educating Filipinos, especially the youth, on the proper handling of the Philippine flag as part of the115th Independence Day commemoration.
A group of World War II veterans and members of the Philippine Flag and Anthem Advocates Inc. (PFAAI) launched “Flag Handling 101†campaign at the MRT station along Shaw Boulevard yesterday afternoon, where they educated the commuting public on flag protocol and proper handling.
“The Philippine flag should always be displayed with the blue field on top during peacetime. It should never touch the ground. It should never be used in advertisements, info-mercials, or labels. Worn-out and old flags should be disposed of through burning,†Mike Villareal, corporate communication director of the Philippine Veterans Bank, told commuters.
Veterans also donated streamers and posters showing the proper protocol of flag use to the PFAAI.
The PFAAI will distribute the posters to schools through the Department of Education and the streamers through the Department of Transportation and Communications for display at LRT and MRT stations to remind the public of the importance of the Philippine flag.
“With these flag protocols prominently displayed in schools and light railway stations, the Filipino veterans, through Veterans Bank and the PFAAI, believe these will help raise awareness of and respect for the Philippine flag, especially among the youth,†Villareal said.
“Our flag is a living symbol of our country and our freedom, an agent of nationalism and social transformation. Thus, all Filipinos should respect the national flag and render to it the deference it deserves,†he added.
Celebrating Freedom Day
Meanwhile, a fun run, parade and job fairs mark the celebration of Freedom Day in Ilocos Sur and Baguio City.
The fun run will be held simultaneously in Vigan City, Candon City and in Bangued, Abra, courtesy of the Bankers Association of Ilocos Sur, Bangued, Abra.
Fun run coordinator Roland Repato of the Allied Bank-Vigan branch said the event is meant to support and strengthen people’s awareness of the significance of the Philippine independence.
“Through this, we will raise funds for our association (for) our social welfare programs for needy people and (at the same time) gain health benefits, including promoting camaraderie among banks’ employees, clients and the public,†Repato added.
The Kalayaan job fair will be held in Candon City, courtesy of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The thanksgiving mass and Independence Day flag raising ceremony, on the other hand, will be held at the provincial capitol grounds in Vigan City.
In Baguio City, the city government will hold Freedom Day activities at the Baguio Convention Center to be followed by a parade led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Rep. Bernardo Vergara in the morning. – With Jaime Laude, Andy Zapata Jr.