Symbol of sovereignty and solidarity

The 15-day time span that is known as National Flag Days began last May 28 and will end on June 12, Philippine Independence Day. The announcement of the 15-day National Flag Days is contained in Republic Act 8491 or the "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines" and House Bill 5224 which were both endorsed by Congress.

Through this celebration, we hope that it will keep on fortifying activities that will ingrain patriotism and nationalism among us. What's more, for our young, guarantee that they are educated about the nation's history so they will have a greater valuation for the enormity of the Filipino race.

In schools, for instance, Philippine flags are being displayed in the respective classrooms, offices, and residences of all teaching and non-teaching personnel from May 15 to June 30, 2019.

The flag is the nation's most treasured symbol. It is the country's token for an opportunity. It symbolizes nationalism, love of nation and feeling of nationhood and typifies the goals and suppositions of the Filipino individuals in their endless quest for independence. It remains as an instrument of solidarity that ties the Filipino people together.

The Philippine flag, as we probably are aware of today, is respected by all Filipinos the world over. It is our national character and like all countries the world over, evokes pride, patriotism and can create heroes.

Etymologically, the word flag which means “to fly” or to “float in the air” grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield. Shields were painted with emblems or symbols to identify friend or enemy. Warriors needed to know where their leaders were hence the custom of carrying a pole was adopted and subsequently the idea of flags began.

The Philippine flag, one of the national images of the nation, has a rich story behind it as it “remained an observer to the magnificent occasions” of Philippine history. While it symbolizes the country's ideals, patriotism, and aspirations, the flag additionally represents the freedom that Filipino revolutionists and precursors battled and died for.

We have gotten both the wonderful and the awful from the people who conquered us, and now that we are independent, it's simply time to recognize from these impacts, think of something new that we can really call our own, and get the best from our history.

The display of the Philippine flag honors the penances of our heroes for our well-deserved freedom, a fitting admiration and affection for our national flag, the image of our sovereignty and solidarity.

As we commend the National Flag Days, we are asked to readily display the Philippine flag in our work environments, workplaces, government structures, business establishments, schools, and private homes. As Filipinos, we would do well to contemplate on its history to develop an increasingly significant thankfulness and view it with pride for it is the fundamental image of our national character.

Our flag is beyond just cloth and ink. As a historical backdrop of our country, it is marked by the blood of those who died defending it.

As we wave our flag, we trust that it would remind us to cherish the freedom that we have received from our past. And to get by in peace and harmony, united and strong, we must have one people, one country, one flag.