BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – Ahead of the Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12, vendors are selling Philippine Flags on the city’s major streets.
Around Delgado Street, Ernesto Magsino of Barangay Lapuz Norte said selling scaled versions of the Philippine Flag is their way of celebrating the country’s freedom, as their presence as vendors at the very least reminds the public of the occasion.
“Magluwas sa maka ginansiya ako diri, makapakita gid kita ni sang loyalty sa Pilipinas. Amo na ina naandan naton abi kag kanami tulukon nga ang mga salakyan naga wagayway sang mga flag,” Magsino told Panay News.
Magsino has been a vendor for over 20 years. This year, he started to roam around the metro on May 25 to earn more.
“Sang una galibot gid ko sa syudad pero subong sa isa na lang ko ka area kay naga bulig ko diri sa parking sang [mall] te may mga gabakal man kag libre natakod ah,” said Magsino.
Meanwhile, 38-year-old Lorelyn Espirito of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district said she has been a vendor since she was young with her mother.
“Si mama gid ni ang gabiligya halin sang una. Kung ano lang na ang ibolante niya. Kung lapit na lang Independence Day, flag gid na nabaligya namon… Dako gid ni ang nabulig sa income sang amon pamilya,” said Espirito.
Similarly, 55-year-old laborer Leo Pealber, a person with a disability from Barangay Habog-Habog, Molo district, said it provides food for his family.
“Alsada lang man ni namon kag gina ginansyahan lang namon. Kada tuig tuig basta lapit na lang Independence Day ga baligya gid kami,” said Peñalber.
A vendor for almost three decades, Peñalber earns P350 at most. He has been roaming with other vendors in the city since May 28.
Presidential Proclamation No. 374 on March 6, 1965 declared May 28 as National Flag Day to commemorate the date the national emblem was first unfurled after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle of Alapan, Imus, Cavite in 1898.
On May 23, 1994, Executive Order No. 79 was issued, extending the period for celebrating National Flag Day from May 28 to June 12.
On these dates, all Filipinos are encouraged to display the Philippine flag in all offices, agencies and instruments of government, business establishments, schools, and private homes throughout this period.
These are the rules and prohibitions for the proper display of the National Flag:
* For household and office display, the flag must be displayed vertically, with the triangle on top. The blue field should be to the right (left of the observer) and the red field to the left (right of the observer). The flag should never be displayed horizontally except in flagpoles or hung fastened by its fly.
* When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left.
* Do not use the Flag as a festoon, tablecloth; cover for ceilings, walls, statues, or other objects; a pennant in the hood, side, back, and top of motor vehicles; a staff or whip; unveiling monuments or statues; trademarks; or for industrial, commercial, or agricultural labels or designs.
* Never display the Flag in the following manner: under any painting or picture; horizontally face-up. It shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely; below any platform; or in discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints, and places of vice or where frivolity prevails.
* It is also prohibited to vandalize, mutilate, defile, or step on the flag; it cannot be dipped as a way to compliment or salute any person or object; to wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform; to add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisements, or imprint of any nature on the flag; to print, paint or attach representation of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise; to display in public any foreign flag, except in embassies and other diplomatic establishments, and offices of international organizations; to use, display or be part of any advertisement of infomercial; and to display the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied by aliens.
Any person or judicial entity violating Republic Act 8491 or an Act prescribing the code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000 and not more than P20,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. (With a report from PIA-NCR)/PN
