By Anthony Giron
IMUS, Cavite - City officials will unveil today the country's first sanctum of historical revolutionary flags at the Dambana ng Pambansang Watawat (Shrine of the National Flag) in Heritage Park.
(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Imus is considered as the county’s "Flag Capital" because it was during the Battle of Alapan where the new Philippine flag was first raised by revolutionary forces under General Emilio F. Aguinaldo after they captured 270 Spanish soldiers on May 28, 1898.
Aguinaldo himself designed the flag that was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, a niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The flag was made while Aguinaldo was in exile in Hong Kong.
The flag was also displayed at the Aguinaldo-led gathering at Teatro Caviteno in Cavite Nuevo (now Cavite City) following the Alapan battle and again waved in victory during the independence proclamation at the Aguinaldo House in Kawit.
The National Historical Commission declared the period from May 28 to June 12 as National Flag Days.
Imus City Information and Tourism Officer Jay Saquilayan said that a simple program was held Tuesday for the "Huling Pagpupugay Sa Watawat Ng Pilipinas" or Farewell Tribute to the Philippines Flags.
The highlight of the program is the burning of the old, faded and damaged flags that had been kept in a room in the city for years, and the replacement of the giant flag with a new one at the shrine’s 90-feet pole.
Saquilayan said 5,000 old and damaged flags will be burned, placed in an urn and buried in the flag grave nearby. It will be the first time that the cremation will be made at the site.
Under the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, all worn-out flags are to be burned to avoid being used for other purposes and render respect for the flag.
The ceremonial burning, to be assisted by boys and girls scouts, will be attended by reelected Mayor Emmanuel Leonardo Maliksi and Vice Mayor Arnel M. Cantimbuhan and Rev. Dr. Roberto Mijares, city chaplain.
The sanctum of the nine different flags that served as banners by the Filipino revolutionary leaders was be unveiled near the National Flag Shrine pole.
City Engineer Christian Mervin Sarno said the flags will be placed in a bronze-plated display mount.
The city will raise at least P1 billion to fund the shrine’s beautification.