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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Fight for flag and sovereignty

Fight for flag and sovereignty

Published May 28, 2025 12:05 am  |  Updated May 27, 2025 06:04 pm
Today, and every May 28 of each year, we commemorate National Flag Day.
The National Flag stands as a robust symbol of our enduring struggle for freedom, embodying the hopes, sacrifices, and our identity as Filipino people. It serves as a signal to call on every Filipino, especially the youth, to embrace a deeper sense of patriotism and civic duty, and to actively shape the nation’s future with pride and purpose. It is a living reminder of the blood, sweat, and tears that our forebears shed as they dared to dream of a free and sovereign nation.
Our history is rich with stories of bravery and sacrifice. Dr. José Rizal, with pen as his weapon, awakened the Filipino consciousness and paid the ultimate price for daring to dream of liberty. Andres Bonifacio, armed with sheer courage and a vision of equality, took up arms to ignite a revolution. Emilio Aguinaldo, leading that revolution, raised our flag for the first time on May 28, 1898 — a gesture that would later mark the day as the official National Flag Day.
But the fight did not end with independence from Spain. During World War II, countless Filipino soldiers and guerrillas stood against tyranny and foreign domination, fighting not just for land but for dignity, justice, and the future of generations to come. From Bataan to Corregidor, Filipino valor shone brightly under the banner of the Philippine flag.
Even in times of peace, the defense of our sovereignty continues. Leaders have stepped forward to carry this torch. President Marcos once declared he would not yield “even a square inch” of Philippine territory — an unflinching commitment to national pride and integrity. This legacy was highlighted once more at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when House Speaker Martin Romualdez championed a united ASEAN legislative front to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). More than legal rights, his push is about peace, prosperity, and securing sovereignty for generations to come — not only for the Philippines but also for the entire ASEAN.
In an age where conflicts may no longer be fought with guns and bayonets but in courtrooms, conference halls, diplomatic circles, and even in cyberspace, the essence of patriotism remains the same. The flag still needs defenders — those who will stand, speak, and act with courage and wisdom.
We live in a time when our national identity is continually tested — by external pressures, internal divisions, and the seductive pull of indifference. Yet the flag reminds us that being a Filipino means something unfathomable. It means rising above personal interests to serve the greater good. It means fighting—whether with words, laws, or resolve—for what is rightfully ours.
Let us not forget: Each thread of our flag has a story to tell. Red for valor—the Filipinos’ willingness to shed blood for sovereignty. Blue for peace and the noble aspirations of Filipinos. White for purity. And the sun and stars connote unity and hope. They represent calls to action in defense of the country’s sovereignty.
As we mark National Flag Day, may this serve as a strong reminder to every Filipino to live by its meaning. Let us honor the legacy of Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, our World War II heroes, and today’s statesmen by continuing their fight — not with bullets, but with integrity, unity, and love for country.
Let’s stand together, summon the same courage that our forebears had, and have the heart to keep the Philippine flag flying and our sovereignty intact.
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