Lesson 3: Nationalism and Patriotism (RA 8491) - Philippines Flag Code PDF

# Lesson 3: Nationalism and Patriotism (RA 8491) ## Lesson Objectives: At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: 1. Encourage discussions on how nationalism and patriotism can be expressed positively. 2. Familiarize students with the provisions of the Philippine Flag Code (Republic...

# Lesson 3: Nationalism and Patriotism (RA 8491) ## Lesson Objectives: At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: 1. Encourage discussions on how nationalism and patriotism can be expressed positively. 2. Familiarize students with the provisions of the Philippine Flag Code (Republic Act No. 8491), including proper flag etiquette and the importance of adhering to these guidelines. 3. Instill a sense of duty in students to respect and protect the flag, emphasizing their role as responsible citizens in upholding national dignity. 4. Engage students in activities such as designing projects or presentations that express their understanding of nationalism and patriotism through the lens of the flag. ## Getting Started **What do we know about Nationalism?** It is a set of systems (political, social, and economical) characterized by the promotion of the interests of one nation anchored on the aim to achieve and maintain self-governance or total sovereignty. It holds that a particular nation should govern itself and should be free from external interference. If we have the love and support for our country, words will not suffice. It also requires our initiative and effort to know about its identity, and one way is through understanding our official symbol, our National Flag. ## Discussion ### 1. What is Republic Act 8491? RA 8491 refers to "An act prescribing the code of the national Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms, and any other heraldic items and devices of the Philippines." It was enacted by the Tenth Congress of the Philippines on its third regular session. This act is to be known as the "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines". The Act declares that "reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded to the flag, the anthem, and all other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms, and any other heraldic items and devices." #### The following are important definitions found in the code: 1. **Military** shall mean all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection. 2. **Festoon** shall mean to hang in a curved shape between two points as a decoration 3. **Flag** shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless stated otherwise 4. **Fly** shall mean the part of the flag outside the hoist or length 5. **Symbol** shall mean any conventional sign that reveals man's achievement and heroism, (for orders and decorations), identification, authority, and a sign of dignity (for coat-of-arms, logo, and insignia) 6. **Half-Mast** shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff 7. **Hoist** shall mean the part of the flag nearest the staff or the canvas to which the halyard is attached 8. **Inclement Weather** shall mean that a typhoon signal is raised in locality 9. **National Anthem** shall mean the Philippine National Anthem 10. **Official Residence** shall mean Malacañang, and any other government-owned structures where the President resides, and any other structures occupied by the Philippine Consulate or Embassies abroad. 11. **Places of Frivolity** shall mean places of hilarity marked by or providing boisterous merriment or recreation 12. **Institute** shall mean the National Historical Insitute ## II. Understanding Our National Flag The flag of the Philippines shall be blue, white, and red with an eight-rayed golden-yellow sun and three five-pointed stars, as consecrated and honored by the people. The flag shall be: * displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year. * permanently hoisted, day and night throughout the year, in front of the following: Malacañang Palace; the Congress of the Philippines building, Supreme Court building, the Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila; Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Barasoain Shrine in Malolos, Bulacan; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Libingan ng mga Bayani; Mausoleo de los Veteranos dela Revolucion; all International Ports of Entry and all other places as may be designated by the Institute. * properly illuminated by night. The flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the open on flagstaffs in front of said buildings every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan); May 1 (Labor Day); May 28 (National Flag Day); to June 12 (Independence Day); Last Sunday of August (National Heroes' Day); November 30 (Bonifacio Day); and December 30 (Rizal Day); and on such other days as may be declared by the President and/or local chief executives. The flag may also be displayed throughout the year in private buildings or offices or raised in the open on flagstaffs in front of private buildings: Provided, that they observe flag-raising ceremonies in accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the Office of the President. All government agencies and instrumentalities, and local government offices, government-owned corporations and local government units are enjoined to observe flag day with appropriate ceremonies. Socio-civic groups, non-government organizations and the private sector are exhorted to cooperate in making the celebrations a success. The flag shall be flown on merchant ships of Philippine registry of more than one thousand (1000) gross tons and on all naval vessels. On board naval vessels, the flag shall be displayed on the flagstaff at the stern when the ship is at anchor. The flag shall be hoisted to the gaff at the aftermast when the ship is at sea. The flag, if flown from a flagpole, shall have its blue field on top in time of peace and the red field on top in time of war; if in a hanging position, the blue field shall be to the right (left of the observer) in time of peace, and the red field to the right (left of the observer) in time of war. The flagpole staff must be straight and slightly tapering at the top. If planted on the ground, the flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall be of such height as would give the flag commanding position in relation to the buildings in the vicinity. If attached to a building, the flagpole shall be on top of its roof or anchored on a sill, projecting at an angle upward. If on stage or platform or government office, the flag shall be at the left (facing the stage) or the left of the office upon entering. **When the Philippine flag is flown with another flag, the flags, if both are national flags, must be flown on separate staffs of the same height and shall be of equal size. The Philippine flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last. If the other flag is not a national flag, it may be flown in the same line yard as the Philippine flag but below the latter and it cannot of greater size than the Philippine flag.** **When displayed with another flag, the Philippine flag shall be on the right of the other flag. If there is a line of other flags, the Philippine flag shall be in the middle of the line. When carried in a parade with flags, which are not national flags, the Philippine flag shall be in front of the center of the line.** **A flag worn out through wear and tear shall not be thrown away. It shall be solemnly burned to avoid misuse or desecration. The flag shall be replaced immediately when it begins to show signs of wear and tear.** **The flag shall be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It shall be on the mast at the start of official office hours, and shall remain flying throughout the day.** ## III. How is flag-raising ceremony conducted? All government offices and educational institutions shall henceforth observe the flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning and the flag-lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon. The ceremony shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the Philippine National Anthem. The office of the President, upon the recommendation of the Institute, shall issue rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the flag ceremony. The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyric and march tempo. During the flag-raising ceremony, the assembly shall stand in formation facing the flag. At the moment the first note of the anthem is heard, everyone in the premises shall come to attention; moving vehicles shall stop. All persons present shall place their right palms over their chests, those with hats shall uncover, while those in military, scouting, security guard, and citizens military training uniforms shall give salute prescribed by their regulations, which salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem. The assembly shall sing the Philippine national anthem, accompanied by a band, if available, and at the first note, the flag shall be raised briskly. The same procedure shall be observed when the flag is passing in review or in parade. During the flag-lowering, the flag shall be lowered solemnly and slowly so that the flag shall be down the mast at the sound of the last note of the anthem. Those in the assembly shall observe the same deportment or shall observe the same behavior as for the flag-raising ceremony. ## When is the Philippine flag flown at half-mast? The flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all buildings and places where it is displayed, as provided for in this Act, on the day of official announcement of the death of any of the following officials: 1. The President or a former President, for 10 days; 2. The Vice-President, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for 7 days; and 3. Other persons to be determined by the Institute, for any period less than 7 days. The flag shall be flown at half-mast on all the buildings and places where the decedent was holding office, on the day of death until the day of interment of an incumbent member of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate, or the House of Representatives, and such other persons as may be determined by the Institute. The flag when flown at half-mast shall be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag shall again be raised briskly to the peak before it is lowered for the day. ## IV. What is our National Motto? The national Motto shall be “MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-TAO, MAKAKALIKASAN AT MAKABANSA.” Note that these are also the core values of the National Service Training Program or NSTP. ## V. What are the penalties in violating RA 8491? Failure or refusal to observe the provisions of this Act; and any violations of the corresponding rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President shall, after proper notice and hearing, be penalized by public censure, which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the Commission on Higher Education, upon the recommendation of the Institute and after the proper notice and hearing, shall cause the cancellation of the recognition of permit of any private educational institution, which fails or refuses to observe the provisions of this Act for the second time. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the CHED shall ensure that the National Anthem, as adopted by law, shall be committed to memory by all students of both public and private educational institutions, and performed during the flag ceremony conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President. In addition, they shall make available the vocal, piano, or band scores of the National Anthem, as adopted by law, to all private and public schools, as well as the general public. Any person or judicial entity, which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than 5000php, not more than 20,000php, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, that for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed:  Provided, that in case the violation is committed by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable. ## Exercise: Reflection (Workpad) Answer briefly the following questions. 1. Why should a flag worn out through wear and tear not be thrown away? 2. Why should the flag be flown at half-mast? 3. Why is it important to respect at all times the national anthem and any other national symbols? ## References: * Gesilla-Dela Cruz, S. (2010). National Development Via National Service Training Program. Mandaluyong City. * Villasoto, H. (2018). Human Person Gearing Towards Social Development: NSTP-CWTS1: Worktext for College Students. Quezon City. * Espiritu, I., Co, M., Guevarra, C., Venturina, V., & Aggabao, B. (2018). National Service Training Program with Common and Specific Modules (2018th ed.). Mutya Publishing House, Inc.