Philippine Flag & Heraldic Code PDF

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM Nationalism and Patriotism Salient Provisions of Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (as embodied in Republic Act. 8491) The Philippine Flag A flag is a sacred and respected feature of the nation which it symbolizes. Each nation’s flag has a specific way in...

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM Nationalism and Patriotism Salient Provisions of Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (as embodied in Republic Act. 8491) The Philippine Flag A flag is a sacred and respected feature of the nation which it symbolizes. Each nation’s flag has a specific way in which it should be displayed and folded. Our national flag is the symbol of our country. It shows our unity as people. It stands for our high ideals and noble heritage. Therefore, when you show respect for the flag, you also show respect for our country and people. One way to show respect is to handle the flag properly. The Philippine National Flag is said to be the primary symbol of the nation’s camaraderie, solidarity and unity. It is therefore, the symbol of nationalism and patriotism in our country. And so, let us learn more about its history and origin. The national flag of the Philippines is a horizontal bicolor with equal bands of blue and red, and with a white equilateral triangle based at the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a golden yellow sun with eight primary rays, each containing three individual rays; and at each corner of the triangle is a five-pointed golden yellow star. The flag was first conceptualized by Emilio Aguinaldo. The first flag was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Doña Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero. The flag is displayed with the blue field on top in times of peace, and with the red field on top in times of war. The Philippine flag is unique in the sense that it can indicate a state of war when the red field is displayed on top or on observer’s left when the flag is displayed vertically, with the white equilateral triangle at the top end. lates into an aspect ratio of 1:2. The length of all the sides of the white triangle is equal to the width of the flag. Each star is oriented in such a manner that one of its tips points towards the vertex at which it is located. Flag Protocol The flag should be displayed in all government buildings, official residences, public plazas, and schools every day throughout the year. The days of the 28th of May (National Flag Day) and the 12th of June (Independence Day) are designated as flag days, during which all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business, establishments, institutions of learning and private homes are enjoined to display the flag. But in recent years, the flag days are now from May 28 to June 30 yearly. By law, the Philippine flag must be permanently hoisted and illuminated at night at the following locations: 1. Malacañang Palace, the Presidential Residence 2. The Congress of the Philippines buildings: a. Senate of the Philippines building b. House of Representatives of the Philippines building (Batasang Pambansa Complex) 3. Supreme Court of the Philippines building 4. The Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila 5. Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite 6. Barasoain Shrine in Malolos, Bulacan 7. Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers 8. Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion 9. All international ports of entry 10. All other places as may be designated by the National Historical Institute Half-mast The flag may be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. Upon the official announcement of the death of the President or a former President, the flag should be flown at half-mast for ten days. The flag should be flown at half-mast for seven days following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The flag may also be required to fly at half-mast upon the death of other persons to be determined by the National Historical Institute, for a period less than seven 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 National Historical Institute. When flown at half-mast, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. It should be raised to the peak again before it is lowered for the day. Folding the Flag 1. Hold the flag at each of its four corners and pull it taut. The folder holds the corners at the end with the blue and red fields. 2. Fold the flag in half, lengthwise, with the red field covering the blue field. Pull it taut again making sure the open side’s edges are flush with one another. 3. Fold it in half again, the closed side over the open side, again maintaining the flattening tension, and parallel, flush edges on the open side. The blue field should now be displayed face up. 4. Take the closed side’s blue field corner and fold it over the open side such that what was the bottom edge is now parallel and flush with the open side forming a right triangle (a triangle with a ninety-degree angle). 5. At the right angle, fold the flag again such that a new right triangle is formed, still keeping the open edges parallel. 6. Fold the right-angled corner of the new triangle over such that it forms a new right triangle with what had been the bottom edge now flush with the side of the flag below it. 7. Continue this sequence of folds creating right triangles until the flag is completely folded into a right triangular bundle. The white field and yellow sun should now predominate in the visible areas of the flag. Prohibited Acts According to Republic Act 8491 itself, the flag cannot be used in the following rationales: 1. Defacing or ridiculing the flag by dipping the flag as a salute, or adding additional marks on the flag; 2. As a drapery, festoon, tablecloth, a covering, or as a part of a costume or a uniform; 3. As a trademark or for commercial or agricultural labels or design; 4. As part of merchandise or in any advertisement or infomercial; and 5. As a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles. Moreover, the flag may not be displayed “horizontally face-up, or under any painting, picture or platform”. It may also not be displayed in “discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints and places of vice or where frivolity prevails”. Pledge The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine flag, “Panunumpa sa Watawat” (distinct from the Patriotic Oath of Allegiance, “Panatang Makabayan”) should be recited while standing with the right hand with palm open raised shoulder high. Individuals whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from making such pledge are permitted to excuse themselves, but are required by law to show full respect when the pledge is being rendered by standing at attenThe law makes no statement regarding the language in which the pledge must be recited, but the pledge is written (and therefore recited) in the Filipino language. The National Anthem is entitled Lupang Hinirang. It shall always be sung in the national language within or without the country. The following shall be the lyrics of the National Anthem The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe. When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor. As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests. Those in military, scouting, citizens military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations. The salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem. The anthem shall not be played and sung for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes except on the following occasions: 1. International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; 2. Local competitions; 3. During the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; 4. Before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; and 5. Other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute. All officials and employees of the national and local government, and any agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, privately-owned entities or offices displaying the national flag and government institutions of learning are hereby directed to comply strictly with the rules prescribed for the rendition of the anthem. Failure to observe the rules shall be a ground for administrative discipline. The National Motto The National Motto shall be “Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa.” The National Coat-of-Arms The National Coat-of-Arms shall have: Paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent studded with three (3) mullets equidistant from each other; and, in point of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun rayonnant with eight minor and lesser rays. Beneath shall be the scroll with the words “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS”, inscribed thereon. The Great Seal The Great Seal shall be circular in form, with the arms as described in the preceding section, but without the scroll and the inscription thereon. Surrounding the whole shall be a double marginal circle within which shall appear the words “Republika ng Pilipinas”. For the purpose of placing The Great Seal, the color of the arms shall not be deemed essential but tincture representation must be used. The Great Seal shall also bear the National Motto. The Great Seal shall be affixed to or placed upon all commissions signed by the President and upon such other official documents and papers of the Republic of the Philippines as may be provided by law, or as may be required by custom and usage. The President shall have custody of the Great Seal.