Latest news with #NationalFlagDay
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Atin Ito ship returning to Manila as China vessel shadows
The ship of the Atin Ito Coalition is heading back to Manila after its civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), one of the organizers, Emman Hizon, said Thursday morning. According to Hizon, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21549 continued to shadow Atin Ito's M/V Kapitan Felix Oca with a distance of 4.2 nautical miles. The Atin Ito ship is expected to arrive in Manila at 4 p.m. on Friday, Hizon said, adding that its voyage was slowing down due to offshore waves. Despite the shadowing of Chinese ships and bad weather on Wednesday, Atin Ito Coalition conducted a concert off the territorial waters of Pagasa Island as part of its third civilian mission to the WPS. "Mission accomplished! This is a moment of triumph not just for our mission, but for every Filipino who dreams of peace and justice in our seas. We made history today by holding the very first sea concert deep in the West Philippine Sea, just two nautical miles from Pag-asa Island," Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David earlier said. "Despite being shadowed by Chinese marine vessels, we stood our ground. Our artists sang not just to entertain, but to resist, to unite, and to inspire," she added. Supplies were delivered to fisherfolk in the area. A symbolic flag-raising ceremony was also held on board Atin Ito's ship in observance of the National Flag Day. More than 150 people are on board M/V Kapitan Felix Oca including volunteers, artists and their crew, the press, as well as boat staff. The civilian mission started on May 26 and is expected to end on May 30. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
History and fun facts behind the Philippine flag, according to historian
National Flag Day is celebrated on May 28 every year, as declared in the Presidential Proclamation 374 under then-president Diosdado Macapagal in 1965. Historian Professor Xiao Chua shared with GMA News Online the history of the occasion as well as a few fun facts about the Philippine flag. According to Chua, the Philippine flag was designed by General Emilio Aguinaldo and was sewn by three women in Hong Kong including Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, as well as Delfina Herbosa de Natividad. 'Ito ay tinahi ng tatlong babae sa Hong Kong: Si Marcela Agoncillo yung isa, Delfina Herbosa, at anak ni Marcela si Lorenza,' he said. (It was sewn by three women in Hong Kong: Marcela Agoncillo, Delfina Herbosa, and Marcela's daughter Lorenza.) 'Sa Hong Kong after i-design ito ng Hong Kong Junta sa pamumuno ni Emilio Aguinaldo. So dala-dala ni Aguinaldo yung flag na yan noong muli tayong lumaban para sa ating kasarinlan noong nanalo tayo after 300 years of Spanish colonialism, napalaya natin ang Pilipinas, June 12, 1898,' he added. (In Hong Kong after it was designed by the Hong Kong Junta led by Emilio Aguinaldo. So Aguinaldo carried that flag when we fought again for our independence when we won after 300 years of Spanish colonialism, we liberated the Philippines, June 12, 1898.) The Philippine flag was first raised on May 28, 1898, Chua said. 'Noong May 28, sa araw na tinatawag natin ngayong Flag Day, nanalo ang mga puwersa ni Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo sa Battle of Alapan dito sa Imus, Cavite,' he said. (On May 28, the day we now call National Flag Day, the forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo won the Battle of Alapan here in Imus, Cavite.) 'Sa battle na yan na nanalo tayo laban sa Espanyol, sinelebrate yan sa isang teatro sa Cavite City noong gabi na yun. Doon unang inilabas ang watawat ng Pilipinas,' he added. (In that battle that we won against the Spanish, it was celebrated in a theater in Cavite City that night. That is where the Philippine flag was first raised.) According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Philippine flag was banned in 1907 when Americans took over the Philippines. The NHCP adds that the Philippine Commission enacted the Flag Law of 1907 that prohibited Filipinos from displaying the Philippine flag even inside their homes. Senator Rafael Palma in 1919 sponsored Senate Bill No. 1 after Gov. Gen. Francis Harrison recommended that the law should be repealed since the distrust between the Filipinos and the Americans no longer exists. In the same year, the new law was approved and repealed the ban of the Philippine flag. Chua reminded Filipinos that the Philippine flag is a product of the Philippine revolution. He said that the Philippine flag also symbolizes the oneness of the Filipino people despite differences. 'Tandaan natin na yung watawat ng Pilipinas ay produkto ng kasaysayan ng himagsikang Pilipino. Ibig sabihin, nabuo yan dahil sa struggle natin to independence,' he said. (Let us remember that the Philippine flag is a product of the history of the Philippine revolution. It was created because of our struggle for independence.) 'Iyan yung mahalagang simbolo na kapag tumingala tayo, iisa yung watawat natin, iisa yung awit natin. It reminds us that, yes, we are different, iba-iba tayo, pero iisa din tayo,' he added. (That is the important symbol that when we look up, our flag is one, our anthem is one. It reminds us that, yes, we are different, but we are also one.) — LA, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
PH National Flag Day marked with simultaneous flag-raising ceremony
The Philippines on Wednesday celebrated the National Flag Day with simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies in over a thousand sites across the country. At Rizal Park in Manila, representatives from government agencies, advocacy groups, and other organizations gathered for the raising of the 'biggest flag' on the 'highest flagpole.' 'We have finally surpassed the 690 nationwide locations who joined us in 2019 to raise our flags simultaneously at 8 a.m.,' Salute To A Clean Flag founder Monique Cornelio Pronove said during the event. 'Today, there were 1,122 privately owned buildings and estates across the Philippines in Luzon, in Visayas, and in Mindanao who joined our government to raise our flags simultaneously today,' she added. The Philippine flag at Rizal Park was hoisted by Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel as musical theater actor Leo Valdez performed the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang. Arturo Valdez, who led the first-ever Philippine expedition team to climb Mount Everest in 2006, recited the Panunumpa sa Watawat, while actor John Arcilla recited the Salute To A Clean Flag Manifesto. National Parks Development Committee Cecille Lorenzana-Romero recalled the history of the Philippine flag and pointed out that 'our fight did not end in Kawit, it continues today.' 'Look around you and you will see Filipinos who still fight, not on battlefields but in their daily lives. Our freedom was hard won, but it's also hard kept. And many still protect it with quiet courage and sacrifice,' she said. 'So as you gaze upon the flag today, think of every Filipino as a thread in its fabric. Each of us helped build and hold this nation together,' she added. Presidential Proclamation 374 declares May 28 as National Flag Day to commemorate the day the Philippine flag was first raised after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated Spanish forces in the battle in Alapan in Imus, Cavite in 1898. Executive Order 179 by then-President Fidel Ramos set the extension of the commemoration of the National Flag Day until June 12. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Jordan Times
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
King attends Jordan Flag Day ceremony
His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday attends the flag raising ceremony at Al Husseiniya Palace on the occasion of Jordan's National Flag Day, which falls on 16 April each year (Photo courtesy of Royal Court) AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday attended the flag raising ceremony at Al Husseiniya Palace on the occasion of Jordan's National Flag Day, which falls on 16 April each year. Upon arrival, His Majesty was received by HRH Crown Prince Hussein and members of the Royal family, in the presence of heads of authorities, and senior officials and officers, according to a Royal Court statement. The King was presented with the Jordanian flag by Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi. His Majesty then handed the flag to an officer from the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, who marched toward the flagpole to raise the flag. National Flag Day, which was approved by the Council of Ministers as part of Jordan's centennial celebrations, aims to showcase Jordanians' pride in their country, symbolised by the flag, which is testament to the sacrifices of Jordanians in the march towards progress and prosperity. The Jordanian flag, in its current form, was adopted in 1922. Its shape and colours are inspired by the banner of the Great Arab Revolt, and it includes references to the banners of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the Umayyad state, the Fatimid state, and the Hashemites. The heptagram at the centre of the chevron symbolises the seven verses of Surat Al Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Holy Quran.
Jordan News
15-04-2025
- General
- Jordan News
Roman Theater Illuminated in Jordanian Flag Colors - Jordan News
The Greater Amman Municipality has announced its preparations to celebrate the National Flag Day, which falls on Wednesday, April 16. The day symbolizes the nation, expresses national identity, and embodies the values of loyalty and belonging. اضافة اعلان As part of its preparations, the municipality is organizing a series of activities and events aimed at engaging citizens and enhancing national spirit. Jordanian flags will be distributed to vehicles across various areas under the municipality's jurisdiction. The municipality will also raise flags along streets, in public squares, and on all its buildings and vehicles. Notably, the Amman City Hall and the Roman Theater will be illuminated in the colors of the Jordanian flag. The Greater Amman Municipality emphasized the significance of celebrating Flag Day as a symbol of national identity and a means to strengthen the sense of belonging and pride in the homeland.
