(Photos from Cocoy Sexcion/ Sarangani PIO)
The largest Philippine flag ever made (Guiness World Record in 2007) visited Sarangani (February 26) and will stay in the Province until February 28. Students, business and private individuals, police and military, Provincial officials and employees, advocates among others joined hands in the unfurling of this giant flag that measures two hectares.
The flag was so awesome... thanks to the patient hands of those who made the flag. On the other hand, the flag reminds me of three things:
1. 111 years of freedom from Spanish rule,
2. six decades of freedom from American and Japanese colonization, and
3. exactly 23 years of freedom from Martial rule.
Like the flag that was unfurled in the Province, the above three points were 'symbols' of independence... and yet they remain symbols.... The continuing struggle for genuine peace and development... to gain GENUINE FREEDOM is bigger and larger than the largest flag ever imagined even not unfurled.
It is however very ironic to note that we Filipinos can be easily gathered in symbolic events like this (without neglecting its necessity) yet very difficult to be gathered in occasions of dialogues where real freedom is felt. For many of us, dialogues are boring..speeches are not even counted.... We always consider the symbolic instrument of the occasion as the star of the event. We forgot one thing...it is our gathering...our coming together....
Power hug to that... peace!
