DESPITE the underrated industry of producing flags, the New International Flag House that sits on 973 Rizal Avenue, stands the test of time as one of the oldest Philippine flag makers in over a century, catering to commercial businesses and government offices alike.  

Enlyn Hipolito, who has been the secretary for more than a decade, mostly oversees the flag house’s physical shop on the first floor and handles all orders. 

As the National Flag Day approaches, her busiest season of the year is also yet to come, with its employees occupied in sewing and selling different sizes of the Philippine flag.  

“’Yong peak season talaga, nag-sta-start siya ng April hanggang June. Kasi ang May 28, Flag Day. So nag-pe-prepare talaga kami for that day hanggang June 12,” Hipolito said. 

Section 26 of the Republic Act 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, states that the National Flag Days start from May 28 until June 12 annually. During this period, government offices, businesses, academic institutions, and private homes are “enjoined” to display the Philippine flag.  

The flag house was first found and established in 1921 by Chinese businessman Don Pablo de Jesus Tan-Gatue. The flag house is currently managed by the family’s third-generation owner, Edeltrudis Tan-Gatue Baraoidan. 

Hipolito shared that with three seamstresses working at the third floor of the store’s production area, their business can produce more than a hundred Philippine flags per day. 

“Sa isang araw [ng] production, nakakabuo naman ng 50 [flags]. So kung tatlo yong magbubuo no’n, bale 150 [flags] sa isang araw, maghapon ‘yon [na] walang singit,” she said.  

Apart from their usual production, the flag store also regularly takes rush orders from government agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Marines, and the Philippine Air Force. 

Hipolito added that they also supply hundreds of Philippine flags in several Luzon cities and municipalities, including Manila.  

However, the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising prices of raw materials forced the flag house to increase their current prices by 50 pesos, which they have not done in the past 11 years.  

"[Dahil sa] pandemic, nagtaas ‘yong presyo ng mga supplier namin. Tapos wala pang ilang buwan, nagtataas nanaman sila, so kami, mag-aadjust rin,” Hipolito said  

“[N]gayon palang kami actually nagtaas, dahil tumaas ang materyales, tumaas rin ang labor. Pero nung mula ako pumasok dito hanggang nitong last year, yong price namin ganun pa rin, so ibig sabihin 11 years hindi kami nagtaas,” she added.  

While producing Philippine flags may appear to be a straightforward business for some, Hipolito explained that flag stores such as theirs must comply with the strict regulations and specifications of the Philippines’ flag in the Heraldic Code.  

These provisions include the length of the Philippine flag following a 1:2 ratio of width to length as well as the technical cable number specifications of the colors, 80173 for blue, 80001 for white, 80108 for red, and 80068 for the golden yellow.  

Furthermore, the satin and nylon fabrics that they utilize in their indoor and outdoor flags, respectively, are subject to evaluations conducted by the Philippine Textile Research Institute, a branch of the Department of Science and Technology.  

This is done to ensure the national flag’s “durability” and “quality” production.  

Those that violates the provisions of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines will be punishable through a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 pesos and/or imprisonment to no more than one year.  

Makabayan 

The beginning of the National Flag Day celebration, May 28, is tied to the country’s independence. It was on this day in 1898 that the Philippine flag was first unfurled after the victory of the Philippine Revolutionary Army against the Spaniards in the Battle of Alapan that took place in Imus, Cavite, according to Presidential Proclamation 374 in 1965. 

An annual flag-raising ceremony in Alapan, Imus, Cavite, and Rizal Park are conducted to commemorate the National Flag Days.  

Michael Charleston “Xiao” Chua, a historian and an assistant professor of History at De La Salle University - Manila, shared in an interview that the formation of the national flag was of “forged inclusivity” despite the adversities faced by Filipinos throughout history. 

“In a way, the flag is a reminder that we are under one nation and that we should get our act together even if we're different and diverse [...] a remembrance to inclusivity that everyone should be a part of,” Chua told the Manila Forefront.  

“The flag was forged by the experience of the national revolution, meaning our flag is not just a flag that represents us; it was also a flag that was brought out amidst the sacrifices of our heroes,” he added. 

Krisha Gerada, a music technology freshman from the University of Santo Tomas, shared that the Philippine flag symbolizes the pride and strength that binds Filipinos through their identity. 

“I think it is also pride, the pride of being part of what it is, and also, identity na rin,” Gerada said. “Tapos ‘yong strength of holding together a country in a sense, it binds us together, whether people are aware of it or not.” 

Moreover, Chua shared that while nationalism is often characterized as a “devotion to the state,” the testament of the Philippine flag should be sought through the “love for the fellowmen.” 

“Ang kailangang makita dito is that nationalism is not really [just] exclusive [to] love [for our] country, but [also] love [for] fellow men [...] ‘yon ‘yong pagiging nationalist sa atin,” he added. 

Chua added that the proper history of the Philippine flag and the Heraldic Code should be highlighted in the academic setting to further raise awareness and respect from the youth towards the Philippine flag. 

According to the secretary of the New International Flag House, the act of honoring the national flag through display, mirrors Filipinos’ love and appreciation for their country.  

“Mahalaga ‘yon kasi ito ‘yong sumisimbolo sa pagiging Pilipino nating lahat, [‘yong] pagiging makabayan natin. Mas maganda nga ‘yong sinasabi na lahat dapat ng institution [ay] mayroong Philippine flag,” Hipolito said. 

The historian added that this stitched-together colorful fabric is more than a symbol for remembrance of the past, but an emblem that encapsulates the dignity and identity of Filipinos from here to the future.  

“Hindi basta-basta na tela ‘yang watawat na yan. Ang watawat natin ay sagisag ng ating [mga] adhikain, [at mga] pangarap sa atin ng mga bayani natin. So, when we raise the flag every day, we are reminded na we are one people [that should be] fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers,” Chua said.  

-- Lianne Joyce T. Chan