A student was praised for showing respect during a flag ceremony outside the National Museum of the Philippines.
Albean Antoni, an NMP employee, took a photo of a male student paying respect to the flag during the flag ceremony on Monday, June 8.
He captured the photo as the final notes of the national anthem were being played.
“Nasabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas. Humayo ka at magparami,” Antoni wrote on Facebook, adding emojis.
His post has garnered 20,000 love reactions, 7,800 likes, 1,300 shares and more than 300 comments from on Facebook.
“Kudos to this kid. Ako, nalulungkot ako to witness some Filipinos na ‘di kayang ibigay ang dapat na respeto sa Pambansang Awit at sa Watawat ng Pilipinas,” a Facebook user commented.
“Halimbawa, sa mga sinehan at last full show, usually pinapatugtog ang Lupang Hinirang. May mga movie-goers na walang pake at nakaupo lang habang pumapapak ng popcorn. May experience pa’ko na may mga taong nagbubulungan at nagtatawanan kasi tumayo ako at nagbigay pugay. Nakakalungkot talaga, SOBRA,” the Facebook user added.
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of our national heroes and soldiers who died protecting it…” another wrote.
“Kaya ako, sa mga anak ko, ini-encourage ko sila na huminto kapag nakakarinig sila ng National anthem ng Pilipinas at awitin ito ng may respeto at pagmamahal, sa ganito man lang mapakita nila ang pagmamahal para ating bansa,” an online user said.
“Saludo sa mga kabataan na tumitigil at nagbibigay-pugay para sa Pambansang Awit,” another Pinoy commented.
The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines states that whenever 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,” it added.
“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,” it further said.
“Those in military, scouting, citizen’s 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 code continued.
It also states that anyone who violates any provision of the code may be penalized with a fine of at least P5,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.
“Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity,” the code said.
“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 other heraldic items and devices,” it added.
