The biggest Philippine flag was delivered yesterday to Liloan town in Cebu as a symbol of fostering unity in the country in ceremonies held at a vacant three-hectare lot.
The 330 feet by 660 feet flag occupied two hectares on the ground.
The huge banner made up of 14,900 yards of nylon taffeta will stay in Liloan until March 16.
It will be folded and later brought to Mactan Island, to coincide with the commemoration of the March 16, 1521 arrival of Spanish colonizers in the Philippines.
Grace Galindez Gupana, president and founder of the Hallelujah Kingdom of Jerusalem Global Foundation, told the crowd that gathered at the site that the flag symbolizes both unity and healing of the country's social ills.
The foundation spent for the flag that was registered as among the biggest in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Transported via a passenger vessel, the 3.5-ton flag cost the organizers P25,000 to deliver it to Cebu.
The flag is the biggest compared to former record holders such as the US “Super Flag” which measures about 255 X 505 feet and Pakistan's 340 X 550 feet flag.
The Philippine flag, which cost about P5 million, was finished last Sept. 16 after about a month's work.
Grace Valdez, president of Livingston Christian School of Liloan, invited Gupana's group for the “unfurling and restoration” of the worn out flag.
The flag was spread by students and school employees while a Shuufar (an ancient Hebrew horn) was blown by a member of Gupana's group.
Gupana cited the book of Zachariah Chapter 5 which spoke of a giant scroll that would heal the land. In the case of the Philippines, Gupana said it is the flag.
About 500 helpers unfurled the flag and drew in a crowd of 3,000 students.
Others saw differently. A 61-year-old resident named Boning De Lima thought at first that it was part of a political rally by Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco.
He was told by some kids that it was a giant flag.
“What the children said was true. It is so amazing to see a huge flag like this. It is different from the ones found in the school,” De Lima told CEBU DAILY NEWS. Another unfurling activity will be done in Lapu-Lapu City.
By Dale G. Israel
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 07:51:00 03/10/2010
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