The flag was just not cooperating. I was about to take this supposedly great picture for Philippine Independence Day, but the flag was too lifeless to create a searing picture that could stir up one’s' patriotic fervor. Alas the wind was not helping.
Our national flag is unique for it can convey if the the nation is at war. Once the flag is hoisted having the red horizontal band as its upper part, then war is declared with another state such as when the Commonwealth was against the Axis nations, like Japan during World War II (1941-1944). The red is known to mean courage while the blue section convey peace and unity.
But in calmer times, it has been a rallying point to many Filipinos, most specially in international sports and competitions. The victorious boxer drapes himself in a cloth that had been created long time ago by Marcella Agoncillo for Emilio Aguinaldo’s Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1898. The Filipino audience sees the blue and the red, and claps for the new hero that has just made the whole islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao proud as symbolized by the three stars in the white triangle part of the Flag.
In modern history, the flag has been used to bear witness in creating social changes either made in peaceful revolutions or tempestuous conflicts. The need for reforms is made more apparent, once the national hymn or even "Bayan Ko" (My Country) is performed in public gatherings such as in EDSA or in the boondocks and hills of the provincial areas . Afterall, the flags eight rays of the sun represented the first eight provinces that revolted for independence in 1896. These were Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Manila.
 But to the youngster, the flag is associated with their solemn pledge of allegiance or "“Panatang Makabayan”" on a daily basis. After reciting a daily prayer to his Creator, the school kid stands up erect in front of the waving flag and makes the oath to be the good citizen that is expected of him by his family, his school, and his government. The flag’'s emblematic sun reminds us how Filipinos have tried to build progress for their nation despite the incredible odds and chaos through the years.
And to just instill life to the flag for the photoshoot, I asked my assistants to toss the flag a little bit. Let their hands be the propeller of action to the almost motionless nation flag. Lo and behold, with the help of nature’s wind, the flag started to undulate and reveal its glory. The flag was able to make its own dance - carefree and confident. The Philippine flag was already ready for its own close-up.
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