JONG CADION
Chief of reporters
This city hoisted and unfurled the biggest Philippine flag, July 22, at the City Sports Oval.
The huge red, white, blue, and yellow-colored flag is the next biggest flag in the world, second to the one unfolded at Gaza strip in Israel last November 23, 2007 and measured by representatives of the Guinness Book of Records, who declared it the “largest flag in the world”.
The Philippine flag measured to about 660 meters by 100 meters and rolled in the presence of the Israel Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Shaul Zemach.
Grace Galindez-Gupana, consul general of the Philippines and chairman of the Tamar regional council as well as director general of the Parks and Nature Authority, owned the giant silk flag.
The flag was sown for almost a month by six professional sewers under the direction of two designers and 40 volunteers, and weighs 5,200 kilos. Each flag is twice the size of the American “super flag” which holds the title at the moment as the largest flag in the world.
Gupana has earlier received certificates from the Guinness World Records for making the flag of Israel, which measures 18,847 square meters; and the 777 Yahveh’s Banner, which combines the flags of Israel, the Philippines, North Korea, South Korea, and the 180 smaller flags of 180 other nations, which measures 54,451 square meters.
In Pagadian, Mayor Samuel Co witnessed the historic unfurling of the 100 by 200 meter giant flag measuring 3.8 tons.
This was the eighth time that the giant flag was unfurled in a span of three years after it’s unveiling in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya on Sept. 17, 2006.
Representatives from the Guinnes World Records likewise arrived from Iligan City to capture the moment and witness the unfolding.
“I can’t believe that the flag which I used to see on television will be here I am very happy and honored to welcome our Philippine Fag and the organizers of this activity for making Pagadian City as one of their itinerary,” Co said during the program.
Pupils of San Jose Elementary School, PNP members, Traffic Aid, the military lead by Major Benedicto Manquiquiz, ABS Herbs personnel and some residents participated in the unfurling of the flag at the sports oval.
The giant flag was escorted by Pastors Winnie Tanudra and Kadafi Dimasandca from Taguig of the Halleluyah Prophetic Global Foundation Ministries.
Tanudra and company have been to Baguio, Iligan, Zamboanga City, Basilan, Jolo, Tawi-tawi, Marawi, Cotabato, General Santos, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and in the Visayas for the same activity.
“We are show Filipinos and the whole world that the Philippines are united, both for the love of God and country,” Tanudra told the crowd.
“The flag represents the identity and authority of the people. It represents their honor and dignity as a people and as a nation, a public testimony of loyalty and patriotism,” he added.