THE Ayala Foundation Inc., through its “Maging Magiting” flag campaign, has distributed about a hundred flag kits at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School (Abes) 1 in Bacolod City Thursday, February 21.
These form part of the 1,349 flag kits to be distributed in various public schools in the city and Iloilo province.
The activity is in partnership with Chooks-to-Go, Department of Education (DepEd) and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan, who led the distribution rites, said the campaign’s concept is basically going back to the basic.
Maranan said they are trying to distribute the flags to the public schools as the foundation realized that there is a big “gap.”
“We have found the opportunity to provide 100,000 flags and we are taking the initiative to raise at least an initial 10,000 flags,” he said, adding that “we are really reaching out to the most-in-need public schools.”
The foundation official said “it is not only about the flag, we are also trying to educate the institution on how to properly use it.”
The campaign teaches schools on how to display it and if and when is necessary to replace it.
“We already have the procedures. Through them, which is our objective as well, we hope to rekindle nationalism among us Filipinos,” Maranan said.
“Maging Magiting” is really an appeal and a challenge to everyone.
Maranan said one does not need heroes to die for something, but rather ordinary people doing things in the extraordinary way, in their respective roles.
For students, for instance, those instrumental in their success are their parents and teachers. They are their heroes, he said.
Maranan expressed hopes that everyone will make it as a way of life and not just to remain as a slogan.
The foundation is open to those who would want to be part of the campaign, especially those organizations and individuals upholding nationalism.
Even ordinary Filipinos can give donations for a flag to be given to public schools, he added.
Ronald Mascarinas, president of Chooks-to-Go, said through this campaign, they hope to instill nationalism among Filipinos starting from their formative years.
“By giving these flags, we inspire Filipinos to love their country by becoming and doing their best in their daily lives. For students, it's by doing their best in their studies,” he added.
For her part, DepEd Bacolod Schools Division Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas thanked Ayala Foundation for the endeavor.
“I was assured by Maranan that there are more to come. He will be bringing more for the benefit of the students in the division,” she added.
Under the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of schools, they are authorized to purchase Philippine flags for school use.
But if those are given for free to our schools, there is no reason not to grab it, she added.
Meanwhile, also present at the activity were Teddy Atienza, head of NHCP's Heraldry Section, Abes 1 Principal Margue Bautista, among others.