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Friday, May 29, 2009
I love attending seminars. Aside from getting to visit new places and having the luxury of an all- expense paid hotel life, I also get to meet a lot of new people, and gather new ideas on how to conduct seminars. That's right, I don't only spend my time being a participant of these events, on some occasions, I also take part in setting up seminars and corporate gatherings. It's never easy to organize one good gathering where all the expected participants are professionals. You can never please them all, like they always say. But you can always avoid heavy criticism by doing your part well. My usual share of the job is to ensure that the venue is ready and properly designed for these types of affairs. It's a very important job to make sure that ambiance in and around the venue is conducive for these conventions. A good and simple environment will settle the participants well into the flow of things and this should help them get a lot out of the experience. At this level, the extent of creativity and human understanding at hand can make or break a formal gathering.
But function will always have to be coupled with form as it is also important to keep the venue not only lucid and comfortable, but also beautiful. An attractive venue will always have the edge, but too much accessories can spoil the concentration of the audience. For this, I usually turn to custom made twirler flags. These beautiful flags can catch eyes without screaming for attention. They are very easy to handle, and don't take up too much space. These twirler flags are also versatile enough for outdoor use. They are very durable and don't wear out easily. In fact I still have the ones I used for some seminars years back. They make me remember my career's success more than anything else.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A recent Forbes.com declaration puts a far northeastern city in the pedestal by declaring it as the most livable city in the United States of America. Not everybody expected it but Portland, Maine tops the charts and will surely attract more settlers in the near future. The largest city in the 23rd state of the U.S., Portland is a historic port city turned posh and vibrant. The Forest City, as it is affectionately called, boasts a low unemployment and crime rate, something that goes against expectations given the recession that swept through the whole country. But as it looks, the city and its mother state is holding on, and holding on well, much to the delight of the economists in the region. This success is by no means a solo effort. The steady growth of Maine's economy is contributing much to the city's rise to glory. Home to industrious people, it will be no surprise if Maine outgrows the expectations surrounding it in the near future. Just as where Portland is right now, Maine as a state has started from simple beginnings; a history reflected in its state flag which shows a farmer and a seaman to represent the work that people did in early times. Early work that never went to waste as the state is now seeing the budding fruits of its success. Of course the future of this budding city remains to be seen. Nobody knows for sure how long the recession will continue to persist. For this, every citizen of the Forest City will be hoping that the city stays true to its motto "Resurgam", meaning "I will rise again."
And for as long as Portland's caring mother, the Pine Tree State, lives up to its historical heritage of industry and statewide cooperation, the future is bright for the most livable city in the country.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Bumming in economy class, 30,000 feet above the ground is never an easy task. There's nothing to do but sleep, and nothing beautiful to look at except for the charming and beautiful stewardesses that roam the cabin as if the aisle was a modeling ramp. I see them smile back at me so often than usual, but I really am unsure if everything I see around me is real at this time of the flight. I've been in a cycle of waking up and sleeping at a fast rate, to the point that I'm not so sure whether I'm still stuck in a dream, or stuck in a dream-like reality. Long flights are never appealing. I'd rather take long ship cruises decorated with beautiful nautical flags. At least there's always something to do on a big boat. Inside a plane, you can't even stretch fully inside the bathroom, much less dance in it. But as always, time is of the essence and there's no faster way to get around the globe than cross time zones via the airways. Plus, I'll never be a fan of in-flight food, especially when you're stuck in economy. I'm not so sure if it's the environment that spoils my appetite whenever that flight meal is served, or if it's the food itself that curbs my senses for the tasty. But I'm certain of one thing: the lack of choice on what to eat on a flight never helps. I wonder what the people in business class are eating. Then again, for as much as my rants are worth, plane rides will always be a big part of my life. I really do hope though that the food situation improves over the course of time. Otherwise I will be feeding myself with the clouds outside the window as those cotton candies look yummy. And when I see those airport flags, I'll be the happiest man on earth. Finally I'm free again.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Before Kenny Rogers amazed the world with his songwriting prowess and his world famous roasted chicken recipe, there was another Roger who swept through the world with his sea adventures and nautical exploits. No, I'm not talking about a famous captain, or explorer that has a Roger on his or her name. I'm talking about Jolly Roger, the universal symbol for pirates and wannabe pirates for that matter. And between Kenny and Jolly, I would say the latter Roger has had more appearances in Hollywood these past few years. With movies such as The Pirates of the Caribbean, there's no doubt the world has this special fascination for pirates and the life of one. The Jolly Roger was created with the collaborative efforts of four famous pirates namely Edward England, John Taylor, Sam Bellamy and John Martel. Those four were notorious for their adventures in the seas of Africa and India. Their idea for a pirate symbol however, extended farther from these seas wherein their lives as pirates were mostly spent. Eventually, their design became the generic symbol for pirates and piracy, and did spread menace all over the world of sea navigation
Since its rise to popularity, a lot of different versions of this pirate symbol have emerged. Every famous pirate captain had his own version. However despite the numerous versions, the famous element of the original design was carried over. This element being the figure of the skull over crossed bones on a black background. The same design you would see on the labels of toxic substances these days, such as poisons and other industrial fluids. Probably you can make your own Jolly Roger design if you have a yacht or a small boat, just be careful though, you might attract attention from the coastguard. Better buy some Pirate Nautical Pennants. Surely those coast guard guys own some too, and pirate fans don't arrest pirate fans. Rawr!
by: The Flagman
Monday, May 25, 2009
Today I had my fair share of work as I helped out in our weekly backyard clean up. It wasn't that easy, not that hard either. I came late in the afternoon when the sun was on its way home and there was nothing much left to do. Well it was some sort of as strategy, for me to go in late, but it was a good deed nevertheless. The tasks left for me to do: gardening and landscaping. Gardening was never that hard, I just had to move plants around. At least those plants get to see something out of the usual. Landscaping was a bit tedious as I had to move a good amount of earth with a shovel that has a not-so-user-friendly handle, and I'm without my gloves. Talk about tough luck.
And it became tougher as I encountered hostile ants living within the mound I had to relocate. I call them the Red Army, for their color mainly, and because I knew ants were natural communists, just like the real Red Army. Good thing they weren't fire ants, otherwise I would have found greater trouble. So it was war as the first few ants found their way to my left arm and bit me there. They must have used the shovel as a bridge. Those ants certainly practice war strategies. My counterattack included a brilliant maneuver to pound that mound and then a humble walk-away. I was helpless, I couldn't bury those ants dead even if I had all the soil in the world. I'll probably go back and finish my act tomorrow with a flamethrower. Or maybe, the next time the same task is given to me, I'll hang a M.I.A flag outside my room. I'd rather avoid those ants for good otherwise a P.O.W. Flag with my face on it courtesy of those ants might be standing proud on that mound.
by: The Flagman
Friday, May 22, 2009
Whenever I sleep late in the afternoon and wake up in the evening, maybe around seven or eight, I get this irrevocable feeling of extreme irritability and hot-headedness. It's like I'm going to blow up any moment, with a slight disturbance or any provoking situation that comes up as if waving a danger flag infront of my annoyed face. I really don't believe in astrology that much but whenever I read anything in connection to the zodiac world such as star signs and zodiac profiles, a description of unpredictability is almost synonymous with my personality structure. Well I admit that I can be a mood swinger sometimes. My mood changes unexpectedly fast that I sometimes wonder how I look like in another person's eye. It could be really strange, I reckon, but the thing is, I'm the silent type and I've got some sort of a poker face. My expression takes more time than my mood, and that's probably the only thing that's keeping my friends my seeing me as weird, or sick or both. I wonder what it is with late afternoon naps that bring the heat to my head. Some friends I know have had the same experience before. So I guess it's not based on anything related to zodiac signs really. So if it's not with the general personality of the person, then the behavior must be related with the afternoon sleep.
I really don't get it but people sleep to relax their bodies, including their minds. Sleep calms the spirit and brings in energy. For this, it doesn't sound like sleep can actually trigger stubbornness when the person comes out of it and wakes up with a newly charged battery. I'd probably look this queer happening up; maybe ask some people who might know a thing or two about the art of waking up. Meantime, I'm going to hang a danger flag outside my door whenever I'm planning a long afternoon journey to La La Land.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I live in a beautiful city. Not too much cars, not too much population, not too much pollution. Wherever you look, there's always a hint of a healthy environment. The people are warm and hospitable, and they surely know how to enjoy. If you've got festive people around you, chances are you're living in a very lively city. That is exactly the case for my hometown. All year round, fests are all over the place. There seems to be a special event every once in a while that the neighborhoods have to celebrate, as every now and then, community-wide parties take place in an audaciously jubilant mood. But the main event of the city comes in two-fold. There are two city-wide festivals known all over the country; one in March and one in August. The earlier festival is for the town's inauguration while the other is a thanksgiving festival which is thanking the gods for a bountiful harvest while at the same time asking them to be just as generous when the time for the next harvest comes. While both festivals have different backgrounds, they are celebrated in almost the same way. The preparations usually take place months before the actual day of the festival. The whole city is decorated with street pole banners and pennant streamers, and citywide exhibits and promotions happen. On the day of the festival itself, the city looks so beautiful that you might end up pretending as a mini Barbie doll walking around in a mini kingdom play set. Everything looks nothing short of fantastical. When it's all done though, a calm and quiet week usually follows. It is the time when the city seems to be at sleep. Beauty sleep that is, as the street pole banners usually remain for about a week or so, as if to entice people of the idea that it wouldn't take so long before the next festival takes place.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The world stopped when top rank promotions came up with, "the battle of east and west" and sure enough, the boxing world knew what would happen. After Pacman demolished the Golden Boy, Oscar Dela Hoya, a familiar voice in the crowd said that he would be next and the voice came from the Hitman, Ricky Hatton. The United Kingdom flag and its nation's pride were carried by Ricky Hatton and I believe that he would defend it with his life. With a new trainer in Floyd Mayweather Sr., the Hitman has changed his strategies and is bearing him fruits of glory. Basing on the fight with Malinaggi, he has taken his technique from being a brawler to being a fast thinking boxer. On the other side of the world particularly in the east lives a legend named Manny Pacquiao. The fast and explosive boxer that's making some noise in the boxing world and is considered as the best pound for pound boxer carries the Philippine pride. Known to many as the Pacman they will battle for national pride and glory. On the May 2, 2009 I witnessed the clash of these two boxers and I expected a brawl that would send someone packing. On the telecast the United Kingdom flag flashed here and there. Everyone was expecting the Hitman to win and take down the person considered as the greatest boxer in the world, Pacman. The fight started and yes it was a brawl not until Manny landed a right hook that sent Hatton down on all fours and after which a barrage of punches took over. Hatton slammed to the canvass and never stood up to fight. The East has conquered the west in the battle of warriors who carry national pride. The battle of the century happened and the greatest was exhibited, a battle that would go down to the annals of history.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Playing football in front of 90,000 jubilant fans can only be described by one word: electrifying. This is the usual case for the England National Team, also affectionately named as the Three Lions, whenever they play their game in their home turf, the world famous Wembley Stadium.
Football in England, just like in almost all of Europe and Latin America, is nothing short of being a way of life. For the English, all the National Team's endeavors, whatever the tournament may be like the European Championships or the most prestigious World Cup, is not only the team's journey but the whole nation's purposeful undertaking.
That is why whenever their team plays, whether at home or abroad, the English fans are so emphatic about their very own pride that you would certainly realize how much weight the England team has on their backs whenever they play. A fact that is vividly alive whenever the Three Lions play a home game.
Clad in their national team colors of red and white, the Three Lions' fans fill the Wembley Stadium with a cheerful environment of chants, cheers and songs. They carry with them scarves knitted with either the seal of the national team, or the image of the St. George's cross. Some of the faithful fans carry with them custom made flags – flags with messages of support, and some with the Three Lions seal on them. In essence, on a night of a Three Lions' game, it is not only the St. George's Cross that waves proudly with the wind, to the rhythm of the loyal Englishmen's chant. Custom flags wave with the national flag too, carrying the undying support and love the nation has to give to their pride and glory as if to say that in this special endeavor, the English team is never alone.
by: The Flagman
Monday, May 18, 2009
The "headquarters" of the Roman Catholic religion, as many would call it, Vatican City remains to be one of the most atypical countries in the world. One reason is that Vatican City is the only sovereign state landlocked within a country. For this, Vatican City is inevitably limited in terms of space, which makes its 44 hectares land area the smallest in the world. In fact Rome, the City which land-locks this small country, is bigger by no less than 25 times. For a small space, you wouldn't expect Vatican to have a very large population. Having close to only 900 people who are already accustomed to a prayerful way of life, this city could be considered the quietest city in the world. The political system of the Vatican is also one of a kind. The sovereign of the state is the Pope, who is assisted by a legislative body made up of cardinals. Having consummate power in all aspects including the executive, legislative and judicial branches, the Pope is currently the only absolute monarch in all of Europe. In this city, the concept of separating the church and the state will never cross anybody’s mind as it is completely impossible to do just that. The inseparability of these two is more concrete in the very little difference the Papal Flag and Vatican's Sovereign Flag has. In fact what separate these two flags are the coats of arms found on them. Even at that, the difference between the two coats of arms is very minimal, meaning only the observant ones can tell which is which. So don't be surprised if you see two identical flags the Pope has with him on parades. It’s not a case of duplication; it’s just a testament to how special Vatican City's case is, especially to the world of political administration.
by: The Flagman
I've been watching college basketball lately, and needless to say, the school spirit makes the game even more electrifying. That's from an onlooker's point of view, what more if you're on the court and playing the game?
Imagine a hundred supporters wearing your school's colors, buoyantly cheering from the bleachers while waving your college flag. They are passionately encouraging the team to score, while trying to beat the opposition's cheers. Every loose ball sends cheers all around the stadium. Every mistake elicits a sigh from the supporters. Every basket made makes the crowd go berserk. If that's not daunting enough for you, you either have nerves of steel, or you're just in denial. Sooner or later the crowd will get to you, and that's when the adrenaline starts to kick into your system. To be able to represent your college in any competition will always be something special. It's a feeling that I went through during my second year, when I played a single season for the school's basketball team. It's been three years since then, but the whenever I recount every single moment I played on the hard court, the feeling seems to be still fresh. I guess it's all about the pride, as you want your school to be a cut above the rest. And then there's the glory and the fame that comes with it. Winning games for your school makes you some sort of a local hero. If time travel was a reality, I'd be glad to go back to the days when I was playing ball for my school. I'll probably try new things, but the old ways of winning will always be the same. And when I make that game winning buzzer beater from way beyond the arc, I know I'll surely be signing college flags hours, even days after the game just like I always do. Well, at least in my dreams.
by: The Flagman
Friday, May 15, 2009
It's no secret that humans are inherent lovers of the heavens, particularly the stars. As Astrologers would put it, there's a big connection between human behavior and our twinkling friends out there. In fact astrology proposed the idea that stars do already have an idea of what's to happen in the future. It seems occult to the majority of us; even the Roman Catholic Church considers it as merely superstitious. As for me, I'm quite contented with the idea of gazing at them during a clear night. I'm more concerned of what they have to say about the present. Stars like those seen in the Star of Life flag hold a special part in our culture as human beings. Through the years, we have not only found the many essential uses they offer, as in the case of the stars' importance in nautical navigation. We also continue to adore them greatly through literary and scientific ways, a feat that no other object on earth may ever surpass. Our favorite celestial objects go as far as representing life and existence. Remember the great star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings to Christ's manger? Then there's the famous Star of David which represents the Jews and Judaism. Even the Islamic religion is partly represented by the star. And of course the star symbol doesn't only hold religious importance; it is also used in almost every conceivable way. If you've ever seen EMTs, or Emergency Medical Technicians, they have this distinct patch on their uniforms which features a blue six-pointed star. The six points of this star represent the six main tasks of emergency rescuers, from detection to transfer. In the center of the star is The Rod of Asclepius, the ancient Greek symbol for healing. This symbol is aptly called the Star of Life, which in its own special way, reminds us how our lives are bound with the stars.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Before butterflies can fully revel in the splendor of their beauty and magnificence, they pass through a relatively ugly stage. In this ugly stage, we simply know them as Caterpillars.
These hairy little friends of ours or enemies depending on the perspective you are looking at it, can be found anywhere where there are leaves. Unlike what their size suggests, these insects are voracious eaters. They eat so much that oftentimes, they are considered pests by farmers. With sizes ranging from 1mm to 3 inches, they are definitely cute.
And then there are the bigger, meaner caterpillars. These caterpillars have blades, hoes, tracks and threads on them. They are also faster, with some of them having wheels bigger than a car. No, I'm not talking about a newly released Zoid, not even a new character in Beast Wars. I'm talking about the construction machinery sold by Caterpillar Inc., or better known for its short and easy to remember nick name: CAT. CAT is the world's leading manufacturer when it comes to construction and mining equipment. They also have a wide array of diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. The company is more than a hundred years now, and has acquired far too many awards to mention one by one. Their products are well known to have minimal effects on the environment, without having to sacrifice efficiency. With these flexible machines, CAT caters to all types of customers. Even the Israeli military have acquired equipments from them that they eventually fitted with combat armor so they can be used in hostile territories.
With branches and acquisitions all over the globe, CAT remains to be a world class company. And if you're planning to build a construction based company, there's only one brand to trust. Look for the nearest CAT office and the moment you see that CAT flag waving, you know you're dealing with top quality equipments.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Walking around the city on Easter Monday gives you a renewed feeling of quietude and inner peace. For large Christian cultures, this day is considered as a national holiday. And since I am a Roman Catholic living and working in a Christian community, I had the day for myself. I initially thought of spending the whole day at home and do some house cleaning, or maybe spend the whole day sleeping. But I soon found the whole idea boring and so I decided to walk around town in search of interesting stuff. I chose the downtown park near the city hall as my destination. The park which was decorated with colorful Easter flags never run out of people and street vendors. You would easily notice the happy mood that engulfs the place. I myself frequent the place on weekends after football practice, where I get to hang out with my team mates while munching on some delicious street foods that come cheap. On my way to the park, I passed the biggest cathedral in the city. Though this was the church where I got my baptism, I seldom visit and attend masses in here anymore. Since we moved to the suburbs, I preferred attending mass in a nearby church. But despite feeling of a long absence, I felt a profound connection with the cathedral. The mass has recently ended and it was quiet now. Only yellow and white blank flags are visibly moving in the churchyard. These flags were used as decorations for the Easter celebration. The solemnity of the place reminded me of the value of Easter for us Christians. So before I moved on to my city walk, I said a prayer in the church, to prepare myself for whatever the futures has in store for me and my family. This probably was the most humbling Easter egg hunt I ever did. I didn't find eggs, but I found something more important and that was peace.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I was munching away a hamburger for lunch today when a thought struck me. Where in the world could this beef patty I'm munching come from? It's not a big deal but of course I'd love to retrace the journey of this delicious thing that's keeping me company for lunch. It's like getting to travel one way or another, and of course, it's a healthy to know where the food you are eating came from. My initial guess would be Argentina for its known production of beef and other beef products. But I was tempted to think that what I was eating was from New Zealand. I heard they have lots of cows there. I was wondering if they produce beef patties as much as they produce milk. And I just couldn't stop thinking of the luscious environment the country has to offer. For that, I would prefer the beef patty in my mouth to have originated from New Zealand, but for I couldn't care less. I just wanted to finish that yummy hamburger. After I did, I went back to my musings about cows and nature, eventually going back to the thought of New Zealand. I don't know a lot about the country except where it can be found, and what countries are close to it. This beautiful country is found in the Pacific, and together with Australia, forms the region we call as Oceania. For this, both countries share a lot in common including their history and culture. That is why the flags of New Zealand and Australia are not far different from each other. I know little beyond that, but I'll surely be looking up some facts about this beautiful island country in the pacific. Meantime, I'll concentrate on chugging down this glass of milk before I go to sleep. I wonder where in the world this came from.
by: The Flagman
Monday, May 11, 2009
Do you know how the Acadiana flag looks like? It's like the Philippine flag, only that it has a star and no sun and some other designs. Funny thing is even the Microsoft Word program doesn't recognize the name Acadiana. If you Google, Acadiana is the name given to the French Louisiana region. Makes me wonder if Acadiana is country or a province? Basing on my research, Acadiana is also called the Cajun country so I guess it is a country, but why is it unknown? If you would ask people where the city called General Santos is, no one would know, except some avid fans of the boxing phenomenon named Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. Same goes for Acadiana or the even the Acadiana flag. Sure, the flag itself is fancy and artistic but what is the use if you don't know the country itself? Most of the people of today dream of traveling the world and exploring every part of it. Looking closely at these big time dreams the persons who desire to travel only want to go to famous places. In my eyes, if we want to discover the world and its many wonders, we should start from places unknown and unheard of. If I randomly ask anyone if they would like to go to Iraq to travel, I believe 90% would say no. If you travel to explore the world, why would you look for smiles? Why not look at grief and distraught to understand the world more? If you would ask me, I would say no to that question too. If I were to travel I would want to be safe, but when you say discover the world? I would force myself to say yes. I guess there are dreams that could hurt and still they are being chased by people.
by: The Flagman
Friday, May 8, 2009
If people think that feather flags are for decorating only, I say it has many uses. The flags can tell us wind directions and wind speed. Usually you see these flags swaying with the wind as if they were wind vanes telling people wind direction but when they sway hard they give a sound. A minor booming sound that is, that tells wind speed. Unlike the anemometer that measures wind speed feather flags were somewhat created to predict wind speed and give color and decoration to any terrain. Amazing isn't it? Sometimes it makes me think that golfer's instinct in shooting is because of the said feather flag. When you're a golfer I believe wind direction and wind speed are key factors for that winning shot. If you have seen the Tiger Woods commercial for Accenture, Woods utilized every aspect to get a better angle of the shot and land a perfect one too. I find it amazing how people create things with multiple functions. If you would ask me I just look at flags like sheets that either resembles a country or a business or an endorser. I looked at them that simply up until now. I guess things have other uses even if it's simple, like using a flag for a blanket or a wind vane which is not an option of many. Same goes for people too. We all wear masks and we tend to hide what's good in us, therefore some people see us as worthless but that's only at first sight. Sometimes we just have to take a second look at people but the second time around it should be closer. That's what I learned from someone in the past, he was always aware of things and before he talks he puts himself in that certain person's shoes which is really nice.
by: The Flagman
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Getting over things are pretty hard especially if you were attached to that person or thing. To one of my friends it was like starting a run but every time he looks forward things get blurry. He liked to travel like most of us, but this one time everything changed. He was excited to go to Argentina, it was his first time and he was ecstatic! He brought the flag of Argentina to his house and to one of our meeting places just to tell everyone he has roamed the world. To me, it was somewhat boastful but he was happy he was going there for pleasure and not work so I understood. He stayed in Argentina for two weeks and when he came back he was a changed man. When we picked him up in the airport we brought the flag of Argentina with us to let him know that we were glad to see him home. When we saw him exit, we went berserk as if seeing a famous rock artist. Usually he would play along with the routine but this time he was not himself. After getting to our meeting place he told the whole story. Like any other man his weakness was the woman from her dreams and sadly he found her in Argentina. He told the sad story of how he fell in love and faltered. And the memories are staying and the flag remains in his head and he is unable to forget what he had found and lost in Argentina. Now, he is almost back to normal but not quite and as friends we are by his side. A few weeks from now he is going to go back to the country were he found smiles and tears, to put a closure on what had happened and to move on. I myself would pray that he'd get over it.
by: The Flagman
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
After four years of hardships and struggles, I can see the checkered flag. It is a bitter sweet feeling to graduate. Leaving the fun times and close bonds with friends to face the real world. It's as if it was yesterday when I showed up at this school. I was a complete stranger with no one to turn to and no one to talk to. I enrolled and started the semester at a place where I felt unsafe. After months of studying, I learned to open up and I bonded with some persons and they became my friends, my colleagues, my happiness and strength. Surviving college was a lot easier for me with all of my friends behind me, supporting me and cheering out for me. They became the most precious treasures I ever had. At times we quarreled and never talked to each other but after the day is done we become friends again and the friendship only grows stronger. They say that constant togetherness develops into love and that happened. With a special bond my friends love me and I love them as well but someone in the group became the apple of my eyes. I saw her as a beauty beyond compare and I was lucky she felt the same way for me. The relationship blossomed and she became the jewel that brightened up my days. Now, it is time to part ways and pass the checkered flag signaling the end of the race. It is time to leave the past behind and start a new, facing the world who they say is cruel. I know one thing for sure, the bonds that we had are as strong as diamonds and cannot be broken and this time I can ask my jewel if she could be mine for all of time.
by: The Flagman
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
One may vividly recall the banners and the posters being used by propaganda movements depicting Uncle Sam pointing a finger at the reader. This design has been one of the trademark symbols of the US Government recruiting volunteers and patriots to defend the motherland. Those who are courageous or patriotic enough sign up. During the Second World War, soldiers who have offered their lives in keeping the influence of the U.S. flag flying in enemy territory have successfully defended the cause of liberty and freedom for everyone by liberating cities captured by the enemies. Nowadays, these same men who were decorated as patriots are revered as living heroes, for without them, the current country which is symbolized by the flag of red, white, and blue, and stars for its states wouldn't be seen as freely. Those were the days of heroes born from the chaos and memory of fallen comrades in facing a common enemy. Today, the battles of everyday have shifted from the bullets and shells to the urban setting. Politicians have slugged it out every election to win over all other competitors. These civilian warriors are the modern patriots, involving themselves in a different form of campaign. This campaign is to liberate the civilians from economic stagnation, civilian upset and global alienation. New laws are being deliberated each day at the modern civilian arena called the senate, where each representative of the respective states, uphold and lobby their laws to maintain overall legislature. These modern servants of society are also modern patriots who try to assure the rest of the country that the U.S. flag will remain hoisted up for others to recognize. Who else can be one? Being a servant to the country doesn't require one to have guns and ammunition, or become a zealous lobbyist. Even normal citizens can be Uncle Sam's helpers. By merely keeping the peace and security of the immediate vicinity is a small thing to do, yet a big help in the general sense of contributing to the community. Modern patriots who wish to uphold the U.S. flag wouldn't have to enlist in the nearest recruitment agency, or study law intensively and campaign for elections. It can just start with a simple act of following laws.
by: The Flagman
Monday, May 4, 2009
I am a big fan of American musician and singer Jason Mraz. While listening to a playlist with most of his songs in it, I noticed a song that mentioned Gibraltar. From then on, I was wondering and got curious about this place. I didn't even know this country existed in the first place. Gibraltar is actually a British Overseas Territory. It got its name from the Arabic name "Jabal Tariq" that means 'mountain of Tariq'. This symbolizes the geological formation called the "Rock of Gibraltar" which later was named after Gen. Tariq ibn-Ziyad who was the leader of the first incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711. Presently, Gibraltar is famously known as Gib or the Rock. Gibraltar enjoys subtle winters and warm summers being in the Mediterranean. The country's prevailing winds come from the Sahara in Africa resulting to a balance of both humid weather and warmer ocean with the refreshing air and cooler sea. Looking at its flag, one may notice that there is no British Ensign or the small British flag on the upper left, also known as the Union Jack. Take for example the flag of Australia; since the country was originally British Territory before, they have the Union Jack on the upper left of their flag. The white part of the flag means peace and honesty with the red bottom half means strength, bravery and honor. The Castle represents the Fortress of Gibraltar, although there are no actual castles that looks like that on the island. Then, there's the golden key which symbolizes significance. So it's a pretty important place considering it has historically been an important base for the British Armed forces and Royal Navy. So now, after I knew that a country by the name of Gibraltar exists and that I have described its flag, I realized it wasn't really as uninteresting as I expected it to be.
by: The Flagman
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Philippine flag is what students and teachers look up to every morning at school for the flag ceremony. They sing the national anthem while looking up to the red and blue stripes while singing gladly to praise the three stars and the sun. However, some Filipinos look to flag as a sign of dismay. Some look up to it and think when the glorious days will come. According to many, the country itself is drowning and will never rise again. If you would listen to some bystanders or listen to students, they blame corruption for the poverty they are experiencing. In my point of view, corruption is the main reason why the Philippines and other countries experience poverty but the ones causing the harm are the ones who are complaining. In the Philippines, most people complain that politicians in office are corrupt. But if the people would look back, they were the ones who voted for these people to be in power. It is true that people realize their mistakes after the damage has been done and that is what's happening in the Philippines. If I would look at the Philippine flag nowadays, instead of seeing three stars and a sun, I see a dying sun and three falling stars. I ask myself will the glory ever come or will the sorrow never end? Then I look at some people whether they be politicians or civilians and I see some of them trying to make a change. I say to myself that there is still a glimpse of hope, we just have to neglect corruption that we have inherited long before we were born. Things do change and time indeed passes. I hope that the three stars and the sun will rise again and give light to the flag that some already have forgotten.
by: The Flagman
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