Flags and National Anthems

By: Veronica Leighton

Avery serious “international diplomatic protocol” controvery has occurred at the last PIWC kick-off celeb held last January 10, 2015 at the Wyndham Hotel, which before it magnifies into an international dispute like the PH-China’s Spratly Island controvery, we must settle the issue for the benefit not only of the PIWC organization but the other Fil-Am organizations out there together with their respective leaders. Our “Notebook” Columnist has touched on this on page 15.

This concerns the positioning of the guest country’s flag (in this case, the Philippines) and the host country’s flag (in this case, the U.S. ), likewise the singing of the National Anthems (Philippines’ “Lupang Hinirang:” and U.S.’s “Star-Spangled Banner” (the big question is, which should be sung first at a public function held in a foreign country outside our Mother Country, the Philippines?).

Interestingly, Ms. Josefina Wee Sit, PIWC past Chair and oustanding member of its Board of Trustees, who diligently did her research and homework to get to the end this controversy and find out the accepted protocol, sent me a couple of links from the Chicago Philippine Consulate General on this matter, that I would like to share to our readers.

First thing, what is the meaning of PROTOCOL? The word Protocol is also applicable to science, telecoms, diplomacy, etc. In this particular case, Merriam Dictionary defines protocol as a “system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations,” it is a social protocol that’s coinciding with the diplomatic protocol (my own words). Please read below for enlightenment purposes…

How to display the flag in the US

For household and office display, the flag must be displayed vertically, with the sun and stars on top. The blue field should be to the right (left of observer) and the red field to the left (right of the observer).

The flag should never be displayed horizontally except in flagpoles nor should it be hung fastened by its fly. The fly portion should always be free to move. When flown from a flagpole, the flag should have its blue stripe on top in times of peace, and the red on top in times of war.

When the Philippine flag is flown with another flag, the flags, if both are national flags, must be flown on separate staffs of the same height and the flags shall be of equal size.

When displayed with the US flag, the Philippine flag shall be on the left of the American flag.

When displayed with the US flag from crossed staffs, the Philippine flag should be on its left side (the right side of the observer). Its staff should be under the staff of the US flag. Two Philippine flags should never be displayed crossed staff.

When used on a speaker’s platform without the staff, it should hang vertically and placed above and behind the speaker. It should never be used to cover the speaker’s desk, or be draped over the front of the platform. When mounted on a platform, the flag should be placed on the presiding officers’ or speaker’s right and a bit in front, as they face the audience. If displayed with US flag, the Philippine flag will be placed on the presiding officers’ or speaker’s left, while the US flag is on the speaker’s right.

For complete information on the protocol of the flag, please visit the following link: http://www.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/

When displayed on the floor or on a platform, the flag is given the place of honor, always positioned behind the speaker and to the speaker’s right with other flags, if any, at the left.

The “right” as the position of honor was established from the time when the “right hand” was the “weapon hand.” The right hand raised without a weapon was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer’s left.

Singing of National Anthems

As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests. Those in military, scouting, citizen’s military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations. The salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem. There is never applause after its rendition.

When national anthems from different countries are played, courtesy and long-standing accepted practice indicate that foreign national anthems are played before the host nation’s anthem. As such, the “Lupang Hinirang” will be played first followed by the “Star Spangled Banner.”

After re-reading the links sent to me on the accepted flag and national anthems protocol, I would say that PIWC past Chair Mr. Met Castelo was wrong in his knowledge about the positioning of the U.S. & Philippine flags on the stage the night of the PIWC kick-off, and Mrs. Ellen Tan, current PIWC Chair, was correct on the protocol of the singing of the national anthems, “Lupang Hinirang” first, followed by “Star-Spangled Banner.” Both Niebar and WeeSit are correct on their stands about the flag positioning on the stage, but wrong regarding the singing of the national anthems..

My two-cents thought: Never, never say that we follow our own “Philippine Protocol” because of our feeling of nationalism or patriotism for our Motherland. Heard of the old saying, “When you’re in Rome, do what the Romans do”? That should be our Guiding Rule.

Out of curiosity, we closely watched the Malacanang ceremony in welcoming Pope Francis, and assuredly, the Vatican National Anthem was played before the Philippine National Anthem.

Quoting Ms. WeeSit, “The INFO is an excellent guidance for us to observe when making physical arrangement of our venue of PIWC events/celebrations and the singing of both the anthems of the Philippines & America.”

Thank you and congrats, guys. As the PIWC PRO, we know that we are starting things right, in order, and in observance of protocol of the land where we live, with fervor burning for these two countries.