I took this photograph using my wife’s Nokia 6288 last November 18 (Sunday). Joy and I just stepped out of a newly opened restaurant along Adriatico Street (Manila) and we noticed this tattered Philippine flag displayed – accidentally and not proudly, I think – by a barber shop just in front of the restaurant where we ate.
I don’t mean to wax poetic (I’ve given up on poetry a long time ago), but don’t you think the tattered Philippine flag symbolizes the state of the nation? I doubt if this was done on purpose by the owners of the barber shop. One can surmise that the tattered flag only resulted from the owners’ oversight or laziness.
The barber shop’s display of a tattered Philippine flag is, I think, very much unlike an optical shop at the UP Shopping Center which, as of November 24 (Saturday), has a Philippine flag displayed on its door, with the red field on the left side (observer’s vantage point upon entering the shop) signifying a state of war. I never bothered to call the owner’s attention to it, since it’s possible that this was done on purpose.
There is, of course, a legal way to display the Philippine flag as stipulated in Republic Act No. 8491 both in times of war and peace. Is “war” now being liberally interpreted (wittingly or unwittingly) to include times of social crisis?
Please tell me what you think. By the way, since I still have some copies of the book I recently co-authored titled Monitoring Media Coverage of Elections, the first person who can identify the barber shop along Adriatico Street that displays this tattered flag will get a free copy.
If you know the answer, please leave a comment on this post. As may be attested by the winners of my previous contest, rest assured that this contest is legitimate, no strings attached.
Thank you for reading and good luck!
Sir, is that the Barberos barber shop? Haha, just taking a wild guess. =P
Reply: Close, but not quite. Need a complete name. Thanks for trying.
Symbolism or reality? We are a country at war with itself. A society so divided that one can easily see indifference and apathy to the plight of so many. Ours is a tattered country wherein class wars are uncommon and greed destroys institutions.
Sorry, though I used to work in the area, the name of the shop escapes me.
Reply: Well explained, as expected. I guess we should hope that the tattered flag will be displayed indefinitely, if only to make passers-by in the area think about the state of the nation. Cheers!
Sir try ko ulit, last na po. Hehehe. Is it Bruno’s Barbers?
Reply: Try again!
Hi Sir Danny! :)
Went there last night. I have to go to CCP kasi last night para manood ng ‘Amado, minamahal’. Gruppo Barbero po ung barber shop. :) Sitting at the corner of Pedro Gil St. and Adriatico. :) weeee
Reply: Yes, you’re right. You may pick up your copy of the book from the UP Department of Journalism. Thanks for your participation! Cheers!