Sto. Tomas, Batangas – THE City Government of Sto. Tomas paid solemn tribute to the country’s emblem of sovereignty and nationhood through a ceremonial disposal of wornPhilippine flags on August 2025.
Led by City Mayor Atty. Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan, the rite honored 405 unusable flags collected from the city hall, its 30 barangays, and 50 public and private schools. Each flag, once a silent witness to the city’s progress and transition through time, was laid to rest with dignity through prayer, song, and ritual burning before their ashes were inurned.
In his message, Mayor Marasigan expressed gratitude to what he described as the “quiet onlooker” of the city’s struggles and triumphs. “As a symbol of sovereignty, the flag reminds us of what we have accomplished as public servants, where we are today, and what we hope to be in the future,” he said.
The ceremony underscored the flag’s enduring symbolism—an emblem not only of democracy and strength, but also of the shared responsibility of governance and service. By honoring the retired banners, the city government also reaffirmed its commitment to uphold respect for national symbols as mandated by Section 15 of Republic Act 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which prescribes the solemn burning of worn-out flags to prevent desecration or misuse.
The rite included prayers, the singing of the national anthem, a formal presentation of the worn ensigns, ceremonial wreath-laying, and the stately burning of the flags.
Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue Perez, Senior History Researcher Juan Paulo Calamlam of the National Historical Institute, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod joined city employees and officials in the observance.
For Sto. Tomas, the occasion was more than compliance with law—it was a quiet act of patriotism, a moment to honor the past while carrying forward the aspirations of a community steadfast in its service to the nation.
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