National Tree
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Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) is a beautiful and strong tree. It is a favorite wood for furniture but because there are only a few trees left, cutting down a Narra tree is no longer allowed. It is found in Bicol, Mindanao and the Cagayan Valley forests. |
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The Sampaguita (jasminium sambac) has white, star-shaped blossoms. It has a sweet fragrance. It opens at night and wilts in less than a day. The white flowers are often made into garlands and its extract made into perfumes. It is not a tree. It is a woody vine. |
The Philippine Eagle
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The Philippine eagle (pithecopaga jeffery) stands over 3 feet (1m) tall. It has a large, sharp, curved beak. It has feathers that seem to bristle on its head. It is a raptor. Raptors are excellent hunters. It lives in tropical rain forests. It lays just one or two eggs each year. There are only a few of them now because of the vanishing trees in our mountains. |
Philippine Pearl
Arnis
Lupang Hinirang
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Caviteño Julian Felipe composed the music to our national hymn. Jose Palma wrote the poem entitled Filipinas. It became the words of our anthem.We sing our national hymn to signify our unity as a nation. It is sung during flag-raising ceremonies and whenever there is an official and important event. We stand proud when we sing it, placing our right hand on our left breast, and we remember our heroes who gave their lives for our independence. |
Lyrics:
Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso,
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.
Lupang Hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo
The Philippine Flag
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Our most important symbol is our national flag. The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white and blue, with a sun and three stars, as consecrated and honored by the people and recognized by law. The 3 stars symbolize Luzon, Panay, and Mindanao, the three known principal islands then. The sun’s 8 rays symbolize the first 8 provinces (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Manila, a province then) that fought for the Katipunan’s struggle for the country’s freedom from Spain. If our country is at peace, the blue stripe is on top. If our country is at war, the red stripe is on top. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Patriot’s Oath |
| Panatang Makabayan
We recite the Panatang Makabayan in our schools during flag-raising ceremonies to help young children express, through words, love for our country. Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas |
Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine flag Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas This pledge is recited while standing with the right hand with palm open raised shoulder high. Individuals whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from making such pledge must nonetheless show full respect when the pledge is being rendered by standing at attention. (*Sec. 25 of R.A. 8491) Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas Ako ay Pilipino |
