MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Philippine Senators seem obsessed about the redesign of the national flag as a way to better reflect the country’s history as well as current developments.
First, Senator Richard Gordon proposed adding another sun ray to recognize the role of Filipino Muslims in the country’s fight for freedom. Then, Senator-elect Francis Tolentino said he wants to add another star to the flag to represent the coral-rich Philippine territory, Benham Rise.
Not to be outdone, Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros is now proposing to add more stars — a lot of stars. She wants each star to represent one million Filipinos. Based on the latest population estmate of 108 Million, the flag would then have 108 stars, and counting.
Hontiveros additionally proposed to designate the English version of the Philippine National Anthem as one of the official versions, and she wants it titled “Star-studded Banner.”
So, if Hontiveros had her way, dual citizens of the Philippines and the U.S.A. will be singing two anthems — the Star-spangled Banner, and the Star-studded Banner.
Oh, say can you see the Land of the Morning?