Philippines    Yesterday morning when I was walking upstairs to 4th floor in school, the Philippine National anthem was played and I stopped between the flights of the stepping stages. I just noticed other students kept on going and chatting so loudly with a free thunderous laugh and even continued texting and studying. I felt very disappointed with that kind of attitude because they already forgot to give honor to the Philippine flag. Almost all Filipinos are being taught to practice the right manner when “Lupang Hinirang” (Philippine National Anthem) will be played. Even if you are in between of important works, or walking in the street, or eating or playing or whatever things you are doing, you should at least show respect through standing straightly and kept out on moving just for at least 4 minutes. Much better if you will sing it and when you see the flag, put your right hand unto your left chest. Is it really that hard to do such simple thing? Maybe one reason for that is being apathetic on important things and disregarding such honor to usual practices and culture in the country. Some people are so busy with irrelevant things. Having this kind of character leads us to insolence. How sad it is, as our country persist modernization, we change a lot. Change is not bad at all; we are the ones who make mess on it. I just wish that we keep respect in our hearts in just simple ways. Despite of the country’s economic and social problems at least we offer reverence to the good things in the nation that symbolizes of being a Filipino.

(Note: I’m not nationalistic but I love my country’s common practices especially showing respect to the Philippine Flag.)