(Rice paddy flag with Cabanatuan City Vice Mayor Anthony Umali and mall manager Carol Licup.)
CABANATUAN CITY – A rice paddy designed as a Philippine flag and a flag made of rice husk.
These were the centerpieces at the SM Megacenter and SM City Cabanatuan in celebration of the 121st Independence Day, Wednesday.
Carol Licup, manager of SM Megacenter, said the paddies created with the help of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), represent the invaluable role of Novo Ecijano farmers in nation building.
“At kaisa ng ating mga magsasaka ang SM sa progreso ng ating bayan,” Licup said as she stressed the figures of a woman and a man in the paddies surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges.
Aside from the rice paddies, the activity that was graced by Cabanatuan City officials led by Vice Mayor and Vice Governor-elect Anthony Umali with city councilors, and military personnel, also showcased gowns and barongs created by Novo Ecijano designers.
Joanne Bondoc, manager of SM City Cabanatuan, said the rice husk flag which measures 5×10 meters is in honor of Novo Ecijanos.
This, as government officials and employees gathered for flag ceremonies and brief programs at the old Capitol compound here, the city hall of Cabanatuan and other cities and municipalities early morning.
The Catholic-based Knights of Columbus Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes Assembly (AGMRA) hoisted the Philippine flag at the historical Plaza Lucero in front of St. Nicholas Cathedral along Del Pilar and Rizal streets here.
The Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID), for its part, showed the public some of its weapons and equipment being used in protecting the country’s independence in a static display at SM Megacenter.
