HISTORIC RITUAL LAUNCHED: Cavite City Reclaims Title as the True Cradle of the Philippine Flag

CAVITE CITY, Philippines — After weather disruptions temporarily delayed its initial rollout, a landmark patriotic movement is officially set to take center stage this weekend at the historic City of Cavite.

The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, President Emilio Aguinaldo Assembly ACN 1438, in partnership with the City Government of Cavite under the leadership of Hon. Mayor Denver R. Chua, announces the formal inaugural launch of its civic initiative: “TIPAN SA WATAWAT, DANGAL NG CAVITEÑO: A Monthly Salute to the Flag Cradle.”

The solemn, public ceremony will commence this coming Saturday, September 26, 2026, at exactly 7:30 AM at the Independence Flagpole, Samonte Park, Cavite City.

The Narrative: Why Cavite City Holds the Sacred Claim

While the national capital honors our national symbol through the monthly “Stop and Salute” program at Rizal Park in Luneta, historians and patriotic societies recognize that Cavite City holds a deeply unique, foundational edge. It was right on its very shores, in what was then known as Cavite Nuevo, where the National Flag of the Philippines received its first public baptism of fire, victory, and triumph on Saturday, May 28, 1898, following the hard-fought triumph at the Battle of Alapan.

Historical records show that this monumental first public display occurred on a Saturday. By organizing this civic gathering every last Saturday of the month, the President Emilio Aguinaldo Assembly ACN 1438 permanently anchors the ritual to the exact day of the week this great historical triumph occurred.

The Core Importance of the Project

“The Tipan sa Watawat is not merely an administrative routine or a weekday government requirement,” says SK Louis Chin, Worthy Faithful Navigator of Assembly 1438. “A Tipan is a sacred covenant. As members of the Patriotic Degree, we believe that love for country must be a living, breathing, year-round practice. This monthly assembly ensures that the flame of local identity and civic integrity burns continuously in the hearts of our people, serving as a permanent countdown that builds public momentum toward our grand, synchronized Annual National Flag Day celebrations every May 28.”

A Brief, High-Impact Civic Ritual

To respect the time of busy families, youth sectors, and workers, the entire program is strictly structured to last only 20 minutes.

• The Ceremonial Hoisting: In full compliance with Republic Act No. 8491, the Assembly’s uniformed Fourth Degree Color Corps will execute a disciplined, formal flag-raising from a completely clear mast.
• The “Dangal Caviteño Minute”: The ceremony features a unique, 3-minute historical storytelling segment right after the national anthem. This segment is explicitly dedicated to bypassing dry textbook lectures, instead delivering short, powerful narratives about forgotten local heroes and the revolutionary history embedded right within the city streets of Cavite.

An Invitation to the Public

The President Emilio Aguinaldo Assembly ACN 1438 invites all local youth groups, student leaders, civic organizations, brother knights, and Cavite City residents to come out in full force this Saturday morning. Participation is open to the public.

“Let us come together to start our weekend by standing tall, lifting our heads high, and collectively saluting the cradle of our national pride,” FN Chin concludes.

###