MANILA, Philippines — An elementary school teacher who went viral for climbing the flagpole in her school in Batanes was honored in a ceremony in Rizal Park yesterday.
Carol dela Cruz became the 55th honoree of the Salute to a Clean Flag Movement, a non-political initiative that aims to rekindle patriotism through abundant and proper display of the Philippine Flag.
During the ceremony, Dela Cruz was given a new Philippine Flag encased in a wooden triangular box.
The movement commended her for “being a steward of the Philippine Flag and a positive influence to the youth.”
The recognition stemmed from her climbing the flagpole to replace the rope that would be used for the flag-raising ceremony at the Savidug Elementary School in Sabtang on July 31.
Video footage shared by netizen Arlene Castillo to the Facebook page of The STAR showed Dela Cruz, who is also an athlete, climbing the pole without difficulty.
She gripped the pole by her hands and between her toes as she moved up until she reached the top.
Dela Cruz slid down easily after inserting the other end of the rope into the eye of the flagpole.
The video earned over 5,500 likes and comments mostly praising her and expressing concern for her safety.
It was the second time that Dela Cruz climbed the flagpole as there was no male adult available to do the job.
All the school’s workers – including the principal, administrative officer and five teachers – are women.
After the video went viral, Dela Cruz climbed the flagpole for the third time as a way of celebrating herself.
“Her act shows that patriotism is not about grand gestures, but consistent and everyday acts of community service,” Monique Cornelio-Pronove, president and chief executive officer of Pronove Tai International Property Consultants and founder of the Salute to a Clean Flag Movement, said during the ceremony.
In jest, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. asked Dela Cruz to “teach our soldiers to climb the flagpole in Rizal Park.”
Dela Cruz said she was amazed at how her “simple act” was recognized on such a scale.
“I didn’t realize that a simple act like showing love for the flag is significant and deserves recognition,” she said.
She urged the public not to stop doing good things and believing in their own capabilities.