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As the celebration of the national flag days continues and the commemoration of the Philippine
Independence Day nears, flag makers in Sta. Cruz, Manila, work around the clock to fulfill
orders.
"It's peak season now. After that, it's back to normal. The peak season is from May to
June. After that, it's back to normal. But we have a lot of customers."
82-year-old flag maker Luningning David-Tan Gatue takes pride in the work she does.
"We've made flags for UST. We've also sent some flags abroad for the DFA [Department
of Foreign Affairs]. The flags are made of satin. And, Malacanang too."
She may be the one of the owners of the Atlas Super Flag company, but she still makes flags
up to this day.
"We also help in making the flags. After I cook food, I sit on my chair here and cut
some fabric. I help."
The Tan Gatue family has been in the flag making business since the 1910s. And it is
now the fourth-generation Tan Gatues who are in charge of keeping the business running.
"Before, I do everything. I only had five employees that time. Now I have twenty.
Atlas Super Flag has manufactured all sorts of flags in the past and continues to do so—from
the regular-sized flags up to gigantic ones.
"We make the flags for Luneta, which is 10' x 20' in size. Also for a 22' x 40' flag for
Olongapo. We also made the biggest flag which measures 50' x 100'.
While some might not find the flag making business as lucrative as others, according
to Tan Gatue, there's still a steady demand for Philippine and special flags even during
the off-peak season.
"We also make flags, in thousands, used during state visits of foreign leaders here. They
put flags along the roads from the airport. We just made East Timor flags.
"We also make flags for the Army, Navy and even the Air Force. We made all those."
The process of making flags may seem straightforward, but a special set of skills are needed to
come up with a good quality Philippine flag.
The whole process—from trimming fabric, sewing, and doing finishing touches—may
take up to 2 hours. Or even longer depending on the materials used and the size of the
flag being made.
"It's not easy to make a flag. You won't be accredited if you're not good."
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) accredits and inspects
flag manufacturers annually to the make sure that produced Philippine flags are up to the
strict standards defined in the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
"We are accredited by the NHCP. It's not really easy. You don't just crumple it up."
When asked on the company's future, Tan Gatue said that she sees no end yet for Atlas Super
Flag.
"Yes, it will continue. My granddaughters who are now in the twenties are here. I'm
already 82."
Reporting from Manila, I am Jeric Pena.