THE LARGEST FLAG IN THE WORLD

HAS ARRIVED IN THE COUNTRY!

THE FLAG HAS BEEN ROLLED OUT AND MEASURED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS AT MASADA AIRFIELD AND DECLARED:

THE FLAG OF ISRAEL IS THE LARGEST FLAG IN THE WORLD

"From the islands of the sea, He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:11b, 12)

The largest flag in the world - of Israel, the size of two football stadiums has arrived in Israel this week together with a smaller flag of the Philippines. Both were sewn in the Philippines and offered by the initiative and financing of Sister Grace Galindez-Gupana, an ardent supporter of Israel as a testament to God's love of Israel and as a celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Israel. Sister Grace, who has been working during the last years to promote tourism between the two countries, decided to mark the friendly relations between the two countries with the two flags to be unfurled side by side.

At a festive ceremony at the Masada airfield, the two flags were rolled out by both hundreds of local youth, residents of the Tamar regional council alongside Philippine residents in Israel. Acknowledging the contribution to the State of Israel were the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Shaul Zemach; the donor of the flag - Philippine entrepreneur and evangelical Christian Grace Galindez-Gupana; the Consul General of the Philippines Gilberto G. B. Asuque; Chairman of the Tamar Regional Council Dov Litvanoff.

Made in the Philippines and transported by cargo ship to Israel, the approximate cost of both flags is placed at US$500,000.00, a humungous amount that is definitely a "splurge" for the Filipino entrepreneur, who made the flags to make a statement of her lavish love for Israel and the Jewish people. By unfurling it in Israel, she wants to beckon all nations worldwide to lift up Israel and proclaim, Israel is not just any nation; it is God's plan for the nations.

It took 14,900 yards of nylon taffeta cloth, 1,250 yards of satin and 70 yards of canvas, and required 18 rolls each of white, red, and blue thread, and 12 rolls of yellow gold thread to make the Philippine flag. On the other hand, the flag of the State of Israel consumed 16,200 yards of royal blue and 6,010 yards of white pongee cloth. Ten seamstresses worked non-stop 12 hours a day, starting on August 6, 2006 until September 16, 2006 to finish the Philippine flag. Work on the flag of the State of Israel commenced on November 14, 2006; it was completed on Dec 7 of the same year. An artist master cutter assisted by 40 volunteers continuously cut the strips of cloth needed to complete the two giant flags.

Minister of Tourism Yitzhak Aharonovich, stated: "The Israel flag is the Zionist symbol of independence of the people of Israel and the State of Israel, and I thank sister Grace, who in this moving gesture is giving us the opportunity to take pride in our independence of 60 years. I hope that tourists from around the world will endeavor, as Sister Grace is, in advancing tourism between all peoples."

LOOKING AT THE PREPARATIONS:

On September 16, 2006, the largest Philippine flag was unfurled in Mt. Inordenan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippines. Three hundred volunteers held the giant flag on its four sides and let it lay on a trellis of aluminum cables suspended about three feet above the ground. The event, which was witnessed by tens of thousands of people from all walks of life, was a joyous time of celebration of the fulfillment of a vision that Mrs. Gupana had received to build and unfurl the giant flag; however, the celebration was cut short. A sudden gust of very strong winds tore and ripped the Philippine flag apart. Repairs and restoration work on it were done, and on July 7, 2007, the giant Philippine flag was again unfurled together with the giant flag of the State of Israel in San Mateo, Rizal, the Philippines. On the same occasion, two giant flags of North and South Korea were also hoisted as a prophetic gesture for the unification of the two countries, which had been separated as a result of the Korean War in 1950-1953.

The July 7, 2007 event was a celebration of three very significant "7s": the 40th Anniversary of the Retaking of the City of Jerusalem, which happened on June 7, 1967, the Jubilee of the Diplomatic Ties Between the Philippines and Israel, which had its beginning in 1957, and the Centennial of the Spiritual Revival of Korea, which took place in 1907.

WHY GIANT FLAGS FOR THE TWO COUNTRIES?

Several key events punctuate the long and very special relationship between the Philippines and Israel. The diplomatic ties between the two countries was formally established in August 1957 with the appointment of an honorary consul in Israel, however it is believed that the Philippines' connection to the Jewish people started as early as March 15, 1521 when Magellan discovered the Philippines. With him in his ships and in the succeeding Spanish expeditions were Marrano Jews, who were fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. History records that many of them found a safe haven in the Philippines, and eventually pioneered and established major businesses and industries in the country, such as the forerunner of the airline industry, the first radio station and newspaper, car dealerships, the transportation, embroidery and textile industries, etc. Thus, even today, it is not surprising to find Jewish people or Filipinos with Jewish roots in the most unlikely places as Tabaco, Albay or in the smaller towns in the island of Samar.

In 1939, the Philippines adopted an Open Door policy, welcoming Jewish people escaping the terrors of the Holocaust in Europe. President Manuel L. Quezon, the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, made available 10,000 visas for them and donated 10 hectares of land in Marikina City where they could settle.

In the United Nations vote for the Partition of Palestine to create a Jewish homeland, the Philippines was the only country in Asia that voted in favor.

"Sister Grace, who has arrived in the Israel in the accompaniment of several journalists from the Philippines, said: "The flag is my testament to the message I received from God expressing his love for the State of Israel and its citizens, and I hope that in this way I can also promote tourism to Israel."

After the appointment of an honorary consul in August 1957, full diplomatic ties between the two countries was established with the opening of full-fledged embassies in Tel Aviv and in Manila in 1962. Since then, Israel and the Philippines have enjoyed a warm, cordial and friendly relationship in all spheres. Through Israel's MASHAV program, the Philippines have benefited from technical and scientific assistance, and cultural and academic exchanges. Since then, the Holy Land has since become a favorite destination among Filipinos. Israeli owned businesses continue to have a very strong presence in the Philippine markets, especially in the telecommunications and electronics industry, and in agriculture.

And today, 50,000 Filipinos are in Israel, taking care of its elderly, babies, the sick and handicapped, and assisting Israeli mothers in household chores.

The relationship between the two countries is indeed a very special one: so special that we can almost brand Filipinos as the "chosen for His chosen people!"

It is for this reason that the giant flag of Israel was raised on July 7, 2007, and why it is being unfurled in Israel on November 25, 2007.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Parks and Nature Authority will integrate the flag into the events planned for the 60th year of Independence in order to promote both internal and incoming tourism. The Ministry has already received many requests from different entities that are interested in utilizing the flag in various events and is planning to unfurl the flag again at major national events.

Thank you Sister Grace Galindez-Gupana; Special thanks to your husband Paul, and the Philippine community - for all your support and inspiration

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