Last modified: 2009-03-21 by ian macdonald
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The Senate of the Philippines seems to have its own flag, displayed in the
Senate Ceremonial Hall. The Hall can be seen in several photos of the image
gallery of the Senate website; the national flag is placed on the left of the
stand and the probable Senate flag on its right, the seal of the Senate being
applied on the wall. See, for instance, in the 2006 gallery:
http://www.senate.gov.ph/photo_release/2006/photo_rel120806.asp
http://www.senate.gov.ph/photo_release/2006/photo_rel110606b.asp
http://www.senate.gov.ph/photo_release/2006/photo_rel101206.asp
The
flag is red with a golden fringe and, most probably, the seal of the Senate in
the middle.
A photo of Senator Richard Gordon, taken in January 2005,
seems to confirm the design of the flag:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Gordon.jpg.
The seal of
the Senate of the Philippines includes the shield of the national arms,
surrounded by elements specific of the Senate heraldry:
"On the side of
the coat of arms are garlands of sampaguita with six sampaguita buds on each
side representing the 12 regions of the country. The sampaguita flower also
symbolizes honor and dignity, characteristics, which likewise epitomize the
Senate as an institution;
Below the coat of arms is a scroll with the Latin
inscription Legis Servitae Pax Fiat, which means "Law Serves Peace, Let
It Be Done.” This Latin maxim embodies the ideals and aspirations of the Senate
to pass relevant laws in order to attain peace in the country. The stars
arranged in circle surrounding the coat of arms represent the 24 elected
Senators of the Senate of the Philippines."
Quote from the "Symbols of
Authority" page of the Senate website (http://www.senate.gov.ph/about/symbols%20of%20authority.asp):
As can be seen on the flag beside Richard Gordon, the seal as used on the flag
has a white rim with black letters (as shown also on the top of the pages of the
Senate website) instead of a blue rim with golden letters (as shown on the seal
applied on the wall of the Senate Ceremonial Hall).
"Sampaguita" is the Filipino name of the Arabian Jasmine, Jasminum sambac
(L.) Aiton, a species of jasmine native to Southern Asia (Bengal to Ceylon and
Burma) and widely cultivated elsewhere. It was named the national flower of
Philippines by Governor General Frank Murphy on 1 February 1934. [http://web.tri-isys.com/greenhearts/sampag.htm].
Quoting
Mansfeld's World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops:
"In
the tropics, especially in India and adjacent regions to China, much cultivated
for the very fragrant, white flowers much used for decoration and as condiment.
In China it is the main source to scent tea. Much planted for ornamental
purposes in gardens. Roots and leaves are an important Ayurvedic medicine, in
Cuba and China also especially cultivated for medicinal purposes."
Ivan
Sache, 22 February 2009
