A face mask bearing design elements inspired by the Philippine Flag became an
emblem of heroism and nationalism, especially during the time of COVID-19 Ayala Foundation, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines, officially launched on May 28 the Magiting Face Mask, which bears the
colors of the Philippine flag and the eight-rayed sun.
The face mask serves to honor our Filipino front-liners and essential workers who are
making a huge sacrifice for the nation to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The Magiting Face Mask was one of the key features of the commemoration of the
Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite. All guests, including the honor guards from the
Philippine Navy, wore the mask to commemorate the first unfurling of the Philippine Flag
in 1898.
The mask was also simultaneously launched at the First Digital Magiting Conference
organized by Ayala Foundation, the Department of Education, and the NHCP on the
same day. The conference, which gathered 200 Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa
Pagpapakatao teachers from Region III, discussed teaching tools, methods, and other
resources to teach history and love of country, as the education system prepares for the
“new normal.” The conference was also viewed by over 1,500 participants through
Facebook Live.
“We hope to distribute the Magiting Face Mask to our front-liners and essential workers,
in recognition of their heroism during this time,” said Ruel Maranan, president of Ayala
Foundation. “Inaanyayahan rin namin kayo na patuloy na ipagmalaki ang ating bansa
kahit kailan, kahit saan. Sama-sama tayong maging magiting—sa isip, sa salita, at sa
gawa.”
Said NHCP Chairman Rene Escalante: “Sa taong ito, sa halip na mamigay ng maliliit na
watawat ang NHCP, sa tulong ng Ayala Foundation, ay mamimigay kami ng face mask
na may nakaguhit na simbolo ng ating bandila. Nawa’y pag nakita niyo ito, maalala nyo
ang kabayanihan ng mga rebolusyonaryong Filipino noong 1898 at ng mga COVID-19
front-liners natin sa kasalukuyang panahon.”
The Magiting Face Mask is part of Ayala Foundation’s Maging Magiting program, which
calls on Filipinos to express their love of country by giving our national symbols,
especially the Philippine flag, the respect they deserve.
In 2019 Ayala Foundation and its partners distributed Philippine flags to 10,000 public
schools, police stations, military camps, and other government offices across all 17
regions of the country.
This year, the foundation and its partners seek to distribute the face mask to community
front-liners and essential workers. The DepEd teachers who participated in the Digital
Magiting Conference were among the first to receive the masks.
Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan also officially turned over Magiting Face
Mask to the Philippine National Police, through Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar of the
Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Magiting Face Masks were also delivered to veterans of the Philippine military.
Receiving the masks from Maranan were Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu,
undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reservists Affairs of the Department of National
Defense; Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans
Affairs Office; and Retired Commodore Salvador Esguerra, vice president for operations
of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines. Also present at the turnover was NHCP
executive director B. Gen. Restituto Aguilar.
At the turnover Usec. Mapagu thanked Ayala Foundation for the face masks, which, he
said, will help “protect our most important national resource—our citizens.”
For his part, Usec. Carolina noted the value of “continuing partnership between the
public and private sector” during this time.”
Photo captions
Photo 1 — The Magiting Face Mask, designed by the National Historical Commission of
the Philippines and produced by Ayala Foundation
Photo 2 — Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar (right) receiving a Magiting
Mask from Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan
Photo 3 — Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan (left) ceremonially turns over the
Magiting Face Mask to Retired Commodore Salvador Esguerra of the Veterans
Federation of the Philippines. Looking on are Department of National Defense
Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu and PVAO administrator Usec. Ernesto Carolina
About Ayala Foundation
As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation
envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to
be Filipino. Ayala Foundation’s main program areas are Education, Community
Leadership, Suitable and Sustainable Livelihood, and Arts and Culture.
For more information, visit www.ayalafoundation.org
