LUNA, Apayao – As means to foster respect and love for one’s province, a memorandum was released by the Schools Division of Apayao (Division Memorandum No. 339 S. 2023 or also known as the Proper hand gesture during the singing of the Apayao Provincial Hymn-Apayao) to set the guidelines to be followed.
Irene S. Angway PhD, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent, signed said memorandum last September 11, 2023 which she said was based on a provincial legislation (Provincial Ordinance No. 13, S. 2020.) The ordinance is titled “An Ordinance Institutionalizing a Proper Hand Gesture during the Singing of the Apayao Provincial Hymn- Apayao Forever.”
Angway advised all employees of the Apayao Schools Division Office, including students, to introduce or institutionalize the proper hand gesture and careful upholding of some virtues while singing the Apayao Provincial Hymn in all public occasions.
It was stated in section 5 of said ordinance that the Apayao Provincial Hymn should be sung with the thumb at a 45-degrees angle from the closed/gripped four fingers.
According to the explicit instructions in the Ordinance of Virtues the following must also be observed: Hat/ Umbrella off; Stand at attention and face the conductor; No unnecessary body movements; No hands-on-pocket; No use of cell-phones must be in off mode; and Moving individuals/vehicles must stop.
The ordinance’s goals are to give all yApayaos a chance to express their love and respect for their Apayao and to recognize its distinctive culture while preserving the sincere and in-depth meaning of patriotism, self-esteem, respect, unity and solidarity, integrity, loyalty, and harmony. By Maureen Legazpi