NorthStar Flags

If the opening ceremony of the Olympics highlights is the raising of the Olympic flag, then the lowering of the flag is the main agenda of the closing ceremony. Although it signifies the end of the games, it also signals the start of preparation for the next host to duplicate if not to overshadow the pomposity of the previous celebration.

The closing ceremony of the 2004 Olympic games was held at the Athens Olympic Stadium, the venue for most of the games 16 days earlier had almost 70,000 spectators in attendance. Practically similar to the opening ceremony, it still showcased Greek culture and history through the repertoire staged by Greek actors, actresses and dancers, meant to show to the world its inherent culture and tradition.

The most awaited part of the closing ceremony was the exchange of the Olympic flag of the Antwerp games between the Mayor of Athens and the Mayor of Beijing, the city hosting the next Olympic games. Then right after the flag exchange, Chinese cultural dancers also members of the Chinese delegation staged a cultural presentation, giving the world a glimpse into what would literally happen in the next Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

As tradition dictates, flag-bearer from each nation’s contingent entered the stage, followed by the athletes en masse on the floor.

The National Anthem of Greece and China were then played as both the custom Greece flag and custom China flag were raised in a handover ceremony. The Olympic flag was then passed by the Mayor of Athens to its counterpart from Beijing and symbolically the Mayor of the host country declared that the 2004 Olympic Games has finally been closed.

If the opening ceremony of the Olympics highlights is the raising of the Olympic flag, then the lowering of the flag is the main agenda of the closing ceremony. Although it signifies the end of the games, it also signals the start of preparation for the next host to duplicate if not to overshadow the pomposity of the previous celebration.

The closing ceremony of the 2004 Olympic games was held at the Athens Olympic Stadium, the venue for most of the games 16 days earlier had almost 70,000 spectators in attendance. Practically similar to the opening ceremony, it still showcased Greek culture and history through the repertoire staged by Greek actors, actresses and dancers, meant to show to the world its inherent culture and tradition.

The most awaited part of the closing ceremony was the exchange of the Olympic flag of the Antwerp games between the Mayor of Athens and the Mayor of Beijing, the city hosting the next Olympic games. Then right after the flag exchange, Chinese cultural dancers also members of the Chinese delegation staged a cultural presentation, giving the world a glimpse into what would literally happen in the next Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

As tradition dictates, flag-bearer from each nation’s contingent entered the stage, followed by the athletes en masse on the floor.

The National Anthem of Greece and China were then played as both the custom Greece flag and custom China flag were raised in a handover ceremony. The Olympic flag was then passed by the Mayor of Athens to its counterpart from Beijing and symbolically the Mayor of the host country declared that the 2004 Olympic Games has finally been closed.

In practically all Olympic games, the opening ceremony stood as the yardstick by which the success of the spectacle is gauged. Host countries make the opening ceremony of the Olympic games as a grand celebration that showcase not only the local culture but also the different sports venues, the clinical appearance of the Olympic village and also the security preparations to insure that everybody is well protected, that no untoward incident will ever transpire.

Take the case of the 2004 Olympic games in Greece, the opening ceremony alone has rendered the world in awe as it marked the first ever staging of the games covered live in high definition television, courtesy of NBC and NHK. It brought the unfolding of the opening ceremony to local TV screen worldwide in the most true to life images and in perfect color.

The opening ceremony of the summer games held on August 2008 had 72,000 spectators attending together with around 15,000 delegates or athletes representing 202 countries participating in the grand spectacle.

The opening ceremony started with a 28 second countdown – one for each Olympic staging held outside of Greece and with an amplified heartbeat as background. Then a blazing rocket representing a crashing comet seemingly coming out of the blue hit the stadium floor igniting a burning image of the Olympic rings. Then what followed is the grand display of the celebration of Greek culture and history with the appearance of a Greek lad obviously in a giant paper boat waving the Greece flag.

Then followed by the parade of nations, with the flag of Greece leading way, and contingent of each nation together with their flags and bearer parading in alphabetical order. The last contingent to enter the stadium was that of the host country.

In practically all Olympic games, the opening ceremony stood as the yardstick by which the success of the spectacle is gauged. Host countries make the opening ceremony of the Olympic games as a grand celebration that showcase not only the local culture but also the different sports venues, the clinical appearance of the Olympic village and also the security preparations to insure that everybody is well protected, that no untoward incident will ever transpire.

Take the case of the 2004 Olympic games in Greece, the opening ceremony alone has rendered the world in awe as it marked the first ever staging of the games covered live in high definition television, courtesy of NBC and NHK. It brought the unfolding of the opening ceremony to local TV screen worldwide in the most true to life images and in perfect color.

The opening ceremony of the summer games held on August 2008 had 72,000 spectators attending together with around 15,000 delegates or athletes representing 202 countries participating in the grand spectacle.

The opening ceremony started with a 28 second countdown – one for each Olympic staging held outside of Greece and with an amplified heartbeat as background. Then a blazing rocket representing a crashing comet seemingly coming out of the blue hit the stadium floor igniting a burning image of the Olympic rings. Then what followed is the grand display of the celebration of Greek culture and history with the appearance of a Greek lad obviously in a giant paper boat waving the Greece flag.

Then followed by the parade of nations, with the flag of Greece leading way, and contingent of each nation together with their flags and bearer parading in alphabetical order. The last contingent to enter the stadium was that of the host country.

Now that the Olympic summer games is about to start, August of 2008 in China, everybody not only the delegation representing each country is anticipating the test of strength, speed, stamina and how their preparation could fare in the spectacle.

The Olympic games happen only once in every 4 years, yet it generates a lot of enthusiasm worldwide and also economic gains to the country hosting the games, that is why host country’s vying for the privilege are awarded the bid in advance to give them time to prepare.

The committee tasked with the staging of the games is seeing to it that all fronts are covered; from the sports venues; to the Olympic symbols, the flame, fanfare, the theme, and also the flag; to the Olympic village where delegates will be housed; and of course the security measures put forth to insure that nothing untoward will happen during the entire duration of the spectacle.

The Olympic games has a motto in Latin, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” which is “Swiftier, Higher, Stronger” in English, proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, a quote that was originally coined by Henri Didon, a Dominican priest. But another informal motto, “The most important thing is not to win but to take part” is the more famous and widely accepted worldwide, particularly to followers of the summer games.

Although we have lots of emblems to associate with the games, it will not be complete without the Olympic flag. The custom flag of the Olympic games has five intertwined rings of different colors, blue, yellow, black, green, and red are placed over a white background and represents the five continents of the world that has joined the Olympic Charter.

Now that the Olympic summer games is about to start, August of 2008 in China, everybody not only the delegation representing each country is anticipating the test of strength, speed, stamina and how their preparation could fare in the spectacle.

The Olympic games happen only once in every 4 years, yet it generates a lot of enthusiasm worldwide and also economic gains to the country hosting the games, that is why host country’s vying for the privilege are awarded the bid in advance to give them time to prepare.

The committee tasked with the staging of the games is seeing to it that all fronts are covered; from the sports venues; to the Olympic symbols, the flame, fanfare, the theme, and also the flag; to the Olympic village where delegates will be housed; and of course the security measures put forth to insure that nothing untoward will happen during the entire duration of the spectacle.

The Olympic games has a motto in Latin, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” which is “Swiftier, Higher, Stronger” in English, proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, a quote that was originally coined by Henri Didon, a Dominican priest. But another informal motto, “The most important thing is not to win but to take part” is the more famous and widely accepted worldwide, particularly to followers of the summer games.

Although we have lots of emblems to associate with the games, it will not be complete without the Olympic flag. The custom flag of the Olympic games has five intertwined rings of different colors, blue, yellow, black, green, and red are placed over a white background and represents the five continents of the world that has joined the Olympic Charter.

I recently toured a large banana plantation and I found some orange colored vertical banners hanging. Since they were really eye catching, I inquired from my guide as to what they really were, but then before he can make a reply, a small light aircraft made a pass and immediately we left and made our way to the field office.

While driving my guide informed me that it is never wise to be caught in the field when planes are making spray runs, because the pesticides are really toxic – some pesticides are even health hazards and proper warnings must be made so nobody can affected. Aerial sprays are necessary to rid the plantation of the dreaded sigatoka disease that could lay entire plantations to waste if not properly managed or the bract mosaic disease that could affect fruit yield.

While in the office, personnel were busy maneuvering the orange signal flags to be in position for the next spray run. I was informed that this orange banner is run by battery-powered motors, operated by remote control and attached to strong messenger cables. And it is through their computer monitors that they can pinpoint the actual locations of each. Once these are on track, they serve as trajectory for planes to follow during spray runs.

To put the orange flags in position is really tricky, since three sets usually work together, one at both ends of the field and one at the center. These three orange flags must be aligned before the plane can resume the spray run.

Quite ingenious, don’t you think? This is an assurance that no plantation personnel are out in the field once aerial sprays are made.

I recently toured a large banana plantation and I found some orange colored vertical banners hanging. Since they were really eye catching, I inquired from my guide as to what they really were, but then before he can make a reply, a small light aircraft made a pass and immediately we left and made our way to the field office.

While driving my guide informed me that it is never wise to be caught in the field when planes are making spray runs, because the pesticides are really toxic – some pesticides are even health hazards and proper warnings must be made so nobody can affected. Aerial sprays are necessary to rid the plantation of the dreaded sigatoka disease that could lay entire plantations to waste if not properly managed or the bract mosaic disease that could affect fruit yield.

While in the office, personnel were busy maneuvering the orange signal flags to be in position for the next spray run. I was informed that this orange banner is run by battery-powered motors, operated by remote control and attached to strong messenger cables. And it is through their computer monitors that they can pinpoint the actual locations of each. Once these are on track, they serve as trajectory for planes to follow during spray runs.

To put the orange flags in position is really tricky, since three sets usually work together, one at both ends of the field and one at the center. These three orange flags must be aligned before the plane can resume the spray run.

Quite ingenious, don’t you think? This is an assurance that no plantation personnel are out in the field once aerial sprays are made.

As part of my on-the-job training, I was assigned to monitor the construction activities of the project being undertaken. Since it was the construction of our office building, I was required to submit a detailed activity report.

When I arrived at the site, the construction was still on its foundation stage but work was already in full throttle. There were actually four heavy equipment on the ground working simultaneously – the dozer, the grader, the backhoe and the payloader. The din of the equipment working together made normal conversation impossible, but equipment operators were splendidly doing the job assigned to them.

After some time, I noticed that the construction supervisor, the foreman and the equipment operator, do their on-site instructions through the use of custom signal flags.

For example, when the superintendent raised a flag, the dozer immediately backed off, the payloader advances in position and awaits the entry of large dump trucks to clear the area of debris. And as another flag was raised, the large dump trucks left the area.

Or there was a time when a flag was raised and the dozer and backhoe worked hand in hand to dig deeper and when another flag was raised, the grader entered the picture and leveled off the ground.

So, it came to my understanding that even if field personnel had radios on, they are still totally dependent on construction flags or markers to relay their instructions to field operators, simply because conversation was at a very limited range considering the noise generated by the equipment.

I was still at the foundation stage of the work, so expect additional use of the construction marker as work progresses up.

As part of my on-the-job training, I was assigned to monitor the construction activities of the project being undertaken. Since it was the construction of our office building, I was required to submit a detailed activity report.

When I arrived at the site, the construction was still on its foundation stage but work was already in full throttle. There were actually four heavy equipment on the ground working simultaneously – the dozer, the grader, the backhoe and the payloader. The din of the equipment working together made normal conversation impossible, but equipment operators were splendidly doing the job assigned to them.

After some time, I noticed that the construction supervisor, the foreman and the equipment operator, do their on-site instructions through the use of custom signal flags.

For example, when the superintendent raised a flag, the dozer immediately backed off, the payloader advances in position and awaits the entry of large dump trucks to clear the area of debris. And as another flag was raised, the large dump trucks left the area.

Or there was a time when a flag was raised and the dozer and backhoe worked hand in hand to dig deeper and when another flag was raised, the grader entered the picture and leveled off the ground.

So, it came to my understanding that even if field personnel had radios on, they are still totally dependent on construction flags or markers to relay their instructions to field operators, simply because conversation was at a very limited range considering the noise generated by the equipment.

I was still at the foundation stage of the work, so expect additional use of the construction marker as work progresses up.