CONGRATULATORY messages poured in on social media when Gen Z beauty queen Dia Maté was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2025.
But one congratulatory publication material (pubmat) was flagged by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for violating the Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
The pubmat, shared by a university in Manila on social media, showed the Gen Z beauty queen in her custom gold gown designed by Rian Fernandez.
Behind Maté was a hanging Philippine flag, layered with other designs like gold confetti, to serve as her backdrop.
“Ang pubmat na ito ay lumalabag sa Batas Republika Blg. 8491 o ang ‘Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines’ na nagbabawal sa paggamit ng Pambansang Watawat ng Pilipinas sa mga poster at print materials,” the NHCP said.
“Makikita rin na baligtad ang ayos ng watawat ng Pilipinas sa kanilang pubmat,” it added.
The Philippine flag was hung vertically on the pubmat, with red on the left side and blue on the right side.
To recall, the Philippine flag should be displayed in a specific position both in times of war and peace.
The law states that if the red field is on the left side of the observer in a hanging position, it means that the country is at war. If the blue field is on the left side of the observer, then it means that the Philippines is at peace.
If flown from a flag pole, the blue field should be on top in times of peace. The red field will only be displayed on top in times of war.
Other prohibitions
The agency also mentioned other provisions of Republic Act No. 8491, prohibiting anyone to “mutilate, deface, defile, trample on or cast contempt or commit any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface.”
The law also prohibits adding “any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any nature on the flag.”
Nonetheless, the NHCP congratulated Maté for bringing home the Philippines’s second Reina Hispanoamericana crown, following WinWyn Marquez in 2017.
“Tunay siyang #LatinaSlayer,” it said.
Meanwhile, the university deleted the previously attached pubmat to its congratulatory post for Maté and replaced it with another photo.
It also clarified that the pubmat was “borrowed” from Reina Hispanoamericana’s Instagram page. The poster could no longer be found on the pageant’s social media account.
Maté’s reign begins
On social media, the international beauty pageant shared photos of Maté joining a special breakfast in a hotel, marking her first day as the new Reina Hispanoamericana.
She was accompanied by Virreina Hispanoamericana Sofia Fernandez of Venezuela and first runner-up Sharon Gamarra of Colombia.
Maté succeeded Maricielo Gamarra of Peru, who was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2024.
Many Filipinos congratulated Maté on her victory, including her boyfriend, Gen Z singer-songwriter and “ERE” hitmaker Juan Karlos Labajo, and Marquez.
