Imus: The Flag Capital of the Philippines

The national flag of the nation invaded the streets,

with the sun's rays creating a natural, vibrant effect on every single one of them.

The place screams patriotism.

This is Imus, the flag capital of the Philippines.

At night, the historical streets are splattered with yellow-orange tints of light,

lights that came from the ancient-styled street lamp posts.

It feels so warm, 

warm as a heart and emotions of a truly patriotic Filipino. 

Every street, aside from the Philippine flags, is full of Spanish-era-styled houses. 

And I thought to myself,

if walls could talk, they can be historians. 

They can narrate the story of Imus and how it stood up against the Spanish and American occupation.

When you walk through its streets, it is not just its Spanish-styled houses or the flags, but also its people. 

People are smiling all the time. 

They are warm and welcoming, like their hometown to strangers coming from different parts of the country.

Imuseños are warm, not only in the metaphorical aspect but also literally,

as you see coffee shops on every street corner,

offering brewed coffees that can rival that of Starbucks and Italian coffee shops.

I remember the time I got my first ever coffee in one of Imus’ coffee shops. 

I was immediately embraced with the distinct smell of coffee beans, grounded in powder and diluted by water and sweeteners. 

Regardless, it tastes so good,

so good that it reminded me of how the Philippines is one of the top exporters of coffee beans in the world.

When it is raining, the streets give a very nostalgic vibe.

How exciting it is to be a stranger in this historical place,

sitting in its renowned coffee shop, looking at the wet avenue that reflected the yellow-orange tint of light coming from its European-styled street lamp posts.

The scenery and the emotions it evokes are too strong I could see the history of the place,

a history so rich, it became the flag capital of the nation. 

This is the City of Imus,

a city that represented the Caviteños’ war against foreign occupation. 

Maligayang araw ng kalayaan, minamahal naming Pilipinas.