Plenty of patriotic merchandise for sale
While much of the debate centres over what to do about the Guatemalan flag at the Belcan roundabout, a number of commentators have suggested that a more positive action is to have all Belizeans fly the Belize flag. News 5’s Jose Sanchez went out in search of that national symbol, as well as other patriotic merchandise.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
In case you haven’t noticed, use of the Belize flag has been fashionable long before the latest flare up at the border. Milt and Marion got us in the mood and now the Guatemalans have us all searching for that colourful symbol of patriotism, the Belizean flag. But while the public appears to be in a flag-waving mood, are the merchants and manufacturers ready to meet the demand? A quick check around Belize City seems to indicate that they are.
Santos Acosta, Tabony’s Industries
“Here at Tabony’s Industries we have several items with the Belize flag. As you see here, we have the Belize flag which is three feet by five feet.”
“We see here some badges that can go on caps or shirts, we have the little flag that goes on the car and we have key chains which go for four and seventy five Belize. The two badges here are five Belize, the little flag for the car is six dollars. We also have magnets and key chains which go for two dollars Belize.”
Evan Belisle, Sing’s Store
“We have flags, but we don’t have the big ones right now. We have flag stickers, pins and we got key chains and bottle openers.”
Karl Pickwood, James Brodie and Company
“We also carry Belize key holders, these sell for four ninety-five. We have bottle openers, these sells for six ninety-five. The refrigerator magnets sell for four ninety-five. Our most unique one is our Belize pins that can be worn by anyone to go to work anywhere and these sell for five ninety-five.”
And if the magnitude of your nationalism goes beyond the miniature, there is no limit to the bounds of textile patriotism? provided you have the purchasing power to match.
Rene Perdomo, Advance Advertising Ideas
“Well, we have four different sizes of flags at Advance Advertising Ideas, ranging from the desk flag which is seven dollars. We have a three by five, which is eighteen dollars, we have another size which is six by eight for fifty-nine dollars. And then we have the big one which is for one hundred dollars.”
Keisha Garbutt, Angelus Press
“Usually we stock these, these are the desktop, ten dollars for one. This size is the eighteen inch one for forty-three fifty. We have the thirty-six inch one for one hundred and fifteen dollars, the seventy-two inch one for two hundred and twenty five dollars. The sixty inch one for one hundred and forty dollars and the ninety-six inch one for four hundred and twenty-five dollars.”
Jose Sanchez
“And if you think that four hundred and twenty-five dollars is a high price to pay for patriotism, don’t worry, on these cold nights the symbol of Belize can also keep you warm. Jose Sanchez for News 5.”
