Two high school students from Papua province, Franciscus Sakfiris Pahabolisage and Stincek Laramiapa, recently shared their pride and excitement in participating in Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations as members of the elite national flag-raising troop, Pasukan Pengibar Bendera Pusaka (Paskibraka). They had the honor of raising the flag at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta alongside President Prabowo Subianto.
Franciscus, who represented Papua Pegunungan Province, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the event, highlighting the journey he went through from the district level to the national selection process. He mentioned the physical challenges he faced during training, such as running, push-ups, and sit-ups, which were new to him but helped him adapt and grow.
Stincek, representing Papua Tengah Province, shared her commitment to delivering a stellar performance during the flag-raising ceremony to make the nation proud. Despite initial doubts about making it to the national level, she was thrilled to be part of the Paskibraka team and emphasized the importance of teamwork, unity, and camaraderie among the members.
Both students expressed their nervousness and excitement about meeting President Prabowo in person on August 17 but acknowledged the joy and pride they felt in earning this opportunity through their hard work and dedication during training. Their journey exemplifies the spirit of patriotism and dedication among Indonesian youth participating in national traditions.
