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Three stars, two stripes, and a single sun: these are the symbols that make up a proud history of the Filipino people

It should be the first thing they teach us, but the last thing we forget is our Philippine flag's proud history. For over 300 years, Filipinos toiled under an oppressive Spanish regime—and so when our flag was first raised to declare independence on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite, it became a symbol of strength and pride. It was, in other words, a triumph for all. 

Read more: The Philippines and its Man-Made Satellites

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Above (Photo: Unsplash)

Semiotics and Symbolism

Whether a patriot or not, every Filipino can easily identify the country's unique flag. It consists of two parallel colours (blue and red), with a white equilateral triangle that houses three stars and a sun in its centre. Its symbolism is fairly straightforward, and every detail is well thought out. The colours have their own meanings, as recognised by the Acta de la proclamación de la independencia del pueblo Filipino, written by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (then the War Counsellor and Special Delegate of the Philippines) during the original Independence Day on June 12, 1898. 

As we all know, the three stars on the Philippine flag symbolise the three principal islands of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The eight rays on the sun represent the eight provinces that "declared themselves in a state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated"; these include Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas. Meanwhile, historians believe that the triangle is a nod to the Masonic roots of the 3Ks of the Katipunan, namely Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangan, Katipunan ng Bayan. 

What's interesting is the semiotics of the colours of the Philippine flag. In contemporary civics classes, it is often taught that white signifies peace and purity, blue for justice, and red for bravery or courage (also symbolising the blood that was shed to achieve independence). However, according to the Acta de la proclamación de la independencia del pueblo Filipino, the colours blue, red, and white were apparently lifted from the colours of the United States "as a manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation for its disinterested protection which it lent us and continues lending us". 

Read also: The Meaning Behind the PH Government's Seals

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Historians have debated plenty over the colours of the Philippine flag—particularly the shade of blue used. It has been changed multiple times and has even been contested by some influential figures. In 1955, a particular shade of "national flag blue" (Cable No. 80077) was made official through an act by the Office of the President. However, historians such as Teodoro Agoncillo and Domingo Abella had questioned the accuracy of the shade, though Marcela M Agoncillo, daughter of one of the Philippine flags' principal makers (Doña Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo) countered their claim. To make things even more confusing, some flag makers had also created stock that carried a lighter shade instead of the darker ones that were already propagated. 

To remedy the decades-long confusion on the shade, an official colour was finally chosen and codified by the Republic Act No. 8491, signed on 12 February 1998. It recognises "royal blue" as the official colour of the Philippine flag (Cable No. 800173). This is the hue that we've become familiar with ever since. 

See also: The History of the Traditional Filipino Attire, Barong Tagalog

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Heralding History

Doña Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo is perhaps the first name that comes to mind when one recalls the Philippine flag. She's been given the moniker of "Mother of the Philippine Flag" and along with her daughter Lorenza Agoncillo and Jose Rizal's niece, Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, sewed the country's first flag in Hong Kong. The design was conceived by the country's first president himself, Emilio Aguinaldo. The original Philippine flag was made of a silk and cotton blend and is currently kept and preserved at the Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City. Due to its age, which is well over a hundred years, temperature, lighting, and humidity are strictly controlled to ensure its longevity. This was, after all, a star witness to the country's birth and, in fact, the pièce de résistance of Independence Day in 1898. 

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Robin Padilla / Facebook)

Proper Positions

As with any important national symbol, there is a proper way to position and display the Philippine flag. When in a horizontal position, the blue bicolour should be atop during times of peace. In times of war, the flag will be displayed upside down, with the red atop the blue. When in a vertical position, the blue side should be on the left (from the observer's perspective) during times of peace but on the right during times of war. Last May 2022, a billboard on EDSA recently made headlines when it showed president-elect Bongbong Marcos posing in front of the Philippine flag, with the red colour on the left, which should indicate a time of upheaval.

Senator-elect, Robin Padilla, had also drawn flak last December 2021 for positioning the Philippine flag with the red on the left. In response, he commented that it was his daily reminder that he is at war "against poverty, corruption, and colonisation". 

Though many laypeople may not realise this, the Philippine flag comes with plenty of mandates and responsibilities. Republic Act 8491 outlines how to use and display the Philippine flag correctly. This coming Independence Day, it may be a good idea to familiarise yourself with it just as a simple acknowledgement of all the sacrifices that make this flag possible. 

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