Evolution, History and Symbols of the Philippine National Flag

The Philippine National Flag made its first public appearance at General Aguinaldo's proclamation of independence from Spain. Prior to this flag, there were several Katipunan flags and war banners and some of the revolutionary generals had their own flags, some of which bear some resemblance to the present national flag. The Philippine flag was banned at certain times during the US and Japanese occupation. The exact specifications of the flag were laid down in 1936 although the blue used in the flag has long been an issue of debate amongst historians. The blue was changed to royal blue in 1998 as a compromise to the dispute regarding the use of a Cuban blue, American (or navy) blue and sky blue used in previous flags.

Each part of the Philippine flag has a specific meaning as follows:

The blue field stands for common unity and the noble aspirations of the Filipino people.
The white triangle with equal sides of the flag is symbolic of equality among men.
The white field stands for purity.
The sun represents the gigantic strides that have been made by the Sons of the land on the road to progress and civilisation.
The eight rays of the sun in the triangle represent the first eight united provinces that revolted for independence - Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac.
The three stars in the triangle stand for the three major geographical divisions of the country - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The red field symbolises the willingness of the Filipino people to shed blood in defence of their country.

Philippine law is particularly strict as to how the Philippine flag should and should not be displayed. There are also other points that need to be noted. When flown from a flagpole, the white triangle is closest to the flagpole, or when the flag is displayed horizontally, the white triangle should be on the left. If the flag is displayed vertically, or hanging downwards, then the white triangle should be at the top. In addition, the Philippine flag has a unique peacetime and wartime state. In peacetime, the blue stripe is at the top when the flag is horizontal or on the left when the flag is vertical. In wartime, the red stripe is at the top when the flag is horizontal or on the left when the flag is vertical.

The first Philippine flag and one of the early Katipunan flags in 1892. The red field denotes the revolutionary character of the Katipunan.

The first official flag of the Katipunan in 1892. The full name of the Katipunan is Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng Mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Respected Association of the Sons of the Country), which was abbreviated to KKK.

A sister Katipunan flag also from 1892. On this flag, the three Ks are arranged in a triangle. There seem to be several interpretations of this particular flag with variations on the spacing between the Ks.

This flag was used by General Mariano Llanera in 1893. The design was derived from the Katipunan's initiations rites. It became known as Llanera's Skull.

This flag was designed by General Pio del Pilar in 1895 and was known as the Victorious Flag. The flag has a white triangle with a rising sun with eight rays representing the eight united provinces that were placed under martial law by the Spanish colonial government for rising up in rebellion.

This 1896 flag was used by Andres Bonifacio. It was first used at the Cry of Pugadlawin on August 23, 1896.

This 1896 flag was used by General Emilio Aguinaldo and the Magdalo faction in Cavite. Again, the eight rays represent the eight united provinces in rebellion. The character at the centre of the flag is a K in an ancient Filipino alphabet.

The 1896 Magdalo faction flag was modified in 1896.

The official flag of the revolutionary government of General Emilio Aguinaldo. It was adopted by the revolutionary forces at the Naic assembly on March 17, 1897. It was known as the Sun of Liberty Flag. The flag contains a mythical sun.

This 1897 tricolour flag was used by Gregorio del Pilar (the Boy General). It partly imitates the Cuban flag. At the time, Cuba was also a Spanish colony and like the Philippines, it was in a state of revolution for independence from Spain.

The Philippine national flag was designed by Emilio Aguinaldo during his exile in Hong Kong. The flag was sewn at 535 Morrison Hill, Hong Kong by Mrs. Marcela Mariño Agoncillo - wife of the first Filipino diplomat, Felipe Agoncillo, with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa Natividad, niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and wife of General Salvador Natividad. The flag was completed within five days and handed over to Emilio Aguinaldo before he returned to the Philippines. The flag was unfurled for the first time on the balcony of Emilio Aguinaldo's home in Cavite on June 12, 1898 in proclamation of independence from Spain. This flag was used June 12, 1898 - April 1, 1901 and had the same red and blue as found on the Cuban flag. The flag was flown with the red stripe on top during the Philippine-American war.

For the duration of the US military government in the Philippines, there was an unwritten ban on the Philippine flag and use of the national colours. Once a civil government was established, the unwritten ban was relaxed. However, due to the patriotic nature of Filipinos and their use and display of their flag and the national colours, and several incidents related to their patriotism, the Flag Law was passed. The Flag Law or Act No. 1696 (An act to prohibit the display of flags, banners, emblems, or devices used in the Philippine islands for the purpose of rebellion or insurrection against the authorities of the United States and the display of Katipunan flags, banners, emblems, or devices and for other purposes) was passed on September 6, 1907. The US flag was used as the official flag of the Philippines 1898 - 1946.

There were numerous attempts to repeal the Flag Law and finally on October 22, 1919, Act No. 2871 was passed abolishing the Flag Law. On October 24, 1919 Proclamation No. 19 was issued establishing October 30, 1919, as a public holiday to be known as Flag Day. However, the Philippine flag now had the American red and blue, rather than the Cuban red and blue. This flag was adopted as the official flag of the Philippines on March 26, 1920, by Act No. 2928.

On March 25, 1936, President Manuel Quezon issued Executive Order No. 23 which contained the official description and specifications of the Philippine flag. This flag was used when the Philippines was granted independence in 1946 and until 1981 and then again in 1986 until 1998.

The Philippine flag was banned again in 1942 when the Japanese invaded in World War II. The Japanese flag was used until the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic of the Philippines was established in 1943. The flag ban was lifted and the Philippine flag from the 1936 specifications became official once again.

The flag was flown in its wartime state by the Commonwealth de jure government December 8, 1941 - August 17, 1945 and by the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic de facto government September 22, 1944 - August 17, 1945. The Commonwealth was at war against the axis forces while the Second Republic was at war against the allied forces.

In 1981, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the colours of the Philippine flag be changed back to the original Cuban colours. Allegedly, the flag factories did not have a Cuban blue so a sky blue was used instead. This colour scheme was abolished and the previous colours from 1936 were restored in 1986, after President Marcos fled to Hawaii.

Due to much debate amongst historians at to which type of blue was correct, the blue was changed to royal blue as a compromise by Republic Act No. 8491 which was passed on February 12, 1998. This is the current version of the Philippine National Flag.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag

On June 12, Independence Day, 1996, Executive Order No. 343 was issued. This Executive Order adopts Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat as the official pledge of allegiance to the Philippine National Flag. This pledge is recited after both the National Anthem and the Patriotic Pledge (Panatang Makabayan) at flag ceremonies. Below is the pledge in Filipino and the English translation.

Filipino Version

Ako ay Pilipino
Buong katapatang nanunumpa
Sa watawat ng Pilipinas
At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag
Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan
Na ipinakikilos ng sambayanang
Maka-Diyos, Makatao,
Makakalikasan at
Makabansa

English Version

I am a Filipino
I pledge my allegiance
To the flag of the Philippines
And to the country she represents
With honor, justice and freedom
That is put in motion by one nation
For the love of God, people,
Nature and
Country