The Making of the Philippine Flag

During his exile in HongKong in 1897, General Emilio Aguinaldo designed the Filipino flag as it looks today. The flag was sewn by Doña Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal).

The flag was first raised during the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.

The flag was made of silk with a white triangle containing a sunburst of eight rays at the center, a five-pointed star at each angle of the triangle, a blue field and a red field. The white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue field for peace, truth and justice; and the red field for patriotism and valor. The eight rays of the sun stand for the first eight provinces that the colonizers have put under martial law. The three stars symbolise Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
#

*** Originally published 28 Nov 2004, emanila*pilipino

Other articles by Emanila Research

• Spanish American War, the Philippines and Filipino Genocide - December 7, 2009
• Magsisi ka man at huli wala nang mangyayari. - April 27, 2009
• Ang tunay na kaibigan, nakikilala sa kagipitan - March 25, 2009
• Mga salawikain - March 25, 2009
• Turan mo ang iyong kaibigan, sasabihin ko kung sino ikaw - March 25, 2009
• Free additional and enriched information - December 13, 2008
• Lupang Hinirang (The Philippine National Anthem) - December 11, 2008
• The Philippine National Anthem: Historical Notes - December 11, 2008