Symbols in the Philippine Flag

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NATIONAL FLAG DAY
(First published in The Philippine Star, May 28, 2009.)

Republic Act No. 8491 prescribed the period from May 28 to June 12 of every year as Flag days. During this period, all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of learning, and private homes are enjoined to display the Philippine national flag. Republic Act No. 8491 is a reminder to every Filipino that the Philippine national flag is the singular symbol of the country defining the unity of the various towns, provinces, regions and ethno-linguistic and sectoral groups of the nation. It advocates national unity, love of country, and nationhood.

According to historical books, the Philippine national flag was a brainchild of President Emilio Aguinaldo. Our veneration of our national flag is many times more meaningful if we know the distinctive meanings in each element in it.

The colors symbolize certain values: the red field means that Filipino valor is second to none. The white field means that Filipinos are capable of governing themselves. The sky blue field signifies the loftiness of the Filipino struggle for freedom.

The equilateral triangle represents the Katipunan ideals of Liberty, Equality and the Brotherhood of Men.

The three stars represent the three major geographical subdivisions of the Philippine archipelago, namely, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The points in each star represent all the islands that make up these major geographic subdivisions.

The eight rays of the sun represent the eight provinces declared by the colonial government to be in a state of war (an estado de Guerra) during the revolution.

Our national flag is further distinguished from all other national flags. When the red field is up and the blue field is down, it signifies that the country is at war.

Let us respect our national flag. It no only represents our national identity but is the flag that was colored by the blood of our forefathers and enshrined by their sacrifices.

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The Victory at Alapan

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Victory at Alapan and National Flag Day
By: Alejandro R. Roces
First Published in The Philippine Star, May 28, 2009.

On March 6, 1965, the President of the Philippines proclaimed May 28 as National Flag Day. May 28 was chosen because on that day in 1989, victorious Katipuneros carrying the Filipino flag that had arrived from Hongkong scored our first victory against the Spaniards. Next week, we will celebrate the 44th National Flag Day. We wonder what celebrations, if any, are planned?

Flag Day used to be celebrated on October 30 because that was when the Americans allowed Philippine flags to be publicly displayed way back in 1919. But for historical reasons, President Diosdado Macapagal changed the date of the celebration from October 30 to May 28. The new date went farther back into history for May 28 marked the first Filipino victory against Spain after General Emilio Aguinaldo’s return from exile in Hongkong. The battle lasted only 5 hours and 270 Spanish marines surrendered with all their arms because they had no ammunition. It was in that battle that the Filipino flag was first displayed.

The Filipino flag has two very interesting stories. It was first unfurled on June 12, 1898, when Aguinaldo first proclaimed our independence. It was said that the colors red, white and blue were patterned after the American flag because the Americans had approached Aguinaldo when he was in exile in Hongkong, and offered, not only to take him back to Cavite but also to help in the battle against Spain. At that time, the American flag was called, “the red, white and blue” and the Filipino flag was “the red, white and blue with the sun shining through”. The triangle in our flag stood for the rallying cry of the French Revolution – liberty, equality and brotherhood.

When the Americans took Aguinaldo to Kawit, Aguinaldo lacked the second most important symbol of a nation – a national anthem. So he called Julian Felipe, who was the organist of the church of Cavite and asked him to compose our national anthem. Felipe had a deadline of one week. On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo declared our independence and introduced both our national flag and our national anthem.

The start of our national anthem is reminiscent of the Spanish Marcha Real. Felipe said that was intentional because he wanted our anthem to have historical continuity. The middle portion was obviously influenced by Verdi’s Triumphal March, which was first played when the Suez Canal was inaugurated, which by coincidence, happened the same year Aguinaldo was born. The concluding part of our national anthem was also obviously inspired by the opening chords of the French National Anthem La Marseillaise.

We believe that Flag Day should be commemorated with a display of the Philippine Flag from May 28 to June 12. It was also President Diosdado Macapagal who changed the celebration of our Independednce Day from July 4 to June 12. In short, our Independence Day was when General Aguinaldo proclaimed it and not when the Americans “granted” it decades later.

Government offices and educational institutions should be at the forefront of our Flag Day celebration. Flags have been the rallying symbols of a nation for at least 3,000 years.

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Ask questions. Click on Magtanong sa Doktor or Magtanong sa Psychologist. Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Stay in touch!

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