Before we began the tradition of standing straight and looking up at the flag, it was already standing before us, marking the symbol of resilience and strength of every Filipino.
The flag was first waved in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898 at Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s balcony. It was the mark of celebration of the Independence of the Filipinos from the foreign occupation. But the flag itself has its own celebratory date. On March 6, 1965 a Presidential Proclamation No. 374 was issued declaring that May 28 is National Flag Day, where Filipinos are encouraged to “display the Philippine flag in offices, agencies and instruments of government, business establishments, schools, and private homes throughout this period.”
Whenever Independence Day approaches, different statements about the flag circulate on different media platforms such as:
1. The flag was sewed in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Dr. Jose Rizal’s niece Delfina Herbosa de Natividad.
2. During the American and Japanese occupation, displaying the Philippine flag was illegal.
3. The red part of the Philippine flag should only be hung upward during war, but it should have its blue field on top in times of peace.
4. The eight rays of the sun represent the first eight provinces that fought against the Spaniards including Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Laguna and Nueva Ecija.
5. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo originally designed the flag during his exile in Hong Kong back in 1897 and he wanted the flag’s sun to have a face, as inspired by other countries in South America that garnered freedom from Spain.
6. The Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City currently holds the original Philippine flag.
7. The three stars of the flag actually represent Luzon, Panay (not Visayas), and Mindanao contrary to popular belief.
Beyond these facts, another thing that the flag symbolizes is the heart of every Filipino. Whether the colors and shapes change, the love and strive for freedom will always remain in each citizen. Because just like the Philippine flag, the hearts of the Filipino people stand strong against all odds.