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Republic of the Philippine’s National Flag (Pambansang Watawat)

Today is Philippine’s National Flag Day. I know that you don’t care, that’s the reason why this post is created. I want you to care.

Let me tell you a little about our flag. The flag is horizontally divided into two fundamental colors, royal blue and scarlet red, with a white equilateral triangle based at the hoist side. At the center of the triangle is a golden yellow sun with eight primary rays, each containing three individual rays, and at each corner of the triangle is a five-pointed golden yellow star. The flag is displayed with the blue field on top in time of peace, and with the red field on top in time of war.

The Philippine flag is unique in the sense that it can indicate a state of war when the red field is displayed on top, or on the observer’s left when the flag is displayed vertically, with the white equilateral triangle at the top end.

According to official sources, 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 primary rays of the sun represent the first eight provinces (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac) that sought independence from Spain and were placed under martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896. The three stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The flag was first conceptualized by Emilio Aguinaldo. The first flag was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Doña Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero.

Detailed Image of the Sun

Given situations like flag raisings and national anthem’s playing, we must display respect and give honor to the flag at all times. And make sure that while wearing a three stars and a sun shirt (a popular ensign for the republic of the Philippines), you really show what and who Filipino’s are.