The Original Flag raised by Emilio Aguinaldo in declaring the independence in 1898
Today in Filipino history September 22, 1943, the Philippine national anthem and the national flag were declared official symbols by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 211.
The national anthem was first played officially along with the raising of the national flag on June 12, 1898, when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo formally proclaimed Philippine Independence from Spain at the central second-story window of his house in Kawit, Cavite.
The Philippine national anthem, which embodies the struggles and the glory of the Filipino people in search of freedom from foreign domination, was composed by Julian Felipe and played by the San Francisco de Malabon Band.
The Spanish lyrics were written by Jose Palma a year later.
The Philippine national flag was made in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, assisted by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa, while General Aguinaldo was in exile in Hong Kong.
It features a blue band on top, a red band below, and a white triangle on the side. The triangle stands for equality and its white color stands for purity. The blue stripe stands for peace and the red for courage.
At the corners of the white triangle were sewn yellow stars symbolizing the three main Philippine island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
At the center of the triangle is a sun with eight rays, representing the first provinces that rose in arms against Spanish rule in the Philippines (Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, and Batangas).
Reference: Philippines News Agency archives
Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons
(By Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)