Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Philippines
Pambansang
Name
Watawat
("National
Tatlong
Flag"),
Bituin
at
Isang
Araw
Proportion 1:2
Adopted
Design
Proportion 1:2
Design
The National Flag of the Philippines (Filipino: Pambansang Watawat ng Pilipinas; also called the Three
Stars and a Sun) is a horizontal flag bicolor with equal bands of royal blue and scarlet, and with a white,
equilateral triangle at the hoist. In the center of the triangle is a golden-yellow sun with eight primary rays,
each representing a Philippine province.[a] At each vertex of the triangle is a five-pointed, golden-yellow star,
each of which representing one of the country's three main island groups - Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
A unique feature of this flag is its ability to indicate a state of war if it is displayed with the red side on top.[9]
Design
Construction
See also: List of flags of the Philippines
The flag's length is twice its width, giving it an aspect ratio of 1:2. The length of all the sides of the white
triangle are equal to the width of the flag. Each star is oriented in such manner that one of its tips points
towards the vertex at which it is located.[10] Moreover, the gap-angle between two neighbours of the 8 raybundles is as large as the angle of one ray-bundle (so 22.5), with each major ray having double the
thickness of its two minor rays. [11] The golden sun is not exactly in the center of the triangle but shifted
slightly to the right.[12]
Color
The shade of blue used in the flag has varied over time, beginning with the original color lazuli Rosco. The
exact nature of this shade is uncertain, but a likely candidate is the blue of the Cuban flag, which a theory
says influenced the flag's design. Specifications for the flag's colors with shades matching those used in the
American flag were adopted by the National Historical Institute in 1955. President Ferdinand Marcos
ordered the colors restored to the original light blue and red of the Cuban flag in 1985, but this was
immediately rescinded after the 1986 People Power Revolution that removed him from power. For the 1998
independence centennial celebrations, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (RA 8491) was passed,
designating royal blue as the official variant.[13]
The flag's colors are specified by Republic Act 8491 in terms of their cable number in the system developed
by the Color Association of the United States.[10][14] The official colors and their approximations in other
color spaces are listed below:.[15]
Red
White
Yellow
Cable No.
Pantone
RGB
80173
286
0-56-168
80108
186
206-17-38
80001
80068
n.a.
116
255-255-255 252-209-22
CMYK
C100-M60-Y0-K5
C0-M90-Y65-K10
n.a.
C0-M18-Y85-K0
HEX
#0038A8
#CE1126
#FFFFFF
#FCD116
Symbolism
The Philippine national flag has a rectangular design that consists of a white equilateral triangle,
symbolizing liberty, equality, and fraternity; a horizontal blue stripe for peace, truth, and justice; and a
horizontal red stripe for patriotism and valor. In the center of the white triangle is an eight-rayed golden sun
symbolizing unity, freedom, people's democracy, and sovereignty. Each ray represents a province with
significant involvement in the 1896 Philippine Revolution against Spain, These provinces are Manila,
Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna,Batangas, and Nueva Ecija.[21][a] Three five-pointed stars, one for
each of the triangle's points, stand for the three major islands where the revolution started: Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao.
The flag's original symbolism is enumerated in the text of the independence proclamation, which makes
reference to an attached drawing, though no record of the drawing has surfaced. [22] The proclamation
explains the flag as follows:
And finally it was resolved unanimously that this Nation, already independen
the gigantic steps taken by the children of this country on the road to progress
The symbolism given in the 1898 Proclamation of Philippine Independence differs from the current official
explanation. According to the document the white triangle signifies the emblem of the Katipunan, the secret
society that opposed Spanish rule. It says the flag's colors commemorate the flag of the United States as a
manifestation of gratitude for American aid against the Spanish during the Philippine Revolution. It also
says that one of the three stars represents the island of Panay, rather than the entire Visayan islands. The
proclamation also declares that the sun represents the gigantic steps made by the sons of the country along
the path of Progress and Civilization, and lists Bataan instead of Tarlac among the eight provinces
symbolized by the sun's rays.
History
Historical flags of the Philippine Revolution
See also: Flags of the Philippine Revolution
It has been common since the 1960s to trace the development of the Philippine flag to the various war
standards of the individual leaders of the Katipunan, a pseudo-masonic revolutionary movement that
opposed Spanish rule in the Philippines and led the Philippine Revolution.[22] However, while some symbols
common to the Katipunan flags would be adopted into the iconography of the Revolution, it is inconclusive
whether these war standards can be considered precursors to the present Philippine flag.[22]
Flag of the Magdiwang Katipunan faction of Cavite.
Current flag
Institute, mentions assertions in history textbooks and commemorative rites that the flag was first raised in
Alapan, Imus, Cavite, on May 28, 1898, citing Presidential Proclamation No. 374, issued by then-President
Diosdado Macapagal on March 6, 1965.[24] The article goes on to claim that historical records indicate that
the first display of the Philippine flag took place in Cavite City, when General Aguinaldo displayed it during
the first fight of the Philippine Revolution.
The original design of the flag adopted a mythical sun with a face influenced by Latin American republics
Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay; a triangle, representing the Katipunan which inspired by the Eye of
Providence in the Great Seal of the United States and the Masonic Triangle and which enshrined Libert,
galit, Fraternit; the stripes and colors derived from the American flag. The particular shade of blue of the
original flag has been a source of controversy. Based on anecdotal evidence and the few surviving flags from
the era, historians argue that the colors of the original flag was influenced by flag of Cuba and flag of Puerto
Rico .[22]
The original flag that was first hoisted on May 28,1898 and unfurled during Declaration of independence on
June 12 1898, was currently being preserved at the Gen Emilio Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City. There
are plans to restore the flag by replacing of the worn-out portion of the flag, but they could not find the right
type of threads to match those used by the tailors, so the idea was abandoned. The flag is more elaborate
than the flag which now currently in used. It bears embroidered words, Libertad, Justicia and Ygualidad
(Liberty, Justice and Equality) on one side of the flag and Fuerzas Expedicionarias del Norte de
Luzon(Expeditionary forces of Northern Luzon)) on the other[25]
Hostilities broke out between the Philippines and the United States in 1899. The flag was first flown with
the red field up on February 4, 1899 to show that a state of war existed. Aguinaldo was captured by the
Americans two years later, and swore allegiance to the United States.
The detail of Fernando Amorsolo's The Making of the Philippine flag depicting Agoncillo and company's
manual sewing
With the defeat of the Philippine Republic, the Philippines was placed under American colonial rule and the
display of the Philippine flag was declared illegal by the Sedition Act of 1907. This law was repealed on
October 24, 1919.[26] With the legalization of display of the Philippine flag, the cloth available in most stores
was the red and blue of the flag of the United States, so the flag from 1919 onwards adopted the "National
Flag blue" color. On March 26, 1920, the Philippine Legislature passed Act. No 2928 on March 26, 1920,
which legally adopted the Philippine flag as the official flag of the Philippine Islands. [26] Up until the eve of
World War II, Flag Day was celebrated on annually on October 30, commemorating the date the ban on the
flag was lifted.
The Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated in 1935. On March 25, 1936, President Manuel L.
Quezon issued Executive Order No. 23 which provided for the technical description and specifications of the
flag.[22] Among the provisions of the order was the definition of the triangle at the hoist as an equilateral
triangle, the definition of the aspect ratio at 1:2, the precise angles of the stars, the geometric and aesthetic
design of the sun, and the formal elimination of the mythical face on the sun. The exact shades of colors,
however, were not precisely defined. These specifications have remained unchanged and in effect to the
present. In 1941, Flag Day was officially moved to June 12, commemorating the date that Philippine
independence was proclaimed in 1898.
The flag was once again banned with the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines beginning
December 1941, to be hoisted again with the establishment of the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic of
the Philippines. In ceremonies held in October 1943, Emilio Aguinaldo hoisted the flag with the original
Cuban blue and red colors restored. The flag was initially flown with the blue stripe up, until President Jos
P. Laurel proclaimed the existence of a state of war with the Allied Powers in 1944. The Commonwealth
government-in-exile in Washington, D.C. continued to use the flag with the American colors, and had flown
it with the red stripe up since the initial invasion of the Japanese. With the combined forces of the Filipino &
American soldiers and the liberation of the Philippines in 1944 to 1945, the flag with the American colors
was restored, and it was this flag that was hoisted upon the granting of Philippine independence from the
United States on July 4, 1946.
Chronology
See also: List of flags of the Philippines
Flag
Date
Use
Description
1730-1761
1761-1785
Used during Spanish Flag of Spain under the reign of King Felipe V's
East Indies period.
grandson, King Carlos III
19361946
Used
during
the The Hinomaru as it appeared until 1999: a red sunJapanese Occupation.
disc, shifted 1% left of centre, on a white field.
October
14, 1943
Used
during
inauguration of
Second Republic.
Sovereignty (1946present)
19461985
Proposals
Sun's rays
Prior to the 1998 independence centennial celebrations, the provincial government of Zambales lobbied that
the sunburst design accommodate a ninth ray, reasoning that their province was also in a state of rebellion in
1896. The Centennial Commission however refuted this change, based on research by the National
Historical Institute.[27] In August 2003, then Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople also lobbied for a ninth ray,
saying that Quezon province should be added. He reasons that the first uprising against the Spaniards
happened at the foot of Mount Banahaw which was led by Hermano Pule in 1841.[28] In 2009, Senate Bill
No. 3307 was introduced to add an additional ray to represent the Moro people in Mindanao who also fought
the Spanish and was never occupied by the Spanish colonial government. As of September 24, 2009. [29] On
October 14, 2009, the Senate approved the Conference Committee Report on the bill. [30] As of 2014, the
Ninth Ray movement is among the prominent groups pushing for the addition of a ninth ray to the flag's sun.
Proponents of the movement believe that a ninth ray should be added to represent the Muslim and
indigenous people of the country who kept colonizers away from their lands.[31]
Fourth star
See also: Sabah Dispute
Osorio's proposal
Emmanuel L. Osorio, one of the founders of the Ninth Ray movement, came up with a proposal adding not
only a ninth ray to the flag's sun but also adding a fourth star to the flag representing Sabah, a territory
claimed by the Philippines but currently under Malaysian sovereignty. The flag's triangle is changed into a
rectangle to accommodate a fourth star. According to Osorio, the star representing Sabah in his proposed
flag was added "in principle" and said the flag proposal seeks to express the Ninth Ray movement's view
that if we get Sabah, then it could be represented by the star.[31]
Crescent moon
Usage
Flag protocol
The flag should be displayed in all government buildings, official residences, public plazas, and schools
every day throughout the year. The days of the 28th of May (National Flag Day) and the 12th of June
(Independence Day) are designated as flag days, during which all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of
government, business establishments, institutions of learning and private homes are enjoined to display the
flag.[10] But in recent years, the flag days are now from May 28 to June 30 yearly to promote patriotism and
to celebrate the nation's independence.
By law, the Philippine flag must be permanently hoisted and illuminated at night at the following locations:
[10]
All other places as may be designated by the National Historical Institute as such.
Half-mast
The flag of the Philippines flown at half-mast in back Bonifacio Shrine in Manila.
The flag may be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.[10] Upon the official announcement of the death of
the President or a former President, the flag should be flown at half-mast for ten days. The flag should be
flown at half-mast for seven days following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, the President
of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The flag may also be required to fly at half-mast upon the death of other persons to be determined by the
National Historical Institute, for a period less than seven days. The flag shall be flown at half-mast on all the
buildings and places where the decedent was holding office, on the day of death until the day of interment of
an incumbent member of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate or the House of Representatives, and
such other persons as may be determined by the National Historical Institute.
When flown at half-mast, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the halfmast position. It should be raised to the peak again before it is lowered for the day.
The flag may also be used to cover the caskets of the dead of the military, veterans of previous wars,
national artists, and outstanding civilians as determined by the local government. In such cases, the flag
must be placed such that the white triangle is at the head and the blue portion covers the right side of the
casket. The flag should not be lowered to the grave or allowed to touch the ground, but should be solemnly
folded and handed to the heirs of the deceased.
Prohibited acts
Section 10 of RA 8491 states that when the flag is displayed on a wall during peacetime, the blue field is to
the observers' left, as shown here.[10]
According to Republic Act 8491 itself, it shall be prohibited:[10]
a) To mutilate, deface, defile, trample on or cast contempt or commit any act or omission casting
dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface;
b) To dip the flag to any person or object by way of compliment or salute;
c) To use the flag:
1) As a drapery, festoon, tablecloth;
2) As covering for ceilings, walls, statues or other objects;
3) As a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles;
4) As a staff or whip;
5) For unveiling monuments or statues; and
6) As trademarks, or for industrial, commercial or agricultural labels or designs.
d) To display the flag:
1) Under any painting or picture;
2) Horizontally face-up. It shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely;
3) Below any platform; or
4) In discothques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints and places of vice or
where frivolity prevails.
e) To wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform;
f) To add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any nature
on the flag;
g) To print, paint or attach representation of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other
articles of merchandise;
h) To display in public any foreign flag, except in embassies and other diplomatic establishments,
and in offices of international organizations;
i) To use, display or be part of any advertisement or infomercial; and
j) To display the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied by aliens.
The Act mandates that violators shall, upon conviction, be punished by fine or imprisonment.[10]
Pledge
Main article: Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine flag (distinct from the Patriotic Oath of Allegiance) should be
recited while standing with the right hand with palm open raised shoulder high. Individuals whose faith or
religious beliefs prohibit them from making such pledge are permitted to excuse themselves, but are required
by law to show full respect when the pledge is being rendered by standing at attention.[10]
Tagalog
Ako ay Filipino
Buong katapatang nanunumpa
Sa watawat ng Pilipinas
At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag
Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan
Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang
Maka-Diyos
Maka-tao
Makakalikasan at
Makabansa[10]
English translation
I am a Filipino
I pledge my allegiance
To the flag of the Philippines
And to the country it represents
With honor, justice and freedom
Put in motion by one nation
For God
for People
for the Nature and
for the Country.
The law makes no statement regarding the language in which the pledge must be recited, but the pledge is
written (and therefore recited) in the Filipino language.
Flag anthem
Main article: Lupang Hinirang
Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino and English versions of the national anthem have been given official status
throughout Philippine history. However, only the most recent and current Filipino version is officially
recognised by law. The Flag and Heraldic Code, approved on 12 February 1998 specifies, Lupang Hinirang,
"The National Anthem shall always be sung in the national language within or without the country";
violation of the law is punishable by a fine and imprisonment .