The national flag of the Philippines features an eight-rayed sun and three stars, all in gold, on a white equilateral triangle on the mast. The upper half of the remaining area is blue while the lower half is red. The proportion of the flag is 2:1.
The flag was first conceptualized by Emilio Aguinaldo. The first flag was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela de Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Josefina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of José Rizal. (In other sources, the niece's name was Delfina Herbosa de Natividad.)
According to the June 12, 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence, the white triangle is the distinctive emblem of the Katipunan which by means of its blood compact inspired the Philippine peoples to rise in revolution. The three stars represent the three geographical island groups of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, although in the Declaration of Philippine Independence, one of the three stars originally represented the island of Panay, instead of the Visayas. Both representations convey the same idea: the unity of separate peoples and cultures into one Nation. The eight rays of the sun represent the first eight provinces, Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas, which revolted against Spanish rule.
While many people today think of Manila as a city, the addition of Manila to this grouping is historically accurate as in 1898, Manila and its suburbs were administered as a separate and independent province. This province is today known as the National Capital Region.
The significance of the colors, red, white, and blue, are currently attributed as follows: the white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue for peace, truth and justice; and red for patriotism and valor. However, the original Declaration of Independence stated that the three colors were inspired by the American flag as a manifestation of the Filipino's gratitude towards American help against the Spanish.
The particular shade of blue used in the flag has been the subject of controversy for almost ninety years. From 1920 until 1985, the shade was navy blue until President Ferdinand E. Marcos ordered it changed to sky blue, under advice from historical circles, to the same shade used in the flag of Cuba, which was seen as an ally against Spain. Due to a lack of standardization and material during the Philippine-American War, supporters for both the navy blue shade and the sky blue shade have documentary evidence that both supports and contradicts each argument.
While official revolutionary documents clearly state that the original shade of blue used on the first flag was azul oscura, which roughly translates into English as misty blue, exactly what shade this refers to, will be a matter of debate for years to come. Historians now agree that azul oscura is of a deeper shade than sky blue, but lighter than navy blue.
In order to put the controversy to rest, the currently mandated shade is royal blue, according to Republic Act No. 8491.
The Philippine flag is unique in that it can indicate a state of war. When the flag is upside-down such that the red is on top (or the red is at the left when displayed vertically), it means that the Philippines is at war. This was first flown on February 4, 1899, at the start of the hostilities of the 1899-1913 Philippine-American War.
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