EVOLUTIONOF THE PHILIPPINE FLAG

THE BONIFACIO FLAGThis flag was first used at the Cry of Pugadlawin

which took place on August 23, 1986. Seven days later, the same emblem was

used in the Battle of Pinaglabanan in San Juan del Monte. 

   THE KATIPUNAN FLAGS

Had several versions of the flag used by different chapters during its secret meetings.

 

LLANERA'S FLAGThe flag used by Marciano Llanera in San Isisdro, Nueva Ecija

was sometimes called "Bungo ng Llanera". (Llanera's skull). According to stories Llanera derived his design from Katipunan initiation rite using black hat, white triangle and letters Z, Ll, B.

 

PIO DEL PILAR'S FLAGFirst used on July 11, 1985 and stood witness to many battles. Also called the Bandila ng Magtagumpay. (Victorious Flag).

 

GREGORIO DEL PILAR'S FLAGThe first among the Katipunan flags to use three colors: red, blue, and black. According to del Pilar the design

was patterned after the Cuban flag, then in revolt against Spanish. 

MAGDIWANG FLAGThis was Emilio Aguinaldo's flag up to the time

the Pack of Biyak na Bato was signed. The Katipuneros of Cavite used this flag.

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY FLAGDuring his exile in Hongkong, Emilio Aguinaldo requested

Marcela Agoncillo to sew this flag. She was assisted by her daughter Lorenza and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad in the task.

This flag was first hoisted during the proclamation of Philippine Independence at Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1964.

Its last public displaw was the death of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1964. 

THE PRESENT FLAGManuel Luis Quezon issued Executive Order on March 25, 1936

to set the standard size and colors.

NATIONAL MOTTO"Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa" ("For God, People, Nature, and Country")

PHILIPPINES' NATIONAL FLAG

The national flag of the Philippines(Tagalog: Pambansang Watawat ng Pilipinas)

is a horizontal flag bicolor with equal bands of royal blue and scarlet red,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 containing three individual rays,which represent the country's provinces;

and at each vertex of the triangle is a five-pointed golden yellow star,each of which, represent the country's 3 main islands,

Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.This flag can indicate a state of war if it is displayed with the red side on top.

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE PHILIPPINES-

LUPANG HINIRANG Composed by Julian Felipe on June 12, 1898

Bayang magiliw, perlas ng silanganan.Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo'y buhay.

Lupang hinirang, duyan ka ng magitingSa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy atsa langit mong bughaw,

may dilag ang tula at awitsa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'ytagumpay na nagniningning.

Ang bituin at araw niyakailan pa may di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng lualhati't pagsinta,buhay ay langit sa piling mo.

Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi,ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo

NATIONAL HERODR. JOSE P. RIZAL

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896, Bagumbayan),

NATIONAL COSTUMES

BARONG TAGALOG AND BARO'T SAYA

NATIONAL DANCE

CARIÑOSA

Cariñosa (Spanish pronunciation: [ka ɾ i ˈɲ osa] ,meaning the loving or affectionate one)is a Philippine dance of Hispanic origin

from the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances,where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental

role as it places the couple in romance scenario.

NATIONAL MARTIAL ART AND SPORT

ARNIS

Eskrima (also known as Arnis and in the West sometimes as Kali) is the umbrella term for the traditional martial arts 

of the Philippines, which emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives and other bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons.

NATIONAL SPORTSIPA

Sipa (lit. kick or to kick) is the Philippines' traditional native sport which predates Spanish rule.

The game is related to Sepak Takraw. Similar games include Footbag net, Footvolley, Bossaball and Jianzi.

NATIONAL ANIMAL

CARABAO (KALABAW)

The carabao (Filipino: kalabaw; Malay: kerbau) or Bubalus bubalis carabanesis is a domesticated subspecies of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

NATIONAL FLOWER

SAMPAGUITA

Jasminum sambac is a species of jasmine native  The flowers are also used for perfumes and for making tea. It is known as the Arabian jasmine in English. It is the national flower of the Philippines, where it is known as Sampaguita. It is also one

of the three national flowers of Indonesia.

NATIONAL BIRD

PHILIPPINE EAGLE

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also knownas the Monkey-eating Eagle,

is an eagle of the family Accipitridae.

NATIONAL LEAFANAHAW

Livistona rotundifolia is a round-leaf fountain palm

found in Southeast Asia. It is a member of the genus Livistona.It is also called Footstool palm (English) and Anáhaw(Filipino).

It is the unofficial national leaf of the Philippines.

NATIONAL TREE

NARRA

Pterocarpus is a pantropical genus of trees in the family Fabaceae, most of which yield valuable timber traded as padauk (or padouk);

other common names aremukwa or narra. The scientific name is Latinized Ancient Greek 

and means "wing fruit", referring to the unusual shape of the seed pods in this genus.

NATIONAL FISH

MILK FISH (BANGUS)

Milkfish have a generally symmetrical and streamlined appearance, with a sizable forked caudal fin. They can grow to 1.70 m

(5 ft 7 in) but are most often about 1 metre (39 in) in length. They have no teeth and generally feed on algae and invertebrates.

NATIONAL FRUIT

MANGO (MANGGA)

The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India 

from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While other Mangifera species (e.g. horse mango, M. foetida)

are also grown on a more localized basis, Mangifera indica – the common mango or Indian mango – is the only mango tree commonly cultivated in many tropical

and subtropical regions, and its fruit is distributed essentially worldwide.

Philippine National Heroes

Dr. Jose P. Rizal(1861-1896)

The Philippines' national hero. Born in Calamba

, Laguna, on June 19, 1861. Published his master

piece Noli Me Tangere in Berlin(Germany) in 1

887 and his second novel El Filibusterismo in

Ghent(Belgium) in 1891. His two novels stirre

d the conscience of his people. He contribute

d various literary works to La Solidaridad. F

or his leadership in the reform movement and

for his incendiary novels, Rizal was arrested

and later killed by musketry in Bagumbayan,

Manila, on December 30, 1896. His execution was

the last straw for other Filipinos who call

ed for a bloody revolution against Spain.

Andres Bonifacio(1863-18

97)He founded the secret society, Katipunan, o

n July 7, 1892, to fight Spain. He was also pre

sident of the Tagalog republic from August 2

4, 1896 to May 10, 1897. Born in Tondo, Manila, o

n November 30, 1863. He grew up in the slums a

nd never knew the benefits of a prosperous l

ife. He married Gregoria de Jesus in 1892. He

was killed on May 10, 1897, near Mount Buntis,

Maragondon, Cavite.

Gen

eral Gregorio del Pilar(1875-1899)Hero of Tira

d Pass. Born on November 14, 1875, in Bulacan, B

ulacan. Died on December 2, 1899, in the battle

of Tirad Pass, to enable Aguinaldo to escape

from the Americans. One of the youngest and

bravest generals ever produced by the Philip

pines.

General Emilio Agui

naldo(1899-1964)He officially proclaimed the

Philippine independence in Malolos, Bulacan,

on January 23, 1899, with him as the first pre

sident. It was the first republic in Asia. Bor

n in Kawit, Cavite, on March 22, 1869. Died at t

he Veterans Memorial Hospital, Quezon City, on

February 6, 1964.

Apolinar

io Mabini(1864-1903)Sublime paralytic and th

e brain of the revolution. Born in Talaga, Tan

auan, Batangas, on June 22, 1864. He joined La L

iga Filipina in 1892 and Aguinaldo's revolut

ionary government from June 1898 to May 1899

. He was captured by the American forces in D

ecember 1899 and deported to Guam in January

1901. He died in Manila on May 13, 1903.

Father Mariano Gomez

(1799-

1872)

GOMBURZA

Three in

tellectuals who crusaded for

Father Jose Bur

gos reform. Father Jose Burgos Killed

(1837-1872) by garrote in Bagumbayan, Manila

on February 17, 1872, for allegedly

instigat

ing the Cavite mutiny.

Fat

her Jacinto Zamora

(1835-1872)

Emilio Jacinto

(1875-1899)

Brai

n of the Katipunan. Born in Trozo, Manila, on D

ecember 15, 1875. He joined the Katipunan in 1

894 and became Bonifacio's trusted friend an

d advicer. He wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan

, theprimer of the Katipunan which embodied t

he teachings of the organization. He founded

and edited the Katipunan newspaper; Kalayaan,

whose first issue came out in January 1896. D

ied on April 16, 1899. He was one of the heroic

figures in the Phillipine history.

General Antonio Luna

(1866-1899)

T

he greates general of the revolution. Younger

brother of juan Luna, the famous painter. Edit

or o La Independencia, whose first issue came

out on September 3, 1898. Born in Binon, Manil

a, on October 29, 1866. He was one of the propa

gandists in Spain who were working for pilit

icalreforms in the Philippines. He contribute

d articles to La Solidaridad. He assassinated

in Cabanatuan City, on June 5, 2899.

Melchora Aquino(1812-1919)B etter

known as Tandang Sora. Born in Banlat, Kalooka

n City, on January 6, 1812. She helped the Kati

puneros under the leadership of Andres Bonif

acio by providing them food, shelter, and othe

r material goods. She is recognized as the Gra

nd Woman of the revolution and the Mother of

Balintawak. She died on March 12, 1919.

Graciano Lopez-Jaena(1856-1896)Fou

nder and first editor of the newspaper La So

lidaridad, which became the vehicle of expres

sion for Filipino propaganda in Spain. Togeth

er wtih Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar, he

undertook propaganda campaigns in Spain. Born

in Jaro, Iloilo, on December 18, 1856. He died

on January 20, 1896, in Barcelona, Spain.

Panday Pira(1483-1576)First Fili

pino cannon-maker. He forged the cannons whic

h Rajah Sulayman used in defending the Musli

m Kingdom of Manila against the Spanish inva

ders. Born in one of the islands in Southern

Philippines in 1483. He died in 1576.

Mariano Ponce(1863-1918)Researc

her, historian, bibliographer, propagandist, dip

lomat, physician, folklorist, and an outstandin

g reformist. Born in Baliwag, Bulacan, on March

23, 1863. While in Spain, he joined the propag

anda movement and became one of the initiato

rs of La Solidaridad, later becoming its mana

ging editor. Died in HongKong on May 23, 1918.

Gregoria de Jesus(1875-19

43)One of the brave and patriotic women who

played a heroic role in the Philippine revol

ution. Born in Kalookan City, on May 9, 1875. Wi

fe of Andres Bonifacio and Lakambini of the K

atipunan. She actually fought alongside her h

usband during the revolution, aside from bein

g the custodian of the Katipunan documents. S

he organized the Katipunan's Women Chapter. S

he died on March 15, 1943.

Fern

ando Ma. Guerrero(1873-1890)Musician, journali

st, politician, and lawyer. Considered the grea

test lyric poet in Spanish. Born in Ermita, Ma

nila, on May 30, 1873. When the revolution brok

e out, General Antonio Luna invited him to joi

n the editorial staff of La Independencia, the

organ of the revolution. Thus, he fought for

the Filipino cause with his pen. Died in Mani

la June 12, 1929.

Felipe Ago

ncillo(1859-1941)Outstanding diplomat of the

Philippine revolution. Born in Taal, Batangas

, on May 26, 1859. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo appoint

ed him as Minister Plenipotentiary to the pe

ace conference in Washington and Paris. Died

on September 29, 1941, at the Manila Doctor's

Hospital.

Juan Luna(1857-1899

)A genius of the brush and a patriot of the

highest order. Creator of the world-famous pa

inting, SPOLARIUM, which was awarded the gold

medal in the Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Art

es in Madrid in 1884. It is also known as the

greatest painting of all times. Born in Badoc

, Ilocos, Norte, on October 23, 1857. He was clos

ely associated with the Reform Movement, toge

ther with Rizal, Lopez-Jaena, Ponce, etc. He die

d in Hongkong on December 7, 1899.

Rafael Palma(1874-1939)Orator, stat

esman, scholar, educator, and writer. Born in To

ndo, Manila, on October 24, 1874. He was involve

d in the propaganda campaign against the Spa

niards. He cofounded with Gen. Antonio Luna th

e revolutionary newspaper, La Independencia. L

ater, he also founded El Nuevo Dia, Cebu's firs

t daily. Died in Manila on May 24, 1939.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar(1850-1896)Pol

itical analyst of the Filipino colony in Spai

n. Born in Kupang, Bulacan, Bulacan, on August 3

0, 1850. In 1882, he founded the nationalistic

newspaper, Diariong Tagalog. In December 1889,

he became the editor of La Solidaridad and b

ecame the moving spirit behind the propagand

a movement. Died on July 4, 1896.

Pedro Paterno(1858-1911)Statesman

, poet, writer, and peacemaker. Born in Manila o

n February 27, 1858. He was the negotiator/med

iator of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. He helped

prepare the Malolos constitution. Died on Apr

il 26, 1911.

Leona Florentin

o(1849-1884)First poetess of the Philippines

. Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on April 19, 1849. He

r poems were given international recognition

at the Exposicion in Madrid in 1887 and in P

aris in 1889. Died on October 4, 1884.

Isabelo delos Reyes(1864-1938)La

st of the propagandists. Gifted son of Leona

Florentino, first poetess of the Philippines.

Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on July 7, 1864. He a

roused the hostility of the friars and gover

nment officials when he openly criticized th

e evils of the Spanish rule and he advocated

reforms. He was the founder of the first Phi

lippine labor union, as well as the first inde

pendent Filipino Catholic church. Died on Oct

ober 9, 1938.

Artemio Ricarte(1

866-1945)The unconquerable hero of the revol

ution. Born in Batac, Ilocos Norte, on October

20, 1866. Known as Viborra, he was a gentle pub

lic school teacher who became a dashing revol

utionary general. Died in the jungles of Sier

ra Madre on July 31, 1945.

J

ose Palma(1876-1903)Poet and soldier. Born in

Tondo, Manila, on June 3, 1876. Younger brother

of Dr. Rafael Palma. He was a staff member of

La Independencia. He wrote Filipinas, a patrio

tic poem in Spanish, which became the lyrics

of the Philippine National Anthem. Died in Man

ila, on February 12, 1903.

Rajah

Lakandola( -1575)One of the most illustriou

s ancient Filipinos. Chief of Tondo, when Lega

zpi came to Manila in 1571. He became a Christ

ian and took the name of Carlos, after the ki

ng of Spain. He made the blood compact with G

oiti. He fought alongside the Spaniards again

st the Chinese pirate, Limahong. Died in 1575.

Rajah Soliman( -1571)The la

st rajah of Manila, noted for his daring and

bravery. Nephew of Rajah Lakandola. Of all of t

he early rulers of Manila, he was feared most

by the Spaniards. He was killed on June 3, 15

71, in the Battle of Bangkusay.

Leonor Rivera(1867-1893)Cousin and

fiancee of Jose Rizal. She was the Maria Cla

ra in Rizal's Noli Me Tangere.

Marcela Mariño Agoncillo(1859-1946

)Maker of the first Philippine flag. Born in

Taal, Batangas, on June 24, 1859. Married to Fel

ipe Agoncillo. She labored to make the Filipi

no flag in Hong Kong with the help of Delfin

a Herbosa de Natividad, a niece of Rizal. Died

on May 30, 1946 in Taal, Batangas.

Galicano Apacible

One of the foun

ders of La Solidaridad.

Jos

e Ma. Panganiban(1863-1890)Avenger of Filipin

o honor. Born in Mambulao, Camarines Norte, on

February 1, 1863. A good friend and co-worker

of Rizal. He was Bicolandia's greatest contri

bution to the historic campaign for reforms,

more popularly called the Propaganda Movemen

t. He wrote articles for La Solidaridad, under

the pen names Jomapa and J.M.P. Died in Barc

elona, Spain, on August 19, 1890.

Diego Silang(1730-1763)He led the revolt of

the Ilocanos in opposition to the tribute an

d abuses of the Spanish officials. Born in Ar

ingay, La Union, on December 16, 1730. The revol

t started in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He was killed

by Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo who bore gr

ievances against Diego Silang.

Maria Josefa Gabriela SilangAfter

the death of Diego Silang on May 28, 1763, the

fight was carried on by his wife, MARIA JOSE

FA GABRIELA SILANG, and his uncle, Nicolas Car

iño. She too lost her life for freedom's sake

on September 30, 1763.

Lap

u-Lapu(c. 16t

h

century)Chief of Mactan who le

d the first successful Filipino armed resista

nce against Spanish aggression. He fought and

killed Magellan in a battle in Mactan, on Ap

ril 27, 1521.

Francisco Balt

azar(1788-1862)More popularly known as Balag

tas, he is considered the prince of Tagalog p

oets. Born in Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan, on April

2, 1788. He wrote Florante at Laura, a masterpi

ece of local versification, upholding moral and

social values; it served as the basic foundat

ion of the Philippine literature. Died in Ori

on, Bataan, on February 20, 1862.

Epifanio delos Santos(1871-1928)La

wyer, journalist, historian, philosopher, biblio

grapher, biographer, painter, poet, musician, lit

erary critic, antique collector, and librarian

. Born in Malabon, Rizal, on April 7, 1871. Died o

n April 28, 1928, in Manila.

F

rancisco Dagohoy(c. Mid-18t

h

 century)He led the

longest revolt in Bohol against the Spaniards. The

immediate cause of the revolt was the refusal of a

Jesuit priest to give a Christian burial to Dagoh

oy's brother. The Spaniards needed 85 years befo

re they were able to suppress the rebellion. It w

as only in 1829 that they finally succeeded in b

ringing to end the revolt started by Dagohoy.

Teresa Magbanua(1871-1947)The fi

rst woman in Panay to fight in the Philippine rev

olution. Known as the Visayan Joan of Arc. Born in

Pototan, Iloilo, on November 4, 1871. Died in Aug

ust 1947.

Trinidad Tecson(1848-

1928)Mother of Biak-na-Bato. Born in San Miguel,

Bulacan, on November 18, 1848. Even though women-

members of the Katipunan were exempted from the

pact, she participated inSanduguan(blood compac

t). She fought fearlessly in 12 bloody battles of

the revolution in Bulacan, including the famous

Battle of Biak-na-Bato. Later, she became known a

s The Mother of the Philippine Red Cross. Died on

June 28, 1928.

Agueda EstebanKat

ipunan member who later married Artemio Ricarte

. She commuted from Cavite to Manila to buy salt

peter, lead, and copper which where used to make

ammunitions. She also carried secret messages ab

out the planned offensives against the Spanish p

osts.

Julian Felipe(1861-1941)Com

poser of the Philippine National Anthem. Born in

Cavite City on January 28, 1861. A dedicated musi

c teacher and composer, he was appointed by Agui

naldo as Director of the National Band of the Phil

ippine Republic. Died in Manila on October 2, 194

1.

Marina Dizon(1875-1950)Daughter

of a Katipunan leader in Cavite, who was one of t

he Trece Martirez, executed by the Spanish offic

ials in 1896. Born in Trozo, Manila, on July 18, 18

75. She joined the Katipunan in July 1893, one of

the first women to have done so. She also kept imp

ortant documents of the Katipunan. Died on Octobe

r 25, 1950.

General Francisco Mak

abulos(1871-1922)Leader of the revolt in Tarlac.

Born in La Paz, Tarlac, on September 17, 1871. He w

as the first patriot in Tarlac, who joined the Kat

ipunan. General Aguinaldo appointed him as one o

f the brigadier generals of the Central Luzon are

a. He established the Central Executive Committe

e, which had a constitution called the Constitut

ion of Makabulos. Died in La Paz, Tarlac, on April

30, 1922.