EVOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE FLAG

The Philippine National Flag made its first public appearance at General Aguinaldo's proclamation of independence from Spain. Prior to this flag, there were several Katipunan flags and war banners and some of the revolutionary generals had their own flags, some of which bear some resemblance to the present national flag. The Philippine flag was banned at certain times during the US and Japanese occupation. The exact specifications of the flag were laid down in 1936 although the blue used in the flag has long been an issue of debate amongst historians. The blue was changed to royal blue in 1998 as a compromise to the dispute regarding the use of a Cuban blue, American (or navy) blue and sky blue used in previous flags.


1. THE FLAG OF THE REVOLUTION. The 3 K's stood for Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or "Most High and Most Sacred Society of the Sons of the People"

2. AN EARLY VERSION OF THE KATIPUNAN FLAG. It had 3 K's arranged in an equilateral traingle.

 

 

3. FLAG WITH ONLY ONE "K" AT THE CENTER. All versions had a red background to denote the revolutionary character of the Katipunan.

 

4. BONIFACIO'S FLAG. Made by women members of the Katipunan just before the revolution, this fag was first used at the Cry of Pugad Lawin which took place on August 23, 1896. Supremo Andres Bonifacio's cermnial war standards from 1892- 1896

 

5. OFFICIAL FLAG OF THE DE FACTO GOV'T.. (Conceived after the Magdiwang & the Magdalo Councils merger). The eight rays of the sun represented Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, Cavite & Batnagas. At the center of the sun was the ancient Filipino alphabeth K for "Kalayaan".

 

6. FIRST OFFICIAL REVISION. The flag was revised & also declared as the official flag of the Philippine Government & its forces in NAIC, CaviteAssembly on March 17, 1897.

 

7. LLANERA'S FLAG. The flag used by Gen. Mariano Llanera in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija was sometimes called "Bungo ni Llanera" (Llanera's Skull). According to stories Llanera derived his design from the Katipunan initiation rites using a black hat, white triangle & the letters,Z.Ll,B.

 

8. PIO DEL PILAR'S FLAG. Called Bandilla ng Magtagumpay (Victorious Flag), Pio del Pilar's flag carried 8 rays in the rising sun to symbolize the 8 provinces that were put under martial law by the Spanish authorities

9. GREGORIO DEL PILAR'S FLAG. This was the first among the Katipunan flags to use three colors: red, blue and black. The tri-colored flag of Del Pilar was used in the Battle of Tirad Pass, Ilocus Sur on Dec. 2, 1899. According to Del Pilar, the designs was patterned after the flag of Cuba, then in revolt against Spain.

 

10. THE PRESENT FLAG. The present national flag has adopted the features of all 3 previous Katipunan flags. It was waved in the balcony of Gen. Aguinaldo 6 weeks after the Battle of Manila Bay. To set the standard size & colors, then Pres. Manuel Quezon issued Executive Order No. 23 on March 25, 1936.

 

ABOUT US

Atlas Super Flags, a fourth generation of flag makers company which specializes in the making of Philippine Flags, Company Flags and International Code Flags.

Atlas Super Flags, spearheaded by Gregory D. Tan Gatue , who's family has always been known as "The First Family of Flags" .The name Tan Gatue has always been synonymous to flag making here in the Philippines

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(one block away from LRT Doroteo Jose Station)

Tel: (632) 711 5906
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