Behind the emblem of the country’s sovereignty and freedom lies a rich history of courage and dedication to duty and fellowmen. Here are some historical facts to remember:
· The first design of the Philippine flag was the brainchild of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the President of the revolutionary government.
· The flag was sewn at 535 Morrison Hill Road in Hong Kong by Marcela Marino Agoncillo, the wife of the first Philippine diplomat, Felipe Agoncillo. She was assisted by her daughter Lorenza and Delfina Herbosa Natividad, the wife of General Salvador Natividad and niece of Dr. Jose Rizal.
· It took Agoncillo five days to weave the flag before handing it over to Gen. Aguinaldo who later boarded the American dispatch boat, McCulloch on May 17, 1898 enroute to the Philippines.
· On May 28, 1898, after Filipino revolutionaries had a bloody encounter with Spanish marines, the Philippine flag was hoisted at Alapan, Imus, Cavite.
· Again, the flag brought by Gen. Aguinaldo from Hong Kong was unfurled at the window of the Aguinaldo Mansion in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898 during the declaration of independence.
· During the American occupation of the Philippines, raising the Philippine flag was outlawed all of 11 years, and declared legal thereafter by virtue of an Executive Order proclaiming October 30, 1919 as “Philippine Flag Day.”
· Years later, Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon issued Executive Order No. 23 prescribing the technical and detailed specification of the national flag.
· President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 374 s. 1965 declaring May 28 as “National Flag Day” to commemorate the victory of Filipino forces against Spanish troops in the Battle of Alapan.
· The proclamation, signed by Diosdado Macapagal, said “WHEREAS, our flag is the consecrated repository of our ideals and traditions and the historic symbol of our nation as a sovereign people; whereas, there is need of instilling and perpetuating in the minds and hearts of the citizenry greater honor, respect and reverence for our flag; and whereas, our flag was first raised and received its baptism of fire and victory in the battle of Alapan, Imus, Cavite, on May 28, 1898; Now, therefore, I, Diodado Macapagal, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the twenty-eighth day of May of each year as Flag Day and enjoin all government officials and employees as well as private citizens of the Philippines to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies.”
· On May 23, 1994, Executive Order No. 79 was promulgated, thereby extending the celebration of National Flag Day from May 28 to June 12.
