Each year on May 28, Filipinos across the world pause to observe National Flag Day. It’s not just a ritual—it’s a moment to reflect on a symbol born from revolt, shaped by colonization, and raised in defiance. The flag we honor today has seen empires rise and fall. Its colors have witnessed revolution, war, and survival.
Remembering the Past: From Colonization to Independence
For over three centuries, the Philippines was under Spanish rule. The system was rigid, with power concentrated in the hands of the colonial government and friars. Schools were few. Freedom of expression was practically nonexistent. Resistance, while constant, often remained local and fragmented.
That began to change in the late 1800s. The Katipunan, a secret revolutionary group, sparked the Philippine Revolution. On May 28, 1898, a battle was fought in Alapan, Cavite. Filipino troops led by Emilio Aguinaldo overcame the Spanish. Afterward, the Philippine flag—made in Hong Kong—was raised publicly for the first time.
The flag’s appearance wasn’t just a patriotic gesture. It was a declaration: we exist, and we will no longer be ruled by others.
On June 12, independence from Spain was declared. But within months, control had shifted—not to Filipinos, but to the United States. The Treaty of Paris had transferred the Philippines to American hands. A new war followed, this time against the U.S.
The Philippine-American War was brutal. In the end, the U.S. established control. Over time, the colony evolved. By 1935, the Philippines became a Commonwealth, with Manuel L. Quezon as president. The road to freedom was set—until World War II changed everything.
Japan invaded in 1942. It wasn’t until July 4, 1946, after the war ended, that full independence was finally achieved.
The Flag Itself: A Code of Meaning
Each part of the Philippine flag carries meaning—blue for peace, red for courage, and white for equality. The eight rays of the sun represent the provinces that first rose against Spain, while the three stars stand for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
But one detail sets it apart from every other flag in the world: in times of war, the Philippine flag is inverted, with the red stripe placed above the blue. It’s a subtle but powerful signal—a quiet way of saying the nation is prepared to defend itself.
National Flag Day 2025 Events
In Imus, Cavite, ceremonies will honor the Battle of Alapan. Cagayan de Oro is set to hold a flag retirement ritual—a respectful farewell to weathered national banners. The Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay will glow in tribute.
Schools and local governments will host activities. And from May 28 through June 12, during the Flag Days period, households are encouraged to display the flag with pride.
National Pride in Uncertain Times
Today, the Philippines faces new challenges—territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, disinformation, and political division. These pressures test the strength of national identity. But if history teaches anything, it is that unity and pride remain essential.
National Flag Day reminds Filipinos everywhere that the flag is not just fabric. It’s a story—a reminder of struggle, hope, and the enduring belief that the Filipino spirit cannot be silenced.
