The First Philippine Flag

The Clearing Point

R. CHAM G. ZUÑIGA VI, MLGM, Ph.D.

The First Philippine Flag

Historians were in disagreement of the location where the Philippine flag was first raised.

There were those who claimed that the Philippine flag was first unfurled on May 28, 1898, in Cavite Viejo and formally raised at the proclamation of independence on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite.

But Manuel L. Quezon III wrote that one of the historical errors being perpetuated in history textbooks and commemorative rites was the place where the Philippine flag was first displayed. His basis of this error was the signboard in Cavite claiming that the Philippine flag was first raised in Alapan, Imus, Cavite, on May 28, 1898. The source of the claim was Proclamation No. 374, issued by then-President Diosdado Macapagal on March 6, 1965. The proclamation states that our flag was first raised and received its baptism and victory in the Battle of Alapan, Imus, Cavite on May 28, 1898.

However, looking back to the historical accounts of General Emilio Aguinaldo, he narrated in one historical record that on May 28, 1898, at the time when the arms were delivered in Kawit, hundreds of Spanish soldiers surrendered.

Gen. Aguinaldo further narrated that -.

“It was there [in Kawit] where the first fight of the Philippine Revolution of 1898 was started, which we may call the continuation of the campaign of 1896 to 1897, a fight which lasted from ten o’clock in the morning to three o’clock in the afternoon, when on account of lack of ammunition the Spaniards with all their arms surrendered to the Filipino Revolutionaries who entered into Cavite [port] with the prisoners. I took advantage of the glorious opportunity to bring to light and undulate the national flag which was saluted by an immense multitude, with cheers of delirious joy and great hurrahs ‘vivas’ for Independent Philippines and for the generous nation of the United States, all of which was witnessed by several officers and marines of the American Squadron, who plainly showed their sympathy for the cause of the Filipinos by taking part in their great rejoicing.” (italics supplied)

If we are to believe of the above accounts, it could easily be deduced that the first flag-raising took place near the port of Cavite Nuevo. To claim that it happened in Alapan is therefore erroneous. History books revealed that the first Philippine Flag was sighted while prisoners were marching into the Cavite port that prompted Aguinaldo to bring out the flag made in Hong Kong and display the same publicly. Gen. Aguinaldo’s act was considered a festive occasion imbued with patriotism and nationalism.

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The following are insights on the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines that may guide our dear readers particularly the students.

There was one time when one student wondered why the Philippine Flag was flown at half-mast. He uttered, “Perhaps somebody in the government service holding high position is dead.” When and why do we really raise the flag at half-mast?

Our flag law mandates that flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all the buildings and places where it is displayed on the day of official announcement of the death of any of the president or a former president of the republic, for ten (10) days; the Vice-President, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for seven (7) days; and such other persons to be determined by the National Historical Institute (NHI), for any period less than seven (7) days.

The flag shall be flown at half-mast on all the buildings and places where the decedent was holding office, on the day of death until the day of interment of an incumbent member of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate or the House of Representatives, and such other persons as may be determined by the NHI.

The flag when flown at half-mast shall be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag shall again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

(for feedback, the author may be reached at chamzun@gmail.com)