Philippines - Historical Flags

Last modified: 1999-10-08 by rob raeside
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by Jaume Ollé, 7 September 1996

by Jaume Ollé, 7 September 1996

by Thomas Koh, 14 October 1997

The first flag was that of movement Katipunan, created by Benita Rodriguez with the aid of the wife of Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesus. The flag was a red rectangle red with three "K" white in a horizontal alignment. Some members of the movement used a variant of the flag in which one of the three "K"s was put above the other two forming a triangle. A third variant had a single K on it. (These flags could be construed as being related to the Klu Klux Klan, but they have nothing to do with it).
Jaume Ollé 7 September 1996

What is the significance of the K's?

You will recall that the Spanish colonised the Philippines for well over 400 years. Towards the close of the XIX century, nationalist groups were being formed to drive out the Spaniards. Andres Bonifacio (1863 - 1896) popularly regarded as the Father of the Philippine Revolution founded the Katipunan which was the main nationalist group which fought against the Spanish in the quest for independence. That is what the K stands for.
Tom Koh, 15 October 1997

The Katipunan, which literally translates to Society or Association, began on July 7, 1892. Jaume shows their war standard as the red flag with three white K's in a horizontal alignment. The K's stood for "Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangan Na Katipunan ng Mga Anak Ng Bayan". Loosely translated to mean the "Highest and Most Respectable Society of the Sons of the People."
Gene 'Duke' Duque, 11 March 1998

by Mark Sensen, 14 October 1997

by Mark Sensen, 14 October 1997

An 1895 version attributed to General Pio Del Pilar has a slight resemblance to the present flag. Rather than a red and blue stripe the field except for the triangle of white is red. The gold stars and sun being replaced by the red K's and a red sun rising behind a mountain. The sun has 8 rays. Coincidence or a misdated reference?
Gene 'Duke' Duque, 11 March 1998

by Mark Sensen, 14 October 1997

An 1894 Katipunan flag has the three K's but also a sun with 16 rays. I cannot find any information as to why 16 rays were used.
Gene 'Duke' Duque, 11 March 1998

Flag belonging to Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Katipunan. The Katipunan was discovered by the Spanish on August 19, 1896. On 23 August 1896, Bonifacio's banner was unfurled during the Cry of Pugadlawin in Kalookan where Filipinos tore up their cedulas (residence cards) defying Spanish authority. The flag was blooded a week later, 30 August 1896, during the Battle of San Juan del Monte, the first major battle of the Philippine Revolution.
Gene 'Duke' Duque, 25 September 1999

by Mark Sensen, 15 October 1997

General Aguinaldo's flag bearing the letter "K" from the pre-Hispanic Philippine alphabet. The eight rays represent the first 8 provinces that rose up in revolt against Spain: Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, & Cavite.
Gene 'Duke' Duque, 25 September 1999

by Jaume Ollé, 7 September 1996

by Mark Sensen, 15 October 1997

by Mark Sensen, 15 October 1997

The flag of General Gregorio del Pilar, the "Boy General." Flown during the Battle of Tirad Pass, Ilocos Sur. General del Pilar's forces allowed General Aguinaldo's retreating army to escape. The "Boy General" died at age 24 defending the pass on 2 December 1899.
Gene 'Duke' Duque, 25 September 1999