28/05/2022
Luzon, Panay, Mindanao are represented by the three stars of the Filipino flag, but what of the rays of the sun? How many rays are needed?
May 28 has been designated as National Flag Day by virtue of Republic Act No. 8491. The date commemorates the victory at the Battle of Alapan, where the Filipino flag was unfurled. Extending its duration until June 12, meanwhile, would be seen with Executive Order No. 179, s. 1994, designating May 28 to June 12 as National Flag Days. Yet how much do we know of our national flag as it is today? One of the more contentious issues revolving it would be the rays of the sun, which were supposed to represent the first eight provinces that began the Philippine Revolution against Spain.
Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac
These were the eight provinces proclaimed under "state of war" by Spanish Governor General Ramon Blanco on August 30, 1896. At least from the Spanish standpoint, these were the first provinces to revolt against them. Note that Blanco did not explicitly use the term "martial law" in this proclamation, despite going down in later sources as such. To be specific, this was the text of his proclamation.
"The civilian government and civilian judicial authorities shall continue functioning in all matters appropriately belonging to their attributes that do not refer to public order and this last matter to whatever the military allows them to do or delegates to them, requiring each one to give the other any news that will reach their knowledge."
Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga
Meanwhile, these were the eight provinces mentioned in the 1898 Declaration of Independence "which declared themselves in a state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated." The difference would be the exclusion of Tarlac and the inclusion of Bataan. Yet, other combinations were out there.
Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Morong (Rizal), Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac
This would be one of them. Bataan here was excluded as Morong would be in the list. Learn more about the "state of war" proclamation: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2017/05/martial-law-thingy.html
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