One Past but Many Histories (The First Mass Celebration)

In 2009, Senator Richard Gordon authored a senate bill proposing the addition of the “ninth ray” in the Philippine flag. It has been known as the “Ninth Ray Bill.” The proposed ray will symbolize the Muslims who defended the country against the Spaniards. Fellow senator, Chiz Ezcudero supported the proposal. However, according to historians, there were misconceptions on how the public understood the symbolisms behind the ‘rays of the sun’ as well as the ‘three’ stars in the design of the Philippine flag.

The First Mass at Limasawa, 1965 - Carlos Botong Francisco

In light of the undying aspiration of Philippines being united under one flag, and the relentless efforts of solving the secessionist issue in Muslim Mindanao and the approve Bangsamoro Organic Law, what is your stand on the proposed ninth ray? In case the proposal will be adopted, how will you design the new Philippine flag to consider the points raised by the Ninth Ray Bill?

In my stand, it is a genuinely unnecessary bill to propose. Many historians, including Professor Xiao Chua of the History Department in DLSU, Professor Augosto De Viana of Chair, History Department UST, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, agree with a misconception eight (8) rays in the sun of the Philippine flag. Perceiving that it is the first eight provinces who revolt against the Spaniards, whilst in fact, there were more than 200 or fewer revolts even in the Visayas that started the revolution even before the Katipunan was established. In clarification, the eight (8) rays in the sun of the Philippine flag are the provinces placed under Martial Law by General Ramon Blanco on August 30, 1896.

This bill is solely based on a wrong premise as misconceptions on the historical context of our Philippine flag.

In my stance, it is not only the Moros that had revolted against the foreign oppressors but also the Igorots and Aetas. However, ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines are already represented by the three stars in our flag: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Doing such changes in the specifications and alterations on our flag will undoubtedly change its' historical background. It is understood where Senator Gordon is coming from, stating that the bill is a pledge for inclusion to our Muslim brothers and not just symbolic. And to put in minds and hearts the pride of the Muslim community for revolting 'first' against these Spaniards. As much as we appreciate his proposal, there is undoubtedly an alternative way to recognize our Muslim ancestors' blood and sweat – and not just by adding a ninth ray in our Philippine flag. I believe that Senator Gordon was trying to run for the presidency at the time. Many think that this is one of his publicity stunts and political motivators for earning the trust of our Muslim community. Another politician had yet proposed a similar bill recently to his, Senator Manny Pacquiao, who again tries to suggest adding a ninth ray in the sun of our Philippine flag.

Before, many Katipuneros and factions can easily sew and make their flags to mark their distinct identity and symbolize their aspirations. And all flags in the past was made in the Philippines, but only our Philippine flag was the exception. Our national flag was created in Hong Kong under the agreement of Biak-na-Bato, whose group was named Hong Kong Junta with the Diplomat Agoncillo and his family and Lorenza, who went to Hong Kong. Emilio Aguinaldo realized that we need something to signify the new Republic, and one of his ambitions is having a national anthem and national flag. He went home from Hong Kong, bringing the flag sewed by Delfina Herboza, Marcela Agoncillo and her daughter, Lorenza, who was only five at the time. The flag was made of silk and had three colors: blue, white, and red. And based on Ambrocio Rianzares Bautista, the colors denote the Republic's gratitude to the United States of America for helping reclaim our native land from the tyrants.

The flag was first shown during the Battle of Alapan on May 28, 1898, and not in Kawit, Cavite – this day was considered our Flag Day. Then on June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo waved the Philippine flag again on Kawit, Cavite, along with the Marcha Nacional Filipino (our Philippine anthem) written for five whole days by Julián Felipe.

Aguinaldo adored the song because of the March tempo and based on historians, Felipe put local elements altogether. It was also inspired by the Marcha real of the Spaniards, Aida, and La Marseillaise. It was also the day when Aguinaldo declared the Independence of the Philippines. According to the American Historians, no written records about the agreement were not recognized by any American Consuls. Filipinos thought it was because this one American was a cinematographer and was not part of the military or consul but suddenly given a rank in the military because of his presence at the event. Despite this, Americans once became the tyrant Aguinaldo had thought they would never be because of the agreement.

On September 6, 1907, the Americans established an Anti-flag Law, which is Act No. 1696 S. 1907, showing any significance towards any symbols, seals, and flags of the Independence of the Philippines was banned. Anyone who was caught was put behind bards and paid a fine.

A famous playwright, Aurelio Tolentino, was arrested because he had a play full of Philippine flags, and it was all covered by the media. He is known as an Original Katipunero and as the best friend of the Supremo Andres Bonifacio. The law only lasted for twelve (12) years and was revoked by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison in 1919. After that, many people were now freely using the flags anywhere during the day or night time. But under the leadership of Manuel L. Quezon, he established Executive Order XXII 1936, consolidating the design of the flag used in Kawit, Cavite. However, he had the face in the sun removed, and the blue color was changed into Navy Blue.

During the Japanese occupation, Quezon ordered to put the flag in reverse, showing the red color on the top symbolizing war and blue on the bottom. Although using the national flag was outlawed by the Japanese, it was immediately restored during the establishment of the 2nd Republic under the leadership of Jose P. Laurel on October 14, 1943. When World War II ended on July 14, 1946, the 3rd Republic of the Philippines under Manuel Roxas was established on Luneta. He ordered to lower the American flag, and the Philippine flag was raised. In 1899, Aguinaldo said that they lost the flag on their way to North Pangasinan during the Philippine-American War. But there are beliefs of the further generation of Aguinaldo that they have the old Philippine flag with them on the Emilio Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio. According to Teddy Atienza, chief of the National Historical Commissions of the Philippines, they investigated the flag. It was shown on the results that it is cotton, while, based on Marcela Agoncillo's memoir, who sews the first Philippine flag, it is silk. A code and set of rules were created where the following guidelines are stated to follow and standardize the flag, which we call the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines or the Republic Act 8491. We also have the International House of Flags in Rizal Avenue, the only ones allowed to sew Philippine flags for legal uses. We are one of few countries with so many restrictions and standards to follow regarding our national flag. In addition, we are only allowed to burn our Philippine flag if it is faded or has cuts/holes, and only the Boy Scouts are authorized to do so and give a formal burial.

Now that I have summarized the essential points of the history of our national flag, the bill that Gordon proposed was a needless attempt for attention. Before we impose any modifications to things that embody the Philippines that imply such depth of historical context, we must be obliged to the consequences it entails. I suppose that there is nothing wrong with his ambition of acknowledging our Muslim brothers but believing in his historical misunderstandings could give more ambiguous information to Filipino youths and people. No matter his political intentions before, this topic has always had to go through deeper analysis and comprehension with the help of our historians and the National Historical Commissions of the Philippines. The Moros need everlasting peace and order, and I assume it is adequately given now that the Bangsamoro Organic Law seals it.

References:

Remitio, R. (2018, June 13). Historians find error in adding 9th ray in PH Flag. CNN Philippines. Retrieved from http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/06/12/ninth-ray-philippine-flag.html

Politiko.com.ph (2018, June 14). Lumaban rin sila: Chiz wants 9th ray in PH Flag to honor Muslim heroes. Retrieved from http://politics.com.ph/lumaban-rin-sila-chiz-wants-9th-ray-in-ph-flag-to-honor-muslim-heroes