Happy Independence Day, Philippines!
On this day in 1898, a public reading of the Philippine Declaration of Independence in Cavite el Viejo (modern-day Kawit) proclaimed the archipelago a sovereign nation.
The present Doodle honors this historic anniversary, commended yearly as Philippines Independence Day.
This revolutionary event was trailed by the first public performance of “Lupang Hinirang” (“Chosen Land”), the Philippine National Anthem, alongside the first hosting of the Philippine national flag, which is highlighted in the present Doodle artwork. Loaded up with symbolic meaning, the entirety of the flag’s colors stand for a unique element of Philippine pride.
Blue represents the peace and justice acquired from Philippine pioneers’ heroic sacrifice, red means their courage and bravery, and the white triangle symbolizes unity and equality.
Emblazoned on the furthest left of the flag glistens a symbol of freedom, a brilliant sun with eight rays shining out of its middle. Each beam represents the first eight Philippine provinces to look for independence: Nueva Ecija, Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Bataan. Toward the edges of the flag’s white triangles are three stars that address Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the three fundamental regions of the Philippines.
