I took this photo last night and this was the first art activity output of my son,Yoseff. He surprised me while he gave the flag.And he said,

Yoseff:Papa Del, i have something to give you.

Me:What is it anak?

Yoseff:It's a Philippine Flag.

Me:Who made it anak?

He smiled and paused for a second and said,

Yoseff:It's not me who made it Papa.It's Teacher Cecille,my Kindergarten Teacher.

Me:So,why will you give this to me?

Yoseff:My teacher said,we will be celebrating our Philippine Independence Day,tomorrow.

Me:Great!

Yoseff:I just colored the flag papa.

In the middle of our conversation,i pondered myself if he really know what he is saying?All i know was just,he enjoyed coloring the flag.He's still 5 years old and still very young to learn bigger things about Philippine Independence.Knowing the colors would be good for now.He asked me again and said,

Yoseff:Papa,what are three stars symbolize?

Me:It's Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao

Yoseff:How about the colors of the flag,what does it mean?

I'm shocked with his questions.lol So happy to heard it from his mouth that he asked about it.He's thinking like a Grade 2 pupil.

The History of our Philippine Flag

Filipinos have no flags before.All they knew was only the Spanish flag. 

Our early flags were those of the Katipunan.  The first was made of red piece of cloth with letters “K.K.K.” arranged in a row in the center of the rectangular field. This flag was unfurled during the “First Cry of the Revolution” in August 1896.  An early version of the Katipunan flag had three K’s arranged in an equilateral triangle. A flag with only one “K” later replaced this. The letter “K” was later changed to an ancient Tagalog “K” within the figure of a sun with eight rays.

[source](https://bit.ly/2y46Q1U/)

During the Naic Assembly on March 17, 1897, another change was made in the flag.  The ancient Tagalog “K” was replaced by a mythical sun, which remained in use until the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato on December 10, 1897.  All these flags had a red background to signify the revolutionary character of the Katipunan.

[source](https://bit.ly/2y46Q1U/)

According to Philippine History,Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad in Hong Kong made and sewed the flag.It was first flown in battle on May 28,1898 and it was formally unfurled during the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the flag of the First Philippine Republic, on June 12, 1898 by President Aguinaldo.

[image source](https://bit.ly/2LJ7N1y)

The Flashback

It's already the 120th Independence Day celebration here in the Philippines from the Spanish conquerors.As far as i remembered,the Act of Declaration was signed on June 12,1898.These Spaniards ruled the Philippines for almost  333 years.We also had another Independence day during the time of the American Regime and it was dated July 4,1946.Which is which? Americans granted the Philippines in July 4,1946 but in the American regime,July 4,1902 was the date where they took over the country.But prior to that in 1945,Japanese invaded Manila.That's the reason why,many of us Filipinos including me,looks like Japanese,American and Spanish too.We are like assorted bloodlines.We came from different races and cultures were also affected.Real  and true Filipinos came from a native land of which i don't know.:)We thanked Dr. Jose Rizal for his patriotism and some other Filipino heroes like Andres Bonifacio,Juan Luna,Apolinario Mabini,Gregorio,Marcelo Del Pilar,Emilio Aguinaldo and to the rest of our Filipino Heroes who fought for the Spaniards.Though Spaniards sounds antagonistic in character to us Pinoys,but in my opinion,they've contributed good Christian Values to us. They've started Christianity in Cebu and brought Sto.Nino and now Basilica Del Santo Nino(Infant Jesus)in April 21,1521. Without the Spaniards,i think many of us will remain Pagans.

Point of Reflection

So,many still are asking,are we really independent now?I've also come to think and reflect about it.In my 30 years of existence here in the Philippines and in this world,i have a question here in my mind that still needs a valid answer.If we are truly Independent,why are we still asking help from other countries?Why are still other Filipinos working abroad?Many of us Filipinos are very gifted but where are they now?They're working in other countries looking for Gold and $$$$$$$$.For what?And the answer is,for their family.

Philippines is an awesome country!It's an archipelago.It has 7,107 islands and islets.It has rich in culture,traditions, and very talented Filipinos.The government is trying hard to convince foreigners to visit the place.Philippines has many tourist destinations too.Sadly,one of the tourist attraction which is Boracay is under rehabilitation.Hopefully it will be open to public this year 2018.  Why i am saying this?I'm just proud of being a real born Filipino.

Happy Independence Day !

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