Philippines: Reflections on Iloilo History
Written byKarlo Mongaya
ToTomel reflects on the history of Iloilo, a center of trade and commerce in the central Philippines since the 19th Century when the country was under Spanish colonial rule.
Written byKarlo Mongaya
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This is about the country’s flag and the town of Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
On March 25, 1936, President Manuel L. Quezon. Issued E.O. No. 23 prescribing the technical description and specification of the Filipino Flag. It was followed by other directives assigning the National Historical Institute as the authority in Philippine Vexillaries and Heraldry.
Gordon’s proposed bill adding yet another ray to the Philippine flag should concern all Filipinos but most especially us Ilonggos.
The eight rays within the white triangle represent the towns within Luzon that fathered the Philippine Revolution.
However, Santa Barbara, which actively participated under General Delgado, was never represented in the flag.
Gordon and even Puentebella maintain that Muslim resistance to colonial rule merits a ray. Problem is, Mindanao is already one of three stars that mark our flag.
Whatever for is this bill? It begs a timely answer- acknowledge the ” Cry of Santa Barbara” in it’s proper context.
Omon Maravilla