The revolutionary Katipunan movement's flags were the first flags of the Philippines, rather than those

of a colonial authority. The movement's flags had red fields with white emblems, however the exact
emblem differed from one flag to another. The most famous of these flags was introduced in 1897 and
had a sun insignia that is similar to the contemporary flag's emblem (GettysBurgFlag.com). Despite the
fact that most of us know what happened to the first Philippine flag, we don't know much about the trio
that brought Aguinaldo's painting to life. A painting that depicts how the Philippines were created and
reminds us of the traditions and practices that have disappeared through time without knowing.

Three woman sewing, one flag: these are visible in the painting named “Making of the Philippine Flag”, a
masterpiece painted by Fernando Amoroso. According to a document of Lesaca, J. C. uploaded in the
Scribd.com, presented in the painting are Marcella Marino de Agoncillo, Lorenza de Agoncillo and
Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, who are said to be the women who are tasked by Gen Emilio Aguinaldo to
sew the first Philippine flag, stitching the Philippine Flag manually which took in just a short time. The
Philippine Flag was sewn at Marcella Agoncillo’s house at 353 Morrison Hill in Hong Kong. It is said that
Aguinaldo visited and requested them to hand sew a flag that has the design that would reflect all the
Filipinos’ national aspiration. According to the history Lesaca, J. C. said, Agoncillo personally delivered
the flag on May 17, 1898, and it was packed among General Aguinaldo's items brought back to Manila,
where it is hoisted from the window of General Aguinaldo's house in Kawit, Cavite, during the
declaration of independence accompanied by the National Anthem Marcha Filipina.

Analyzing the painting allows us to gain a better grasp of the meaning of the colors and symbols present
in the Philippine flag. A flag that we can carry wherever we go. A flag that carries the stories of
patriotism, heartbreak, and hardship of the three women who symbolized all of the Revolution's unsung
heroines, young and old. Stories behind the history, importance and the purpose of this Philippine Flag.
Stories that will continue to inspire us to be heroes if we only listen.

Flag of Philippines. (n.d.). GettysBurgflag.

https://www.gettysburgflag.com/flags-banners/philippines-flags

Lesaca, J. C. (n.d.). Making-of-the-Philippine-Flag-Group-3. Scribd.

https://www.scribd.com/document/519070411/Making-of-the-Philippine-Flag-Group-3