Exploring the Philippines: Its Flag, 15 Best Spots & Everything in Between!

What is the Philippines famous for? Probably its breathtaking beaches and islands, or perhaps its mouthwatering food. While the Philippines has every right to be famous for what we mentioned before, the country should also be recognised for its flag!

The Philippine flag, arguably one of the most beautiful, has such an intriguing history that it is worth knowing!

The national flag of the Philippines has two equal horizontal stripes of blue at the top and red with a white equilateral triangle. In the centre of the triangle is a yellow sun. The sun consists of eight primary rays, each containing three individual rays. In each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star.

Before taking you on a journey to explore the Pearl of the Orient, AKA Philippines, let’s learn more about its exciting flag.

History of the Philippine Flag

General Emilio Aguinaldo designed the flag of the Philippines while he was in exile in Hong Kong. General Emilio Aguinaldo was a Philippine national figure and also the first president of the Philippines.

The more famous story about the first time the flag was used is that it was raised for the first time in the famous Battle of Alapan between the Philippine army and the Spanish army in Alapan, Cavite. The battle took place on 28 May 1898, shortly after General Emilio Aguinaldo returned from his exile and formed the Philippine Revolutionary Army.

After winning the battle and defeating the Spanish army, the same flag was hoisted again on 12 June 1898, the same day as the Philippine independence proclamation. The hoisting was at Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

However, independence didn’t last long. In 1899, the Philippine-American War broke out, and with it came the Flag Act of 1907, which banned the display of the Philippine flag and the national anthem in the regions controlled by the Americans. It wasn’t until 1919 that the Philippine Legislature repealed the Flag Act, and the Philippine flag and national anthem were used again.

Before it became the legalised flag seen today, the Philippine flag underwent several colour and design changes, from navy blue being replaced by light blue to a change in the shape of the sun in a white triangle.

Meaning of the Philippines Flag Colours

The white triangle symbolizes peace and purity. The sun’s eight rays on the flag represent the eight provinces of the Philippines that fought against the Spanish colonialists. The three stars signify the Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas regions. The blue symbolises patriotism, and the red represents the bravery of the people.

Top Sightseeing in the Philippines

Holding a special place among the countries of Asia, the Philippines is a scattering of picturesque islands offering many vacation options. Snow-white beaches, diving, national parks, architecture, and spicy cuisine; there is so much to lure tourists here.

Outdoor enthusiasts will have a blast at the nature reserves and coral reefs, and the snow-white beaches will captivate those who enjoy contemplative relaxation. As for those looking to explore a new culture, the urban areas present a mixture of colonial architecture and local traditions. There is something for everyone in the Philippines, and coming up next, we are highlighting the top sights to visit in the Philippines.

Coconut Palace

In 1981, the Philippine authorities were preparing for Pope John Paul II’s visit, and a palace in the national style was built especially for the Pope. Coconut trees were used as the raw materials for the construction: trunk, bark, leaves, fruits, and even flowers.

As appealing as this might sound, the Pope had another saying and refused to stay in such a pompous palace and chose a more modest abode. Today, the Cocoanut Palace is used as the residence of the country’s vice president. The surrounding gardens and some halls are open to tourists, so make sure to visit while in the Philippines.

Malacanang Palace

The Presidential Palace in Manila blends the luxurious Baroque and the restrained Neoclassical styles. The complex dates back to 1750, and it housed local aristocrats and then Spanish governors. In 1946, after a significant restoration, the president of the Philippines moved into the palace.

Malacanang was severely damaged during a series of rebellions and armed conflicts in the mid-twentieth century. To raise money to rebuild it, part of the architectural complex was turned into a museum. Visitors are invited to explore the library, ceremonial and reception rooms, music room, and dining room and stroll through the palace gardens.

Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral was built in 1971 as a parish and then elevated into a cathedral. However, its original structure was damaged by fires, earthquakes, and bombing during World War II. The church combines the Romanesque style’s restrained austerity with the Gothic style’s austerity.

The façade is decorated with bronze sculptures of saints, and the large stained-glass windows let in plenty of natural light. Above the main passageway, there is a distinguished rose-glass window resembling a blooming flower.

The cathedral’s interior decoration is not extravagant, as nothing should distract believers while praying. The main point of attraction is the sculpture of the Virgin Mary on the altar.

Church of San Sebastian

The Church of San Sebastian is the most unusual church not only in Manila but in the entire Philippines. There had been many allegations that Gustave Eiffel, the French engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower, had a hand in the church’s design. Later allegations say that he only provided the steel for the church’s framework.

While nothing has been entirely confirmed, the metal frame of the building speaks in favour of these allegations for sure. The frame is said to have been made in Belgium and delivered to Manila, whereas skilled artisans made the stained glass windows in Germany.

Besides its attractive, unusual outer design, the church is famous for the sculpture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which the Carmelite sisters from Mexico gifted to the church in 1617.

Santo Niño Basilica

Santo Niño Basilica is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, built in 1565. The legend says that it was erected on the very spot where the Portuguese traveller Ferdinand Magellan found the image of Santo Niño de Cebú (Child Jesus).

The architects were the Augustinian monk Andrés de Urdaneta, who collaborated with Fray Diego de Herrera. The original building could not withstand the test of time, so it was extensively rebuilt in the 18th century, as it has come down to this day.

The architecture is a whimsical combination of Romanesque and neoclassical styles. The facade is decorated with carved elements such as a symbolic image of Christ and false columns. Inside, there is a museum devoted to the Christianisation of the Philippines. Some exhibits are religious works of art, church utensils, clerical garments, ancient bibles, manuscripts, and other artefacts.

In 1965, Pope Paul VI declared the church a basilica. A basilica is more of a status rank than anything else. It means that this place holds a special spiritual and historical importance, and the Pope gives it this status.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

More than 8 km long, the Puerto Princesa River is one of the longest underground rivers in the world. The river starts in Sabang City on the island of Palawan, and the rafting cave entrance is near the town of Puerto Princesa, which gave its name to the natural wonder.

Visitors are invited to walk in complete silence amongst the stalactites and stalagmites. The distance to the cave is limited to 1 kilometre because there is so little oxygen in its depth that it can affect health.

Rice Terraces/ Ifugao Rice Terraces

You can find the scenic Cordillera Mountains in the northern region of the Philippines. Their slopes are covered with neat rows of rice terraces, which look like giant steps. They were created by the Ifugao tribe some 2,000 years ago.

The upper part of the threshold is a ploughed field sown with an agricultural crop. Creating and cultivating such a terrace is a Herculean task and a shining example of adapting to the most challenging circumstances in all-natural conditions.

Chocolate Hills

Bohol is famous for its cone-shaped, perfectly formed hills, which are approximately 120 m high. Their slopes are covered with grass, which burns out and turns brown every year during the dry season. Some suggest that this is where the name chocolate came from—sorry, no real chocolate here! The grass turning gives the hills a beautiful brownish-beige shade.

Fort Santiago

The Spanish governor, Miguel López de Legazpi, built the Fort Santiago citadel in 1571 to protect the new territory from the encroachment of maritime robbers and the fury of the natives, who were not eager to see outsiders in their territory. During the British occupation, the fort was reconstructed: its area was expanded, the length of the walls was increased, and new defence and watchtowers were built.

During World War II, raids badly damaged the fort, which had been used as a prison. It remained in ruins until the mid-1980s when the local government finally found the funds to rebuild it. Today, the fort and its casemates are a national historical landmark whose walls offer a beautiful panoramic view.

The Tabon Caves

The more than 25-million-year-old Tabon limestone caves, or the country’s “Cradle of Civilization” as some call them, are located on Palawan Island. They became famous after a team of scientists discovered the remains of ancient people, stone tools, jade ornaments, pottery, and other everyday objects in 1962. The findings are 22-24 thousand years old!

There are 29 caves, but only 3 are open to visitors and only accompanied by guides, who vigilantly watch so that tourists do not damage the limestone walls. The Tabon Caves and their surroundings are among the top destinations in the Philippines!

Fort San Pedro

This fortress, located in the city of Cebu, is an architectural monument built during the Spanish colonisation. It dates from 1630 and has been continuously rebuilt and altered.

Despite its relatively modest size (the fort covers just over 2,000 sq. km), it has played a significant role in the country’s fortunes. Its walls and towers became an insuperable barrier for Muslim invaders.

Over the years, the fortress lost its strategic significance and was used as a storehouse, prison, and military training camp. Nowadays, the fortress is a historical open-air museum that is truly worth a visit.

Villa Escudero Plantations

Located near San Pablo, the Villa Escudero Plantations grew out of a private estate. The descendants of the Escudero family did not want to farm like their ancestors. Instead, they transformed the house and the vast surrounding area into an amusement park.

The building includes a museum that displays colonial-era artefacts, banknotes and coins, which were once used to pay for money on the islands, jewellery, and cutlery. Costume ethnographic shows are regularly organised in the villa.

Bamboo rafts can be hired for an exhilarating boat trip on the river. The highlight is the restaurant by the waterfall, where the tables are set right at the water wall, which tumbles down.

Mayon Volcano

The perfectly cone-shaped volcano, with grey smoke rising slowly from its peak, is a sight to behold, drawing crowds of tourists eager to explore the nearly 2,500-metre-high giant. The active volcano of Mayon is located on the island of Luzon, about 60 km away from Legazpi village. The volcano and its surroundings have been declared a national reserve.

Arch of Centuries

The Arch of the Centuries is a monument located on the university’s campus of Santo Tomas in Manila, 15 metres from the main gate. The National Museum of the Philippines has declared it a national treasure. It reminds visitors of the university’s connection to its Spanish heritage.

The monument has become a symbol of knowledge acquisition, a gateway to greatness through which generations of students have passed, including university alumni, national hero José Rizal of the Philippines and President Manuel L. Quezon.

The Arch of Centuries was erected around 1680 on the site of the old Intramuros district in Manila, where the University of Santo Tomas was then located. When the university moved to a new building in the Sampaloc district, the Arch was dismantled into pieces and also moved to the new site, where it was reassembled in its original form.

There is a well-known myth about this Arch that prevented students studying at the university from passing the Arch outwards until they graduated. Regardless of the myth, the Arch is a must-visit destination in the country.

MacArthur Park

McArthur Park, also known as the Allied Landing Memorial on Leyte Island, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Leyte and throughout the entire Philippines.

It was here, on Red Beach in Palo Town, not far from the large port of Tacloban, that American General Douglas MacArthur, led by the US-Philippine troops, landed in 1944 to begin liberating the country from the Japanese invaders.

Today, bronze statues of the famed general, Philippine President Sergio Osmeña and Philippine General Carlos Romulo stand on the spot.

The Philippines has always held a unique place in many travellers’ lists, and there is no wonder why here. The country has no shortage of tourist destinations; regardless of your favourite type of holiday activity or new adventures you are looking for, you will most likely find them in the Philippines. If you’re looking for more alluring destinations in the country, our guide to the best places in Asia might aid you with your trip planning.