A flag believed to be 127 years old, flown during General Emilio Aguinaldo’s 1898 revolutionary expedition, has been found in Antique and could soon receive national treasure status.
Local historian Errol Santillan said on Tuesday that his team is coordinating with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to formally recognize the flag as an official historical and cultural artifact.
The flag is currently in the custody of the family of 2nd Lt. Ruperto Abellon, a key revolutionary figure who served under Gen. Leandro Fullon in the Visayas during the Philippine Revolution and subsequent war with the United States.
According to Santillan, the flag was raised in Libertad, Antique in 1898 during a strategic mission led by Fullon. The expedition, ordered by Aguinaldo, aimed to regain control of Panay Island from Spanish forces. Historical accounts confirm the group arrived in Pandan, Antique on Sept. 21, 1898 with 140 officers and 340 soldiers.
Antique Flag’s Historical Origin and Preservation Effort
The family of Abellon has preserved the flag for over a century. Based on the recollection of Abellon’s 79-year-old granddaughter, the flag was brought from Hong Kong by Aguinaldo when he returned to the Philippines on May 19, 1898. Santillan added that the material is unlike standard cloth and may be unique to that era.
The flag measures 53 inches wide by 93 inches long and closely resembles today’s version, with red, blue and white colors, and three stars representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The sun emblem is also present, though aged and partially faded.
Santillan has secured the family’s permission to publicize the artifact and is seeking further steps to ensure its protection. He plans to request a resolution from the Antique provincial board to recognize the flag as a vital part of the province’s cultural heritage.
Connection to General Aguinaldo’s Revolutionary Mission
This flag’s direct association with Aguinaldo’s return and the Antique expedition gives it significant historical weight. Aguinaldo’s forces raised similar flags in strategic locations throughout the country to signal liberation from Spanish rule.
If authenticated and declared a national treasure by NHCP, the flag would join the ranks of only a few surviving original revolutionary banners from the First Philippine Republic era.
The NHCP has not yet issued a formal statement but is expected to review documentation and physical evidence in the coming weeks.
But one question remains—what else has history hidden in the homes of forgotten heroes?
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.