a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side
the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays
each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star
blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality
the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
the design of the flag dates to 1897
note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top