Republic of the Philippines

Flag Description

The significance of the colors, red, white, and blue, are currently attributed as follows: the white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue for peace, truth and justice; and red for patriotism and valor. However, the original Declaration of Independence stated that the three colors were inspired by the American flag as a manifestation of the Filipino's gratitude towards American help against the Spanish.
The Philippine flag was banned, or proscribed, by United States authorities for 11 years, until October 30, 1919.
The national flag of the Philippines was first conceptualized by Emilio Aguinaldo, a freemason (the design shows the ideas of freemasonry according to some analysts). The first flag was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela de Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Doña Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of José Rizal. (In other sources, the niece's name was Delfina Herbosa de Natividad.)
Modern History

After the Japanese were defeated in 1945, the Philippines achieved independence from the United States on July 4, 1946.[4]
Since 1946, the newly independent Philippine state has faced economic and political instability and various rebel groups. The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the rise of student activism and civil unrest. Ferdinand Marcos was, then, the elected president. Barred from seeking a third term, Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972 and ruled the country by decree. Marcos extended both his power and tenure by force. His authoritarian rule became marred with unmitigated, pervasive corruption, cronyism and despotism.
Opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr. was assassinated on August 21, 1983 upon returning from exile. In January 1986, Marcos allowed for a "snap" election, after large protests. The election was believed to be fraudulent, and resulted in a standoff between military mutineers and the military loyalists. Protesters supported the mutineers, and was accompanied by resignations of prominent cabinet officials. Corazon Aquino, the wife of Benigno Aquino, Jr., was the recognized winner of the snap election. She took over government, and called for a constitutional convention to draft a new constitution, after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Marcos, his family and some of his allies fled to Hawaii.[4]
The return of democracy and government reforms after the events of 1986 was hampered by massive national debt, government corruption, coup attempts, a communist insurgency, and a Muslim separatist movement. The economy improved during the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, who was elected in 1992. However, the economic improvements were negated at the onset of the East Asian financial crisis in 1997. The 2001 EDSA Revolution led to the downfall of the following president, Joseph Estrada. The current administration of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been hounded by allegations of corruption and election rigging.


Background Information :

Head of State
:President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Capital
:Manila

Land area
:76,946 thousand in 2000 (actual); 85,237 thousand in 2005 (projected)

Population
:82,664 thousands (2004)

Language
:Filipino, English, Spanish

Religion
:Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism, Philippine Independent Church, Iglesia ni Kristo); Islam

Member of
:APEC, ARF, ACD, ADB, ASEAN, ASEM, CCC, Common Fund for Commodities, CP, ESCAP, FEALAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, World Tourism Organization, World Trade Organization

Currency
:Peso

GDP
:US$86,123 million (2004) at current market prices

Major Industries
:Priority sectors : construction materials, electronics, food, giftware and holiday decor, home furnishings, IT & IT-enabled services, marine products, motor vehicle parts and components, organic and natural products, wearables

Major Exports
:Electronic products; garments; ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts, and ships; coconut oil; woodcrafts and furniture; other products manufactured from materials imported on consignment basis; petroleum products; metal components; cathodes and sections of cathodes of refined copper; fresh bananas (per data as of August 2005)

Major Imports
:Electronic products; mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials; industrial machinery and equipment; transport equipment; iron and steel; cereal and cereal preparations; textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, and related products; telecommunications equipment and electrical machinery; plastics in primary and nonprimary forms; organic and inorganic chemicals (per data as of August 2005)