Doña Marcela Mariño Agoncillo, also known as Marcela Agoncillo is known for creating the Philippine flag through her painstaking craftsmanship. Marcela is the principal seamstress of the first official Philippine flag, gaining her legacy as the "Mother of the Philippine flag". Born on a wealthy family, Marcela studied at the Beaterio de Santa Catalina in Intramuros, Manila. Then she married Felipe Agoncillo.
Due to her skilled needlework and craftmanship, President Emilio Aguinaldo asked her to create the Philippine flag. In May 1898 Marcela sewed the flag within five days. She is assisted by her daughter, Lorenza, and Rizal’s niece, Delfina Herbosa de Natividad. Marcela delivered the flag to Aguinaldo and the Philippine flag was unfurled at the Teatro Caviteño in Cavite Nuevo to celebrate the revolutionary army’s victory over the Spanish forces at the Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite on 28 May 1898. After this she returned to her hometown and despite old age, she continues to show patriotism and generosity through charitable activities during the Japanese occupation (1941-1944).
Marcela Agoncillo's contribution is a huge part of Philippine history, as she made the country bloom into a brighter future.
Comments