The sun on the Philippine flag has eight primary rays. It appears in the center of the white triangle at the hoist, alongside three gold five-pointed stars.
The eight rays commemorate the first eight provinces associated with the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule in 1896. Historical sources differ slightly over the exact list of provinces or districts represented, but the number of rays in the official flag design is eight. This is why the rays should not be confused with the three stars, which represent Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
The flag was formally unfurled during the proclamation of Philippine independence at Kawit, Cavite, on 12 June 1898. Earlier versions showed a mythical sun with a face, influenced by imagery used in other former Spanish colonies. The standardized modern design removed the face while retaining the stylized rays.
Some historians and lawmakers have proposed adding a ninth ray to recognize other regions or groups involved in resistance to Spain. Those proposals have not changed the national flag. The current flag therefore remains an eight-ray sun, with blue and red fields that reverse position when the country is officially at war.