ILOILO CITY — More than a century after it first waved defiantly against colonial rule, a 127-year-old Philippine flag that led the march for freedom in Antique is finally coming home.

The treasured banner, once carried by the forces of 2Lt. Ruperto Abellon, will soon be officially handed over by his descendants to the Provincial Government of Antique, marking a powerful reunion with one of the province’s most treasured relics of the revolution.

Local historian Errol Santillan shared that Abellon’s family — whose roots now span continents — has agreed to donate the flag so it can be preserved and honored as a provincial treasure.

“We are setting a date for the formal turnover of the flag, which will become a vital part of Antique’s living history,” Santillan said.

Abellon served as second-in-command to Gen. Leandro Fullon, the Visayan general who led forces sent by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to liberate Antique from Spanish rule in 1898.

When the group landed in Pandan and raised the flag in Libertad on 21 September 1898, its 53-by-93-inch folds caught not only the wind, but also the birth of a nation — symbolizing the Visayas’ bold stand for independence.

Now, the same flag will return under the care of the Antique provincial government. A memorandum of agreement is being finalized to ensure its preservation, with plans to display it at the old Antique capitol building for public viewing.

Abellon’s great-grandson flew in from Australia to personally coordinate the turnover — a gesture that bridges past and present across generations and oceans.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is also drafting a resolution declaring the flag a historical and cultural treasure, cementing its place in the province’s identity.

For Antiqueños, this flag’s return is more than just a ceremony — it’s a homecoming, a living reminder that the spirit of freedom fought for on their soil continues to thrive in their hearts.