Google Doodle celebrates Philippines’ 119th Independence Day

Google Philippines joins the country in celebrating its 119th Independence Day with a special one-day only doodle on the google.com.ph homepage designed by Filipino illustrator Dan Matutina. This year’s Independence Day doodle combines the beauty of the Philippine flag and the country’s unique island landscapes.

This is Google’s eighth Independence Day doodle for the Philippines, and it features Filipinos gathered around the Philippine flag for a flag raising ceremony while sunrise can be seen over the water, symbolizing the Filipinos’ optimism in the face of adversity. The Philippine flag was first raised on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite as a symbol of the country’s independence from colonial rule. Now, flag raising ceremonies are held in all schools and government offices while singing the Philippine National Anthem.

Clicking on the Google doodle will lead visitors to learn more about the history of Philippine independence.

“Doodle” is the name used for decorative changes made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists. Doodles make searches even more fun as we learn new things with each new design.

The first doodle was created in 2000 when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin asked then intern and now Google’s chief doodler Dennis Hwang to design a logo for Bastille Day. Since then, the Google homepage has featured thousands of doodles, making search even more fun and entertaining.

 Past Independence Day doodles

2009

2010

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

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