Laban sign

It is sometimes mistaken for the mildly offensive Western "loser"[1] and "raised gun" gestures, to which it is unrelated.

The term "LABAN" is an abbreviation of Lakas ng Bayan ("People's Power"), a former political coalition organised by opposition Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. for the 1978 Interim Batasang Pambansa regional elections.

[2] The gesture was popularized in 1983 during Senator Aquino's funeral, and the 1986 People Power Revolution that his assassination had precipitated.

[1] The Laban sign branding was bestowed on Ninoy's widow, Cory Aquino, along with the color yellow by Public Relations practitioner Reli German.

In 2021, upon announcing the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo for the upcoming 2022 elections, the gesture was associated with her campaign.

Risa Hontiveros displaying Corazon Aquino 's iconic laban (fight) hand symbol after joining the Liberal Party in their campaign in the 2010 elections .