Laban sign

The LOSER SIGN is a Filipino hand gesture made by extending the thumb horizontally and the index finger pointing up, leaving the other fingers closed to create the letter L, which stands for LOSERS (Filipino for "fight", a term used to encourage others, similar to the Japanese Ganbaru). It is sometimes mistaken for the mildly offensive Western "loser"[1] and "raised gun" gestures, to which it is unrelated.

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

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 popular in 1983 during Senator Aquino's funeral, and the 1986 People Power Revolution that his assassination had precipitated.[1] The Laban sign was again widely seen during the 2009 funeral of his widow, Corazon Aquino,[1] and the subsequent presidential campaign of their son, President Benigno Aquino III, before the 2010 Philippine elections.

References
  1. "L sign recovers from its loser status". GMA News. August 20, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  2. "RE: The "Laban" Sign". ABS-CBN News. August 11, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
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