This paper attempts to offer, in narrative form, a quick timeline of accepted history of the islands known as the Republic of the Philippines. It is broken into several sections, including:
The Time: Ancient and pre-Spanish Era
It is believed that the first inhabitants of the Philippines arrived over 300,000 years ago. It is commonly thought that they migrated over a land bridge, which existed at that time, from the Asian mainland.
The next known inhabitation is when the Negrito or Aeta arrived in the islands around 25,000 years ago. However, they were driven back by several waves of immigrants from Indonesia, only to be followed by the maritime peoples of the Malayan islands.
Although there is little written about this period of history, the next major steps are the time period from around 5000 BCE (Before Common Era, aka, BC) through around 500 CE (Common Era, aka, AD)
There is much written on the Austronesian peoples of the Southeast Asia area and their descendants. These peoples were the seafaring people who traveled to distant parts of the world during this period of history. Some historians believe that these peoples settled in the southern regions of the Philippines and eastern regions of Indonesia. What is known, about this period, is that blade stone technology, dating back to around 5000 BCE reached the northern portions (Luzon area) of the Philippines. There are several postulates concerning migration and maritime trade during this time period.
It is known that there were many warring peoples in the Philippines as early as 2000 BCE. Within the past 20 years, remnants of stone walls have been found in the province of Ifugao. Based on dating techniques of the tools and artifacts found in the same area of these walls, it has been shown that they were build during this period, 2000 BCE. It is theorized that these stone wall outlines were the traces of an ancient fortress. This was thousands of years before any Spanish influences.
Mines have been found in the Philippines, dating back to at least 1000 BCE. There physical presence and the written history by the early Spanish settlers suggest that the Filipinos were actively mining for precious metals thousands of years before peoples in other regions of the area. The type of metals that were mined included silver, copper, gold and iron. Many of these metals were used as decorations for their homes as well as on their personages. During this same period, in history, the peoples of the region were building the rice terraces and other agricultural wonders that are known as common place today through the Asian communities.
One group, known as the Igorots, build stone walls, dams, and canals that still mystify engineers. These hydraulic works were created from stones greater in bulk than those of the Great Wall of China.
Pottery finds, through out the Philippines, have been dated between 500 BCE through 500 C E (AD.) Some of this pottery included the unique burial jars found amongst the Ayub Cave pottery in Mindanao. This particular type of jar pre-date any found anywhere else in the southeastern regions of Asia.
The Time: Pre-Spanish influence, modern day
Today, many historians dispute when modern Philippine history began. Some believe it to have started as early as the 13th century. It was during this time that 10 datus from Borneo, each with a hundred of his kinsmen, landed in what is now known as Panay Island in the Visayas. From this time to the early 16th century, the region, now known as the Philippines, was ruled by independent tribes of peoples.
Following this modern 'discovery' of the Philippines, as some historians put it (vs. Magellan), the country and its peoples began to see rapid advances in social and economic development.
For instance, around the year 1380, it is believed that the Arab-taught Makdum arrived in the Sulu archipelago, establishing what became a powerful Islamic sphere of influence over the next hundred years.
During this same period in history, the Philippines was already established as an active trading center. It is known that many merchants and trading ambassadors from the surrounding areas, including Siam (Thailand) and China, came to Cebu to pay tribute to the king and arrange trade agreements.
The Time: Magellan and the Spanish influence
Even though early history is clearly one of tribal rule that engaged in a bustling economy, European historians credit the voyages of Magellan, and succeeding expeditions from Spain, as the official accreditation and discovery of the region. When he was credited with the discovery of the Philippines, it was already inhabited by peoples whose culture and modernization was by no means that far behind most other areas of the world.
The Spanish were surprised by the advances made by these peoples. For instance, the peoples of this land were skilled in weapons making and other types of metal works. The Filipinos were already making their own cannons -- large one of iron and small, portable, ones of bronze. The were surprised to find a swivel type gun, known as a 'lantaka' which allowed the gunner to track a moving target. These 'primative' peoples, found by Magellan, were also 'peoples of the sea'. They used a navigational instrument similar to a compass and were much more skilled and experienced in all types of fishing and fisheries activities.
This 'discovery', the historians point out, is relevant, because it is what placed the Philippine archipelago on the maps of the world.
It occurred when he, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, landed at Homonhon Islet, near present day Samar, claiming the lands for Spain. It is believed that this event occurred on the 17 day of March in the year 1521. He was later killed on the Mactan Island of Cebu in a clash with native warriors who were led by a chieftain named Lapu-Lapu.
The Philippines, a jewel of Spain
During this time in world history, Spain was in fierce competition with Portugal to dominate, through colonization, the lands of the world.
Clearly the Philippines was a prize catch for Spain, based on its number of islands and its size; which, at the time, was estimated to be larger than it actually was. However size alone was not what made it a great prize -- its location made it a worthy and valuable catch. The archipelago was formally named Las Felipinas, in 1543 by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos who followed Magellan to this territory. It was named in honor of Spain's King Philip II (actually the Crown Prince, who was actually excommunicated from the Catholic Church, by the Pope Paul IV in 1552). It was known to be composed of thousands of islands and islets (now known to be 7,107), and spanning over eighteen hundred (actually 1854) kilometers from north to south, stretching from China to the north to the Indonesian archipelago at the south. Permanent Spanish occupation began in 1565, and by 1571 the entire country, except for the strictly Islamic Sulu archipelago, was under Spanish control.
The northern most tip of the country, Y'ami, of the Batanes Island group, is only 241 kilometers south of what is known as Taiwan today; while the southern most tip, Sibutu of the Tawi-Tawi group of islands, is just 14.4 kilometers north of what is known as Borneo. Thus, the Philippines, was located in a strategic location, both politically and economically. They were the window to the New World.
To its east is the Pacific Ocean and beyond it, the New World (the Americas). To the west are the kingdoms of Indochina including modern day Cambodia and Siam (Thailand) while southwest is Malaysia.
Christianity's introduction
Spanish colonizers succeeded in introducing Christianity to the islands. Still today, Christianity represents over 85% of religious beliefs. They were highly successful in the region of modern day Luzon and Visayas but were unsuccessful in Mindanao, south region, where Moslems staved off the Spanish efforts. Of course there are many recorded horror stories, of historically significant, where the Spanish forced the induction of Christianity upon the 'heathens' of these islands -- leading to thousands of deaths and tortures of the residents of the islands. Still today, many small towns and remote barrios celebrate, through re-enactment in fiesta stage plays, called moro-moro, the forced conversion of the peoples to Christianity by the threatened force of the Spaniards. These plays always end the same way -- most of the people convert and find 'happiness' in their new found religion, while the remaining are either killed or flee to the mountains, to be hounded by the Spaniards the rest of their lives.
Unrest for Spain
Spain's rule lasted from the 16th through the 19th century, with much of its rule fraught by a series of revolts. For instance, when three Filipino priests were executed for national activities, a group of reformists formed the Propaganda Movement. This movement paved the way for the Philippine Revolution, years later.
The Spanish made serious tactile errors, during their reign, when dealing with the peoples of the Philippines. For instance, toward the end of the 19th century, there was a young doctor-writer, named Jose Rizal, whom they arrested and later executed. His crime? He actively, and publically, criticized Spanish officials, verbally and through the written media (in two novels) during the 1880s-90s. His scathing criticisms concerned the methods used by the Spanish to rule the Philippines. Rizal, at the age of 30 was eventually imprisoned and on 30 December 1896, executed! This execution enraged the peoples deeply adding to the build up of injustices by the Spanish against them. These same pepled banned together, and attempted an unsuccessful revolution.
Phillipine Revolution
The Filipino independence movement was in a state of growth during this same period, ultimately leading to the Philippine Revolution. The Revolution, itself, was first led by Andres Bonifacio and then later it was taken up by Emilio Aguinaldo.
President of the Revolutionary Assembly at Teieros
Interestingly, while Emilio Aguinaldo was mayor (1895) of Kawit in the province of Cavite, he had directed attacks against the Spanish military's presence in Cavite. This, with the death of Rizal became the focal point in the nationalist revolt. During this time he was given the title of general by his followers.
In 1897 he was elected president of the revolutionary assembly at Tejeros, Cavite. Only to be exiled to Hong Kong when they failed to succeed in their insurrection against the Spanish.
The Time: Americas first entanglement
In April 1898, two months after the American warship "Maine" was blown up at Havana Harbor in Cuba by Spain, America declared war on Spain (Spanish-American War).
May, 1898, a battle erupted in Manila Bay between the American naval fleet and the Spanish fleet. The Spanish flotilla of ships was completely destroyed.
Declaration for Independence
During this same period Aguinaldo, who was in Hong Kong, was encouraged to return to the Philippines by the United States as the Spanish-American War had moved from the Caribbean to the Philippines. Once back home, General Aguinaldo verbally proclaimed independence for the peoples of the Philippines on 12 June 1898, from the window of his home in Cavite (South of Manila). With this declaration, he became, in theory, the first president of the Philippine Republic.
However, independence was to be short lived, due to the under pinning of power that was goning on between Spain and America.
The actual date of Philippine Independence is celebrated on this date, as declared by President Roxas on XXXX-XX- 1946. However, the actual date of Philippine Indendence has been contested and debated over the years by Philippine historians. Since independence, rather its declaration, relys heavily on interpretation, the Author of this web site believes there are at least six (6) possible dates for Philippine Independence. If you are interested in the possible dates, click on the following link: |
It has been theorized, by some historians, that the Spanish and Americans had, shortly after this total massacre at Manila Bay, met secretly and agreed to continue "battle", satisfying the Spanish code of honor, and after a time the Spanish would surrender.
On 13 August 1898, with Filipinos fighting along-side of Americans on Philippine soil, the end to the Spanish-American War was taking place.
The twist? When the American and Filipino forces seized, through battle, Intramuros, on this very day in 1898, the Filipinos did not know that these foreigners, fighting at their side, would become a new threat to their independence. When the Spanish at Intramuros surrendered, the Filipinos were prevented from entering the encampment -- by? -- these same Americans. This, of course, implanted distrust of the 'ally' foreigners, eventually culminating in another horrible battle for freedom -- the Filipino-American War.
The Treaty of Paris
During this time of Philippine proclaimed independence, America's domination started. Unknown to Aguinaldo and fellow Filipinos, Spain, not recognizing their independence, and America wanting the islands, the archipelago was ceded (with Puerto Rico and Guam) to the United States, later that year, in December, for $20 million USD, under the "Treaty of Paris".
The Philippino-American War
With the Spanish defeated, on 14 August 1898, America immediately established a military law government in the Philippines declaring its rule by a military governor. This new dictatorship, by a foreign power continued until the beginning of the Philippino-American War.
Once again, the Filipinos were put in a position to fight for their independence. On 4 February 1899, an American private fired upon and killed a Filipino soldier for simply crossing the San Jaun bridge, triggering the War. This new fight for independence, now against their allies in past battles, the Americans, was waged for six years, ending in 1905. Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, during the war, and when war ended (1901), he swore allegiance to the United States, which then annexed the Philippines, retiring from public life.
With the fighting stopped, peace was finally at hand, with everyone focusing on peace time events. Finally, the Philippines were able to focus on the future, leading to decades of progress.
The Jones Law and the Communist party
In 1916 the Jones Law was enacted by the American government. This was the first official commitment of the American government that would grant the Philippines its independence. This law as significant because it created a bicameral Philippine Legislature.
However, dis-satisfaction, against both the American rule and the Philippine Legislature was growing and in 1930, the Philippine Communist Party was founded by Crisanto Evangelista. Initially, its members were considered radical peasants, however, many people from the professional and labor sectors had become members.
A Philippine Constitution
In March 1934, then President of America Franklin D. Roosevelt, signed the Tydings-McDuffie Law. It provided for the creation of a Philippine Constitution and the establishment of a Commonwealth government that would run for 10 years in "preparation" for a complete political independence.
In 1935, while under American rule/guidance, President Roosevelt approved the Philippine Constitution, and the country established its own formal government. It was a Commonwealth type government, authorized by Constitution. Manuel L Quezon was sworn in as President of the Philippine Commonwealth, and his vice-president as Sergio Osmena. This was the beginning of the transitional phase to full independence for the Philippines.
The Time: The Japanese and WWII years
But war returned to the islands in 1941. Japan responded to American General MacArthur's declaration of Manila as an "Open" city, by bombing Manila destroying much of the city. Japan immediately and brutally continued to annex the Philippines. The peoples of the Philippines, in alliance with American forces, fought some fierce and bloody battles during this period. The battles were focused in the northern region of the country at Bataan and Corregidor.
In April of 1942, the Japanese defeated the Filipino and American troops at Bataan. With the defeat of Bataan, the in-famous "Death March" of Filipino and American solders had begun.
Then in May, 1942, the Filipino-American defense forces surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Forces at Corregidor.
Although the Filipinos and Americans had fought gallantly, the Japanese were clearly the victors. With surrender, many Filipinos fled to the hills, waging guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted about four years.
During these years, the Japanese used the people of the Philippines as cheap, often forced, labor. The Imperial Forces forced many Filipino woman into work performing 'comfort' services. These woman were often placed in houses of 'prostitution' and forced to perform sex acts for the Imperial Japanese soldiers.
In late 1943, under Imperial Forces rule, a Japanese sponsored National Assembly was held making Jose P. Laurel the president and Benigno Aquino Sr. and Ramon Avancena vice-presidents of the Assembly.
In October 1944, US forces returned to the Philippines and the "Battle of Leyte Gulf," considered the greatest naval battle during the history of WW2. The victors were the Filipinos and Americans. This defeat is believed to be the most important one in Philippine history, leading the way to the liberation of the Philippines.
On the 4th of July in the year 1946, America finally relinquished any colonization claims, granting total independence to the Philippines. Thus lowering, for the last time, the US flag of dominance, raising the flag of the Philippines, alone, as the flag of the land. For America this was a doubly important date since July 4th is the day America celebrates their own independence from the rule of Great Britain (4 July 1776).
The Time: Since the Independence of 1946
In 1962, then Philippine President Diasdedo Macapagal made the date of Independence Day rites from 12 June, having previously been celebrate on 4 July.
The Marcos Years
The next important impact on the history of the Philippines was in 1965 when Ferdinand Marcos was elected the 6th president of the Philippines. During his second term in office, having been re-elected in 1969, Marcos declared martial law in 1972, under Proclamation No. 1081, and ruled the land as a dictator until 1986. He abolished the Congress, creating a semi-parliament, named "Batasang Pambansa."
During these years he faced opposition from many sides -- both the communist and Muslim guerrillas, began to fight him, accusing him and his cronies of ballot-rigging and fraud.
Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino, a Marcos opponent
In 1977, following worldwide protest , believed under President Marcos's orders, a military tribunal sentenced Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino to death. Ninoy Aquino, a wealthy Senator in Congress when Marshall Law was declared, became a prominent opposition figure to Marcos. Although the sentence was not carried out. Later President Marcos 're-opened' the trail.
In 1980, 'Senator', defunct, Benigno Aquino went to America on a self-imposed exile from the Philippines.
In 1981, President Marcos lifted Marshall Law after 9 years and was "re-elected" as president to another 6 year term in office.
In 1983, Ninoy Aquino, upon arriving back in the Philippines at the Manila International Airport was assassinated right on the tarmac.
This violent act congealed people together, over 2 million people joined in the funeral session. Nearly two years later, those accused of killing Ninoy were acquitted of charges by a 3 member civilian court.
Cory Aquino ... and the EDSA revolution
In 1986, when American and world sentiment began to work against Marcos, a quickly assembled presidential election was held and Marcos declared himself as the winner on 7 Feb 1986. However, killings and wide-spread fraud at been prevalent during the actual 'election'. This declaration was confirmed on 16 Feb 1986, by his ' Batasang Pambansa', making him the legal president.
Although he duly declared president, many of those opposed to Marcos, joined together, forming the 'people-power'. They begain to rally around Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino's widow, Corazon, also known as Cory. These people, and others, believed that Aquino had won most of the votes. Cory Aquino immediately initiated a program of nonviolent civil unrest. On the 22 Feb. 1986, the defense minister, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Vice-Chief of the Armed Forces, Fidel V. Ramos, broke with Marcos and defied his orders. The members of the 'people-power' non-violent group gave full support to the Enrile-Ramos rebellion.
In less than 48 hours, more people joined this rebellion, including more of the military. Through peaceful revolt, Marcos was finally ousted. He, his family, and several cronies, were eventually flown out of the country to Hawaii via US aircraft. The 'people-power' movement, also known as the EDSA Revolution, was over, with out the feared slaughter of thousands.
Once Aquino took office, she re-established the democratic institutions of the country. However, she appeared to be incapable of tackling its grave economic problems, nor did she win over the military and the powerful Filipino elite. In fact, her administration faced seven coups over the next six years, surviving all.
Three natural disasters
During this time, in history, the Philippines experienced several horrible disasters. First, in December 1987, the MV Dona Paz struck an oil tanker and sunk, taking an estimated 4300 people with her. This maritime tragedy is considered one of the worst in the world's peacetime.
Then in July 1990, an earthquake of 7.8 intensity struck Central Luzon, damaging the cities of Baguio, and Cabanatuan, again resulting in many deaths.
Finally in June 1991, during her last year as president, Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales erupted after more than 600 years of inactivity. This eruption was declared the worst volcanic explosion of the past 50 years. The damage and destruction was great, destroying several towns in the area. Thousands of people were uprooted and vast amounts of agricultural lands were buried under tons of mudflows ('lahar').
Fidel Ramos and the Present
In 1992, Fidel Ramos, who had worked in Aquino's administration as her Defense Minister, as well as her predecessor, Marcos, became president. His term of office will end in 1998. Under the current Philippine Constitution, a president can only serve one term of office.
Since 1992, President Ramos, and the Senate/Congress, have attempted to revitalize the economy, cleanse corruption and expand provision of utilities, opening many areas to competitive competition.
Philippine History
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