PHILIPPINE HISTORY

In 3rd century, Indigenous people of Luzon Island were in contact and trading with
Southeast Asian merchants including Chinese.
1380 – Muslim Arabs arrived at the Sulu Archipelago and built a mosque in the town of
Simunul.
1400’s – Japanese also build a trading post at Aparri in Northern Luzon. Muslim traders
introduced Islam in the Southern part of the Philippines including Manila on the
island of Luzon.
1500’s – In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, the first European to land in the Philippines
specifically on Homonhon Island in the southern tip of Samar in the Philippines. He
named the island “Archipelago of San Lazaro”. Magellan sailed to Limasawa Island
and celebrated the first Philippine mass. He's arrival in Cebu represents the first
attempt by Spain to convert Filipinos to Roman Catholicism. Magellan was killed
during the rebellion of Lapu-Lapu (Rajah Cilapulapu). In 1542, Spanish expedition
led by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos claims the islands and named them “Philippine”, after
Prince Philip, later king Philip II of Spain. The Philippines became part of the
Spanish Empire. In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was appointed by King Philip II
as the first Governor-General of the Philippines. He chose Manila to be its capital
because of its natural harbor. The Spanish brought political unification to most of the
Philippines islands and influenced locals with western practices and religion. On
June 4, 1565, the Peace Treaty of Cebu was signed marking the end of Dagami
Revolt.
1700-1800‘s – In 1744, Dagohoy Rebellion started. It considered longest rebellion in
Philippine history. This take place in Bohol from 1744 to 1829 which led by
Francisco Dagohoy. The main cause is that Spaniards authorities rejected a
Christian burial to Dagohoy brother. Other underlying causes are forced labor,
Spaniards cruelty and excessive tax collection. After 85 years, Filipinos surrendered
on August 31, 1829. On September 24, 1762, British declared war against Spain. A
force of British Army Soldiers sailed to Manila from India. Manila fell into the arms of
the British on October 4, 1762 but this settlement was short lived as expansion into
other islands in the Philippines met with stiff resistance from the British Forces.
Spanish once again took control of Manila after an armistice between the Spanish
and the British resulted in the withdrawal of the British from Manila. The British
occupation extend toward to north including some parts of Ilocos. In 1872, Spaniards
executed Filipino priest Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora. In 1892,
Jose Rizal founded the civic organization La Liga Filipina. Moreover, anti-Spanish
Filipinos including Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan with the aim of revolt.
Rizal published two novels entitled “Noli Me Tanger” and “El Filibusterismo” which
incited Filipino nationalism and revolt against the Spanish colonizers. Rizal was
declared an enemy of Spanish authorities. In 1896, Rizal was executed by the
 Spaniards to a field by Manila bay called Bagumbayan. His last words were
“Consummatum est” which means it is finished. Bonifacio and the Katipunan tear
their cedulas and launch Philippine revolution. Philippine revolution marked an
important turning point in Filipino nationalism. The Katipunan leaders organized into
a revolutionary government and openly declared a nationwide-armed revolution.
After a year of bloody fighting with support of United States to the Philippines, the
Spanish signed the truce pact of Biak-na-Bato on December 14, 1897, ending the
Philippine Revolution. This revolution also led to unfriendly relations between the
Spanish and Americans and believed to have caused the Spanish-American war for
territory. In 1898, American warship Maine was blown up in Havana harbor triggers
the Spanish-American war, The Battle of Manila. After the Spanish rule, the US
Navy defeated the Spanish Pacific fleet, and the Spaniards surrendered control over
the Philippines upon agreeing to sign the treaty of Paris on December 10. This
resulted temporary independence of the Philippines. In addition, in 1898 Emilio
Aguinaldo assembled the Malolos Congress in Bulacan, and then declares
independence in Kawit, Cavite. In 1899, the Philippine-American war or also known
as Philippine War of Independence took place. The war was a continuation of the
Philippine struggle for Independence that began in 1896 with Philippine Revolution.
This was quickly escalated into the 1899 Second Battle of Manila. The Battle of
Manila was the first and largest fought during the Philippine-American war between
12,000 Americans and 15,000 Filipinos. Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo
attempted to negotiate a ceasefire, but American General Elwell Stephen Otis
rejected it. The war ended in American victory.
1900’s – In 1901, United States captured Aguinaldo. Filipinos began to lose and
surrendered. The war ended on July 4, 1902. In 1916, United States congress
passes the Jones Law establishing elected Filipino legislature with house and
senate. United States approves the Tydings-McDuffie Law promising Philippine
independence by 1946. In 1935, Filipinos approve constitution creating the
Philippine Commonwealth with Manuel Quezon y Molina as president. In 1941,
Japanese invades and overrun the Philippines. After a few months fighting with the
Japanese, General Douglas MacArthur escaped the Philippines on the night of
March 11, 1942 for Australia. On September 2, 1945, Japanese finally surrendered
marking the end of World War II. Estimated 1 million Filipinos had been killed from
all causes. In 1946, United States gave Philippines independence and renamed
Republic of the Philippines. In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos becomes the president.
Marcos was re-elected amidst the allegation of electoral feud. In 1972, Marcos
declared Martial Law. This period marked with human rights abuses and corruption.
Benigno Aquino, an opposition leader was sentenced to death, but Marcos delays
executions. In 1981, Martial Law was lifted. Aquino returns from exiled but he was
assassinated on his arrival. Corazon Aquino leads the “People Power” protest
movement. Marcos declared winner in presidential election against Corazon Aquino
amidst charges of fraud. However, Aquino disputes result. Marcos flew to Hawaii.
Aquino built new government. Mount Pinatubo erupted last June 15, 1991. It was
 listed as the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20 th century. In 1996, Peace
agreement reached with the Muslim group, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
ended the guerilla war with the government while another group, Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) fights. Philippines escapes the financial crisis despite the
series of currency devaluation. In 1998, Joseph Estrada was elected as the
president.
2000’s – Impeachment proceedings start against President Estrada on allegations of
corruption, violations of constitution and betrayal of public trust on November 2000.
In 2001, Estrada steps down and Vice president Gloria Arroyo occupied presidency.
On March 2001, MILF declared ceasefire. Estrada found guilty and jailed for life
although wins pardon. On October 2002, Manila bus and three locations in
Zamboanga city were bomb blamed to Islamist militants. In 2004 Presidential
election, Arroyo won. A taped conversation between Arroyo and election official
surfaced implying she influenced the election results. In 2007, Joseph Estrada is
convicted of plunder, the first ever in the Philippines. On December 2008, NPA
attacks army patrol on Mindanao. In 2009, massacre of 57 people on Mindanao
shocked the Philippines. On February 2010, army captures Abu Sayaf leader
Mujibar Alih Amon who suspected of a kidnapping raid and killing of Christian
missionaries in 2001. This year also the first automated national elections in the
Philippines. Benigno Aquino III won the Presidential elections and sworn in at
Manila’s Rizal Park on June 30, 2010. On September 2010, Andal Ampatuan Jr.
goes on trial on charges of organizing the Maguindanao mass killings. In 2012,
China and Philippines clash over Scarborough Shoal. Both countries claims the reef,
which may have significant reserves of oil and gas. On November 2013, Typhoon
Haiyan (Yolanda) sweeps off the central areas of Visayas especially Tacloban,
Leyte. This typhoon recorded as one of the most powerful typhoon of all time. The
typhoon affects more than 14 million people in 44 provinces. On April 2014,
Supreme Court approves the Birth Control Law. This bill marks defeat for the
Catholic Church. Forty-four police commandos were killed in clashes with Muslim
rebels on Mindanao. This is the largest loss of life for the security forces. In 2016,
Rodrigo Duterte elected as the president. He is the first president that came from
Mindanao. In 2017, President Duterte declares Martial Law on Mindanao due to
rebellion in Marawi city by ISIS.