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Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa (Filipino) ("For God, People, Nature, and Country") | |||||||
| Anthem | "Lupang Hinirang" | ||||||
| Capital | Manila | ||||||
| Largest city | Quezon City | ||||||
| Other cities | Caloocan, Cebu City, Davao City | ||||||
| Language official |
English and Filipino | ||||||
| others | Cebuano, Ilocano, Tagalog | ||||||
| Religion main |
Catholic | ||||||
| others | Buddhist, Muslim, Protestant | ||||||
| Ethnic Groups main |
Cebuano, Tagalog | ||||||
| others | Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Visayans | ||||||
| Demonym | Filipino | ||||||
| Government | Unitary presidential republic | ||||||
| Legislature | Congress | ||||||
| Area | 300,000 km² | ||||||
| Population | 92,337,852 (2010 Census) | ||||||
| Independence | from the United States | ||||||
| declared | March 24, 1934 | ||||||
| recognized | July 4, 1946 | ||||||
| Currency | Peso (₱) (PHP)
| ||||||
| Time Zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||||||
| Calling Code | +63 | ||||||
| Internet TLD | .ph | ||||||
| Organizations | ASEAN, G24, NAM, UN | ||||||
The Philippines, officially called the Republic of the Philippines, is a sovereign island country in Southeast Asia situated in the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 7,107 islands that are categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The capital city of the Philippines is Manila and the most populous city is Quezon City; both are part of Metro Manila.
History
Prehistory
It is believed that the islands' first inhabitants were early humans who crossed from mainland Asia via land bridges. These early men are thought to have introduced new species of plants and animals. As the seas rose, these men were trapped in the islands and became their new home. These primarily dwelled in the caves and the forests. Eventually, the Austronesians arrived in boats and displaced these early humans.
Pre-Colonial Times
This era is marked with several kingdoms throughout the islands. Most of these were Islamic kingdoms, trading with nearby neighbors such as the Malays, Chinese, Japanese, Indians and Khmers.
Contact with the Old World
The first contact with the Philippine islands was when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached Limasawa after having an encounter with hostile natives in the island now known as present-day Guam. They were welcomed by the natives, and the first Christian mass was held in that location. Magellan's group then reached the island of Cebu, where they baptized the local king Rajah Humabon and his wife Queen Juana as Roman Catholics. However, not all natives welcomed the Europeans. One was the chieftain of Mactan Island named Lapu-Lapu. Lapu-Lapu was at odds with Rajah Humabon, as he distrusted the foreigners. The Europeans set fire to several villages in Mactan Island, and the stage was set for the first battle of the Filipinos against the Europeans. On April 27, 1521, against all odds, the Filipinos, which numbered thousands, faced roughly 60+ men from Magellan's group which were equipped with armor and armed with guns, cannons, crossbows, and the latest weapons available. They were able to defeat the Spaniards with Magellan being killed. The rest retreated to their ships and it would take another 60 years for the islands to be rediscovered again.
Spanish Rule (1565-1898)
The islands came under Spanish administration in 1565, when the Spanish explorer Miguel Flores D. Legaspi conquered the settlement of Islamic Manila. Following the capture of Manila, it was then made the capital of the Spanish East Indies, comprising of the islands of the Philippines, Guam, Palau, Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands. The islands was then used as a trading port for goods traveling from Mexico to Asia. The Spaniards eventually brought their own culture to the islands, as well as establishing universities and private institutions. Trade from the new world also improved the economy of the islands, as new goods previously unknown to the Filipinos
American Rule (1898-1942)
Following the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, relations with the United States turned sour. This escalated into a conflict in 1899, when a Filipino soldier was shot over a miscommunication with American troops. The Filipinos then took up arms to fight the Americans, who were more superior in terms of numbers and arms. Meanwhile, the Americans imposed harsh repressions on the native islanders, by burning villagers, by burning villages and executing boys over 10 years old. Such actions would be done by General Jake Smith, who was court martialed upon return to the states. The President, Emilio Aguinaldo, then retreated to the provinces of Luzon, with the Americans in hot pursuit. Filipino soldiers did what they can to stop the Americans. The turning point came during the Battle of Tirad Pass, when a young Filipino general named Gregorio Del Pilar and 60 Filipino troops would ambush the American troops on a narrow passage. However, they were betrayed by a Christian Igorot who revealed the passage at Tirad Pass. All the Filipino troops were killed including Del Pilar. Aguinaldo would be captured in 1901, as he swore allegiance to the United States. The Philippine Islands was now a territory of the United States and an Insular Government was formed. During the entry of the United States into World War I, some Filipinos fought in the trenches in Europe under the United States Army.
In 1935, the Philippines was given Commonwealth status, and was to be independent in 10 years. Under Manuel Quezon, the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, made Tagalog (or Pilipino) the national language of the islands. It was also at this time that women were allowed to take part in suffrage, as well as land reforms.
During the outbreak of World War II in Europe, combined with the Japanese invasion of China and French Indochina, the Philippines faced imminent danger from Japanese invasion. General Douglas MacArthur made plans to reinforce the islands. Majority of these reinforcements never came, and on December 8, 1941 (December 7 in the United States, the same time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor), the Japanese invaded the islands. On Christmas Day, Manila was declared an Open City as the Japanese march right through. The Filipinos and the Americans fought hard against the invaders for four months without any reinforcements or additional supplies. The last stand was in Bataan, where finally after four months, the combined Filipino-American troops surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942. Correigdor fell one month later, thus making the Philippines part of the Empire of Japan. General MacArthur, President Quezon, and Vice President Osmena escaped to Australia, where in the United States, a government-in-exile was formed.
Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)
Under construction...
Cold War (1946-1989)
The Republic of the Philippines became independent from the United States on July 4, 1946. The United States would maintain their military bases throughout the island on a 99 year lease (scheduled to end in 2047). Following the independence, the country faced several problems such as the reconstruction from the end of the war to a communist rebellion staged by the Hukbalahap or the Huks. The Huks were originally an anti-Japanese, communist resistance group that were composed of a group of farmers who wanted economic reform. These rebels cooperated with Filipino resistance fighters and remaining American soldiers who escaped capture from the Japanese. Upon the end of the war, they continued their armed struggle towards the Philippine government. With aid from the United States, the Philippines was able to quell the rebellion in 1954, with rebel leader Luis Taruc surrendering to the Philippine Government.
During the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the Philippines sent an expeditionary force of around 7,500 combat troops. This was known as the Philippine Expeditionary Forces To Korea, or PEFTOK. It was the 4th largest force under the United Nations Command then under the command of US General Douglas MacArthur that were sent to defend South Korea from a communist invasion by North Korea which was then supported by Mao Zedong's China and the Soviet Union.. The PEFTOK took part in decisive battles such as the Battle of Yultong Bridge and the Battle of Hill Eerie. This expeditionary force operated with the United States 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, and 45th Infantry Division.
More to come...
Towards the 90's
More to come...
Present Day (2000-present)
More to come...