History[edit]
First steps[edit]
Several thousand years ago, the first settlers in the Philippines crossed shallow seas and land bridges from mainland Asia to arrive in this group of islands. These were the Negritos or Aetas related to Melanesians, Australian Aborigines and Papuans. Direct descendants of these people can still be found, especially in Negros Oriental.
Several thousand years later, Austronesian settlers travelled the same route as the Negritos - but this time over sea in their impressive Balangay boats. (This word is where the basic form of the political institution, the baranggay, came from.) The Austronesians are thought to have come from Taiwan and travelled south to the Philippines and then ever onwards, as far away as Hawaii, Easter island, New Zealand and Madagascar.
Pre-Spanish era[edit]
The early Austronesians of the Philippines simultaneously traded with each other in present-day Malaysia, Indonesia and Micronesia as well as with the Chinese, Japanese, Okinawans, Indians, Thais and Arabs. An interesting mix of cultures developed in the islands and a writing system called baybayin [the wordalibata is a misnomer for the Baybayin writing system; it is the informal term for the arabic alphabet (alif-ba-ta, the first three letters of the said alphabet) whereas baybayin comes from the Filipino word 'baybay' which literally means 'to spell', owing to the syllabic nature of the writing system--different from the Indo-European English-Latin alphabet]. A social structure also developed quickly, some of the traders stayed and married the natives. Hinduism and Buddhism was introduced by traders from India, Sumatra and Java. These two religions syncretized with the various indigenous animistic beliefs. Later, Arab, Malay and Javanese traders converted the natives in the island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago to Islam. The archipelago became a mix of the indigenous Austronesian and Melanesian people with some foreign influence from Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.
Manila bay skyline
Under Spanish rule[edit]
When the explorer Ferdinand Magellan set foot on Maharlika (not Philippines yet) soil through the island of Homonhon in 1521, the Philippines was predominantly animist, with some Muslim and Hindu inhabitants mainly in the southern part of the country. Famished, Magellan's crew were treated to a feast by the welcoming islanders who wore elaborate tattoos. Magellan was Portuguese but it was a Spanish Expedition which he led to the islands which were eventually claimed by Spain as its colony. Lapu-Lapu a native chief of Mactan island was against the Christianization of the natives, he then fought a battle with Magellan where Lapu-Lapu won while Magellan was killed. The Philippines was later on named for Crown Prince Philip II of Spain and most of the natives converted to Catholicism. Some Muslims in the south and various animistic mountain tribes, however, resisted Spanish conquest and Catholic conversion.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol
The longest revolt against Spanish colonization was led by Francisco Dagohoy in Bohol which lasted for 85 years covering the period of 1744-1829. As a cabeza de barangay or barangay captain, Dagohoy opposed the Spanish colonizers which were represented by priests and civil leaders, which required payment of excessive taxes, tributes. The Manila Galleon trade made contact between the Philippines and Mexico as well as the whole of the Americas, Mayans and Aztecs settled in the Philippines and introduced their cultures which then was embraced by the Filipinos. The Philippines received heavy influence from Mexico and Spain, and the archipelago became "hispanicized". Other Asians used the Manila Galleon trade to migrate to the West. During the Spanish rule, people such as the Dutch, Portuguese and British tried to colonize the country, however only the British did so and it lasted for less than 2 years and only in the modern-day capital: Manila. The Philippines remained a Spanish colony for over 300 years until 1899 when it was ceded by Spain to the United States following the Spanish-American War.
The road to independence[edit]
Filipinos declared independence from Spain on 12 June 1898 after defeating their Spanish occupiers, only to see Spain purport to give to the United States of America what was not theirs to give.
The struggle continued against their new US occupiers. Filipinos now fought American colonization for seven long years of the utmost barbarism with inventive tortures, sadistic and racist war crimes featuring in British newspapers. After the Filipinos had been out-gunned, relations between the US and their new Philippine colony continued relatively uneventfully and the Philippines were granted commonwealth status in 1935. Any time after this point (years or decades - or never), the Philippines could have become a US state or been given independence but the US prevaricated.
Japan invaded the Philippines and the even more sadistic Japanese occupation lasted from 1941 until 1945 when US General Douglas McArthur fulfilled his promise and liberated the US territory from the Japanese, with Americans and Filipinos fighting side by side against the Japanese.
In 1946, a year after World War II ended with a victory by the Allies, the Philippines were at last granted independence.
Pre-Modern era[edit]
Up until the 1960's, the Philippines was second only to Japan in terms of development in Asia. Several decades of rule by Ferdinand Marcos plunged the country into deep debt. Poverty was widespread and infrastructure for development was severely lacking. In 1986, the People Power uprising finally overthrew the Marcos government. (The EDSA Revolution - the majority of the demonstrations took place on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, EDSA.) He was replaced by Corazon Aquino, widow of slain opposition leader, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.
Modern era[edit]
Prior to the 21st century, corruption became one of the main problems of the country. The country suffered slightly in the 1997 Asian Financial crisis but led to a second EDSA which overthrew Pres. Joseph Estrada, the then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (daughter of one of the former presidents) took his place. After her term ended in 2010, Benigno Aquino III (nicknamed "Noynoy" and "Pnoy"), son of Corazon and Benigno Aquino, Jr was elected President. Thankfully due to the hardwork of the Filipinos and the Philippines being a suitable work environment for foreigners due to a large English speaking population,growth in the Philippines is fast and it is catching up with its neighbours.
People[edit]
Luneta Park
As of 2010, the Philippines has a population estimated at 93 million and growing very rapidly. From its long history of Western influence, 377 years by the Spaniards and 49 years by the Americans, its people have evolved as a unique blend of East and West in both appearance and culture. Filipinos are largely Austronesian (more specifically Malayo-Polynesian) in terms of ethnic origin. However, many people, particularly in the cities of Luzon and the Visayas, have Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Spanish and American mixtures, whereas those living in the provinces are mostly of pure Austronesian origin (known as "native"). Many Muslims in the Sulu archipelago near Borneo have Arab, Indian and Chinese mixtures. The four largest foreign minorities in the country are as follows: Chinese, Indian, and the Japanese. Also of significance are the Americans, Indonesians, and Arabs. Pure Spaniards and other Europeans form a very small proportion in the country's population.
Needless to say, the characteristic Filipino traits are a confluence of many cultures put together. Filipinos are famous for the bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie taken from Austronesian forefathers. They observe very close family ties which is said to have been passed on by the Chinese. Religion comes from the Spaniards who were responsible for spreading the Christian faith across the archipelago. The Spaniards introduced Roman Catholicism and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population belongs to their Roman Catholic faith. The Philippines is one of only two countries in Asia with a majority Roman Catholic population (the other being East Timor)
The genuine and pure expression of hospitality is an inherent trait in Filipinos, especially those who reside in the countryside who may appear very shy at first, but have a generous spirit, as seen in their smiles. Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Guests will often be treated like royalty in Philippine households. This is most evident during fiestas when even virtual strangers are welcomed and allowed to partake in the feast that most, if not all, households have during the occasion. At times, this hospitality is taken to a fault. Some households spend their entire savings on their fiesta offerings and sometimes even run into debt just to have lavish food on their table. They spend the next year paying for these debts and preparing for the next fiesta. At any rate, seldom can you find such hospitable people who enjoy the company of their visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.
Filipinos lead the bunch of English-proficient Asian people today and English is considered as a second language. When it was an American territory, English was largely taught to the Filipino people. While the official language is Filipino (which is basically the Tagalog dialect) and whereas 76-78 languages and 170 dialects exist in this archipelago, English is the second most widely spoken language in the country. Many business establishments and schools also speak in English and many signs around the country are in English. American culture such as movies, television, music, electroni