I wrote a slightly longer version of this entry back in April. A Filipina friend was kind enough to say I should present the whole piece. So here is my complete eclectic chronology, fittingly on Philippine Independence Day, June 12. Congratulations to the Philippines,
"!Mabuhay Ang Pilipinas!"
Much of the factual detail comes from the “Philippine Inquirer” of June 12, 1998, the Centennial of Philippine Independence Edition. The eclectic part comes from my selection, wording and interpretation.
"!Mabuhay Ang Pilipinas!"
Much of the factual detail comes from the “Philippine Inquirer” of June 12, 1998, the Centennial of Philippine Independence Edition. The eclectic part comes from my selection, wording and interpretation.
Early Days: Sometime before the fourteenth century,
Polynesian peoples settle in the islands.
Various indigenous tribes already inhabit about 800 of the more than
7000 islands. No one seems to know where
they came from or how long they have been there. By the 1390s
Islam becomes the predominant religion, thanks to the Arabs who establish an
extensive overland trade route from the west (present-day Middle East, North
Africa, and Spain). Some decide to
stay. Small sultanates spring up and
spread from south (Mindanao) to north (Luzon).
1521: Magellan claims the islands for Spain. In about 1543
Legazpi establishes Spanish rule and names the Islands for King Philip of Spain
(Islas Filipeños). Legazpi makes Manila the capital in 1571.
The Galleon trade thrives for over 200 years, enriching Spanish coffers. The country becomes predominantly Catholic
with the notable exception of the southwestern part of Mindanao, which remains
Muslim. With the Church and a clerical
class of Filipinos (Ilustrados) as allies, the Spanish maintain control for
well over 300 years, despite periodic uprisings.
1896: Filipino rebels, called Katipuneros, begin what
becomes the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Now the chronology gets sticky as the
Philippine Revolution and the Spanish-American War (1898) intersect. The
Filipinos expect the Americans to help them gain independence. On June 12, 1898, expecting the capitulation
of Spanish forces, representatives of eight Philippine provinces (the eight
stars on the flag) sign the constitution establishing the Republic of the
Philippines. American ground forces
arrive to support Admiral Dewey whose fleet has sunk the Spanish navy and blockaded
Manila from the sea. The Filipinos, who
have cut off the city on the landward side, welcome the U.S. ground forces as
allies.
They are mistaken.
The Spanish, with U.S. concurrence, agree to surrender to the Americans
on condition that the Americans keep the Philippine army from taking over the
city. This agreement goes into effect on
August 14. The formal surrender of Spain
to the U.S. occurs on December 12 (The Treaty of Paris). Spain cedes the Philippines to the U.S. for
$20,000,000. President McKinley, decides
to colonize the Philippines in order to Christianize the people, although it
has been predominantly Catholic for over three centuries.
1899-1901: The Philippine-American War. By February of 1899, the Filipinos realize
that the Americans do not intend to leave.
They fight the Americans.
McKinley calls it an “insurrection” that will be quickly put down. It takes three years and 75,000 troops.
1901: The approximately 500 ‘Thomasites’ arrive in
Manila aboard the U.S.S Thomas on August
23 and begin to teach English and other subjects, with amazing results. The “Americanization of the Philippines”
commences and proceeds rapidly as a majority of the population that was
illiterate and never learned Spanish becomes literate in (American) English.
1935: The Commonwealth Period begins in
anticipation of independence. The
official move to independence, however, comes only after World War II, in which
the U.S. and the Philippines fight as allies against Japan, at first
unsuccessfully. Japan occupies the
country. Philippine guerrillas resist
throughout the occupation. The Americans
return after three years.
1946: The U.S. recognizes Philippine independence
on July 4, which is celebrated as Independence Day in the Philippines until
1964, when June 12 becomes Independence Day.
Present Days: The Philippines is the staunchest ally of
the U.S. in Asia and perhaps in the world.
I still have my copy of the Centennial Edition of the
“Philippine Inquirer.” It is a
cornucopia of fascinating facts and narratives about the founding of the
Republic of the Philippines. It is not
for sale, but you can look at it when you visit.