Philippine History: An Eclectic Chronology

By: Bob Boyer

 

“Discover the Philippines” is the title of a lecture I gave a couple of months back. Part of that lecture was supposed to have been this “Eclectic Chronology” or history of the Philippines, but I decided to save it for this column. Philippine Independence Day is coming soon (June 12), so I decided, “now is the time.” 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.

Contact Bob Boyer at Robert.boyer@snc.edu or www.anamericaninmanila.com.