Proklamasyon ng Kasarinlan ng Pilipinas

Ika-23 ng Enero ng taong 1899 nang iproklama ni Presidente Emilio Aguinaldo ang Filipinas bilang isang republika. Naganap ito sa simbahan ng Barasoain sa Bulacan kung saan binati rin ni Aguinaldo and mga miyembro ng Kongreso sa kanilang matagumpay na pagbabalangkas ng Konstitusyon. Buong giting nyang pinangaralan at binati ang mga rebolusyunaryong nakiisa at nagbuwis ng buhay para sa pambansang kasarinlan laban sa Espana.

Ang pagbalangkas ng ating konstitusyon sa "Malolos Congress" ay masasalamin ang katibayan ng loob ng mga Filipino na ipamukha sa mga dayuhan ng ang mga Pinoy ay hindi mga bobo na madaling paikutin at hawakan sa leeg. Sa pamamagitan ng ating konsititusyon ay naipakita natin sa sanlibutan na ang maliit na bansa natin ay kayang tumayo sa sarili at ipaglaban ang ating kasarinlan hanggang kamatayan. Ito ang pwede nating ipagmalaki at taas nuo nating sasabihin na tayo ay malaya at itinatakwil ang sinumang aangkin nito.

Unang Sigaw sa Pugadlawin

Ang Unang Sigaw sa Pugad Lawin ay isang natatatanging pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas na binubuo ng mahigit limandaang Katipunero na sabay-sabay na pinunit ang kani-kanilang sedula bilang pagpapatunay ng kanilang tuluyang pagtiwalag sa pamumuno ng mga Espanyol sa Pilipinas. Ito ay naganap noong Agosto 23, 1896 sa pamumuno ni Andres Bonifacio, ang Supremo ng Katipunan.

Noong Hulyo 5, 1896 nang matuklasan ng pamahalaang Espanya ang samahang Katipunan. Isang liham ang ipinadala ni Tenyente Manuel Sityar, isang opisyal ng Pasig, sa Gobernador Sibil ng Maynila upang ipaabot ang kaniyang kaalaman sa samahang kubling binubuo sa kabisera. Ayon sa kaniyang balita, ang samahan ay buong-tapang na nagsisiwalat ng mga kamalian ng pamahalaan at ang puwersa nito ay umabot na maging sa kalapit na sakop ng Maynila gaya ng Mandaluyong at San Juan. Ayon rin kay Sityar, may nalikom na laang-salapi ang samahan na sapat upang matustusan ang mga kasapi ng mga armas na kanilang gagamitin sa napipintong pag-aaklas nila.

Dahil sa pagkatuklas ng Katipunan, pinasabihan ni Andres Bonifacio ang iba't iba pang pinuno ng samahan na isang pagtitipon ang kanilang pasisinayaan sa Balintawak at dito ay pag-uusapan kung ano ang pinakamainam na hakbangin na kanilang gagawin. Noong Agosto 19, kasama ang kapatid na si Procopio, at ilang kasapi gaya nina Emilio Jacinto, Teodoro Plata at Aguedo del Rosario, ay tumulak si Andres Bonifacio sa Balintawak at sinapit ito dakong madaling-araw. Nang sumunod na araw naman ay natunton ito ng grupo ni Pio Valenzuela. Kinabukasan muli ay binago ni Bonifacio ang kodigo ng Katipunan matapos mapag-alamang nababatid na ito ng mga Espanyol. Matapos magtipon ang may limandaang Katipunero, ay binagtas nila ang Kangkong, Kalookan at dito ay pinaunlakan silang patuluyin at pakainin ni Apolonio Samson. Hapon ng Agosto 22 ay tinungo naman nila ang Pugadlawin.

Agosto 23, 1896 nang marating nila ang tahanan ni Juan A. Ramos, anak ng kinikilalang "Ina ng Katipunan" na si Melchora Aquino. Sa kabila ng pilit pagtanggi ng kaniyang bayaw na si Teodoro Plata ay sumang-ayon naman ang lahat na simulan na ang pakikipaglaban. Sa utos ni Bonifacio, sabay-sabay inilabas ng mga Katipunero ang kanilang sedula at pinunit ito ng buong pagmamalaki at katapangan. Dito napagkasunduan na ang unang yugto ng himagsikan ay gaganapin sa Agosto 29, kabibilangan ng lahat ng kasapi ng Katipunan.

Historical Places of the Philippines

The Philippines is rich in its history and culture and is home to some of the best preserved monuments and buildings from several centuries back. Major historical places of the Philippines, beautifully exhibits the country's rich heritage and takes you back in time. Various ancient shrines, monuments, cathedrals and museums document the history and traditions of the nation. Some of the historical places of the Philippines are-

* The Luneta Park * Corregidor * Pastor House * Taal Cathedral de San Sebastian

The Luneta Park
Located in the capital city, Manila, the Luneta Park was built as a tribute to the greatest hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal. Earlier known as Bagumbayan Field, the Luneta Park is one of the leading historical places of the Philippines. This was the historical site where Dr. Rizal was executed by a Spanish military firing squad on 30 December, 1896 because he had spread the ideals of revolution against Spanish rule.

Corregidor
Located in Bataan, Corregidor is one of the major historical places of the Philippines. This is a national shrine and an island fortress which was nicknamed "The Rock". This historical site was the last bastion to succumb to the Japanese invasion in the year 1942. Corregidor attained huge significance as a symbol of the unwavering resistance of the Filipino and American defenders.

Pastor House
Situated on Tirona St in Batangas City, the Pastor House is one of the historical places of the Philippines, which is an illustration of the turn-of- the-century style residence. The Pastor House was originally under the ownership of Mr. Alejo Acosta, who was the barrio Captain of Batangas in the year 1883. It is said that during the visit of the Governor General, William Howard Taft to the house, an attempt was made by a sniper to assassinate him. Evidence of the bullet that would have taken his life is lodged in one of the doors of the house till this date.

Taal Cathedral de San Sebastian
The construction of this historical site of the Philippines had commenced in the year 1756 and took a century to achieve its present form. Rising to an altitude of 95 meters and 45 meters wide, the Taal Cathedral de San Sebastian stands on a plateau in the center of Taal. The cathedral's tabernacle is the only one of its kind in the country. The Taal Cathedral de San Sebastian is one of the leading historical places of the Philippines.

   The other noted historical sites are Sixto Lopez Ancestral House, Museo ng Batangas at Aklatang Panlalawigan, The Rizal Monument, Ilagan Ancestral House, General Malvar Museum and Library, Jose P. Laurel Memorial Library and Mabini Shrine (National Shrine) among many others.

Lupang Hinirang (The Philippine National Anthem)

Ang Lupang Hinirang ay ang pambansang awit ng Pilipinas

* Ito ay inuo ni Julian Felipe ang himig nuong 1898 at ang mga titik ng awit naman ay inangkop mula sa tulang Filipinas na isinulat ni Jose Palma sa wikang Kastila nuong 1899.

* Nagsimula ito bilang isang martsang pang-instrumental na ipinag-atas ni Emilio Aguinaldo na gamitin sa pagpapahayag ng kalayaan ng Pilipinas mula sa Espanya.

* Marcha Filipina Magdalo ang unang pangalan nito ngunit binago at naging Marcha Nacional Filipina matapos hirangin ito bilang pambansang awit ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas.

* Una itong tinugtog ng bandang San Francisco De Malabon sa araw ng pagpapahayag ng kalayaan noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Ang mga titik ng awit ay idinagdag na lamang matapos isulat ni Jose Palma ang tulang Filipinas nuong Agosto 1899.

* Naisipan ng pamahalaang kolonyal ng Estados Unidos noong dekada 1920 na isalin ang pambansang awit sa Ingles mula sa Kastila matapos na mapawalang bisa ang Flag Law.

* Ang pinaka-tanyag na pagsasalin ay ang "Philippine Hymn" na ginawa nina Senador Camilo Osias at isang Amerikano na si Mary A. Lane.

* Ito ang ginawang opisyal na pagsasalin ng Kapulungan ng Pilipinas noong 1938.

* Ang mga pagsasalin ng pambansang awit sa Tagalog ay ginawa noong dekada 1940.

* Ang pinaka-tanyag sa mga salin na ito ay ang O Sintang Lupa na sinulat ni Julian Cruz Balmaceda, Ildefonso Santos at Francisco Caballo.

* Ito ang naging pambansang awit noong 1948.

* Nagbuo naman ng komisyon ang Kalihim ng Edukasyon na si Gregorio Hernandez upang baguhin ang mga salitang Tagalog ng pambansang awit noong panunungkulan ni Pangulong Ramon Magsaysay.

* Naging bunga nito ang pambansang awit na Lupang Hinirang na unang inawit nuong Mayo 26, 1956.

* May mga kaunti pang mga pagbabago ang idinagdag nuong 1962 na ginagamit hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Lupang Hinirang



Bayang magiliw

Perlas ng silanganan

Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay

Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting

Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil

Sa dagat at bundok na simoy

At sa langit mong bughaw

May dilag ng watawat mo’y

Tagumpay na nagnininging

Ang bituin at araw niyan

Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim

Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta

Buhay ay langit sa piling mo

Aming ligaya nang pag may mang-aapi

Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo

Dr. Jose Rizal and His Family

The Rizals is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the family’s paternal ascendant was a full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the name of Ines de la Rosa.

Mercado-Rizal family had also traces of Japanese, Spanish, Malay and Even Negrito blood aside from Chinese.

Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.

Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)

Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13 offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied in San Jose College, Manila; and died in Manila.




Teodora Alonso (1827-1913)

Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.

Saturnina Rizal (1850-1913)

Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.





Paciano Rizal (1851-1930)

Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.




Narcisa Rizal (1852-1939)

The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and musician.






Olympia Rizal (1855-1887)

The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.






Lucia Rizal (1857-1919)

The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.







Maria Rizal (1859-1945)

The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.






Jose Rizal (1861-1896)

The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the Spaniards on December 30,1896.

Conception Rizal (1862-1865)

The eight child. Died at the age of three.

Josefa Rizal (1865-1945)

The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.







Soledad Rizal (1870-1929)

The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.

The Katipunan (KKK)

Andres Bonifaciowas also a member of La Liga Filipina, although he soon lost hope in gaining reforms though peaceful means. This feeling was especially heightened when Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan. Bonifacio became convinced that the only way the Philippines could gain independence was through a revolution.

Bonifacio then founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro M. Recto), in Tondo Manila. The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they performed the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed his name with his own blood..

The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment. Each original member would recruit tow new members who were not related to each other. Each new member would do the same thing, and so on down the line. Members were also asked to contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in order to raise funds for the association.

The KKK members agreed on the following objectives

▪ The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the country’s independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor oppressed.

The “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) was the highest governing body of the Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a
“Sangguaniang Bayan” (Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council).

The Leaders of the Katipunan:

▪ Deodato Arellano -Supremo
▪ Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal
▪ Teodora Plata -Secretary
▪ Valentine Diaz -treasurer
▪ Andres Bonifacio -controller

Jose Rizal and the Katipunan:
Jose Rizal never became involved in the organization and activities of the Katipunan; but the Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizal’s name was used as a password among the society’s highest-ranking members, who were called bayani.

Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days, although Rizal did not know Bonifacio personally Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected Rizal’s intelligence and talent that in June 1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek Rizal’s advice on the planned revolution.

Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people were not yet ready and they did not have enough weapons. He suggested that the Katipunan obtain the support of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in order to gain financial assistance. He also recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its armed forces, since Luna had much knowledge and expertise in military tactics.

Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizal’s advice to Bonifacio, who admitted that it would indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight without enough weapons. However, there was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacio ordered his men to prepare for battle. He directed them to store enough food and other supplies. Battle plans were made with the help of Emilio Jacinto. It was suggested that the revolutionary headquarters be located near the seas or mountains to provide for an easy retreat, if necessary.

The Katipunan is Discovered:
Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long been in circulation, although no solid evidence could be found to support them. The big break as far as the Spanish authorities was concerned, came on August 19, 1896 when a KKK member, Teodoro Patiño told his sister Honoria about the existence of the Katipunan. Patiño was a worker in the printing press of Diario de Manila. Honoria was then living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.

The information upset Honoria so much that she told the orphanage’s Mother Superior, Sor Teresa de Jesus, what her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek the advice of Father Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo.

After hearing Patiño’s revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several Guardias Civiles immediately searched the premises of Diario de Manila and found evidence of the Katipunan’s existence. The governor general was quickly informed. The printing press was padlocked and hundreds of suspected KKK members were arrested.

EDSA People Power Revolution

The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless revolution erupted, called EDSA People Power’s Revolution. February 25, 1986 marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino. This part of Philippine history gives us a strong sense of pride especially that other nations had attempted to emulate what we have shown the world of the true power of democracy. The true empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its successful efforts to oust a tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence and bloodshed. Prayers and rosaries strengthened by faith were the only weapons that the Filipinos used to recover their freedom from President Ferdinand Marcos’s iron hands. The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) stretches 54 kilometers, where the peaceful demonstration was held on that fateful day. It was a day that gathered all Filipinos in unity with courage and faith to prevail democracy in the country. It was the power of the people, who assembled in EDSA, that restored the democratic Philippines, ending the oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it came to be known as the EDSA People Power’s Revolution.

The revolution was a result of the long oppressed freedom and the life threatening abuses executed by the Marcos government to cite several events like human rights violation since the tyrannical Martial Law Proclamation in 1972. Former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.In the years that followed Martial Law started the suppressive and abusive years–incidents of assassination were rampant, particularly those who opposed the government, individuals and companies alike were subdued. The Filipinos reached the height of their patience when former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and killed at the airport in August 21, 1983, upon his return to the Philippines from exile in the United States. Aquino’s death marked the day that Filipinos learned to fight. His grieving wife, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino showed the Filipinos and the world the strength and courage to claim back the democracy that Ferdinand Marcos arrested for his personal caprice. Considering the depressing economy of the country, Ninoy’s death further intensified the contained resentment of the Filipinos. In the efforts to win back his popularity among the people, Marcos held a snap presidential election in February 7, 1986, where he was confronted with a strong and potent opposition, Corazon Aquino. It was the most corrupt and deceitful election held in the Philippine history. There was an evident trace of electoral fraud as the tally of votes were declared with discrepancy between the official count by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the count of NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections). Such blatant corruption in that election was the final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos regime. Former Defense Minister Juan Ponce EnrileThe Fidel V. Ramosdemonstration started to break in the cry for democracy and the demand to oust Marcos from his seat at Malacañang Palace. The revolt commenced when Marcos' Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and the Armed Forces Vice-Chief of Staff command of Fidel V. Ramos, both withdrew their support from the government and called upon the resignation of then President Marcos. They responsibly barricaded Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo and had their troops ready to combat against possible armed attack organized by Marcos and his troops. The Catholic Church represented by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin along with the priests and nuns called for the support of all Filipinos who believed in democracy. Radyo Veritas aired the message of Cardinal Sin that summoned thousands of Filipinos to march the street of EDSA. It was an empowering demonstration that aimed to succeed peacefully with the intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled in front of tanks with rosaries in their hands and uttering their prayers.

With the power of prayers, the armed marine troops under the command of Marcos withdrew from the site. Celebrities expressed their support putting up a presentation to showcase the injustices and the anomalies carried out by the Marcos administration. Finally, in the morning of February 25, 1986, Corazon Aquino took the presidential oath of office, administered by the Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipino located in San Juan. Aquino was proclaimed as the 11th President of the Republic of the Philippines. She was the first lady president of the country. People rejoiced over their victory proving the success of the EDSA People’s Power Revolution, the historic peaceful demonstration. Although in 2001, there was an attempt to revive People Power in the efforts to oust then President Joseph Estrada, it was not as strong as the glorifying demonstration in 1986. The bloodless, People Power Revolution in EDSA renewed the power of the people, strengthened the meaning of democracy and restored the democratic institutions of government.

The Philippines During Martial Law

Proclamation of Martial Law: On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the Philippines under Martial Law. The declaration issued under Proclamation 1081 suspended the civil rights and imposed military authority in the country. Marcos defended the declaration stressing the need for extra powers to quell the rising wave of violence allegedly caused by communists. The emergency rule was also intended to eradicate the roots of rebellion and promote a rapid trend for national development. The autocrat assured the country of the legality of Martial Law emphasizing the need for control over civil disobedience that displays lawlessness. Marcos explained citing the provisions from the Philippine Constitution that Martial Law is a strategic approach to legally defend the Constitution and protect the welfare of the Filipino people from the dangerous threats posed by Muslim rebel groups and Christian vigilantes that places national security at risk during the time. Marcos explained that martial law was not a military takeover but was then the only option to resolve the country’s dilemma on rebellion that stages national chaos threatening the peace and order of the country. The emergency rule, according to Marcos’s plan, was to lead the country into what he calls a “New Society”.

Marcos used several events to justify martial law. Threat to the country’s security was intensifying following the re-establishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in 1968. Supporters of CPP’s military arm, the New People’s Army, also grew in numbers in Tarlac and other parts of the country. The alleged attempt to the life of then Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile gave Marcos a window to declare Martial Law. Marcos announced the emergency rule the day after the shooting incident. Marcos also declared insurgency in the south caused by the clash between Muslims and Christians, which Marcos considered as a threat to national security. The Muslims were defending their ancestral land against the control of Christians who migrated in the area. The minority group organized the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Malaysia and pushed for the autonomy of Mindanao from the national government.

The move was initially supported by most Filipinos and was viewed by some critics as a change that solved the massive corruption in the country. Martial law ceased the clash between the executive and legislative branches of the government and a bureaucracy characterized by special interest. Marcos started to implement reforms on social and political values that hindered effective modernization. To match the accomplishments of its Asian neighbors, Marcos imposed the need for self-sacrifice for the attainment of national welfare. His reforms targeted his rivals within the elite depriving them of their power and patronage but did not affect their supporters (US Library of Congress, Martial Law and the Aftermath).

Thirty-thousand opposition figures including Senator Benigno Aquino, journalists, student and labor activists were detained at military compounds under the President’s command (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). The army and the Philippine Constabulary seized weapons and disbanded private armies controlled by prominent politicians and other influential figures (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). Marcos took control of the legislature and closed the Philippine Congress (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). Numerous media outfits were either closed down or operated under tight control (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). Marcos also allegedly funnelled millions of the country’s money by placing some of his trusted supporters in strategic economic positions to channel resources to him. Experts call this the “crony capitalism.”

The deterioration of the political and economic condition in the Philippines triggered the decline of support on Marcos’ plans. More and more Filipinos took arms to dislodge the regime. Urban poor communities in the country’s capital were organized by the Philippine Ecumenical Council for Community and were soon conducting protest masses and prayer rallies. These efforts including the exposure of numerous human rights violations pushed Marcos to hold an election in 1978 and 1981 in an aim to stabilize the country’s chaotic condition. Marcos, in both events, won the election; however, his extended term as President of the Republic of the Philippines elicited an extensive opposition against his regime. Social unrest reached its height after former Senator Benigno Aquino was murdered. The incident sent thousands of Filipinos to the streets calling for Marcos’ removal from post. Turning again to his electoral strategy, Marcos held a snap election in 1986 but what he hoped will satisfy the masses only increased their determination to end his rule that seated Corazon Aquino, widow of Benigno Aquino, as President of the Philippines ousting Marcos from Malacañang Palace and ending the twenty-one years of tyrant rule.

Timeline of Philippine History

1380 - Muslim Arabs arrived at the Sulu Archipelago.

1521 - Ferdinand Magellan "discovers" the islands and names them: Archipelago of San Lazaro.

1542 - Spanish expedition commandeered by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos claims the islands for Spain; names them "Philippines" after Prince Philip, later King Philip II of Spain; the Philippines becomes part of Spanish Empire.

1872 - Gomburza (Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jocinto Zamora) were executed by the Spaniards.

1892 - Jose Rizal founded the civic organization La Liga Filipina.

1896 - Katipuneros tear their cedulas & shout in contempt of the Spaniards in what is called the Cry of Pugadlawin.

1897, General Emilio Aguinaldo establishes the a new republic at Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan.

1886 - José Rizal publishes anti-Spanish novel, Noli Me Tangere (The Lost Eden); and seers up independence sentiment.

1896 - Spanish execute Rizal for instigating insurrection; public outrage spawns rebellion.

1898 - American warship Maine was blown up in Havana harbour, triggers the the Spanish-American war, the battle of Manila Bay ensues.

1898 - Emilio Aguinaldo assembled the Malolos Congress in Bulacan, then declares independence in Kawit, Cavite

1899 - Treaty of Paris ends Spanish-American War, cedes Philippines to U.S. after payment to Spain by U.S. of $ 20 million. Emilio Aguinaldo declares independence then leads a guerrilla war against U.S.

1901 - U.S. captures Aguinaldo; William Howard Taft arrives as first U.S. governor of Philippines.

1902 - Insurrection ends; Taft improves economic conditions, settles disputes over church ownership of land, establishes "Pensionado" program, allowing Filipinos to study in U.S., which helped modernize and westernize the country.

1916 - U.S. congress passes the Jones Law establishing elected Filipino legislature with house and senate.

1934 - U.S. congress approves the Tydings-McDuffie Law promising Philippine independence by 1946; transition to independence begins.

1935 - Filipino people approve constitution creating the Philippine Commonwealth with Manuel Quezon y Molina as president.

1941 - Japanese invades the Philippines, and defeats Gen. Douglas MacArthur at Bataan and Corregidor; Quezon establishes government in exile in the U.S.

1944 - Quezon dies in exile; Vice President Sergio Osmeña assumes the presidency; MacArthur returns to the Philippines and lands in Leyte with little resistance.

1945 - Gen. MacArthur liberates Manila and President Osmeña establishes government

1946 - The U.S. gave the Philippines independence and Manuel Roxas y Acuña is elected as the first president of the new republic.

1965 - Ferdinand E. Marcos is elected by a big majority as president

1972 - Martial Law was declared by President Marcos

1981 - Marcos lifts Martial Law

1983 - Opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino returns from exile and is assassinated on arrival at Manila International Airport; Aquino's widow Corazon leads the "People Power" protest movement

1986 - Marcos was declared winner in a presidential election beating Corazon Aquino amid charges of fraud; demonstrations erupt; Marcos flees to Hawaii; Aquino is declared president and forms a new government

1992 - Endorsed by Aquino, her Secretary of Defense Gen. Fidel Ramos wins presidential election. U.S. Philippine congress rejects a new treaty with the U.S. and Subic Bay naval base and Clark Air Field returns to Philippine government, ending American military presence in the Philippines

1996 - The government of Ramos agrees to greater autonomy for southern island of Mindanao. Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ends the guerrilla war with the government.

1997 - Asian financial crisis grips Asia and the Philippines escapes the crisis despite series of currency devaluations

1988 - Former movie actor Joseph Estrada is elected president

2000 - On charges of corruption, the lower house impeach Estrada

2001 - Estrada was forced to step down due to public outrage over corruption allegations. Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumes the presidency.

2004 - Presidential election takes place. Arroyo's closest rival (a dear friend of Ex-President Estrada) is film actor Fernando Poe, Jr. Arroyo narrowly defeats Poe, taking 39.5% of the vote to Poe's 36.6%.

2005 - A taped conversation between President Arroyo & an election official surfaced during the 2004 elections implying she influenced the official election results. Calls for her resignation and demonstrations followed soon after. In September 2005, Congress voted down the filing of an impeachment against Arroyo.

2007 - Former President Joseph Estrada is convicted of plunder, the first ever in the history of the Philippines.

Evolution of Philippine Flag

The first Filipino flag can be traced from the time of the Andres Bonifacio's secret society named: Kataastaasang Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Honorable Society of the Sons of the Nation) or the Katipunan or KKK for short. Benita Rodriquez and Bonifacio's wife, Gregoria de Jesus, made the first Filipino flag.

The first Philippine flags was made of red cloth with white KKK initials sewn in white. The red color symbolized the blood of the members of the Katipunan in which inductee to the society signed in their names with their own blood.

The Filipino flag had variations (from 1892 to 1896). Some members arranged the KKK in a triangle while some generals of the revolution designed their own flags.


Of note is the black banner of General Mariano Llanera in Nueva Ecija with a letter K and a skull with two cross bones underneath.



Another variation of the Filipino flag was that of General Pio del Pilar. It had an equilateral triangle with a K at each angle with a rising sun behind a mountain.



In this Philippine flag picture, the Sun with the KKK underneath was also a derivative of previous Filipino flags.





Another variation is the Sun of Liberty of the Naic Assembly in 1997. The Filipino military leaders of the revolution decided to revise the previous banner without the KKK letters.



In 1896, the Magdalo faction of the Katipunan in Cavite headed by General Emilio Aguinaldo had a red ensign with a sun and at the center of the sun is the letter K written in the ancient Filipino alphabet.

General Gregorio del Pilar also used another flag during the Battle of Pasong Balite and at the Battle of Tirad Pass. This Filipino flag is similar to the flag of Cuba, according to del Pilar.

In 1898 Emilio Aguinaldo while in exile in Hong Kong had a banner sewn with the triangle of the Masonry with the mythical sun and face with 8 rays representing the 8 provinces that revolted against the Spanish rule (Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas) and 3 stars representing the main island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

In 1936, Manuel L. Quezon as president of the commonwealth, issued Executive Order 23 which contained the specifications of the national flag. The banner is almost unchanged with a few exceptions, the most notable is the use of a plain sun without the face. Retained were the while triangle, the sun and the stars and the blue and red stripes. The triangle stood for equality and it's white color stood for purity. The blue stripe stood for peace and the red for courage.

In times of peace, the blue stripe is flown on top but in times of war, the banner is inverted with the red strip on the top. The Philippine flag is the only flag to have this official dual display.

Archeozoic, Proterozoic, at Paleozoic

Marami nang pinagdaanan ang daigdig bago pa nagkaroon ditto ng mga tao. Ang nakalipas na ito, tulad ng iba pang bagay, ay sinaliksik din ng tao at batay sa kanyang natuklasan, binigyan ito ng pangalan ang kapanahunang hindi niya inabot.

Ang unang apat na bilyong taon sa buhay ng mundo ay nahati sa kapanahunang Archeozoic at Proterozoic. Ang dalawang kapanahunang ito ay tinatawag ding pre-Cambrian. Sa kapanahunang ito unang nabuhay ang mga dikya, bulati, koral at mga mikrobyo.

Matapos ang Proterozoic, sumunod naman ang Paleozoic na nagsimula mga 570 milyong taon na ang nakararaan at tumagal nang 330 taon. Sa mga huling epoka ng kapanahunang ito unang lumabas ang mga halamang may butong maaaring itanim muli, ang mga unang reptilya, at mga nilikhang nagmula sa isda, tulad ng palaka. Ang kapanahunang Paleozoic ay binubuo ng maiikling panahong tinatawag namang Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, at Permian.

Maraming pakinabang sa panahong Cambrian sapagkat maraming hayto ang natagpuan at napag-aralan mula sa panahong ito. Nariyan ang mga hayop na may bahay tulad ng suso, tahong, talaba, at iba pa. Ganoon din halos ang mga panahong Ordovician at Silurian. Noong panahon ng Devonian, nagsimulang tumubo ang makakapal na kagubatan mula sa mga latian. Sa mga tubig na malilinis, dumami na rin ang mga isda.

Pre-Cambrian



Cambrian



Devonian

Mesozoic

Kapanahunang Mesozoic ang pumalit sa kapanahunang Paleozoic. Ang Mesozoic ay nahahati sa mga panahong Triassiz, Jurassic, at Cretaceous. Sa komiks makikilala ninyo ang Triassic bilang panahon nina Barok, pamilyang Flintstone, ang mga tinatawag na taong-kuweba. Dito unang lumabas ang mga dinosaur, kasama ang mga reptilyang lumilipad tulad ng mga pterodactyl, at lumalangoy tulad ng mga buwaya at pagong, at ang mga halamang kahawig ng palmera.

Noong panahon ng Jurassic, lalo pang tumigas ang balat at higit pang lumaki ang mga dinosaur kaya’t lalo silang nagging mapanganib. Subalit nang matapos na ang panahong Cretaceous, nagkamatay at nawala na ang mga ito. Noong Cretaceous din tumaas ang tubig sa mga dagat kaya’t nahati at nagkahiwa-hiwalay ang sangkalupaan. Lumitaw rin ang mga bundok at mga bulkan noong panahong iyon. May teorya na kaya nangamatay ang maraming nilalang ay dahil sa alikabok at nakalalasong buhag na kumalat sa paglitaw ng mga bundok at bulkan mula sa lupa.

Cenozoic

Ang kapanahunang Cenozoic ay nagsimula mga 63 milyong taon na ang nakaraan. Ito pa rin ang kapanahunang umiiral hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Mabilis ang nagging ebolusyon ng mga mammal, ibon at mga halaman sa kapanahunang ito samantalang iyong mga hayop na walang gulugod ay halos walang ipinagbago. Ang mga panahon sa ilalim ng Cenozoic ay ang Tertiary at Quaternary.

Ang Tertiary ay nahahati sa limang epoka: ang Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene at Pliocene. Noong epokang Eocene, naglipana ang mga bakulaw sa mundo. Marami ring maliliit na reptilya, paniki, kamelyo, pusa, kabayo, rhinoceros, at mga balyena. Noon naming epokang Miocene, mga 18 milyong taon na ang nakararaan, nabuhay ang mga bakulaw na tinawag na proconsul o dryopithecus. Ang mga bakulaw na ito, na hindi lumalakad nang patayo, ay hinihinala ng ibang siyentipiko na siyang pinagmulan ng malalaking bakulaw, at maaaring pati nang Homo sapiens. Ang makabagong tao ay naglabasan noong huling epoka na ng panahong Tertiary, at epokang Pliocene.

Pleistocene

Ang Quaternary naman ay may epokang Pleistocene at Holocene.

Noong epokang Pleistocene naganap ang pagyeyelo (glacial period). Bago dumating ang epokang ito, mainit at maayos ang klima ng mundo. Ang mainit na klimang ito ay umiral sa loob ng 60 milyong taon. Nang sumunod na milyong taon, biglang nagbago ang takbo ng mundo. Umulan nang umulan ng yelo at kumapal nang kumapal ito.

Ang panahon ng pagyeyelo ay tumagal ng mga 40,000 hanggang 60,000 taon. Tuwing matatapos ang panahong ito, muling umiinit ang mundo at natutunaw ang malalaking tipak ng yelo. Ang pagpapalit-palit na ganito ng lamig at init ang nagging katapusan ng maraming nilikha, kasama na ang mga bakulaw. Karamihan sa kanila ay nangamatay at nawala na nang tuluyan sa maraming lugar. Yaong mga namatay ay napalitan naman ng ibang mga nilikha.

Noong panahon ng pagyeyelo, habang ang buong Antarktika at ang matataas na bundok sa buong daigdig ay nadadamitan ng makapal na yelo, namalagi ang mga unang tao sa mainit-init na mga lugar tulad Aprika, Timog Asya, at ilang bahagi ng Australia. Mayroon ding nanirahan sa Timog Europa bagama’t ang malaking bahagi ng subkontinenteng ito, kasama na ang Kanlurang Asya at Hilagang Amerika, ay nababalutan ng yelong mahigit isang kilometro ang kapal. Yaong iba na malalakas ang loob at matitibay sa lamig ay nangahas na tumawid patungong Hilagang Asya sa Siberia at Alaska.

Bagama’t ikinamatay ng marami an gang pagsalit-salit ng init at lamig. Nakatulong naman ang ganitong mga pangyayari sa mga unang tao sapagkat ang ilang bahagi ng makakapal na kagubatan ay nakalbo dahil sa yelo. Ang tubig sa dagat ay bumaba rin, lumawak at tumaas ang lupa at lumitaw ang mabababang lugar na siyang nagsilbing tulay sa pagitan ng mga magkakalapit na mga lupain. Sa ganitong paraan hinihinuhang nakapaglakbay nang napakalayo ang mga unang tao ganoong wala pa naming mga sasakyang-pandagat noon. Nang matunaw ang yelo ay nahawan na ang lupa; nagkatubig sa mga dating disyerto, at nagging possible na ang pagtatanim.

Panahong Paleolithic (Old Stone Age)

Ang sakop ng panahong Paleolithic, na ang ibig sabihin ay Lumang Panahon ng Bato (Old Stone Age), ay nagmula noong unang lumitaw ang tao hanggang magsimula silang magsaka noong 8000 B.K. Ang panahong ito ang pinakamahaba sa lahat ng pagkakahati-hati ng mga panahon sa kasaysayan ng mundo bago naimbento ang pagsusulat. Nagsimula at natapos ito nang kasabay ng epokang Pleistocene.

Ang mga katangian ng Lumang Panahon ng Bato ay ang sumusunod: ang paggamit ng mga tao ng mga kasangkapang yari sa bato, buto, kahoy, o mga halamang nilala at ginawang mga sisidlang-basket, ang paggamit nila ng apoy, ang pangangaso nila at pangunguha ng gulay bilang pagkain, ang pagsusuot nila ng mga damit na gawa mula sa mga balat ng hayop, ang paminsan-minsan nilang pagtulog sa mga kuweba, samantalang nagtatayo rin sila ng magagaspang na kubong maaaring tulugan o gawing kanlungan mula sa hangin, at ang kawalan ng mga nagsasaka, agrikultura, o mga hayop na inaalagaan.

Panahong Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)

Nagsimula ang panahong Mesolithic o Panggitnang Panahon ng Bato (Middle Stone Age) noong banding 8000 B.K. at tumatagal nang libu-libong taon. Kasamang namatay ng panahong Paleolithic ang malalaking hayop na nagsisilbing pagkain ng mga tao, at napalitan ng mga hayop na nakikita natin sa kasalukuyan. Natunaw na rin ang makakapal na yelo sa pagtatapos ng panahong Pleistocene kaya’t lalong lumawak ang mga lupang maaaring panahanan ng mga tao. Bagama’t nanatiling bato ang mga kasangkapang gamit ng mga tao noong panahong Mesolithic lumiit naman ang mga ito at nagging mas pino.

Panahong Neolithic (New Stone Age)

Ang Bagong Panahon ng Bato (New Stone Age) o Neolithic ay nagsimula banding 4000 hanggang 3000 B.K. Ang mga pangunahin nitong katangian ay ang pagkakaroon ng agrikultura, mga alagang hayop, mga banga, paso, palayok, at iba pang kasangkapang kahawig nito, at makikinis na kagamitang yari sa bato.

Ang mga katangiang ito ng bagong Panahon ng Bato ang nagging dahilan naman upang ang tao ay tumigil sa kalalaboy at magsimulang magtanim ng makakain, lumaki ang populasyon, magkaroon ng mga bagong pamayanan, magkaroon ng oras ang tao para sa pag-iisip at pag-iimbento, umunlad ang malalaking pamayanan, at magkaroon ng higit na masasalimuot na mga organisasyong panlipunan.

Ang kulturang pansakahan ng Bagong Panahon ng Bato ay nagsimula sa Timog Asya, at lumaganap mula rito patungo sa ibang bahagi ng Asya, sa Aprika, at sa Europa, subalit hindi sa Amerika. Sa Mesapotamia, Palestina, Syria, at Egipto umunlad nang mabuti ang agrikultura at paghahayupan noon pa mang mga 4000 B.K. Ilan sa mga alagang hayop ng mga tao rito ay mga baboy, kambing, tupa, at baka.

Sa kabilang dako, lahat ng bakas ng Bagong Panahon ng Bato ay tinatayang naiwan sa Europa noong banding 3000 o 2500 B.K. lamang.

Chalcolithic (Copper Age Period)

Ang Chalcolithic ay hindi masasabing isa talagang panahon tulad ng Paleolithic, Mesolithic, at Neolithic. Sa katotohanan, sakop pa rin ng Neolithic ang panahong tinatawag ng iba na Chalcolithic kaya nga lamang ay hindi na pawang bato ang mga kasangkapan ng mga tao noong panahong iyon. Nagsisimula na ang mga eksperimento sa paggamit ng tanso, subalit hindi pa ganap na napalitan ng tanso ang mga kagamitang bato.

Panahon ng Tanso (Bronze Age)

Sa bayan ng Sumer sa Mesopotamia unang ginamit ang tanso noong banding 3500 B.K. bilang materyales sa paggawa ng mga kagamitan at sandata. Ang mga sangkap na ginamit upang makagawa ng tanso ay hinuhulaang nagmula sa mga bundok sa Asya Minor (ang kasalukuyang Turkiya), Armenia, at Caucasia. Noong 3000 B.K., laganap na ang paggamit ng tanso sa mga lugar na ito sa Timog-Kanlurang Asya. Sa Europa, nauso ang tanso noong mga 2000 B.K. Sa Tsina man ay sumikat ang paggamit nito, lalo na sa banding hilaga, sa pagitan ng 1700 hanggang 1000 B.K. Gayunman hindi sa lahat ng bahagi ng mundo ay nagkaroon ng tinatawag na Panahon ng Tanso.

Panahon ng Asero (Iron Age)

Mayroong nagsasabing bago pa man sumapit ang 2500 B.K. ay mayroon nang nagtutunaw ng mga dukalin (ore) upang gawing asero o bakal sa Mesopotamia. Subalit ang Panahon ng Asero ay karaniwang inilalagay ang simula sa petsang 1000 B.K., nang tuluyan na nitong mapalitan ang tanso bilang pangunahing sangkap sa paggawa ng mga kagamitan at sandata ng mga tao. Sa Asya Minor unang sinimulang gamitin ang asero noong 1400 B.K., at sa Austria sa Europa noong banding 1100 o 1000 B.K. Sa ilang bahagi ng Asya at Aprika, hindi ginamit ang asero kundi noong makalipas pa ang ilang dantaon matapos na ito ay masimulang gamitin sa Mesopotamia. Sa Amerika naman, dumating ang asero at nagging bahagi ng kultura doon nang dalhin lamang ito doon ng mga Europeo noong taong 1500 hanggang 1600 P.K. (panahon ni Kristo).