LET Elementary Social Sciences — Philippine HistoryStudy Notes

The Philippine archipelago was inhabited for at least 50,000 years through successive waves of migration. Early inhabitants included Negritos, Indonesians, and Malays who established sophisticated societies. The basic political unit was the **barangay**, a kinship-based community of 30-100 families led by a **datu**, **rajah**, or **sultan**. These communities engaged in extensive trade with China, India, Arabia, and Southeast Asian kingdoms, demonstrating early Filipino entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. The indigenous **Baybayin** writing system shows advanced literacy practices. Social stratification included three main classes: **maginoo** (nobility), **timawa** (freemen), and **alipin** (dependents), with two types of alipin - **aliping namamahay** (those with their own houses) and **aliping saguiguilid** (household servants). Religious practices centered on animism, with later influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, the latter reaching Sulu in the 14th century.

Islamic influence in the Philippines established powerful sultanates that significantly shaped Mindanao and Sulu history. The **Sultanate of Sulu**, founded in the 15th century by Sharif-ul-Hashim, became a major maritime trading power controlling sea routes between the Philippines and Borneo. The **Sultanate of Maguindanao**, established around the 16th century, dominated central Mindanao through the Pulangi River system. These sultanates maintained their independence and cultural identity, successfully resisting Spanish colonization for centuries. They established sophisticated legal systems based on Islamic law, promoted education through madrasas, and created extensive trade networks. Their resistance to Spanish rule demonstrates early Filipino nationalism and the diversity of our pre-colonial political structures.

The Spanish colonial period fundamentally transformed Philippine society through 333 years of rule. **Ferdinand Magellan's** arrival in 1521 marked first European contact, though he was killed by **Lapu-Lapu** in the Battle of Mactan, demonstrating early Filipino resistance. **Miguel López de Legazpi** successfully established Spanish control, founding settlements in Cebu (1565) and Manila (1571). The Philippines was named after King **Felipe II** of Spain. Spanish colonization introduced several key systems: the **encomienda system** granted Spanish colonists land and tribute rights over Filipino communities; **reducción** forced natives into centralized towns for easier control; **polo y servicio** required forced labor for public works; and the **galleon trade** (1565-1815) connected Manila to Acapulco, making the Philippines part of the first global economy. The fusion of Church and State gave friars enormous power over education, land ownership, and local governance. The **principalía** system co-opted native elites into colonial administration.

Throughout Spanish rule, Filipinos mounted numerous revolts demonstrating persistent resistance to colonial oppression. Major revolts included the **Dagohoy Rebellion** in Bohol (1744-1829), the longest revolt lasting 85 years; the **Silang Revolt** led by Diego Silang and continued by his wife **Gabriela Silang** in Ilocos; and the **Palaris Revolt** in Pangasinan. Religious movements like **Hermano Pule** (Apolinario de la Cruz) combined spiritual and political resistance. These revolts, though ultimately unsuccessful, preserved Filipino aspirations for freedom and demonstrated that Spanish rule was never fully accepted. They also showed the diversity of Filipino resistance - from regional uprisings to religious movements - and the important role of women like Gabriela Silang in our struggle for independence.

The 19th century marked the awakening of Filipino national consciousness through the **Propaganda Movement** and eventual revolution. The execution of **GomBurZa** (Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora) in 1872 on charges of sedition sparked Filipino nationalism. **José Rizal**, **Marcelo H. del Pilar**, and **Graciano López Jaena** led the **Propaganda Movement**, advocating peaceful reforms through their newspaper **La Solidaridad**. When reforms failed, **Andrés Bonifacio** founded the revolutionary **Katipunan** in 1892. The **Cry of Pugad Lawin** in August 1896, where Filipinos tore their cedulas (tax certificates), marked the start of the Philippine Revolution. Key figures included **Emilio Aguinaldo**, who became the revolution's leader after the **Tejeros Convention** (March 1897), and heroes like **Gregorio del Pilar** who died at the **Battle of Tirad Pass** (1899). Rizal's execution on December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan further inflamed revolutionary fervor.

The Spanish-American War in 1898 dramatically changed Philippine history. Admiral **George Dewey's** victory at the **Battle of Manila Bay** (May 1, 1898) defeated the Spanish fleet. On **June 12, 1898**, **Emilio Aguinaldo** proclaimed Philippine independence in **Kawit, Cavite**, establishing the First Philippine Republic. The **Malolos Congress** drafted the **Malolos Constitution** (1899), creating Asia's first democratic republic. However, the **Treaty of Paris** (December 1898) ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million, leading to the **Philippine-American War** (1899-1902). Despite fierce resistance, including the **Balangiga Massacre** and various battles, American superior firepower eventually prevailed. The capture of Aguinaldo in 1901 effectively ended organized resistance. American colonial rule brought significant changes: the **Organic Act of 1902** established civilian government, **Thomasites** introduced English-language education, and infrastructure development accelerated. The **Jones Law** (1916) promised eventual independence, fulfilled through the **Tydings-McDuffie Act** (1934) establishing the Commonwealth period (1935-1946) under **Manuel L. Quezon**.

World War II brought devastating occupation to the Philippines. The Japanese invasion began December 8, 1941, one day after Pearl Harbor. Filipino and American forces, led by General **Douglas MacArthur**, made their last stand at **Bataan and Corregidor**. The **Bataan Death March** (April 1942) forced approximately 76,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war to walk about 100 kilometers under brutal conditions, resulting in thousands of deaths. The **Fall of Corregidor** (May 1942) completed Japanese conquest. Japan established the **Second Philippine Republic** (1943) under **José P. Laurel** as a puppet government. However, extensive **guerrilla movements** including USAFFE remnants and the Communist-led **Hukbalahap** continued resistance throughout the occupation. **MacArthur's return** to Leyte in October 1944 began liberation, culminating in the brutal **Battle of Manila** (February 1945) that destroyed much of the city. The war caused immense suffering but also strengthened Filipino-American ties and demonstrated Filipino resilience.

Philippine independence was granted on **July 4, 1946**, with **Manuel Roxas** as the first president of the Third Republic. The new nation faced massive reconstruction challenges and the **Hukbalahap rebellion**, a Communist-led insurgency that was successfully suppressed under **Ramon Magsaysay's** leadership. Magsaysay (1953-1957), beloved as the 'Champion of the Masses,' died tragically in a 1957 plane crash. **Carlos P. García** continued nation-building efforts, while **Diosdado Macapagal** moved Independence Day to June 12 (1962) to honor our original independence. **Ferdinand Marcos Sr.**, elected in 1965 and re-elected in 1969, declared **Martial Law** on **September 21, 1972** (Proclamation 1081), citing Communist threats and social disorder. Martial Law suspended civil liberties, imposed curfews, censored media, and detained opposition leaders. The **1973 Constitution** consolidated Marcos's power. Opposition culminated with the assassination of **Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr.** on **August 21, 1983**, sparking massive protests. The rigged **1986 snap election** triggered the **EDSA People Power Revolution** (February 22-25, 1986), a peaceful uprising that installed **Corazon Aquino** as president and restored democracy.

Post-EDSA Philippines has struggled to consolidate democracy while addressing persistent challenges. **Corazon Aquino** (1986-1992) restored democratic institutions through the **1987 Constitution**, survived multiple coup attempts, and managed the **Mt. Pinatubo eruption** (1991). **Fidel V. Ramos** (1992-1998) achieved economic growth and signed the **1996 Peace Accord** with the Moro National Liberation Front. **Joseph Estrada** (1998-2001) was removed through **EDSA II** amid corruption charges. **Gloria Macapagal Arroyo** (2001-2010) maintained stability despite various controversies. **Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III** (2010-2016) promoted anti-corruption reforms, implemented **K-12 education reform**, but faced the tragic **Mamasapano incident** (2015). **Rodrigo Duterte** (2016-2022) launched a controversial drug war, established the **Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao** (BARMM) in 2019, and managed COVID-19 response. **Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.** became president in 2022, representing a complex return of the Marcos family to power. Contemporary issues include overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, and ongoing struggles with poverty and inequality.