Philippine History - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Philippine History - covering pre-colonial times to present day for LET Elementary success
Pre-Colonial Philippines (50,000 years ago - 1565)
Important facts
- Social classes: Maginoo (nobility), Timawa (freemen), Alipin (dependents)
- Two types of alipin: namamahay (with own house) and saguiguilid (household servants)
- Trade relations with China, India, Arabia, and Southeast Asia
- Islam reached Sulu in 14th century via Arab traders
- Animism was dominant religion with Hindu-Buddhist influences
Key definitions
Barangay
Example
Led by Rajah Sulayman in Manila
Basic political unit led by a datu, consisting of 30-100 families
Baybayin
Example
Used to write on bamboo and bark
Indigenous writing system using syllabic script
Datu
Example
Lapu-Lapu of Mactan
Local chieftain or leader of a barangay
Diagrams to know
- Social hierarchy pyramid: Maginoo at top, Timawa middle, Alipin at bottom
- Trade routes connecting Philippines to Asia
Spanish Period (1565-1898)
Important facts
- Magellan arrived March 16, 1521; killed by Lapu-Lapu at Battle of Mactan
- Legazpi established permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu (1565)
- Manila founded 1571, became capital of Spanish Philippines
- Philippines named after King Philip II of Spain
- Catholic Church became dominant institution alongside government
- Principalía - Filipino native elite who served Spanish administration
- GomBurZa (Gomez, Burgos, Zamora) executed February 17, 1872
Key definitions
Encomienda System
Example
Encomenderos collected tribute from Filipino natives
Land grants to Spanish colonizers for tribute collection
Reducción
Example
Moving scattered settlements into pueblos
Policy of concentrating natives into centralized towns
Polo y Servicio
Example
Building churches, roads, and government buildings
Forced labor system requiring 40 days of unpaid work
Galleon Trade
Example
Asian goods to Mexico, silver to Philippines
Manila-Acapulco trade route (1565-1815)
Diagrams to know
- Colonial administrative structure: Governor-General to Alcalde-mayor
- Galleon trade route map: Manila to Acapulco
Philippine Revolution (1896-1898)
Important facts
- José Rizal executed December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park)
- Tejeros Convention March 22, 1897 - Aguinaldo elected president
- Bonifacio executed May 10, 1897 on orders of Aguinaldo
- Pact of Biak-na-Bato December 1897 - temporary truce
- Battle of Tirad Pass December 2, 1899 - Gregorio del Pilar's last stand
- June 12, 1898 - Philippine Independence declared in Kawit, Cavite
Key definitions
Katipunan
Example
Used triangle system for secrecy
Secret revolutionary society founded by Andrés Bonifacio in 1892
Cry of Pugad Lawin
Example
Bonifacio and Katipuneros destroyed tax certificates
August 23, 1896 - tearing of cedulas marking revolution start
Propaganda Movement
Example
La Solidaridad newspaper published in Barcelona
Reform movement led by Filipino ilustrados in Europe
Diagrams to know
- Katipunan organizational structure with triangle system
- Major battles and locations of Philippine Revolution
American Period (1898-1946)
Important facts
- Battle of Manila Bay May 1, 1898 - Dewey defeats Spanish fleet
- Malolos Congress and Constitution 1898 - First Philippine Republic
- Balangiga Massacre 1901 - US retaliation in Samar
- Aguinaldo captured March 23, 1901 in Palanan, Isabela
- Organic Act 1902 (Philippine Bill) - civil government established
- Jones Law 1916 - promised eventual independence
- Tydings-McDuffie Act 1934 - Commonwealth status for 10 years
Key definitions
Treaty of Paris
Example
Ended Spanish-American War
December 10, 1898 - Spain ceded Philippines to US for $20 million
Thomasites
Example
Named after USS Thomas transport ship
American teachers who arrived 1901 to establish English education
Philippine-American War
Example
Ended with Aguinaldo's capture in Palanan
1899-1902 armed conflict between US and Philippine Republic
Diagrams to know
- Philippine-American War major battles timeline
- Colonial government structure under American rule
Japanese Occupation (1941-1945)
Important facts
- December 8, 1941 - Japanese invasion (day after Pearl Harbor)
- Fall of Corregidor May 6, 1942 - last US-Filipino stronghold
- MacArthur's promise: 'I shall return'
- October 20, 1944 - MacArthur returns, lands in Leyte
- Battle of Manila February 3-March 3, 1945
- Extensive guerrilla resistance throughout occupation
Key definitions
Bataan Death March
Example
100-kilometer march from Bataan to Tarlac
April 1942 forced march of Filipino-American POWs
Second Philippine Republic
Example
KALIBAPI - only political party allowed
Japanese puppet government under José P. Laurel (1943-1945)
Hukbalahap
Example
Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon
Anti-Japanese guerrilla movement led by Luis Taruc
Diagrams to know
- Japanese invasion routes and occupied territories
- Liberation campaign battles and dates
Third Republic and Marcos Era (1946-1986)
Important facts
- July 4, 1946 - Independence Day (changed to June 12 by Macapagal 1962)
- Manuel Roxas - first president of Third Republic
- Ramon Magsaysay defeated Huk rebellion, died in 1957 plane crash
- Ferdinand Marcos elected 1965, re-elected 1969
- Ninoy Aquino assassinated August 21, 1983 at Manila airport
- 1986 Snap Election - widely considered fraudulent
- Corazon Aquino became president after EDSA Revolution
Key definitions
Martial Law
Example
Suspended civil liberties and democratic institutions
September 21, 1972 - Marcos declared military rule via Proclamation 1081
EDSA People Power
Example
Millions gathered at EDSA to protect military defectors
February 22-25, 1986 peaceful revolution that ousted Marcos
Diagrams to know
- Timeline of Philippine presidents 1946-1986
- EDSA Revolution key events and locations
Post-EDSA Philippines (1986-Present)
Common values
Value
4 days
Symbol
Feb 22-25, 1986
Quantity
EDSA Revolution Duration
Value
14 years
Symbol
1972-1986
Quantity
Martial Law Period
Important facts
- Cory Aquino (1986-1992) - restored democracy, 1987 Constitution
- Fidel Ramos (1992-1998) - economic growth, MNLF peace accord 1996
- Joseph Estrada (1998-2001) - impeached for corruption, resigned
- Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2001-2010) - longest-serving post-EDSA president
- Noynoy Aquino (2010-2016) - K-12 education reform, Mamasapano incident 2015
- Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022) - drug war, BARMM creation 2019
- Bongbong Marcos Jr. (2022-present) - son of former dictator
Key definitions
1987 Constitution
Example
Established presidential system with 6-year single term
Current constitution ratified under Cory Aquino administration
EDSA II
Example
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed presidency
January 2001 peaceful uprising that removed President Estrada
Diagrams to know
- Post-EDSA presidential succession timeline
- Major political events and reforms 1986-present
Must remember
- Magellan killed by Lapu-Lapu at Battle of Mactan (March 27, 1521)
- Philippine Independence declared June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite by Aguinaldo
- GomBurZa executed February 17, 1872 - sparked nationalist movement
- Katipunan founded 1892 by Bonifacio; Cry of Pugad Lawin August 23, 1896
- Rizal executed December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan
- Treaty of Paris December 10, 1898 - Spain ceded Philippines to US for $20M
- Martial Law declared September 21, 1972 (Proclamation 1081)
- Ninoy Aquino assassinated August 21, 1983
- EDSA People Power February 22-25, 1986 ousted Marcos
- 1987 Constitution established current government system
Last minute tips
- Remember dates by decades: 1890s = Revolution, 1940s = WWII, 1970s-80s = Martial Law
- Connect heroes to their regions: Rizal (Laguna), Bonifacio (Tondo), Aguinaldo (Cavite)
- Distinguish between two EDSA events: 1986 (vs Marcos) and 2001 (vs Estrada)
- Know the three Philippine Republics: First (1898), Second (Japanese puppet), Third (1946)
- Memorize key execution dates: GomBurZa (Feb 17, 1872), Rizal (Dec 30, 1896)
Comparison tables
Major Philippine Constitutions
| Constitution | Year | Key Features | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malolos Constitution | 1898 | First Philippine Republic | 1 year |
| 1935 Constitution | 1935 | Commonwealth government | 37 years |
| 1973 Constitution | 1973 | Parliamentary system under Marcos | 14 years |
| 1987 Constitution | 1987 | Current presidential system | 37 years (ongoing) |
Spanish vs American Colonial Policies
| Aspect | Spanish Period | American Period |
|---|---|---|
| Language Policy | Spanish (limited spread) | English (widespread) |
| Education | Church-controlled, limited | Public school system |
| Religion | Catholic mandatory | Religious freedom |
| Government | Authoritarian colonial | Democratic preparation |
Diagrams
Philippine History Major Periods Timeline
Chronological overview of major periods in Philippine history from pre-colonial to present
Philippine Revolution Key Figures and Events
Mind map showing the key figures, movements, and events of the Philippine Revolution
EDSA People Power Revolution Process
Step-by-step process showing how the EDSA People Power Revolution unfolded in 1986