Philippine History & Civics — PMA Depth - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering Philippine History & Civics at PMA depth — essential for PMAEE success
Pre-Colonial & Spanish Period
Important facts
- Battle of Mactan: April 27, 1521 — Lapu-Lapu defeats Magellan
- Manila founded: June 24, 1571 by Miguel López de Legazpi
- Galleon Trade: 1565-1815 connecting Manila-Acapulco
- Sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao resisted Spanish for centuries
- Spanish military used Tercios system with local Indio soldiers
Key definitions
Barangay
Example
Pre-colonial governance structure
Basic political unit led by a datu with 30-100 families
Encomienda System
Example
Colonial exploitation method
Spanish land grant system giving colonists control over natives
Polo y Servicios
Example
Building roads, churches, galleons
Forced labor system requiring 40 days of unpaid work for men aged 16-60
Diagrams to know
- Map of major Spanish fortresses (Intramuros, Fort San Pedro, Fort Pilar)
- Galleon Trade Route diagram
Philippine Revolution & Heroes
Important facts
- Battle of Pinaglabanan: August 30, 1896 — First major engagement
- Execution of José Rizal: December 30, 1896
- Declaration of Independence: June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite
- Battle of Tirad Pass: December 2, 1899 — Gregorio del Pilar's last stand
- Antonio Luna assassinated: June 5, 1899 in Cabanatuan
Key definitions
Katipunan
Example
Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan
Secret revolutionary society founded by Andrés Bonifacio in 1892
Cry of Pugad Lawin
Example
Tearing of cedulas by Katipuneros
August 23, 1896 — Start of Philippine Revolution
Tejeros Convention
Example
Aguinaldo elected President over Bonifacio
March 22, 1897 — Election of revolutionary government officers
Diagrams to know
- Timeline of Philippine Revolution major events
- Map showing major battle sites
Philippine-American War & World War II
Important facts
- Capture of Aguinaldo: March 23, 1901 in Palanan, Isabela
- Balangiga Massacre: September 28, 1901 in Samar
- Japanese invasion: December 8, 1941
- Fall of Bataan: April 9, 1942
- Fall of Corregidor: May 6, 1942
- MacArthur's return: October 20, 1944 at Leyte
- Battle of Manila: February 3-March 3, 1945
Key definitions
Philippine-American War
Example
Guerrilla warfare phase after conventional defeat
1899-1902 armed conflict between First Philippine Republic and United States
Bataan Death March
Example
100 km march with thousands of deaths
April 1942 forced march of 75,000 Filipino-American POWs
USAFFE
Example
Combined Filipino-American defense force
United States Armed Forces in the Far East under MacArthur
Diagrams to know
- Map of Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor
- MacArthur's island-hopping campaign route
Post-War Military History
Important facts
- Korean War participation: 10th Battalion Combat Team (1950-1953)
- Huk rebellion defeated under President Magsaysay
- CPP-NPA insurgency ongoing since 1969
- MNLF/MILF conflicts in Mindanao from 1970s
- Marawi siege: May 23 - October 23, 2017
- West Philippine Sea disputes ongoing
Key definitions
Hukbalahap
Example
Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon, later rebellion
Communist-led guerrilla movement active 1946-1954
Philippine Civic Action Group
Example
Non-combat engineering and medical support
PHILCAG — Filipino military unit deployed to Vietnam
Maute Group
Example
Marawi siege May-October 2017
ISIS-affiliated terrorist group in Marawi
Diagrams to know
- Map of conflict areas in Mindanao
- Timeline of post-war military engagements
1987 Constitution & Military
Important facts
- Three branches: Executive (President), Legislative (Congress), Judicial (Supreme Court)
- Congress declares war (Article VI, Section 23)
- Foreign military bases prohibited unless by treaty
- Senate ratifies treaties by 2/3 vote
- Armed Forces professional and under civilian authority
- Constitutional Commissions: Civil Service, Elections, Audit
Key definitions
Civilian Supremacy
Example
President as Commander-in-Chief
Article II, Section 3 — Civilian authority supreme over military
Commander-in-Chief Power
Example
Article VII, Section 18
President's constitutional authority over all armed forces
Martial Law
Example
Maximum 60 days, subject to Congressional review
Presidential power in case of invasion or rebellion
Diagrams to know
- Three branches of government structure
- Chain of command from President to AFP
National Symbols & Territory
Common values
Value
12 nautical miles
Symbol
TS
Quantity
Territorial Sea
Value
200 nautical miles
Symbol
EEZ
Quantity
Exclusive Economic Zone
Important facts
- National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang (José Palma lyrics, Julián Felipe music)
- National Territory defined in Article I of Constitution
- PCA Ruling: July 12, 2016 — favored Philippines vs China
- Mutual Defense Treaty with US still active
- EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) 2014
Key definitions
Flag Symbolism
Example
Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas, Nueva Ecija
Three stars (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao), eight rays (first eight provinces in revolt)
Archipelagic Doctrine
Example
Baseline to baseline measurement
Philippines as single unit with internal waters connecting islands
Exclusive Economic Zone
Example
West Philippine Sea included
200 nautical miles from baselines for resource exploitation
Diagrams to know
- Philippine territory with EEZ boundaries
- West Philippine Sea disputed areas
Must remember
- Battle of Mactan: April 27, 1521 — First Filipino victory against foreign invasion
- Declaration of Independence: June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite
- Bataan Death March: April 1942 — 75,000 prisoners, ~100 km march
- MacArthur's return: October 20, 1944 at Leyte
- Article II, Section 3: Civilian authority supreme over military
- President is Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces
- Flag: 3 stars (major islands), 8 rays (first 8 provinces in revolt)
- PCA Ruling: July 12, 2016 — favored Philippines in West Philippine Sea
- Martial Law: Maximum 60 days, subject to Congressional review
- PMA founded 1936 — trains future AFP officers
Last minute tips
- Memorize exact dates for major battles — PMAEE tests specific dates heavily
- Know the 8 provinces represented by sun rays: Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas, Nueva Ecija
- Understand civilian supremacy principle — it's fundamental to PMA training
- Review constitutional articles related to defense — Article II (Sec 3), Article VI (Sec 23), Article VII (Sec 18)
- Connect historical events to current security issues — West Philippine Sea, Mindanao conflicts, cyber security
Comparison tables
Major Philippine Heroes Comparison
| Hero | Role | Death Date | Famous For |
|---|---|---|---|
| José Rizal | National Hero | December 30, 1896 | Novels & Martyrdom |
| Andrés Bonifacio | Father of Revolution | May 10, 1897 | Founded Katipunan |
| Antonio Luna | Military Strategist | June 5, 1899 | Military Genius |
| Gregorio del Pilar | Youngest General | December 2, 1899 | Tirad Pass |
Constitutional Powers in Defense
| Branch | Defense Power | Article/Section |
|---|---|---|
| Executive | Commander-in-Chief | Article VII, Sec. 18 |
| Legislative | Declare War | Article VI, Sec. 23 |
| Judicial | Review Military Justice | Article VIII |
Diagrams
Philippine Military History Overview
Complete overview of Philippine military history from pre-colonial to modern times
Critical Dates in Philippine Military History
Timeline of the most critical dates every PMA cadet must know
Constitutional Defense Structure
Shows the constitutional framework governing military authority and civilian supremacy