In 1212, as legend has it, 10 Bornean datu (chiefs), fleeing the collapse of the once-mighty Srivijayan empire, sailed northwards with their followers and landed on the island of Panay. At that time, Panay was widely populated by Negritos. The Bornean Malays, although superior fighters and better armed than the Negritos, chose not to … More Ati-Atihan Festival – The Philippines’ Mardi Gras
Foiled in his attempt to establish a kingdom in Manila, Limahong set sail for Lingayen Gulf, to settle in Pangasinan province. As a rich place and far enough from the reach of the Spaniards and the Chinese emperor, Limahong decided he would stay in Pangasinan and make himself master of the region. In a few … More Limahong Invaded the Philippines – Part III
Tradition has it that Christmas celebration in the Philippines begins on December 16, nine days before Christmas Day and ends on January 6, the feast of the Three Kings. Simbang Gabi is a series of nine predawn masses. The predawn mass was celebrated every morning from December 16 to December 24. Then on … More Simbang Gabi – Philippine Christmas Tradition
Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is one of the most holy days in the Philippine Christian calendar. On the eve of the Feast in 1941, there was a festive mood all around. Because of international dateline, it was Saturday, Dec. 6, 1941 in Hawaii, but across the Pacific Ocean west of the … More Remembering Dec. 8, 1941
Limahong was determined to capture Manila in spite of the loss in Parañaque. He set sail again and arrived in Manila Bay. He sent forward his Lieutenant, Sioco, and 600 fighting men to demand the surrender of the Spaniards. Alarm was raised in Malate which is close to Intramuros but the Spaniards took … More Limahong, A Chinese Pirate Invaded the Philippines, Part II
Limahong, or Lin Feng, also known as Lim Ah Hong or Limahon was a Chinese pirate and warlord who invaded the northern islands of the Philippines and also established a short-lived kingdom in Pangasinan. He built up a reputation for his constant raids to ports in Guangdong, Fujian and southern China. He is noted … More Limahong, A Chinese Pirate Invaded the Philippines, Part 1
Magellan established friendly relations with the treacherous King of Cebu, Humabon, who professed Christianity in order to win the help of Magellan. The great navigator was induced to undertake an expedition to conquer the neighboring island of Mactan for the Catholic faith and the King of Cebu. At the muddy island called … More The Spaniards Discovered the Philippines – Part 2
The archipelago’s recorded history began half way around the world in a small, dusty town in southwestern Spain. The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed on June 7, 1494, dividing the yet-unexplored world between Spain and Portugal. To the east of meridian 370 leagues (unit of length) west of the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic, … More The Spaniards Discovered the Philippines – Part 1
The Philippines was once a part of mainland Asia. The first sign of man in the Philippines dates back to at least 35,000 years ago. Since prehistoric times, the islands have been populated by peoples of the Malay race. Most of them lived simply in scattered villages at river mouths. Their houses were made of … More Philippines’ Early History – Human Migration
During the glacial or ice age periods, the sea level was lowered because the ice sheets were formed upon the surface of the land. The huge ice sheets contained a considerable portion of the earth’s water. Much land was formed providing land bridges between continents for human and animal migrations permitting extensive … More The Ice Age – Part 2
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