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Chinese and Japanese Revolts Against the Spaniards in the Philippines during the 17th century

March 22, 2020

Many foreign powers threatened the Spanish colony during the early years of settlement, mainly the Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese. The Spaniards successfully resisted Portuguese efforts to drive them from Cebu. Later the Spanish King annexed Portugal to Spain, closing Portuguese ports to the Dutch traders, who then sought new trading centers … More Chinese and Japanese Revolts Against the Spaniards in the Philippines during the 17th century

Marble in the Philippines

September 15, 2019

The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia with commercially viable marble deposits, and most of these are in Romblon, hence its description as “Marble Island” or “Marble Country”. Marble can also be found on Alad and Cobrador Islands, and at the north end of Tablas. The quarries have been worked since the … More Marble in the Philippines

Batanes Island – Its History

July 14, 2019

Batanes – Photo Credit – Pinterest by Arnel Lumanog Continuing from last week. . . The ancient inhabitants of Batanes, the native Ivatans, were divided into small pagan kinship groups inhabiting the mountains near or on the rocky natural fortresses known as ijangs. Clans were in a more or less constant state of tribal … More Batanes Island – Its History

Historic Vigan, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

April 28, 2019

Vigan, the provincial capital of Ilocos Sur in Luzon northwest region on the Mestizo River, was built by the Spaniards in 1572, their third oldest settlement on the islands after Cebu and Intramuros. Unlike Intramuros, it was never fortified. It has some of the Philippine’s best remaining Spanish colonial architecture. Before the Spanish arrived, trade … More Historic Vigan, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

A New Specie of Ancient Human Discovered in the Philippines

April 14, 2019

The landmark discovery announced in Nature on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 makes Luzon the third Southeast Asian island in the last 15 years to bear signs of ancient human activity. Homo luzonensis, a newly discovered human specie unknown to science, was found in Callao Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan in northern Philippines. The specie is … More A New Specie of Ancient Human Discovered in the Philippines

Butuan, the oldest Philippine settlement and the Balangays

March 31, 2019

Before there was Philippines, there was already Butuan, a formal settlement along the banks of Agusan River which maybe the site of the oldest human settlement in the Philippines. Being an archipelago, the Philippines from the beginning is a seafaring nation. Because of Butuan’s location, the Butuanos were skilled boat builders and expert seafarers. Being … More Butuan, the oldest Philippine settlement and the Balangays

The Coming of Islam in the Philippines

March 3, 2019

Islam was referred to as mohammedanism when I was growing up in the Philippines. There were several religious sects in the country and one of them was mohammedanism, not Islam. Mohammedans (Muslims) practiced mohammedanism. Most of the muslims lived in Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago. Spaniards called them moros because of their perceived resemblance to the … More The Coming of Islam in the Philippines

Wang Wanggao in search of Limahong

January 27, 2019

The Viceroy of Fokien, having heard of Limahong’s daring exploits, had commissioned a ship of war to discover the whereabouts of Limahong, his imperial master’s old enemy. Wang Wanggao, known in Spanish sources as Omocon, who was commissioned to capture Limahong dead or alive, arrived in Philippine waters and encountered the Spanish soldiers in Bolinao, … More Wang Wanggao in search of Limahong

Limahong’s Final Days in the Philippines

January 20, 2019

Limahong with his men constructed some boats inside the fort out of the half burnt remnants of his fleet which his men had brought into the fort at night without being detected by the Spaniards. The Chinese had made good use of the blockade also which lasted for three months by repairing the breaches on … More Limahong’s Final Days in the Philippines

Limahong Invaded the Philippines – Part III

January 6, 2019

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

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All about the Philippines – its history, its culture, and its people

Tag: Asia