On my recent trip to the Philippines, I paid my respects to members of the armed forces buried in the American National Cemetery in Manila. It was a moving and humbling experience. The American National Cemetery and Memorial are located in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, just outside Manila proper, within the boundaries of the former … More A Visit to the American National Cemetery in Manila
On December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal was executed by firing squad on grounds of treason by the Spaniards, which ignited the fire for the Philippine revolution against the Spanish Regime. He wrote this poem before his execution. Spanish English “Mi último adiós”original version by José Rizal Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida,Perla del mar … More My Last Farewell by Jose Rizal
On August 28, 1896, when the revolution against Spain broke out, Cavite became a bloody theater of war. Emilio Aguinaldo led the Caviteños on lightning raids on Spanish headquarters and soon liberated the entire province through the Battle of Alapan. The rivalry between Emilio Aguinaldo and Andres Bonifacio became intense after a split in revolutionary … More Cavite Province and Its History – Conclusion
The Philippine Revolution started in 1896 when a small, flamboyant general, Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964) of Kawit, came to prominence as he led the Katipuneros in taking Kawit, Binakayan, and several other settlements. His success made Cavite the focal point of the revolution. Shortly before the Katipunan was uncovered, Emilio Aguinaldo planned to attack the Spanish … More Cavite Province and Its History – Part IV
In 1869, the Spanish Cortes recognized individual freedom of expression, association, and worship, legalized civil marriage, and introduced the jury system. A wealthy liberal, Carlos Maria de la Torre, was sent to the Philippines as the new governor-general. Once installed, de la Torre banned flogging in the military, lifted restrictions on the press, public demonstrations, … More Cavite Province and Its History – Part III
Due to its military importance, Cavite had been attacked by foreigners in their quest to conquer Manila and the Philippines. In 1647, the Dutch made a surprise attack on the city, pounding the port incessantly, but were repulsed. At Sangley Point still stands the ruins of Porta Vaga Church which was destroyed during the attack. … More Cavite Province and Its History – Part II
Cavite province extends south of Manila along Manila Bay and includes Corregidor Island, and bounds the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas. The proximity of Manila provides a job and agricultural market, particularly for coastal residents. In 1954, Trece Martires City was created as a planned capital city from portions of Tanza, Indang, Naic, and … More Cavite Province and Its History – Part I
Not generally known are the historical facts that Miguel Malvar succeeded Aguinaldo as president of the Philippine Republic, the last revolutionary general to lay down his arms in the war against Spain, and the last Filipino rebel to surrender to the Americans. Malvar was born in Barrio San Miguel, Santo Tomas, Batangas, on September 27, … More General Miguel Malvar and the Philippine Revolution – Part 1
Malolos, the provincial capital of Bulacan, was a political center in the 19th century for being the seat of government for Emilio Aguinaldo’s first Philippine Republic and Asia’s first democracy. It is the leading historical site in the province of Bulacan. For four months in 1898-99, Malolos was the capital of the Republic. After the … More January 23, 1899 – Inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in Malolos
Large centers of population already thrived in Batangas before the Spaniards arrived. Native settlements lined the Pansipit River, a major waterway near Taal Lake. Batangas first came to be known as Bombon. It was named after Taal Lake, which was also originally called Bombon. Some of the earliest settlements in Batangas were established in the … More Batangas Province During The Spanish Regime
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