Philippine History and Constitution

Facts and Information

1. According to Hegel, Geography sets the stage of history. An area surrounded by mountains
and other natural bodies that serves as protection from other tribes or invaders will have a
history where there are few attacks and their leaders are from their ownkind.
2. The Philippines is an archipelago with 7, 107 islands wherein 3,107 have names. It has 16
regions, 13 administrative regions, 2 autonomous regions, and the National Capital
Region.
3. Rice is the main crop of the country while USA is its top market followed by Japan, Hong
Kong, and then China.
4. Mining, Lumber, and Woodcraft are the main industries in the country.
5. Main export products include coconut oil, bananas, pineapples, sugar, and abaca.
6. The word archipelago came from the Greek pelagos which means sea or part of sea
studded with islands.
7. In claiming territorial seas, the 12 nautical mile rule is observed. For archipelagos, all
islands must first be connected with imaginary lines.
8. To avoid some conflict, another rule is applied which is called the Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ), it is 200 miles after the 12 nautical mile wherein in this area a country has
the right to harvest resources therein.
9. Several EEZ of countries overlap or meet with each other causing territorial disputes.
10. In claiming a territory there are two manners: One is the Legal Right which is based upon
legal documents, or the indications of the International Law. Second is the Historical
Rights which is based upon historical documents especially ancient maps.
11. The Filipino people came from the Austronesian Ethnic or race.
12. There are two main theories regarding the origin of Filipinos. One came from Otley Beyer,
it is called as the Wave of Migration Theory which states that natives came from other
neighboring countries, and they migrated using land bridges. While the other theory came

from Landa Jocano which proposes a single unitary system whereas it states that there
were already inhabitants in the country and they used the land bridges to go to other parts
of Asia.
13. In Creationism, it suggests that everything is created by God in which living entities are
not subject to change.
14. In Catastrophism, it suggests that the present is the key to the past for all things continue
as they were from the beginning. It tells us that the Earth has been affected in the past by
sudden, short-lived, violent events.
15. In the Evolution Theory by Charles Darwin, it suggests that Human Beings evolved from
apes which is made possible by Natural Selection in which organisms adapt to the changes
in the environment.
16. For natural selection, there are three principles that will show that it is possible. One is
the variation of species for if there is no variation, there wouldnt be any living organisms
at this point. Second is the heritability from which the offspring inherits the traits of their
parents allowing them to adapt to changes just like how their parents did. Lastly is
differential reproductive success wherein the most abundant species in the present are
the species whom perfectly survived the past changes through adaptation.
17. People are products of the interaction of biological and cultural evolution.
18. The change in culture is caused by human control and not as biological changes.
19. Before Philippines had relations with other countries, prehistoric Philippines was already
a flourishing society with a culture of its own.
20. Prehistory is the era where the system of writing has not yet been invented.
21. Prehistory is studied through archaeological findings, the common source of data, mostly
fossils.
22. There are two approach developed by F. Clark Howell in studying prehistory. One is the
Common Approach which is just to discover then reconstruct. The other one is the Multi-

Disciplinary Approach which is more precise and provides detailed picture of early life,
made possible through radiocarbon-dating.
23. Before 1962, there were two important archaeological researches conducted in the country.
First was conducted by Alfred Marches wherein he excavated in Marinduque and other
parts of Central Philippines. The second one was by Carl Guthe. He excavated in
Palawan, Bohol, and Northern Mindanao to look for Chinese ceramics which will aid in
understanding the Philippine-Chinese relation.
24. An important discovery was made by Robert Fox in Tabon Cave. He found out that there
were people who lived in those caves long ago (30,000 years) before man inhabited the
Americas.
25. In archaeology, bigger jaw lines and smaller skull caps represent man who lived in older
eras and smaller jaw lines with bigger skull caps lived in latter eras.
26. The ancient people were called Nomads. They do not have permanent habitation and
roamed places in search of food.
27. There are four core elements of a Civilization- Advancement in Agriculture, Development
of Long Distance of Trading, Specialization in Jobs/Careers, and Urbanism.
28. Along with these core elements are sub-elements- Development of Transportation,
Development of the system of writing, and formation of a government system.
29. In pre-colonial Philippines, Chinese have traded with and settled in the Philippines
thousands of years before the west.
30. Life in early Filipino settlements include Food and Agriculture, Craft and Industry, Use of
metals, and arts and music.
31. The barangay during these times is composed of 30-100 families ruled by a chieftain.
Barangays are independent from each other where trading and alliance are the only
relationships with each other.
32. Taxation in barangay is in form of tribute for the chieftain.
33. There were three social classes in the society during the pre-colonial era.

The Nobility/Maharlika is composd of the chieftain and his families.

The Freemen/Timawas whose principal duty is to follow the chieftain to war when they
are required. They are sometimes exempted in paying tribute.
Lastly are the Slaves.
The Aliping Namamahay are those who can have their own house and family and could
not be sold by their master. They build and repair houses, tools, and fences and pay tribute
by of their income.
The Aliping Saguiguilid are slaves who cant have their own properties and require
permission from their master if they want to marry. They could be sold or even killed by
their masters. Their family likewise belongs to their master. Their masters could ask them
to do any work.
34. In Judicial system laws are made orally or written. Newly created laws are announced in
the barangay by the Umalohokan.
35. One of the said oldest law is the Code of Kalantiaw which was first stated by Jose Marco
but was the proven to be a hoax by William Henry Scott where he pointed out three valid
reasons and 6 contextual mistakes in the manuscript which Marco claims as a possession
of Fr. Pavon.
36. Trials were conducted by different ordeals where the presence of the gods and goddesses
are the sole basis.
River Ordeal first one who floats declared guilty
Boiling Water Ordeal- get the stone dipped in boiling water; refusal means guilty
Candle Ordeal your flame dies out first means you are guilty
Chewing of Uncooked Rice Ordeal chew and spit it out; thickest saliva is guilty
37. In marriage, it is highly encouraged to marry someone within your own social class.
38. Aesthetic was valued most.

39. Skull molding process is used to achieve ideal shape of head. Those who achieved it is
called Tinangad while its opposite is called Ondo.
40. Tattooing is a test of manhood. Tattoos indicate wars youve won.
41. Visayan had long hair for cutting it is a sign of mourning/punishment.
42. Burial rites were called Laraw for chieftain, Maglahe for men, and Morotal for women.
43. The religion of the natives were influenced by the Hindus.
44. Chinese were merchants in the Philippines which is why every traders are called Chinese
even if they were Arabs (Chinese Enigma).
45. Islam came first before Spaniards wherein in the South of the country it was embraced for
a loving god was introduced.
46. There are three person next in line with the King of Spain namely the Gov. Gen. the
Residencia, and the Visitador.
47. The Royal Audiencia is the Judicial Power of the Government but was ablosihed due to
demand of finance.
48. Indulto de Commercio gives you permission to trade.
49. The provincial governor is called as the Alcalde Mayor. Province=Alcaldias
50. Unpacified zones were headed by military governors or Corregidores
51. Town=Pueblos led by Gobernadorcillo-town mayor voted by 13 male electors
52. Barangay is headed by Cabeza de Barangay
53. An encomienda is a parcel of land given to those loyal people who had helped in the
colonization of the country. The recipient is called encomiendero.
54. Royal Encominda Spanish crown; Ecclesiastic- friars; Private- people, govt
55. Cedula income tax; bandala compulsory of farm products
56. Polo y servicio forced labor; falla exemption fee

57. Law of indies protected natives from being abused in forced labor.
58. Governor Narciso Claveria allowed Filipino to adopt Spanish surnames
59. Mestizo child of a Filipino and a foreign on (Spaniard= Spaniard Mestizo)
60. Mestizo de Sangley Male Chinese + Native Women
61. Antillean- rectangular/ square house made of strong materils
62. Obras Pias is one of the earliest banks in the Phil.
63. Rodriguez Bank first Filipino Bank in Manila
64. Banco Espanol-Filipino first government bank
65. Puente Colgante Quezon Bridge first toll and suspension bridge
66. Puente de Espana-Jones Bridge stone bridge
67. In educational means, the Franciscans, Jesuits, and Dominicans played a great role.
68. Parochial Schools first school founded by missionaries
69. Colleges for Girls
Colegio de Santa Potenciana and Colegio de Santa Isabel
70. Colleges for Boys
Colegio de San Ignacio, Colegio de San Idelfonso, and Colegio de San Jose - Jesuits
Colegio de Santissimo Rosario (Santo Tomas), Colegio de an Juan de Letran - Dominicans
The Spanish Era
Age of Discovery
1. Prince Henry the Navigator sent
expedition to Azores
2. Portugal

began

explore the Cape of Storms

establishing

trading pst along Western Africa

3. Bartholomew
Cape of Storms

Diaz

4. Vasco de Gama was sent to

discovers

5. Christopher Columbus reaches

America which he thought was
Asia

6. Amerigo Vespucci was sent to

explore the land.

13. Duarte

7. Vicente Pinzon discovers Brazil

Barbosa

landed

in

Mindanao

8. Alfonso de Albuquerque reached

Malacca.

14. Francisco Rodriguez represents

Philippines in the map

9. Ludovico
likely

12. Francisco Serano rescued in Sulu

di Varthema

landed

in

most

Southern

15. Nunez Balboa discovers Pacific

Ocean.

Mindanao
10. Suma Oriental by Tome Pires
11. Portugese

Maps

indicate

Mindanao
Divison of the World
1. Papal Bull

3. Treaty of Tordesillas

2. Nullification

4. Treaty of Zaragoza
Magellan

1. Voyage in India

11. Moved to Limawasa

2. Rejection from King Manuel I

12. Met Raha Kolambu

3. King

13. Celebration of First mass by Fr.

Charles

accepts

Magellans idea.
4. Sailed with 5 ships( Conception,
San Antonio, Santiago, Victoria,
Trinidad) and 235 men

Pedro de Valderama
14. Enter Sugbu (Cebu)
15. Blood

Compact

with

Raha

Humabon

5. Winter in Rio de Plata

16. Conversion of Natives

6. Santiago destroyed by Hurricane

17. Baptism

7. San Antonio returned to Spain

18. Battle at Mactan

8. Landed in Isla de Ladrones

19. Trinidad return to Europe by

(Guam)

Pacific

Ocean;

Victoria

sail

9. Glimpsed of Samar

through Africa commanded by

10. Landed on Homonhon

Sebastian del Cano

20. Trinidad

was

captured

by

Portugese; Victoria successfully

27. Villalobos was freed and sailed to

Mexco but did

returned to Spain.
21. Loaysa Expedition
22. Cabot Expedition
23. Sayavedra Expedition
24. Treaty of Zaragoza
25. Villalobos in Philippines
26. Villalobos to Moluccas, captured
by the Portugese
Legazpi
1. From Mexican port with 4 ships
and 380 men
2. One got lost
3. Reached cebu

14. Datu

Macaboag

and

Datu

Madidong
15. Juan de Salcedo sailed to Talim
Island

4. Saile to Leyte to Samar

16. Salcedo reached Lubag

5. Blood compact with Datu bankaw

17. Return to Panay after raching

leyte
6. Sailed in Camiguin Island then to
Butuan Mindanao
7. Sailed to Bohol
8. Blood compact with Datu si
Katuna and si Gala
9. Sail to Cebu due to scarcity of
food
10. Return of San Pedro in Mexico
11. Chieftain Tupas went to the
montains
12. Agreement
13. Sailed to Panay

Manila Bay
18. Reported status of Manila
19. Expedition to Manila by Martin
de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo
20. Blood

Compact

with

Rajah

Matanda, Rajah Lakandula, and

Rajah Sulayman
21. Legazpi left Panay for Manila
22. Persuaded

Matanda

and

Lakandula
23. Bangkusay Battle
24. Legazpi formed new government
of the new City of Manila Nueva
Castilla

Rajah Matanda
1. Captured by Pigafettas group off
Borneo (Rajah Ache King of
Luzon)

Missionaries
1. Franciscans
2. Jesuits

2. Cordially welcomed Legazpi

3. Baptized

as

Don

3. Dominicans

Fernando

Malang Balagtas

4. Recollects
5. Benectines

4. Died
Church Leader-Gov. Gen.
Rajah Lakandula
1. Archbishop dela Cuesta
1. Baptized

as

Don

Carlos

Lacandola

2. Bishop Arrechederra
3. Bishop de Espeleta

2. Building of houses for Legazpi

4. Archbishop Rojo

and troops
3. Gave spaiards 14 pieces of
artillery

and

12

big

jars

gunpowder
Galleon Trade/ Manila-Acapulco Trade
1. Cinamon-Mexico

5. Trip

2. Manila-China
3. Unloaded

at

to

Mexico

3months

returned months
Natividad

for

distribution to Mexico and other

Spanish colonies
4. Traders in Phil. Were restricted

6. New livestock and plants were

introduced
7. Mexican bound galleons
8. Returned bound