Nestled on the southeastern coast of the island of Negros, Dumaguete City stands as a vibrant testament to centuries of intertwined histories. Known affectionately as the “City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete is more than just a picturesque coastal city; it is a repository of fascinating narratives that chronicle its evolution from an early settlement to…
Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park, a towering massif in the heart of Mindanao, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary biological richness. Often celebrated for its unique biodiversity Mount Kitanglad harbors, it serves as a critical refuge for countless species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. However, understanding the ecological significance…
The concept of land and its relationship to people holds deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance across the globe. In the Philippines, this relationship is particularly complex, marked by layers of history, colonization, and the persistent assertion of identity by its original inhabitants. Central to this narrative are the Philippine Ancestral Domains, territories traditionally owned,…
Nestled in the heart of Cebu, one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the Philippines, stands an institution often cited as the oldest university in Asia: the University of San Carlos (USC). More than just a center of learning, USC is a living chronicle of Philippine history, its existence interwoven with the…
The Gran Cordillera Central is the largest mountain range in the Philippines, spanning the entirety of the Cordillera Administrative Region in Northern Luzon and parts of neighboring provinces. More than just a geographical feature, this rugged, imposing landscape has profoundly shaped Philippine History, serving for centuries as a bastion of resistance against colonial powers and…
The Moro People represent a diverse group of indigenous Muslim ethnolinguistic groups in the southern Philippines, primarily inhabiting Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago, and Palawan. Their history is a tapestry woven with threads of thriving pre-colonial societies, the enduring arrival and deep roots of Islam in the Philippines, centuries of resistance against foreign invaders, internal dynamics,…
The story of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is inextricably woven into the tapestry of Philippine history. As the oldest existing university in Asia, its nearly four centuries of existence parallel the shaping of the Filipino nation, from the Spanish Colonial Philippines to the modern republic. More than just an educational institution, UST has…
Before the arrival of European colonizers and the imposition of foreign monetary systems, the islands that would become the Philippines were already vibrant centers of trade and economic activity. This bustling pre-colonial era was underpinned by sophisticated forms of exchange, chief among them the fascinating and diminutive gold pieces known as Piloncitos. These small, cone-shaped…
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) stands as the primary government agency in the Philippines dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and research of Philippine history. It is a vital custodian of the nation’s memory, tasked with ensuring that the rich and complex tapestry of the past is remembered, understood, and honored by present…
The tapestry of Philippine history is woven with threads of diverse cultures and languages, each telling a unique story of the archipelago’s past and present. Among these vibrant threads is the Yakan language, spoken by the Yakan people, primarily residing in the province of Basilan and parts of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. More than…