Ever found yourself staring at an old photograph, maybe of fierce-eyed Katipuneros, and wondering, “Could any of them have lived to see the modern Philippines?” It’s a question that tugs at the heartstrings, a yearning to connect our present with the echoes of the Philippine Revolution. You’re not alone in this curiosity. It’s a question…
Spanish Colonial Period (1521-1898)
The Enigmatic Rise of Trinidad Lopez: More Than Just a “Toy Manufacturer”
Ever heard whispers of Trinidad Lopez? No, not the boxer, or the baseball player. This Trinidad Lopez is shrouded in more mystery than your lola’s adobo recipe. Some call him a “toy manufacturer,” but peek behind that label, and you find a tale tangled in Philippine history, ambition, and whispers of something…more. From Tondo to…
Women’s role in Malolos Congress
Ever feel invisible? Like your voice, your thoughts, your very presence just…doesn’t register? For centuries, that’s how Filipinas felt, shunted to the sidelines of their own history. Especially when it came to politics. Men made the rules, men ran the show, men held all the power. But then came 1899, a year crackling with revolution…
A Ghostly Waltz on Calle Real: A Quick Stroll Through Iloilo City’s Past
The sun beats down on Iloilo City, a humid heat clinging to my skin like a second shirt. I’m standing at the mouth of Calle Real, a street once hailed as the “Escolta of Iloilo.” Escolta, the queen of Manila, a beacon of elegance and commerce… could this dusty street before me, with its peeling…
Navigating Faith: Indigenous Beliefs and the Inquisition in Colonial Philippines
About 90% of the Philippines’ 104 million people were Christian in 2000, notes the CIA World Factbook. Most of these were Catholic. This shows how deeply Christianity has influenced the country. The Philippines’ religious story includes native beliefs mixing with those of Spanish colonialists and the Christian faith. This mix formed a rich culture where…
Beyond Zamora and Mallari: Native Filipino Priests in Spanish Colonial Times
In the stories of native Filipino priests from colonial times, one chilling tale stands out. It’s the story of Father Juan Severino Malyari. He was accused of causing 57 mysterious murders in Magalang, Pampanga over a decade in the 1800s. This event is a stark reminder of the deep and often ignored stories of indigenous…
What Are the Social Issues in the First Philippine Republic?
Just over two years, the First Philippine Republic met many social challenges. It started in 1899 during the fight against Spain and the Philippine-American War. This new republic faced problems with class differences, not enough schools for everyone, and poverty. It also dealt with health issues, unequal treatment of men and women, and attacks from…
The Burning of The 300 Macabebes
Around 300 people from Macabebe were killed by fire in their church on April 27, 1899. This sad event, called the Burning of The 300 Macabebes, marked a key time in Philippine history. It was during the struggle for Philippine independence. The Macabebes, soldiers from Macabebe in Pampanga, faced this terrible fate in the Philippine-American…
The History of the Manila Observatory
The Manila Observatory was established in 1865. It stands as one of the oldest research institutions in the Philippines. It began with the Jesuit mission and has since grown from basic weather work to a leading center for meteorology, seismology, and astronomy. Typhoon warnings started in 1879 and earthquake observations began in 1880. The Spanish…
Father Blanco: The First To Study Native Philippine Flora
There were about 1,000 plant kinds in the Philippines. Father Manuel Blanco, a Spanish botanist, recorded them all in “Flora de Filipinas.” He started this work when he got to the Philippines in 1805. Blanco was amazed by the variety of plants he saw and decided to gather details. His work became the first big…