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 close of the 19th century marked a dramatic turning point in Philippine history. Three centuries of Spanish colonial rule were drawing to a violent end, only to be immediately followed by the arrival of a new colonial power: the United States of America. The American Period in the Philippines, spanning from 1898 to 1946,…
The history of the Pre-colonial Philippines is a rich tapestry woven from the practices, beliefs, and conflicts of diverse indigenous societies. Before the arrival of European colonizers, these islands were home to numerous communities, often organized into autonomous units known as Barangay, each led by a Datu or chieftain. Life was characterized by complex social…
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,…
The year is 1565. After decades of failed attempts following the initial contact by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, Spain finally succeeded in establishing a permanent foothold in the archipelago that would eventually become known as the Philippines. This pivotal moment in Philippines History was spearheaded by the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi, a seasoned…
The rich tapestry of Philippine history is woven with the narratives of diverse peoples, among whom are the numerous Indigenous Peoples (IPs), residing in the archipelago long before the arrival of foreign powers. These communities, with their distinct cultures, languages, and ways of life, have often been marginalized and their rights challenged throughout centuries of…
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 practice of taking heads, often viewed through a Western lens as barbaric savagery, held deep and complex significance in many Indigenous Cultures Philippines during the Pre-colonial Philippines. Far from being random acts of violence, Philippine Pre-Colonial Headhunting was intricately woven into the social, political, and spiritual fabric of the communities that practiced it. It…
Long before Spanish galleons dropped anchor on its shores in the 16th century, the archipelago that would become the Philippines was a vibrant tapestry of diverse societies, complex economies, and rich cultural traditions. The period known as Prehispanic Philippines, or Pre-Colonial Philippines, often remains shrouded in mystery for many, overshadowed by the narratives of 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…