Macario Sakay: Patriot or Bandit? Examining a Philippine Historical Figure Macario Sakay: Patriot or Bandit? Examining a Philippine Historical Figure By R.M.C.Ablir | sinaunangpanahon.com Introduction: Unpacking a Controversial Figure Philippine history is rich with stories of heroism, resistance, and complex figures whose legacies are debated even today. Among these, the name Macario Sakay stands out…
Tag: Philippine-American War
Philippine Tactics Against American Authority: From Revolution to Politics
The history of the Philippines is a story of resilience, resistance, and adaptation. For centuries, Filipinos faced colonial rule, first under Spain and then, starting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, under the United States. The initial response to American presence was fierce armed resistance, marked by the Philippine-American War. However, as the…
Important Figures of the First Philippine Republic: Leaders Who Shaped a Nation
The First Philippine Republic, also known as the Malolos Republic, stands as a monumental period in Philippine history. Born from the fires of the Philippine Revolution against Spain and tragically short-lived due to the Philippine-American War, it represented the Filipino people’s first attempt at establishing a truly independent and sovereign nation. While the life of…
Emilio Aguinaldo: From Revolutionary Leader to First Philippine President
The story of the Philippines’ journey from Spanish colony to an independent nation is rich with figures who dedicated their lives to freedom. Among the most prominent is Emilio Aguinaldo, a man whose path led him from the battlefields of the Philippine Revolution against Spain to the presidential seat of the nascent republic, and then through…
Apolinario Mabini: Life, Ideas, and Enduring Legacy of the Brains of the Philippine Republic
Apolinario Mabini remains one of the most significant, yet perhaps sometimes overlooked, figures in Philippine history. Often referred to as the “Brains of the Revolution” or, more accurately, the “Brains of the Republic,” his influence on the nascent First Philippine Republic was profound and far-reaching. More than just a political advisor, Mabini was a deep…
What Was the First Philippine Republic? A Simple Guide to Its History and Meaning
The First Philippine Republic holds a special place in the history of the Philippines. It was the very first time Filipinos attempted to establish a truly independent government for their nation, breaking free from centuries of foreign rule. Often called the Malolos Republic because its capital was in Malolos, Bulacan, this republic was a crucial step in…
Thomasites in the Philippines: Education as a Tool for American Governance
When the USS Thomas sailed into Manila Bay in August 1901, it carried more than just passengers; it carried the future of American influence in the Philippines in the form of over 500 American teachers. These individuals, who would come to be known as the Thomasites, were tasked with establishing and running a new public…
The Philippine Flag: Symbolism and Struggle Against American Sovereignty
The Philippine flag is more than just a piece of cloth; it is a powerful symbol of national identity, struggle, and sovereignty. Its history is deeply intertwined with the fight for independence, first against Spain, and then against the United States. During the American colonial period, displaying the Philippine flag became an act of defiance,…
The Pensionado Program in the Philippines: Did It Cultivate a Pro-American Political Elite?
The early years of the 20th century were a time of immense change for the Philippines. After more than 300 years under Spanish rule, the islands were suddenly under the control of a new foreign power: the United States. This wasn’t a smooth transition; it involved conflict during the Philippine-American War. As the fighting gradually…
Shift from Military to Civil Rule: American Colonial Philippines (1898-1902)
Introduction The period between 1898 and 1902 represents a critical juncture in Philippine history, marking the formal transition from centuries of Spanish colonial rule to the era of American control. This four-year span witnessed not only the end of the Spanish-American War and the controversial acquisition of the Philippines by the United States but also…