The Philippines is a beautiful country composed of many islands, with a rich history and complex relationship with the United States. There are more than 4 million Filipinos in the United States according to recent Census figures.

This week Sue will take us to the Philippines to learn more about the culture and history of this impressive country and how it is developing.

Many thanks to Emeritus instructor Mary Burns for her work on this lesson.

The Republic of the Philippines is located in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. It consists of about 7,640 islands, about 2,000 of which are inhabited. The inhabited islands form an archipelago (defined as an area that contains a chain or group of islands scattered in lakes, rivers or the ocean).

The country can be divided into three main areas: Luzon (the largest, northernmost island which includes Manila), a group of islands called the Visayas (including Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar and Masbate) and Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines, found at the southern end of the archipelago.

Indigenous people to the islands were mainly from groups called Austronesians and Negritos. There are more than 100 recognized local Indigenous Austronesian languages in the Philippines (the most common is Tagalog).

Before the Philippines was colonized, the various islands were populated by competing tribes, each with their own king or queen. In 1521, the explorer Magellan claimed the islands for Spain and colonization began in 1565. Manila was established as the capital of what was then known as the Spanish East Indies.

Spanish rule brought Catholicism to the area, with missionaries establishing churches, schools, hospitals, universities and largely displacing the previously entrenched Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist faiths. Free education was introduced in 1863, but did not take off until much later.

Indigenous groups resisted the settlers. Early settlers also had to defend themselves against attacks from the Dutch and Portuguese. Free trade was introduced during the 19th century, which brought wealth to the population. We can see much evidence of Spanish control across the Philippines, particularly in the Baroque churches and the walled Intramuros district of Manila.

In 1872, three priests were executed at Bagumbayum (now Rizal Park) for sedition, which sparked a movement for political reform. Early lobbyists were executed. In 1892 this prompted the establishment of a secret society for independence known as the Katipunan. The organization gained many members, and Emilio Aguinaldo became leader. The Philippines was briefly declared independent by Aguinaldo in 1898, but this was not recognized by America, as it asserted a claim to the islands as a result of the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American war.

In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Their first president, Manuel Quezon, prepared the country for independence after a 10-year transition. However, in 1942, the islands fell under Japanese occupation and US forces fought with Filipinos during 1944-1945 to regain control.

One day following the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Philippines were also invaded by the Japanese. A mixture of local and American forces, most without combat experienced rushed to hold off the professional veterans of Imperial Japan.

Early in 1941, the western powers began to pay attention to the situation with Japan. They had begun a campaign of imperial expansion in the 1930s, and wanted to gain power over their neighbors and oust American and European influences from the region.

For the Japanese, the Philippines were important. By taking the island, the US would not have an advance base in the region. It would also provide a Japanese base for attacks on the Dutch East Indies, and secure lines of supply and communications between Japan and their conquered territories.

On December 8, 1941, around 3 am local time, the US forces in the Philippines learned that Pearl Harbor was under attack. The first concern was what to do with the American planes on the ground in the Philippines. Because they were caught unprepared, many American planes were caught and destroyed by Japanese air attacks.

On the same day, Japanese forces landed on the island of Batan. On the 12th, the landed in the south of Luzon, where many of the US troops were stationed. However, following the air strikes, the US naval forces withdrew.

On December 22, the main attack began. Luzon was invaded at 3 points, and the next day Japanese troops landed further south, overcoming the US forces.

Led by General MacArthur, the Americans began following their contingency plan, to withdraw into the Bataan Peninsula, which was actually a part of Luzon. US forces held the Japanese while troops regrouped. American and Filipino forces held open the routes of retreat, leapfrogging each other back towards the peninsula. One group would hold the line, while another retreated and set up the next defensive position. Bridges were protected until everyone was through and were then blown up to prevent the Japanese from following.

On December 30, the Japanese realized what was happening. They tried to cut off the Americans before they could complete their retreat. On January 6, the Japanese captured the Layac Junction at the neck of the peninsula; however, the Americans by this time had completed their withdrawal.

Three months of fighting followed. The Japanese were plagued by mistakes as they removed their experienced troops and replaced them with less experienced ones.

A series of victories made success by US troops possible, but they ended up trapped. Plagued with illness, lack of food and constant fighting, MacArthur was ordered to leave by President Roosevelt. He gave a speech promising he would return.

In early April, the Japanese made major breakthroughs. Most Americans and Filipinos were captured and only 300 American soldiers made it to the island of Corregidor. By May 5th, Corregidor was overcome by the Japanese and the Americans surrendered.

The Battle of the Philippines was one of America’s greatest military defeats. It was also one of the most successful acts of resistance to Japanese expansion in early war. For the survivors, though, it marked the beginning of years of misery. Thousands died in the terrible conditions on board prison ships or in forced labor camps.

On July 4, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence.

Many of us remember Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Ferdinand Marcos was elected president of the Philippines in 1965, running as a candidate of the Nationalist Party. He was reelected in 1969.

During his second term, there were many instances of civil strife and violence. In 1972, he warned of an imminent communist takeover and declared martial law. In 1973, he assumed dictatorship powers under a new constitution. He used the military to suppress subversive elements, but also arrested and jailed his mainstream political opponents. The US government applauded his anti-communist activities, but his regime was marked by misuse of foreign aid, repression and political murders.

He was married to Imelda Marcos, a beauty queen. He appointed her to important political posts. She lived an extravagant lifestyle which included a massive wardrobe complete with thousands of pairs of shoes.

In 1981, he was dubiously reelected as president, but insurgencies by communists and Muslim separatists grew. In 1983, his old political opponent Benigno Aquino, Jr., returned from exile, but was assassinated by military agents of Marcos as soon as he stepped off the plane. This political murder touched off widespread anti-Marcos protests and in 1986, he agreed to hold a new presidential election.

Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino, ran against Marcos. When the election was held, Marcos was declared victorious, but independent observers charged the regime with widespread electoral fraud. Aquino’s followers proclaimed her president, and much of the military defected to her side as massive anti-Marcos demonstrations were held. On February 26, Marcos and his wife were airlifted from the presidential palace by US helicopters and fled to Hawaii.

Substantial evidence was found which demonstrated how far the corruption extended. This included looting billions of dollars form the Philippine economy. Marcos and his wife were indicted by the US government on embezzlement charges.

Ferdinand Marcos died in 1989, and Imelda was cleared of the charges. She was allowed to return to the Philippines in 1991 and ran for president in 1992. She failed her run, and the next year she was convicted of corruption by a Philippine court. She avoided serving the 12-year sentence. In 1995, she was elected to the House of Representatives. She tried again in 1998 to run for president but failed.

To this day, she continues to fight legal challenges. In 2010, a court ordered her to pay back almost $300,000 in funds believed to have been taken from the National Food Authority during her husband’s reign. In 2016, her jewelry collection, worth $21 million, was ordered by the government to be auctioned off.

Throughout the last 30 years, the Philippines has continued to struggle for independence and to develop its economy.

In 1992, the US closed their last military bases on the island. Joseph Estrada was elected president in 1998 and later succeeded by his vice-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001 after Estrada’s impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another “people power” movement demanded his resignation. Macapagal-Arroyo was elected as a six-year term president in 2004, but her presidency was also marred by corruption allegations. She did manage to maintain financial stability following the 2008 global financial crisis.

Benigno Aquino III was elected to a six-year term in 2010, followed by Rodrigo Duterte in May of 2016.

The Philippines is considered to be a Republic. An elected president oversees the three branches of the government (legislative, executive, and judicial). The president and vice president have 6-year terms and are elected by popular vote. The president today is Bongbong Marcos, and the vice president is Sara Duterte.  They were elected in 2022 (Government, 2024).

The country currently faces threats from several groups. Manila has had a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines which resulted in a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and a separate agreement with another faction, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The Maoist-inspired New People’s Army insurgency also exists in the country. In 2017, Philippines armed forces battled an ISIS-Philippines siege in Marawi City, which led President Duterte to declare martial law in the regions. They have also faced increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The economy of the Philippines is considered an emerging market for a newly industrialized country.  In fact, it is the 14th largest economy in Asia (Economy, 2024).

The culture of the Philippines is a mixture of Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, with influences from America and other parts of Asia. The Filipinos are family oriented and often religious. They tend to have an appreciation for art, fashion, music and food.

They are also hospitable people who like to get together in groups to sing, dance and eat. They hold many festivals, which can combine costumes and rituals from their pre-Christian past with the Catholic beliefs and ideology of the present day.

 Some of the festivals that are experienced on the islands include:

Festival of the Black Nazarene: The Black Nazarene is a statue of Jesus that is believed by many to have light skin but turned dark after surviving a ship fire after arriving in the Philippines from Mexico. Every January 9, the statue is taken from its resting point for a procession. The festival begins in the morning with a Holy Mass, after which time the statue is put on a cart and brought back to its resting place, carried by maroon wearing, barefoot penitents.

Ati-Atihan: This is a week-long Mardi Gras type celebration which began in the 13th century as fair skinned Malay immigrants paid homage to the darker Ati locals who welcomed them. During Spanish rule, the event included paying tribute to Santi Niño (Jesus the child). The festival is culminated in a massive Sunday parade where bright costumed revelers with their skin painted black transport a revered icon of Santo Niño from Kaliba Cathedral to the nearby park, Pastrana Park.

Mariones Festival: Taking place during Easter Holy Week, participants dress in Roman costumes and reenact the conversion of the Centurion Longuinus who pierced the side of Jesus with his spear before being beheaded.

Christmas: The mainly Catholic Philippines have the longest Christmas season in the world, which runs from mid-December to the 1st week of January. Festivities begin with a series of Midnight Masses (known as Simbang Gabi) leading up to a Christmas Eve feast at midnight followed by Christmas Day. There are numerous pageants, caroling and decorations which symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.

Food is a big part of Filipino culture.  The cuisine is varied and delicious (but not always so healthy).  A blog website mentions some of the must-eat dishes in the Philippines.  Here are some of them:

Local Filipino restaurants:  

Has this made you hungry? Here are a few (untested) choices on local Filipino food. If you have a favorite let us know!

• Max’s Restaurant, Cuisine of the Philippines (8285 Mira Mesa Blvd., SD 92126)

• Fredcel Lumpias & Catering (3876 38th St., San Diego 92105)

• R & B Filipino Cuisine (11257 Camino Ruiz, San Diego 92126)

• Jollibee is a fast food chain, but well worth checking out. You can find them all over California and other states as well as SD (8436 Mira Mesa Blvd, SD 92126)

Armed with your understanding of Philippine history, culture and food, plan to attend the Zoom session with Sue. She will provide a look at what the Philippines have to offer as she explores the adjoining islands, the indigenous peoples you might see there, and the art and culture of this beautiful area.

Biography.com Editors. (2020, March 4). Imelda Marcos Biography. Retrieved from: https://www.biography.com/political- figure/imelda-marcos

Economy of the Philippines. (2024). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Philippines

Ferdinand Marcos inaugurated president of the Philippines. (2019, December 30). Retrieved from history.com: https://www.history.com/this-day- in-history/marcos-inaugurated

Government of the Philippines. (2024. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_the_Philippines

Knighton, A. (2017, November 17). The Empire of Japan & The Invasion of the Philippines in WW2. Retrieved from https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/invasion-japan-philippines.html

Know before you go: the Philippines. (2018, April). Retrieved from nationalgeographic.com:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/partner-content-know-before-you-go-the-philippines

Philippines- History and Culture. (2018, June). Retrieved from https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/south-and-southeast-asia/philippines/history-and-culture#:~:text=The%20culture%20of%20the%20Philippines,%2C%20fashion%2C%20music%20and%20food.

The World Factbook: Philippines. (2014, February). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/philippines/

Wheatley, N. (2020, September 11). Famous Filipino Food: 15 Must-Eat Dishes in the Philippines! Retrieved from https://wanderingwheatleys.com/best-food-to-eat-in-the-philippines/