Philippine History During the Spanish Colonial Times

 
In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who was serving the Spanish crown,
landed in Samar Island on his voyage to circumvent the globe. He explored the islands and
named it Archipelago of San Lazaro. Magellan was killed during a rebellion led by a Datu
named Lapu Lapu in Mactan Island (adjacent to Cebu Island). Spain continued to send
expeditions to the island for financial gain and on the fourth expedition, Commander Ruy
Lopez de Villalobos, named the islands: Philippines, after Prince Philip (later King Philip II),
heir to the Spanish throne. Spain ruled the Philippines for 356 years.
 
In 1565, King Philip II appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as the first
Governor-General of the Philippines. Legazpi chose Manila to be it's
capital because of it's natural harbor. Spain's legacy was the
conversion of the people to Catholicism and the creation of the
privileged landed class. Because of abuses and suppression of the
Spaniards, a Propaganda Movement emerged with the aims for
equality between Filipinos and Spaniards. The arrest of
propagandist Dr. Jose Rizal and execution in 1896 gave fresh
momentum to Filipino rebels to fight against Spain.
 
The secret society of the Katipunan, founded by
Andres Bonifacio attacked the Spanish Garrison in San Juan with little
success, while Katipuneros in Cavite Province headed by Emilio Aguinaldo defeated the
Guardia Civil in Cavite. Aguinaldo's victories lead him to be elected as head of the
Katipunan. The factions of Bonifacio & Aguinaldo fought and lead to the trial and execution
of Bonifacio on Aguinaldo's orders. Aguinaldo later drafted a constitution and established
the Republic of Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan province. In 1897, an impasse between the Spanish
government and Aguinaldo arose. After negotiations between the two sides, Aguinaldo
accepted an amnesty from the Spaniards and US$ 800,000.00 in exchange for his exile to
Hong Kong with his government.