Historians believe the Philippines dates back to the Paleolithic age.

Based on the
archeological artifacts recovered, Filipino society and culture were fairly developed prior to
contacts with other countries.

Filipinos had commercial relations early on with China, Indo-China, Malaysia, India, and the
Arab countries. Chinese silk, porcelain, jars, gold, ivory, and beads were traded for wax,
bird's nest, teakwood, rattan, pearls, precious stones, and other marine and forest
products.

Ferdinand Magellan came to the Philippines on March 16, 1521 and claimed the country for
the Spanish Crown. A colonial government was established in Manila in 1571. Spain
introduced changes in the political, social, and cultural life of the people. One of these is
Christianity. In 1896, the Filipinos staged the first nationalistic revolution in Asia against the
Spaniards.   The 1896 Revolution was the culmination of a succession of revolts against
Spanish oppression. The death by musketry of Dr. Jose Rizal, who led the reform
movement, fueled the fires of revolution.

On June 12, 1898, leaders of the revolution declared the country's sovereign state and
proclaimed the first Republic of the Philippines, the first constitutional democracy in Asia.
Meanwhile, Spain declared war against the United States over Cuba and was defeated. As
an offshoot, the Philippines was ceded to America by Spain through the Treaty of Paris.

Under American rule, agriculture, commerce, and trade developed. Among the changes they
introduced were: the modernization of transportation and communication, the improvement
of banking and currency, and a system of public education.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Japan occupied the country. In 1945, the
Americans under MacArthur liberated the country and granted it independence in 1946.

The Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed on July 4, 1946, with Manuel Roxas as
President. Massive rehabilitation and rebuilding out of the devastation brought about by the
war was started. In 1972, Martial Law was declared by then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Political repression and economic deterioration during the Martial Law Years resulted in the
historic "People Power" Revolution of February 25, 1986. This led to the proclamation of
Corazon C. Aquino as President of the Philippines.

President Aquino restored the democratic institutions in the country. A Constitution, ratified
on February 2, 1987, provided for a tripartite system: the Executive, the Legislative, and
the Judiciary. This was the type of government before Marcos declared Martial Law and
adopted a modified parliamentary government. Aquino also restored the freedoms of
speech, press, and of assembly.

On June 30, 1992, Fidel V. Ramos became the 12th President of the Philippine Republic.
President Ramos, a hero of the 1986 EDSA uprising, anchored his government on twin
themes of "people empowerment" and "global excellence" as the engines of economic
growth and social equity.

On the 100th anniversary year of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, Joseph

Ejercito Estrada became the 13th President of the Philippines.  

On 20 January 2001, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through another popular uprising called

"People Power 2", unseated then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.   The daughter of
former President Diosdado Macapagal, President Arroyo's vision of a "Strong Republic" is
governed on four pillars: poverty alleviation, good governance, new politics of party
programs and leadership by example.

https://chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph/the-philippines-history

Presidents
https://www.academia.edu/37969434/PRESIDENT_OF_THE_PHILIPPINES_docx

https://www.academia.edu/9447159/
Philippine_Presidents_Administration_Economy_Program_National_Issues_and_Transnational_Issues
 Republic of the Philippines
EULOGIO “AMANG” RODRIGUEZ
INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Nagtahan, Sampaloc, Manila

The United States of America is a nation with a rich history and a noble goal:
government of the people, by the people, for the people. Its citizens' struggle to
achieve that goal is a dramatic story stretching over hundreds of years.