Reading Philippine History - It was born after the Filipinos lost the war of independence
with the United States.
CHAPTER 17 – THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
AND THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN WAR
- The First Philippine Republic was the first independent
republic in Asia by Asians. It was born during a war for
independence. It lived only for two years because the
Filipinos lost the war against the United States.
- The United States wanted to make our country a colony after
Spain left.
The Malolos Congress and Malolos Constitution
- 85 Filipinos met in a revolutionary congress at Barasoain
Church, Malolos, Bulacan starting September 15, 1898.
- They were the most intelligent men in the country.
- The President of the Malolos Congress was Dr. Pedro A.
Paterno.
- The Malolos Congress approved the independence of the
Philippines. It also started the making of a new constitution
for the Philippines.
- A constitution is the basic law of a government.
- The Filipinos wanted to prove to the world that they could
run their own government without the help of foreigners.
- First Philippine Republic – was the first democratic republic
in Asia made by Asians.
- The constitution of the First Philippine Republic was also
called the “ Malolos Constitution” because it was written in
Malolos, Bulacan.
- Its real author was Felipe G. Calderon, a famous Filipino
lawyer. It was approved by the Malolos Congress on
November 29, 1898 and proclaimed by General Aguinaldo on
January 21, 1899.
The First Filipino Republic
- The First Philippine Republic was formally established on
January 23, 1899, with the inauguration of Emilio Aguinaldo
as the President of the Republic at Barasoain Church in
Malolos, Bulacan.
- Emilio Aguinaldo served as the President, and Mariano Trias
was the Vice President. The government included executive,
legislative, and judicial branches. Apolinario Mabini, known
as the "Brains of the Revolution," played a crucial role as
the Prime Minister.
- El Heraldo de la Revolution, the official newspaper of the
government.
- General Antonio Luna and other Filipinos ran an
independence newspaper called La Independencia.
- Felipe Agoncillo, he was sent to Paris and Washington and
Paris to work for recognition of Philippine Independence.
- adviser to President Aguinaldo and led Filipino forces in
Failure of the First Philippine Republic
- The first republic in Asia by Asians, live only for two years
from January 23, 1899 to March 23, 1901.
- It was inaugurated by President Aguinaldo. It ended on the
day when Aguinaldo was captured by the Americans.
-
The American Start the War
- The American started the Filipino-American war.
- The Americans pretended that the Filipino had brutally
attacked them.
- 8 PM of February 4, 1899, an American sharp shooter,
private Robert W. Grayson of Nebraska Volunteers, shot and
killed a Filipino soldier crossing San Juan Bridge.
-
The Filipino American War
- The conflict arose after the United States acquired the
Philippines from Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1898,
which concluded the Spanish-American War.
- February 5, 1899, the American navy bombarded the Filipino
positions in Manila.
- March 31, 1899, the Americans captured Malolos, which was
then the capital of the First Philippine Republic.
- Aguinaldo fled to Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and finally to the
mountains of Northern Luzon.
- Gen. Aniceto LAcson and Juan Araneta organized the
“Republic of Negros” on November 27, 1898.
- General Henry C. Lawton – famous hero of American Civil
War that was killed by Filipino troops. He was conquered by
the Filipino General Licerio Geronimo and his men.
Guerilla Warfare
- Aguinaldo and his forces transitioned to guerrilla warfare
tactics against the better-equipped and more numerous
American forces.
- The guerrilla tactics involved hit-and-run attacks,
ambushes, and other unconventional methods aimed at
countering the superior firepower of the American military.
- Comparing this to later instances of guerrilla warfare, such
as those led by Mao Zedong in China and Ho Chi Minh in
Vietnam, there are similarities in the use of unconventional
tactics to counter more powerful adversaries.
Filipino Lose the War
- Here are some notable Filipino generals during the
Philippine-American War:
- 1. Emilio Aguinaldo: Aguinaldo was the leader of the
Philippine revolutionary forces and played a significant role
in the early stages of the war.
- 2. Antonio Luna: Luna was a Filipino general known for his
military skills and discipline. He served as the chief military
several battles. His most notable engagement was the
Battle of San Juan del Monte in 1899. But was killed by the
president guards.

- 3. Gregorio del Pillar , was a young general who became
famous for his bravery and leadership. He played a key role
in the Battle of Tirad Pass in December 1899, where he and
a small contingent of Filipino soldiers fought against
overwhelming odds against the Americans.
- 4. Artemio Ricarte: Known as the "Father of the Philippine
Army," Ricarte was a veteran of the Philippine Revolution
against Spanish rule.
- 5. Vicente Lukban: was a general who fought against
American forces in the southern part of the Philippines.
- 6. Miguel Malvar, the last Filipino General who surrendered
to the Americans to the United States.
******* Juanario Galut - traitor. as he was ordering his men to fight on.
experienced discrimination from his own countrymen, prompting him
to switch to the American side.
The Capture of Aguinaldo
- Aguinaldo had been leading the Filipino forces in their
struggle for independence against American colonial rule.
The capture took place on March 23, 1901, in Palanan, a
remote area in the northern part of Luzon.
- General Frederick Funston, a U.S. Army officer, devised a
plan to capture Aguinaldo. He and a small group of American
soldiers, along with some Macabebe scouts (85 Filipino
soldiers loyal to the Americans), undertook a daring mission
to infiltrate enemy territory and reach Aguinaldo's hideout.
- Funston and his men pretended to be prisoners of war. They
were able to get close to Aguinaldo without arousing
suspicion. When the opportunity presented itself, Funston
and his team surprised Aguinaldo and his guards,
successfully capturing the Filipino leader.
CHAPTER 18 THE IMPACT OF COLONIAL RULE TO THE
FILIPINOS
- The first government established by America in the
Philippines was Military Government.
- Military government – means the government established
by a military commander in conquered territory to
administer the military law declared under military
authority applicable to all persons in the conquered
territory and superseding any incompatible local law.
- It took effect on August 13, 1998 some few days after the
Mock Battle of Manila.
- The Military Governor was the absolute ruler in the
Philippines who exercise executive, judiciary and
legislative powers.
- President McKinley appointed General Wesley Merritt as the
first military governor.
- General Elwell Otis succeeded in the lasted 1898.
- General Arthur Macarthur was the third military governor
who served from 1900 to 1901.
- General Adna Chaffee was the final military governor. The
position of military governor was abolished in July 1902,
after which the civilian office Governor-General became the
sole executive authority in the Philippines.
- During the military government Cayetano Arellano was
appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme court.
- First election under American flag by Gen. Henry W. Lawton
in Baliuag, Bulacan,on May 7, 1899
- American Soldiers- they are the first teachers of the
Filipinos children and taught them how to speak and read
English.
- Thomasites were a group of 600 American teachers who
traveled from the United States to the newly occupied
territory of the Philippines on the U.S. Army Transport
Thomas.
- Benevolent Assimilation – US President McKinley issued
this, this was the first official indication of the total exercise
of American Sovereignty in the Philippines.
- Schurman Commission – Sent by President McKinley to
make study on the conditions of the Philippines.
- The most significant recommendation is to
1. Abolished the military government ; and
2. recommended the opening of the public elementary
school.
- The Army Appropriations Act of 1901 was a significant piece
of legislation that authorized funding for the U.S. Army.
- Spooner Amendment, It removed from the President of the
United States the final authority to govern the Philippines. It
sponsored by Senator John Spooner of Wisconsin.
- The Taft Commission, officially known as the Second
Philippine Commission, was a body appointed by U.S.
President William McKinley in 1900 to establish civil
government in the Philippines after the Spanish-American
War and the subsequent Treaty of Paris in 1898, which ceded
the Philippines to the United States.
- The main objectives of the Taft Commission were to institute
reforms, set up a civil government, and prepare the
Philippines for eventual self-governance.
-
The Civil Government
- The Taft Commission, led by William Howard Taft, arrived in
the Philippines in 1900.
 - Its primary objective was to replace the military
administration with a civilian government and prepare the
Philippines for self-governance.
- The Civil Government was inaugurated in Manila on July 4,
1901.
- Judge William Howard Taft – was appointed as the first civil
governor.
- Taft’s policy of “The Philippines for the Filipinos” won
sufficient and popular support.
- Taft paid the Vatican US$ 7.2M as payment for most of the
lands held by religious orders.
- Filipino participations in the government was fully granted
when Taft proposed for the establishment of the legislative
body.
Cooper Act Law
- The full name of the act is the "Philippine Organic Act of
1902," and it was sponsored by Representative Henry A.
Cooper. The act served as the first organic law for the
Philippines under American rule and established a civil
government in the archipelago. It was part of the broader
process of transitioning the Philippines from a military
government to civilian rule.
- It give legal sanction for the establishment of the National
Bicameral legislature and appointment of Filipino resident
commissioner in Washington.
- It also put in effect of the separation of the Church and State
and abolished the declaring the Roman Catholism as the
official religion of the state.
- independence to the Philippines.
Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt
- When Francis Burton Harrison was appointed as governor
general it brought rapid changes in the Philippines
particularly the sincerity of colonial government to prepare
the country to self-rule.
Clamor for Philippine Independence
- The Jones Law, officially known as the "Philippine Autonomy
Act of 1916," was another important piece of legislation that
shaped the governance of the Philippines during the period
of American colonization.
- It was sponsored by Congressman William Atkinson Jones
and enacted on August 29, 1916.
- The law give assurance to the Filipinos people of their
independence as soon as stable government would be
established in the Philippines.
Philippine Independence Mission
- A huge delegation was sent to Washington led by Senate
president Manuel L. Quezon and Senator Rafael Palma to
convince the members of the Democrat party in Congress.
Os-Rox Mission
- In 1931, the Os-Rox Mission (which stands for “Osmeña and
Roxas”) successfully lobbied for the enactment of the Hare-
Hawes-Cutting Act, which was passed over President
Herbert Hoover’s veto in 1932.
- Hare-Hawes- Cutting was authored by;
1. Butler Hare
2. Harry Hawes
3. Bronson Cutting.
- The bill provided for the ten year transition period for the
existence of Philippine Government known as the
‘Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands’.
- The Philippine Legislature during that time was in limbo
whether to adopt the law or not.
- These are the main content on the rejection of the bill
1. Trade location of two countries are disadvantageous to
the Philippines.
2. Restriction of Filipino Immigration to America was
objectionable and offensive.
3. The power of the American High Commissioner was to
indefinite; and
4. Retention of the Military and naval reservation of
America in the Philippines.
Tydings-McDuffie law
- The Tydings-McDuffie Act, officially known as the Philippine
Independence Act, was a U.S. federal law enacted on March
24, 1934. This law paved the way for the granting of
- Quezon fought for passage of the Tydings–McDuffie Act
(1934), which provided for full independence for the
Philippines 10 years after the creation of a constitution and
the establishment of a Commonwealth government that
would be the forerunner of an independent republic.
- The Tydings-McDuffie law enumerated the steps that led to
the Philippine independence, as follows:
1. The acceptance of the law;
2. The creation of a Constitutional Convention not later
than October 1, 1934 for the purpose of drafting the
Constitution of the Philippines:
3. The submission of the Constitution to the President of
the United States of America within two years;
4. The ratification of the Constitution through a plebiscite
within two months after the approval of the President
of America;
5. The election of Commonwealth officials not later than
six months after the plebiscite;
6. The proclamation of the result of the election and the
inauguration of the Commonwealth Government;
7. The proclamation of Philippine Independence on the
4th of July following conditions in the tenth year
inauguration of the Philippine Government. (Sources:
Concepcion and Vicera 2011 and Dili et.al
 2013)
The Commonwealth Government
- The Commonwealth of the Philippines was a transitional
government that existed in the period between the
establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935 and
the country's eventual independence in 1946.
- The Commonwealth government was established through
the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which was passed by the United
States Congress in 1934. This act provided for the
establishment of a ten-year transitional period during
which the Philippines would be prepared for full self-
government.
- The Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated on
November 15, 1935, with Manuel L. Quezon as its first
President.
- Two Adviser of Manuel L. Quezon
1. Governor General Francis Harrison
2. General Douglas MacArthur
- Executive Branch: The head of the Commonwealth
government was the President. Manuel L. Quezon served as
the first President, followed by Jose P. Laurel during the
Japanese occupation, and then Sergio Osmena. The
President served as both the head of state and government.
- Legislative Branch: The Commonwealth had a bicameral
legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of
Representatives. The legislature was responsible for
passing laws and making policy decisions.
- Judicial Branch: The judiciary operated independently, with
the Supreme Court serving as the highest court in the land.
The judicial system followed the American legal tradition.
Quezon exercising his executive power was able to “
Filipinized”
- Minimum Wage Act and passage of the 8 hour Labor Act.
- Tenancy Act – legal contract between the landlord and
tenants.
- Public Defenders Act – enacted to provide legal services to
the workers.
- Public Education System during President Quezon:
1. Educational Filipinization Program: - The Educational
Filipinization Program aimed to replace English with
Filipino as the medium of instruction in schools.
2. Technical and Vocational Education Program-
Recognizing the importance of technical and
vocational skills in the nation's development,
President Quezon's government introduced programs
to enhance technical and vocational education.
3. Character Education Offering- Character education
was integrated into the curriculum to instill values,
ethics, and good citizenship among students.
4. Establishment of Free and Compulsory Primary
Education - The Quezon administration worked
towards making primary education free and
compulsory.
American Influences to the Filipinos
1. Democracy: The United States introduced democratic
principles to the Philippines during its colonial rule. The
establishment of a democratic form of government laid the
foundation for the development of democratic institutions in
the country.
2. Education: The American colonial government implemented
major educational reforms, including the introduction of a
public school system. English became the medium of
instruction, and the educational system was modeled after
the American system.
3. Health: The American colonial government implemented
public health measures, including sanitation programs and
the establishment of health institutions.
4. Transportation and Communication: The Americans
introduced modern transportation infrastructure, such as
roads and bridges, which facilitated economic development
and connectivity. They also established a reliable postal
system and telecommunication networks, laying the
groundwork for improved communication in the
archipelago.
5. Freedom of Religion: The United States, with its strong
emphasis on religious freedom, influenced the Philippines
in fostering a diverse and tolerant society. The Philippines
is predominantly Catholic, but it is known for its religious
pluralism, with various faiths coexisting peacefully.
6. Language: English became a significant language in the
Philippines, not only in education but also in government,
business, and media. It remains an official language, and
proficiency in English is often seen as an asset in various
sectors.
7. Literature: American influence is evident in Philippine
literature, with the introduction of English as a literary
medium. Filipino writers began expressing their ideas and
stories in English, creating a distinct body of literature that
reflects both American and Filipino influences.
Chapter 19 FILIPINOS UNDER JAPANESE OCCUPATION
- World War II (1939-1945) was a global conflict that involved
the majority of the world's nations, including all of the great
powers, organized into two opposing alliances: the Allies
and the Axis. The war is generally considered to have
started on September 1, 1939, when Germany, led by Adolf
Hitler, invaded Poland
- Here are some key points and events from World War II:
Axis Powers and Allies:
1. Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the
major Axis powers. Other nations joined the Axis at
various points during the war.
2. Allies: The major Allied powers included the United
States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and
China. Many other nations, including France, Canada,
Australia, and others, joined the Allies during the
course of the war.
- Philippines and the United States was annoyed by the
Japanese military aggression to different countries like
China and other Southeast Asian countries and abruptly
made preparations in anticipation of possible invasion.
United States Army Forces in the Far East ( USAFFE).
- It created on July 26, 1941, consisted of about 100,000
Filipinos and 20,000 American soldiers. Their main task was
to perform a delaying action on the mouth of Manila Bay.
- To prevent Japan from increasing her military capability,
the American government ordered its banks freeze
Japanese assets in the United States.
War in the Pacific
- On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on
the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the
United States' entry into World War II.
- camps ( Camps O’ Donnel Capas, Tarlac).
Japanese Invasion in the Philippines
- On December 8, 1941 (December 7 in the United States due
to the time difference), just hours after the attack on Pearl
Harbor, Japanese forces attacked the Philippines. The
invasion marked the beginning of the Philippines
Campaign.
- On December 8, 1941, Japanese Imperial Air forces bombed
Davao, Tuguegarao, Iba, Tarlac and attack Pampanga while
on the following days bombed Manila the Capital city.
- The Americans could do nothing to stop the invasion in the
islands’ and Manila was then declared an open city to avoid
further destruction.
- The main island of Luzon was the primary target for the
Japanese invasion. The battle for Luzon lasted from
December 1941 to May 1942. The American and Filipino
defenders, commanded by General Douglas MacArthur,
fought valiantly but were eventually overwhelmed.
- Filipino and Americans forces retreat to Bataan waiting for
the promised reinforcement from America that failed to
materialize.
- President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice President Osmeña and
the members of the cabinet evacuated to Corregidor Island.
- General MacArthur “ I shall return”, he invited the Philippine
President to evacuate to Australia . From Australia they
later traveled to the United States to establish the
Philippine Government in exile.
The Fall of Bataan
- The Battle of Bataan began in January 1942, as Filipino and
American troops tried to resist the Japanese advance on the
Bataan Peninsula.
- General Masaharu Homma commander in chief of the
Japanese imperial army, ordered the bombardment of
Corregidor.
- When Manila was abandoned by the USAFFE, mayor Jorge
Vargas cautioned the people not to offer any resistance to
avoid more destruction and on January 2, 1942 the Japanese
entered Manila.
- General Jonathan Wainwright succeeded MacArthur as
Commander of Fil-American forces in the Philippines.
- General Edward P. King, an American commander of the
Bataan forces, surrendered in order to stop the further
killing of unarmed Filipino and American forces.
- This is marked the fall of the Bataan which occurred on April
9, 1942. \
-
The Death March
- After the surrender, the Japanese subjected the captured
soldiers to a brutal forced march known as the Bataan
Death March.
- Tens of thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war
were forced to march approximately 65 miles to prison
- Many died from exhaustion, starvation, and brutality along
the way.
- 200 Americans and 19, 000 Filipinos died.
-
HUKBALAHAP
- The Hukbalahap, short for Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon
(People's Army Against the Japanese), was a communist-led
guerrilla group in the Philippines that fought against
Japanese occupation during World War II.
- The Hukbalahap was initially formed as a response to the
Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1942.
- Luis Taruc was born on June 21, 1913, in San Luis, Pampanga,
Philippines. He became a prominent figure in the
Hukbalahap movement and played a key role in leading the
resistance against the Japanese occupation during World
War II. After the war, the Hukbalahap continued their
struggle, this time against the Philippine government. The
 movement was rooted in agrarian issues and the call for
land reform. - The Philippine Commonwealth was re-established in the
- capital city. On February 27, 1945.
The Puppet Government - General Doughlas MacArthur turned over the city to
- The term "Puppet Government" generally refers to a President Sergio Osmeña and on July 4, 1945 MacArthur
government that is controlled by an external power, often declared the Philippine liberation.
against the will of the local population. - World War 2 came to an end on August 15, 1945 after series
- The Japanese established Martial Law all over the country. of Atomic bombed drop in the city of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
- The Japanese also proclaimed that their aim in invading the in Japan prompted Emperor Hirohito to surrender to
island was to save the Filipinos from the bondage of America unconditionally.
American Imperialism and make Philippine as part of the “ - Manuel A. Roxas and Elpedio Quirino took their oath as
Greater East- Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”. president and vice-president respectively.
- Mickey Mouse Money – Filipinos called this money by - Bell Trade Relations Act –help to rebuild the Philippine
Japanese because nobody really wanted it. economy and their on relationship between Philippines and
- On December 30, 1941, the Japanese Military Administration the United States are becoming intimate in the field of
was created. security, economics and political by nature.
- The Executive Committee was manned by pro-Japanese
supporters headed by Jorge B. Vargas with 6 Commissioners
namely:
1. Benigno Aquino Sr – Commission of interior.
2. Antonio de las Alas – Finance
3. Jose P. Laurel – Justice
4. Rafael Alunan – Agriculture and Commerce
5. Claro M. Recto – Education, health and public welfare
6. Quintin Paredes – Public works and communication
- Jose Yulo – Chief Justice
- KALIBAPI ( Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas) –
political parties formed in the time of Japanese Regime.
- Jose P. Laurel was a Filipino politician and judge who served
as the President of the Japanese-sponsored government in
the Philippines during World War II. His presidency is often
characterized as being part of a "puppet government" due
to its association with Japanese occupation.
-
The Philippine Liberation
- The liberation of the Philippines began with the Allied
forces, primarily led by the United States, launching a series
of military campaigns to retake the islands from Japanese
control. General Douglas MacArthur, who had been forced to
retreat from the Philippines in 1942, famously vowed to
return, and he did so in October 1944 when the U.S. forces
landed on Leyte Island.

- The Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in

history, took place in October 1944 and was a crucial turning
point in the liberation of the Philippines. The Allied forces,
which included American, Australian, and Filipino troops,
achieved a decisive victory, gaining control of Leyte and
providing a base for further operations.

- Kamikaze – or suicide attacks used by Japanese as

strategy.
- General Tomoyuki Yamashita – controlled the hinterlands of
Luzon.