History & Culture

9 min read

Gold in early Philippine history

Archeological record of gold use in precolonial Philippines, including mining, jewelry, and currency.

8 min read

Sultan Bolkiah: Reign, Expansion and Legacy in Brunei

Sultan Bolkiah (r. 1485–1524) led Brunei's Golden Age, expanding influence across Borneo and the southern Philippines.

9 min read

1997 Asian financial crisis: Causes, Impact and Recovery

Overview of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, its causes, IMF interventions, and economic impact on Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and the...

9 min read

CONQuest Festival: History and Legacy of the Philippine Pop Culture Convention

History of the CONQuest Festival, a Philippine pop culture convention that grew from Iloilo to Manila before dissolving in 2023.

9 min read

Tradeware ceramics in the Philippines: Trade, Classification and Sociopolitical Significance

An overview of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese tradeware ceramics in the Philippines, covering classification systems, production origins, and...

9 min read

Modernist Party (Philippines): History and Electoral Performance

The Modernist Party was a defunct Philippine political party founded in 1932 by Hilario Moncado, advocating for US dominion status.

9 min read

1596 Mindanao expedition: Spanish conquest attempt and defeat

The failed 1596 Spanish military expedition to Mindanao led by Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa.

9 min read

3x3 basketball in the Philippines: History, Leagues and National Team Performance

History of 3x3 basketball (tatluhan) in the Philippines, from SBP governance to the Chooks-to-Go and PBA eras.

8 min read

Cinemanila International Film Festival: History, Awards and Programming

Founded in 1999 by Tikoy Aguiluz, the Cinemanila International Film Festival highlights Philippine and Southeast Asian cinema through compet...

10 min read

Hidayatullah I of Banjar: Third Sultan and Expansion of the Sultanate

Hidayatullah I was the third Sultan of Banjar, ruling from 1570 to 1595. He expanded territory and promoted Islam in Kalimantan.

9 min read

Hugh B. Hester: U.S. Army General and Peace Activist

Hugh B. Hester was a U.S. Army Brigadier General and decorated WWII veteran who became a prominent critic of U.S. foreign policy and advocat...

8 min read

Tahlilullah of Banjar: Sultanate History and Dual Rule

Tahlilullah, also known as Surianshah II, ruled the Sultanate of Banjar from 1663 to 1708, including a period of dual rule.

9 min read

Rizal Archaeological Site: Hominin Activity and Pleistocene Fossils in Kalinga

Archaeological site in Kalinga with 709 ka rhinoceros fossils and stone tools, pushing back Philippine hominin history.

7 min read

Emma S. Fitzhugh House: Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to the United States

Historic mansion in Washington D.C. serving as the official residence of the Philippine Ambassador to the United States since 1946.

7 min read

Squatting in the Philippines: History, Law and Urban Housing

Overview of informal settlements, housing laws, and eviction history in the Philippines.

8 min read

Philippines 2000: Socio-Economic Program and Legacy

Overview of the Philippines 2000 socio-economic program under President Fidel V. Ramos.

10 min read

Sharif Ali: Third Sultan of Brunei and Islamic Reformer

Sharif Ali (1385–1432) was the third Sultan of Brunei who strengthened Islam, built the first mosque, and established the title Darussalam.

9 min read

Sanfotsi: Historical Identity and Chinese Records of a Southeast Asian Polity

Sanfotsi was a Southeast Asian trading polity mentioned in Chinese sources from the Song dynasty. Historians debate whether it refers to Sri...

10 min read

1919 Far Eastern Championship Games

The fourth edition of the Far Eastern Championship Games, held in Manila in May 1919.

8 min read

Dayang Kalangitan: Precolonial Ruler of Pasig and Namayan

Dayang Kalangitan was a legendary female ruler of Pasig and Namayan, mother of Rajah Sulayman and Lakandula.