History & Culture

Pre-colonial history, Spanish and American eras, regional traditions, languages, and culture.

1153 articles

Articles

13 min read

Raid of Visayas: Moro Naval Campaigns of 1599 and 1600

Analysis of the 1599 and 1600 Moro raids on the Visayas, detailing fleet sizes, key battles, and Spanish colonial aftermath.

11 min read

Manor Hotel fire: 2001 Quezon City tragedy

The 2001 Manor Hotel fire in Quezon City killed 74 people, making it the second-worst structural fire in Philippine history.

14 min read

Santo Domingo Church (Quezon City): History, Architecture and National Shrine

History and architecture of Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, a National Cultural Treasure and Dominican motherhouse.

13 min read

Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa: Founder of the Srivijaya Empire

Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa was the first Maharaja of Srivijaya, establishing the empire through the Siddhayatra sacred journey and military...

14 min read

Arung Palakka: Bugis Warrior-Prince and King of Bone

Arung Palakka was a 17th-century Bugis prince who allied with the Dutch VOC to defeat the Gowa Sultanate, becoming King of Bone.

14 min read

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas: Antonio de Morga's 1609 Chronicle

Overview of Antonio de Morga's 1609 book Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, its contents, and José Rizal's 1890 annotations.

13 min read

Balmis Expedition: The First Global Smallpox Vaccination Campaign

The 1803–1806 Balmis Expedition was a Spanish healthcare mission that vaccinated hundreds of thousands against smallpox in the Americas, Phi...

12 min read

Juramentado: Moro Martyr Warriors and Asymmetric Warfare in the Philippines

The juramentado was a Moro warrior who launched premeditated suicide attacks against Spanish, American, and Japanese forces in the Sulu Arch...

8 min read

Lapiang Malaya: Religious Politics and the 1967 Massacre

History of the Lapiang Malaya, a Philippine religious-political party led by Valentin de los Santos, and the 1967 massacre.

10 min read

MegaLink: History and Evolution of the Philippine ATM Network

History of MegaLink, the Philippine ATM network founded in 1989 and later acquired by Hitachi.

12 min read

San Pablo Cathedral: History, Architecture and Heritage in Laguna

History and architecture of the San Pablo Cathedral in Laguna, Philippines, from its 1571 origins to its 2025 pipe organ installation.

12 min read

Thomas J. H. Trapnell: US General and Philippine War Veteran

Profile of US Lt. Gen. Thomas J. H. Trapnell, a veteran of the Bataan Death March and Korean War who advised against US involvement in Vietn...

12 min read

Douglas MacArthur: Military Career and Philippine Service

Overview of Douglas MacArthur's military career, his role in the Philippines, and his command in World War II and the Korean War.

9 min read

101st Field Artillery Regiment (PA): Reserve Unit and Infantry Combat in Mindanao

History of the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, a Philippine Army reserve unit that fought as infantry during the 1942 Japanese invasion of M...

12 min read

Philippine National Guard: 1917 Militia and World War I Service

The Philippine National Guard was a 1917 militia under US General John Pershing, disbanded in 1921.

13 min read

Pact of Biak-na-Bato: Terms, Exile and Unfulfilled Indemnities

The 1897 Pact of Biak-na-Bato ended the Philippine Revolution temporarily, granting Aguinaldo exile in Hong Kong and indemnities.

9 min read

United Opposition (Philippines)

The United Opposition was a defunct political party in the Philippines formed in 2005 to challenge President Arroyo.

11 min read

Karabaw Festival

The Karabaw Festival is an annual cultural celebration in the Philippines, honoring the water buffalo as a symbol of local heritage.

9 min read

Holiday economics: Policy history and implementation in the Philippines

Overview of Philippine holiday economics policy, its 2007 inception, 2011 suspension, and 2022 restoration to boost tourism.

14 min read

Sultan Saidi of Tidore: Reign, Spanish Alliance and Regional Power Struggles

Sultan Saidi ruled Tidore from 1640 to 1657, navigating complex alliances with Spain and the Dutch VOC.