History & Culture

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

1197 articles

Articles

10 min read

The Irreconcilables: Filipino Insurrectionists Exiled to Guam

History of the Irreconcilables, Filipino leaders deported to Guam during the Philippine-American War for refusing U.S. allegiance.

9 min read

Friars in Spanish Philippines: Role, Influence and Frailocracy

Overview of Spanish friars in the Philippines, their role in colonization, administration, and the system known as Frailocracy.

18 min read

Francisco Ignacio Alcina: Jesuit Historian of the Visayas

Francisco Ignacio Alcina (1610–1674) was a Spanish Jesuit missionary and historian who documented Visayan culture, language, and traditions.

5 min read

The Kudan: Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan

The Kudan is the official residence of the Philippine ambassador to Japan, a National Historical Landmark in Tokyo.

10 min read

ASOP Music Festival: History, Format and Winners

The ASOP Music Festival is the Philippines' only gospel music television program, featuring songwriting competitions and annual grand finals...

13 min read

Surianshah of Banjar: Founder of the Sultanate and Islamic Conversion

Surianshah was the founder of the Kingdom of Banjar and its first sultan, ruling from 1520 to 1540.

12 min read

Manila F.A.M.E. International: History and Trade Profile

Manila FAME is a bi-annual trade show launched in 1983, organized by CITEM and recognized by the Union des Foires Internationales.

13 min read

Revenue stamps of the Philippines: History and fiscal administration

History of Philippine revenue stamps from 1856 to present, covering Spanish, US, and Republic eras.

17 min read

Patrol torpedo boat Q-112 Abra

History of Q-112 Abra, a US Army patrol torpedo boat in WWII Philippines.

8 min read

Maravijayottunggavarman: Srivijayan King and Diplomat

Maravijayottunggavarman was a Srivijaya king who reigned c. 1008–1025 CE, known for Chinese diplomacy and the Chudamani Vihara.

10 min read

Robert Bradford Fox: Anthropologist and Historian of Pre-Hispanic Philippines

Robert Bradford Fox (1918–1985) was a leading American anthropologist and historian who defined the pre-Hispanic history of the Philippines...

9 min read

Battle of Balambangan Island: 1775 Conflict between Sulu and Brunei

The 1775 Battle of Balambangan Island was a conflict between the Sulu and Bruneian Sultanates during the Apostate War.

15 min read

Rajah Colambu: First Contact and the Blood Compact of 1521

Rajah Colambu of Mazaua was the first Filipino ruler to ally with Spain, participating in the first Catholic Mass and blood compact in 1521.

10 min read

Philippine Department: US Army Command Structure and WWII History

History of the Philippine Department, a US Army organization that defended the islands and surrendered in 1942.

14 min read

Revolutionary government in the Philippines: Historical precedents and political usage

Overview of revolutionary governments in the Philippines, from the 1896 Katipunan era to the 1986 EDSA Revolution and 2017 political debates...

11 min read

Sunda plate: Tectonic structure and seismic activity in Southeast Asia

The Sunda plate is a minor tectonic plate covering Southeast Asia, moving 10 mm/yr eastward relative to Eurasia.

12 min read

Battle of Manila (1762): British Invasion and Occupation

The 1762 Battle of Manila saw British forces capture the Spanish colony during the Seven Years' War, leading to an 18-month occupation.

15 min read

Sultan Zainal Abidin of Tidore: Last Independent Ruler and Anti-Dutch Resistance

Sultan Zainal Abidin (d. 1810) was the last independent Sultan of Tidore, succeeding his brother Nuku in 1805.

12 min read

Timeline of Philippine political history

A summarized timeline of Philippine political history covering governmental transitions, major polities, and insurgency movements.

13 min read

Ancestral houses of the Philippines: Heritage, Architecture and Preservation

Overview of Philippine ancestral houses, Bahay na Bato architecture, NHCP heritage designations, and regional preservation efforts.