Philippine History
The Philippine Islands
became a Spanish colony
during the 16th century;
they were ceded to the US
in 1898 following the
Spanish-American War. In
1935 the Philippines
became a self-governing
commonwealth. Manuel
QUEZON was elected
President and was tasked
with preparing the country
for independence after a
10-year transition. In 1942
the islands fell under
Japanese occupation during    
WWII, and US forces and       
Filipinos fought together          
during 1944-45 to regain         
control. On 4 July 1946 the     
Philippines attained their         
independence. The 21-year
rule of Ferdinand MARCOS
ended in 1986, when a
widespread popular
rebellion forced him into
exile and installed Corazon
AQUINO as president. Her
presidency was hampered
by several coup attempts,
which prevented a return to
full political stability and
economic development.
Fidel RAMOS was elected
president in 1992 and his
administration was marked
by greater stability and
progress on economic
reforms. In 1992, the US
closed its last military
bases on the islands.
Joseph ESTRADA was
elected president in 1998,
but was succeeded by his
vice-president, Gloria
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in
January 2001 after
Estrada's stormy
impeachment trial on
corruption charges broke
down and widespread
demonstrations led to his
ouster.
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
was elected to a six-year
term in May 2004. The
Philippine Government
faces threats from armed
communist insurgencies
and from Muslim separtists
in the south.
Philippine archipelago is made up of
7,107 islands; favorably located in relation
to many of Southeast Asia's main water
bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine
Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon
Strait
            The Philippine Hymn
         "Lupang Hinirang"

                     Bayang magiliw
               Perlas ng Silanganan,
                     Alab ng puso,
              Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.

                 Lupang Hinirang,
              Duyan ka ng magiting,
                   Sa manlulupig,
                    Di ka pasisiil.

              Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
               May dilag ang tula
    At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
      Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y
    Tagumpay na nagniningning,
          Ang bituin at araw niya
     Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta,
     Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi
   Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.
Each part of the Philippine flag has a specific meaning as follows:

The blue field stands for common unity and the noble desires of the Filipino people.
The white triangle with equal sides of the flag is symbolic of equality among men.
The white field stands for purity.
The sun stands for the gigantic strides that have been made by the Sons of the land on the road to progress and
civilization.
The eight rays of the sun in the triangle represent the first eight united provinces that revolted for independence -
Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac.
The three stars in the triangle stand for the three major geographical divisions of the country which are Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao.
The red field symbolizes the eagerness of the Filipino people to shed blood in defense for their country