PHS AP CLUB

06/04/2025

April 5, 1951, Gloria Diaz was born Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz in Manila. Her rise to fame began at the tender age of 18 when she captured the prestigious title of Miss Universe 1969, marking her as the first Filipino to ever win the crown.

06/04/2025

On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war against Germany, formally entering the First World War, also known as the Great War. In extension for being an American territory, the Philippines also joined the war. Even before the declaration of war, however, the Philippines had already anticipated this wartime footing.

On March 17, 1917, the Philippine legislature passed Act No. 2715, creating the militia that would become known as the Philippine National Guard (PNG). The militia shall consist, first, of every able-bodied male citizen of the Philippines who is more than eighteen and not more than forty-five years of age, except as hereinafter provided, and second, of American citizens who may be enrolled or appointed in the National Guard. Patterned after the US National Guard, Filipino leaders at the time did not envision it to be a purely anti-German force, considering the reputation of the German community in the Philippines. However, it was seen more as an act of loyalty to the United States, and in the long term, additional evidence of the capacity of the Philippines to achieve sovereignty as a nation.

The target of 15,000 was immediately exceeded, as 25,000 Filipinos enlisted for the Philippine National Guard. The US Army in the Philippines was just as enthusiastic, providing 24,000 extra rifles for the PNG, and advocating for the United States government to accept the offer of the newly organized militia. An Aero Squadron was created with Filipinos having the opportunity to fly military planes. Their first major public appearance was held on July 4, coinciding with Independence Day in the US.

All was not well, however, as both internal and external issues riddled the National Guard. Some warned that they will be sent to Europe immediately, when in fact, none of them served in Europe until the war ended. Even the proposal to send them to Hawaii did not seem to prosper. The pledged rifles for the Guard were reportedly sent back to the United States. And while the US would eventually pass the Philippine National Guard Act on January 19, 1918, it allowed for only 14,000 soldiers to be financed, nearly half of those who enlisted.

The federalization of the Guard was another matter. There were concerns that it might attract unnecessary conflict, especially among other services such as the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine Constabulary. Some who did not like the prospect of waiting for the Guard to take the field enlisted in the US Army instead. Others lamented the hierarchy in the militia, which saw Filipino officers disallowed to be appointed to a rank higher than a major. The only exception was Lieutenant Colonel Vicente Barros, a West Point graduate. As of September 1918, the Guard reported to be only at 38 percent of full strength, as the initial enthusiasm to join the Guard evidently waned.

When physical mobilization began in October 1918 at the camp named after the first Filipino casualty of the war, Tomas Mateo Claudio, the influenza (flu) penetrated their defenses. Some 650 cases were reported as of November, resulting in hygiene drills to be done as they did military drills. Mobilization was declared complete by November 11, 1918, but by then, the First World War was already over. Nonetheless, the formal federalization of the Guard pushed through, with a final parade made on November 14. Marching at Luneta with oversized uniforms and incompatible equipment, it did not inspire as much as it did a year prior. Only a third of the Guard, 5,317 in all, decided to stay after the training period.

Learn more about the National Guard and the contributions of the Philippines to the war: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2013/01/philippines-and-great-war.html

05/04/2025

On April 4, 1639, a 550-strong Spanish expedition under Captain Francisco Atienza, the governor of Caraga, reached Maranao territory in attempts to put their datus under control. By this time, Sultan Kudarat was consolidating his power among the Maranao datus, who he had been with since his great defeat against the Spanish two years earlier.

Seeing how the Maranao had come together against Spain, mustering as many as 6,000 warriors, an additional force of 570 troops under Major Pedro Fernandez del Rio and 550 troops under Captain Pedro Bermudez de Castro had reinforced Atienza from Visayas. However, the Spanish campaign ended badly. Despite being able to establish themselves in Sabanilla (now part of Lanao del Sur), they were unable to expand their influence, and the Spanish blamed Kudarat for their reverses.

Since at least 1609, Kudarat and his father Kapitan Laut Buisan had been at peace with Spain. The Spanish even helped Kudarat in resolving internal conflict after Buisan's death, particularly with Buayan and Sarangani, among others. When the Spanish began to build what would become Fort Pilar in Zamboanga, however, Kudarat saw this as a threat to his realm. He regarded many of the datus in Zamboanga under his influence, as he once claimed in a 1628 conference with the Dutch that he controlled all of Zamboanga with the exception of Dapitan, a Christian settlement.

Thus, Kudarat authorized his admiral Tagal and some 300 warriors to attack the Zamboanga fort in 1636, only to be defeated by the Spanish. With this, the Spanish saw the necessity to check the power of Maguindanao, as well as that of their ally Sulu, if they could hope in establishing Spain's sovereignty over Mindanao. On March 13, 1637, Spanish Governor General Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera personally led the military campaign against Maguindanao. Starting with some 800 troops, Corcuera succeeded in taking Lamitan, the capital of Maguindanao Sultan Kudarat (Qudarat, Guserat, Corralat), and destroying the Maguindanao fleet of at least 100 vessels, including five to six "large ships" from Java.

Corcuera's offensive against Lamitan, however, made him realize that Kudarat did not mean to fight in the capital. The sultan had already retreated inland with 2,000 troops to three strong forts in Ilihan, where Kudarat had his 35 cannons prepared. It was said that Kudarat had advance information from his allies in Basilan about the offensive. After waiting for reinforcements, Corcuera went on to pursue Kudarat on March 17. In the ensuing battle, which saw both sides using muskets and arquebuses, Kudarat was supposedly wounded and had to be taken away from the fighting, while a grandson of his was killed in action. One account even said that Kudarat was covered in mud to avoid detection. It would later be revealed that the Spanish had their own Muslim spy named Sosocan (Susukan) giving their valuable information.

The victorious Corcuera would leave for Zamboanga, and then for Manila, by March 24, 1637, but not before recognizing Buayan's Datu Maputi as the "paramount ruler" of Mindanao - a calculated move to pit one Muslim ruler against the other. Corcuera's predecessor Pedro de Acuña also made a similar political recognition with Maputi's own predecessor, Rajah Sirungan (Sirongan). In 1638, Corcuera would return, this time to campaign against Sulu. As for Kudarat, he recuperated in Iranun territory, which datus still recognized his leadership. The defeated Kudarat, seeking to recover his lost power, would later find allies among the Maranao, and build a force of 6,000. Meanwhile, the Spanish placed a bounty on the sultan's head: that is, 2,000 pesos if brought dead, and 4,000 pesos if brought alive.

Corcuera's focus in conquering Mindanao, however, caused the Spanish government to neglect their territories in Taiwan (Isla Hermosa in Spanish). The governor general ordered the withdrawal of Spanish forces in Taiwan, leaving a core of 20 Spanish officers and 200 Filipino soldiers in Fort San Domingo. The price to pay for his success in Mindanao.

When the Dutch learned from their Chinese allies of the weakened Spanish position, they successfully invaded the northern portion occupied by the Spanish (including what is now Taipei) with 369 troops in 1642. The combined Filipino and Spanish forces did put up a fight, wherein they even managed to sink an enemy ship, but they were unable to sustain their defense. As for Corcuera, he was later put to trial, and despite the fiscal logic of his actions, he was declared guilty in 1645. He was imprisoned, and charged a penalty of 827,007 pesos, presumably the cost of Taiwan's loss from the Philippines. Learn more about Sultan Kudarat and his reign over Maguindanao: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2020/07/kudarat.html

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04/04/2025

On April 3, 1942, the Japanese offensive under General Masaharu Homma (本間 雅晴) resumed in Bataan against Filipino and American lines. For Christians, it was Good Friday, but for the Japanese, it was a date of remembrance for the founding ruler of Japan, Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇). For the past few weeks, the Japanese received a steady stream of reinforcements, including air support, some freed from finished campaigns in other areas.

Meanwhile, the combined Filipino and American forces under General Jonathan Wainwright had been left surviving on a fraction of their initial rations, fighting not only the Japanese, but also starvation and disease. Their commander, General Douglas MacArthur, had already been spirited away from the Philippines earlier in March, insisting that he would not leave until the lines have stabilized.

The Japanese had successfully penetrated through enemy lines in the first three days of renewed fighting, but the counterattack has been decided by American commanders. Sending most of their reserves, mainly from the Philippine Division, the counterattack collapsed out of its own disorganization. Taking advantage of the disintegration of Filipino and American forces, the Japanese seized the initiative, capturing the Mount Samat area while dividing the Allied troops. The battle which Homma expected to last a month was virtually won by the end of April 7, 1942.

Without new orders from Washington, Wainwright decided to follow the previous instructions left to him by MacArthur to seize Olongapo. Ordering an attack against Olongapo, however, was next to impossible at this juncture. General Edward King, who was leading on the ground, knew better and refused to transmit the orders to the concerned units. To recall, King commanded the I Corps.

Wainwright at this time may have been quite convinced of King's inclinations to surrender, but he believed he lacked the authority to allow it without new orders from Washington. King, meanwhile, began to discuss with the Japanese without informing Wainwright, anticipating that the general might assume responsibility for the imminent surrender.

The Japanese, however, would not accept anything less than the total surrender of all forces in the Philippines, something they believed Wainwright was authorized to do. A breakthrough was reached when King agreed to an "unconditional" surrender. With some 78,000 troops surrendering, it represented what was regarded as the largest in United States history.

The legendary resistance at Bataan, which lasted until April 9, 1942, apparently did not derail Japanese plans elsewhere. The following areas came under Japanese control before Bataan was over: Thailand (December 9, 1941), Hong Kong (December 25, 1941), British Malaya and Singapore (February 15, 1942), Dutch East Indies (March 9, 1942). As early as February 19, Australia was hit with Japanese air raids. Still, the defense of the Philippines grew in popular consciousness, solidifying not only views on the American legacy, but also on Filipino resilience. The battle was made the theme of subsequent adaptations such as Bataan (1943), So Proudly We Hail! (1943), Cry 'Havoc' (1943), and Back to Bataan (1945).

Meanwhile, the aftermath of the battle saw the horrifying "Bataan Death March," which forced thousands of prisoners of war to travel to Capas, Tarlac by foot. Casualties from this punitive transfer ranged from 5,000 to 18,000.

The inhumane conditions of the death march also threw into serious doubt the reality of Japanese intentions, as well as their pan-Asian rhetoric, especially since many of the prisoners were Filipino soldiers. Learn more about the history of the Pacific War in the Philippines: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2017/05/bataan-corregidor.html

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31/03/2025

Hello, April

31/03/2025

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On March 31, 1899, the Battle of Malolos in Bulacan saw the capture of the Filipino capital by American forces under General Arthur MacArthur. Eight US regiments were reportedly involved. Meanwhile, some 5,000 Filipinos were left to defend Malolos. By this time, President Emilio Aguinaldo had already withdrawn with his main force and moved the capital to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. The house of Crispulo "Kapitan Pulong" Sideco was used as his temporary headquarters. Also by this time, General Antonio Luna was reinstated to his post, and his first command upon returning to the war would be the defense of Malolos.

The Americans opened the battle with artillery bombardment. After crossing the rivers at Bocaue and Guiguinto, Colonel Frederick Funston reported that fighting lasted for two hours before they managed to establish control of Malolos. As the Filipinos retreated, they burned buildings including Aguinaldo's official residence and the Hall of Congress.

The Chinese in Malolos, meanwhile, raised Chinese flags to signify their neutrality in the battle. Some of them offered their assistance to the Americans, particularly in logistics.

The Americans suffered 113 casualties, while the Filipino losses were not reported. The Hong Kong Junta would later justify that the fall of Malolos was part of the strategy to avoid the range of American gunboats. By further retreating inland, the American troops were also expected to be divided. For the meantime, MacArthur's forces rested in Malolos, but the speedy campaign for Malolos primarily failed in its objective to demoralize the Filipinos.

Learn more about the Filipino-American War: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2015/03/president-aguinaldos-only-battle.html

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31/03/2025

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On March 24 ,1897, the Battle of Pasong Santol saw the death of General Crispulo Aguinaldo and around 300 other revolutionaries as the Spanish forces under General Jose de Lachambre overwhelmed Filipino trenches.

Emilio Aguinaldo, who had just been elected as president at Tejeros, was persuaded to leave Pasong Santol to assume his new office. However, he believed that the defenders of Pasong Santol did not receive sufficient reinforcements to stem the Spanish offensive. Apparently, some Magdiwang leaders such as Mariano Alvarez had misgivings about sending troops to fight in Magdalo territory. As to whether Andres Bonifacio, who was also in Cavite at the time, had any hand in this remains to be determined. Aguinaldo, nonetheless, believed in Bonifacio's alleged involvement.

Shortly after the Tejeros Convention, Bonifacio and his supporters issued the Acta de Tejeros, which aimed to nullify the election "taken away by fraud." As political divisions riddled the Filipino leadership, the Spanish continued their gains. By March 25, Imus fell to Spanish hands at the cost of some 800 Filipino casualties. Spanish Governor General Camilo de Polavieja commended Lachambre's feat, declaring that the capture of Imus has been symbolic of the "uninterrupted successes" of the Spanish army.

Polavieja also issued an amnesty program which ran until April 11, 1897. Meanwhile, Magdalo troops transferred their center of operations from Imus to Tejeros. Learn more about the course of the Philippine Revolution: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2017/05/bonifacio.html

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23/02/2025

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On February 22, 1889, Jose Rizal wrote a letter to the Women of Malolos, commending their victory in achieving their right to education, which says in part:

"Talastas ng lahat ang kapanyarihan at galing ng babae sa Filipinas, kaya nga kanilang binulag, iginapos, at iniyuko ang loob, panatag sila't habang ang iba'y alipin, ay ma-aalipin din naman ang lahat ng mga anak. Ito ang dahilan ng pagkalugami ng Asya; ang babae sa Asya ay mangmang at alipin. Makapangyarihan ang Europa at Amerika dahil doo'y ang mga babae ay malaya at marunong, dilat ang isip at malakas ang loob."

Tradition has it that Rizal managed to personally meet the ladies in person when he visited Malolos, Bulacan in 1892. The hailed women were as follows: Elisea Tantoco Reyes, Juana Tantoco Reyes, Leoncia Santos Reyes, Olympia San Agustin Reyes, Rufina Reyes, Eugenia Mendoza Tanchangco, Aurea Mendoza Tanchangco, Basilia Villariño Tantoco, Teresa Tiongson Tantoco, Maria Tiongson Tantoco, Anastacia Maclang Tiongson, Basilia Reyes Tiongson, Paz Reyes Tiongson, Aleja Reyes Tiongson, Mercedes Reyes Tiongson, Agapita Reyes Tiongson, Filomena Oliveros Tiongson, Cecilia Oliveros Tiongson, Feliciana Oliveros Tiongson, Alberta Santos Uitangcoy.

To recall, it was on December 12, 1888 when twenty women of Malolos presented to Spanish Governor General Valeriano Weyler a letter of request for establishing a night school for women to learn Spanish. Penned by Teodoro Sandiko (Sandico), who by the time was already teaching Spanish, the request was denied.

The lobbying for a school, however, did not stop as the women found more allies for their cause. In February 1889, the school was approved under certain conditions, including the designation of their teacher (Guadalupe Reyes), the time of classes would be in the day, and their schooling would be financed by the women themselves. Sandiko's troubles, however, led him to leave the country. The school was open only for around three months.

Learn more about women's history: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2022/08/blog-post.html

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16/01/2025

On January 6, 1622, the revolt of Tamblot in Bohol was suppressed by a Spanish expedition under Juan Alcarazo, alcalde mayor (governor) of Cebu. Reportedly an influential babaylan, Tamblot was able to persuade thousands of Boholanos that he received supernatural signs indicating success in overthrowing the Spanish yoke in their land. The Spanish dated the start of Tamblot's rebellion on the feast day of Francis Xavier, December 3, in 1621.

Among his alleged miracles include making rice and wine out of cutting from bamboo, as well as making fine clothing out of banana leaves. He also preached how Spanish weaponry would have no effect on them as they would be protected by their diwata. If they were killed in battle, the diwata would resurrect them. Such was the extent of Tamblot's movement that it was said only Loboc and Baclayon remained loyal to the Spanish.

When his appeals for peace were ignored, Alcarazo assembled 50 Spanish and a thousand Cebuano troops to begin their campaign on New Year of 1622. Tamblot, meanwhile, exhorted his followers at this time.

"All the archipelago is awaiting our action. If we win this day, there is not a Visayan who will not rebel. But if we lose, those who desire to throw off the yoke of Spanish oppression must continue on under it, and we ourselves, whoever do not wisely choose rather to die fighting here, will have again to place our necks under that same yoke, harder than ever to bear."

The babaylan saw the incessant rains as sign of the diwata's assistance, as it turned out that the arquebusiers were hampered in using their guns. Tamblot also made use of the prevailing geographic advantages, taking the initiative to start the fighting with an ambush against the Spanish vanguard, composed of 300 Cebuano and 16 Spanish troops. On the other side, Tamblot attacked them with 1,500 warriors. In the process, they supposedly wounded Alcarazo with a stone thrown against his head, but it did not prove to be fatal as his helmet (morion) absorbed much of the blow.

To prevent the Spanish fi****ms from catching rainwater, it was said the Cebuano warriors made use of their shields to cover the guns. Despite the babaylan's rhetoric on diwata protection, Tamblot's followers saw how the reality of technological advantage rendered it useless. They retreated to a nearby stone fortress, which commanded a village having more than a thousand houses, but the organization of the combined Spanish and Cebuano troops demonstrated their power. This was where Tamblot's revolt met its end. The Spanish attributed the victory to the Holy Child (Santo Niño), but it was apparently local assistance which bolstered their chances.

Two weeks later, Alcarazo was found in Loboc to execute some of the rebels, while pardoning those who remained. It did not take long, however, before another revolt was raised in Bohol. Six months after suppressing Tamblot's movement, Alcarazo returned to the island with a larger force, although with a smaller Spanish contingent (40 soldiers). The rebellion met a similar fate as that of Tamblot. Learn more about the Philippine quest for independence: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2022/08/january-events.html

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16/01/2025

On January 16, 1888, Senator Mariano Jesus Cuenco was born in Cebu. He passed the bar in 1913 after finishing law at Escuela de Derecho (now Manila Law College). He then served as representative of Cebu's 5th District from 1912 to 1928, succeeding General Troadio Galicano.

Cuenco was eventually elected Cebu governor in 1931, serving until 1934 when he became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. President Manuel Quezon would in 1936 appoint Cuenco as Secretary of Public Works, succeeding Quezon himself who was then in an acting capacity. It was said Cuenco was supposed to be appointed as Cebu City mayor, but the move was allegedly opposed by Vice President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. By 1941, Cuenco was among those elected to the Senate, but the Second World War interrupted their tenure.

In 1946, he became one of the proponents of holding presidential elections prior to the granting of independence, going over to the side of Manuel Roxas and the newly formed "Liberal wing" of the Nacionalista Party. He was reelected to the Senate during the same year.

On February 21, 1949, a resolution was filed by Senators Lorenzo Tañada and Prospero Sanidad to investigate the incumbent Senate President Jose Avelino. When Avelino's tactics to prevent Tañada from delivering his privilege speech led to an adjournment, 12 remaining senators in the plenary decided to proceed with the session and declare the Senate presidency vacant. In the process, Cuenco was elected as per another resolution by Senator Sanidad. The following day, President Elpidio Quirino recognized Cuenco as "Acting Senate President." Avelino, meanwhile, worked to file his petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that the twelve who supported Cuenco would not be sufficient to represent a quorum. Six justices voted to deny the petition as against four.

Although losing for reelection in 1951, he was able to win another term two years later, once more as a Nacionalista. He would remain in the Senate until his death in February 1965.

Prior to his political career, Cuenco had already been known as a prolific writer and journalist. As publisher of the Spanish language publication "El Precursor," he also launched a Cebuano translation called "Ang Mag-uuna." It ran from 1907 until the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941. Cuenco then founded "The Republic" by 1947. He was decorated with the Order of Isabella the Catholic. Learn more: https://history-ph.blogspot.com/

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19/11/2024

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On November 14, 1875, General Gregorio del Pilar was born in Bulacan. The Philippine Revolution cut short his plans for further studies. Taking the codename "Agila", he joined the unit of General Anacleto Enriquez, his friend and arguably one of the youngest generals of the Revolution (born in 1876, Enriquez was younger than del Pilar), before fighting later on with General Eusebio Roque, who commanded the forces in Kakarong de Sili. With both of his former superiors dead by February 1897, del Pilar would march with his remaining forces from Bulacan to Montalban with the intent to go to Cavite. Instead of forging on, del Pilar returned to Bulacan, probably influenced by the developments in the province, including Spanish Governor General Camilo de Polavieja's renewed offensives.

His raid of Paombong with ten men supposedly earned del Pilar an audience with Emilio Aguinaldo, who by the latter half of 1897 had established camp in Biak-na-Bato, also in Bulacan. Promoted as lieutenant colonel, he soon became a member of Aguinaldo's inner circle. It was also by this time when del Pilar raised his personal tricolor flag with a blue triangle, as well as red and black stripes. Del Pilar would be with Aguinaldo in the exile resulting from the Pact of Biak-na-Bato in December. It was in Hong Kong where he supposedly acquired a gold tooth.

A year later, del Pilar would be promoted as general, with his unit assigned as part of the Presidential Guard. This position gave him both prestige and problems. One instance would be his insistence to lead the parade for the Republic instead of General Isidoro Torres, who had been a general since 1896 and was ten years his senior age-wise. He also earned criticism from the circles of General Antonio Luna, noting that del Pilar only followed orders from Aguinaldo and neglected to present himself to Luna as a matter of courtesy.

Despite these, del Pilar was regarded as a rising military figure fitting of his codename. His defense of Quingua (now Plaridel) and Calumpit in the absence of Luna (who at the time was trying to "discipline" General Tomas Mascardo in Pampanga) despite the odds likely increased not only Aguinaldo's confidence in him, but also the confidence of a significant portion of Filipino officials. In May 1899, del Pilar (as pictured here) was sent as part of the peace delegation to negotiate with the Schurman Commission a cessation of hostilities while making consultations regarding the "Hay proposal" of autonomy.

Del Pilar's last stand in Tirad Pass on December 2, 1899, meanwhile, might well solidify his reputation to the populace. Facing 300 American troops with 60 of his own, he intended a delaying action that would allow Aguinaldo to gain significant distance from the enemy. He believed control of the high ground and the superiority of the Ma**er rifle, among others, would provide the Filipinos a fighting chance. At the end of the battle, del Pilar was dead with most of his men, while the Americans reported only 11 casualties. In remembering del Pilar, Aguinaldo remarked that he could "trust him with anything." Learn more about the so-called "Boy General": https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2018/09/conscious-hero-or-man-of-no-ego.html

30/10/2024

Highlights of Mr. and Miss United Nations 2024..Part 1.♥️👏