HISTORY

Ferdinand Magellan

He became the first European to reach the Philippines on March 16, 1521.
He set out from Spain in 1519 to discover a western sea route to the Spice Islands.
His Spanish Expedition was considered historic because it marked the first circumnavigation of the globe and proved that the world is round.

After Magellan died from the Battle of Mactan, Spain sent Miguel López de Legazpi. He established the first permanent Spanish settlement, in Cebu, in 1565.
Catholic missionaries and explorers from Spain introduced Catholicism.
The Spanish rule ended in 1898 with Spain's defeat during the Spanish - American War.

He is recognized as the National Hero of the Philippines for his key role in inspiring the Philippine Revolution against colonial Spain.
He wrote two novels titled "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not/The Social Cancer) and "El Filibusterismo" (The Reign of Greed) that detailed the dark aspects of the Catholic Church and Spanish Colonial rule in the Philippines.
He proposed and founded the establishment of a civic organization known as La Liga Filipina.

The Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionary forces from the Spanish colonization after 333 years.
The Philippines' flag was raised and its national anthem was played for the first time.
Philippines became the first democratic republic in Asia.

Tenth President of the Philippines who established an authoritarian regime in the Philippines that came under criticism for corruption and for its suppression of democratic processes.
On September 21, 1972, Marcos imposed martial law on the Philippines. Opposition politicians were jailed, and the armed forces became an arm of the regime.
Marcos fled the country on February 25, 1986, at U.S. urging. He went into exile in Hawaii, where he remained until his death.