Philippine History Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms and concepts in Philippine history.

La Liga Filipina

Reformist organization founded by Jose Rizal in 1892 aiming for peaceful reforms under Spanish rule with the motto “Unus Instar Omnium” (One Like All).

Magdalo and Magdiwang

Two rival factions of the Katipunan in Cavite; Magdalo was led by Emilio Aguinaldo, Magdiwang by Mariano Alvarez.

Propaganda Movement

Campaign by Filipino expatriates in Spain advocating for equal rights, reforms, and representation.

Fray Botod

Satirical story by Graciano Lopez Jaena criticizing corrupt friars during the Spanish period.

La Solidaridad

Reformist newspaper in Spain (1889-1895) founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena that voiced Filipino grievances and advocated reforms.

KKK (Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan)

Secret revolutionary society founded in 1892 by Andres Bonifacio to fight for Philippine independence.

Aims of KKK

Political independence from Spain and moral reforms of Filipino society.

Kalayaan

The official revolutionary newspaper of the Katipunan, founded by Emilio Jacinto to spread revolutionary ideas.

Emilio Jacinto

Known as the “Brain of the Katipunan”, wrote the “Kartilya ng Katipunan” or “Teachings of Katipunan”.

Cry of Balintawak

Marked the symbolic beginning of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule, where Katipunan members tore their cédulas.

Governor Polavieja

Spanish governor-general who ordered the execution of Jose Rizal in 1896.

Spanish - American War (1898)

War between Spain and the US that led to the end of Spanish colonial power in the Philippines.

Battle of Manila Bay

Naval battle where U.S. Commodore Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet on May 1, 1898.

June 12, 1898

Declaration of Philippine Independence by Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.

8 Rays of the Sun

Represents the first eight provinces that revolted against Spain: Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Batangas, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna.

Flag Colors

White: peace, purity; Red: bravery, struggles; Blue: patriotism, peace.

Julian Felipe

Composer of the Philippine National Anthem, entitled “Marcha Filipino Magdalo” or "Lupang Hinirang".

San Francisco de Malabon Band

Played the National Anthem during the 1898 Independence proclamation.

Jose Palma

He was wrote "Filipinas", a patriotic poem in Spanish that fit the instrumental tune

Graciano Lopez Jaena

Orator and writer, founder of La Solidaridad, and part of the Propaganda Movement.

Commonwealth of the Philippines

Transitional government (1935-1946) before full independence. Manuel L. Quezon became the first president in 1935.

Tydings Mc-Duffie Law

1934 law that paved the way for Philippine Independence after a 10-year Commonwealth.

1935 Constitution

First official Philippine constitution under the Commonwealth.

December 8, 1941

Start of Japanese invasion in the Philippines during World War II.

Pearl Harbor

Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval base in Hawaii, bringing the U.S. into WWII.

Corregidor

Served as a crucial defense outpost and was heavily fortified during the Spanish and American colonial periods.

Gen Douglas MacArthur

Famous promise made after retreating from the Philippines in WWII: “I shall return”.

USAFFE

United States Armed Forces in the Far East; combined American and Filipino military force during WWII.

Fall of Bataan & Corregidor

Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, and Corregidor fell on May 6, 1942.

Open City

Manila was declared open to avoid destruction, though it was still bombed by Japan.

Gen. Jonathan Wainwright

Succeeded MacArthur and surrendered Corregidor to Japan.

Death March

Forced transfer of 60,000-80,000 Filipino and American POWs from Bataan to Capas.

Mariveles, Bataan - Capas, Tarlac

Route of the Death March.

Jose Abad Santos

Acting president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and 5th chief justice of the Supreme Court that was executed by the Japanese for refusing to collaborate.

Jose P. Laurel

Served as the President of the Second Philippine Republic from 1943 to 1945; a Japanese ally during World War II.

Puppet Government

Laurel's administration under Japanese occupation.

KALIBAPI

The Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas, a fascist Filipino political party that served as the sole party of state during the Japanese occupation.

Palo, Leyte

Site of MacArthur's landing in 1944, signaling the return of Allied Forces.

October 20, 1944

General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines, landing on Leyte Island.

Enola Gay

B-29 Superfortress U.S. bomber that dropped the atomic bomb named “Little Boy” at Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945.

Hiroshima, Nagasaki

Japanese cities devastated by atomic bombs in August 1945.

USS Missouri

Site of Japan’s official surrender ending WWII on September 2, 1945.

September 2, 1945

Formal surrender of Japan aboard the USS Missouri, effectively ending World War II.

HUKBALAHAP

Filipino communist guerrilla movement formed during World War II to resist the Japanese occupation.

Manuel A. Roxas

1st President of the independent Republic of the Philippines (1946 to 1948).

Ramon Magsaysay

Popular president (1953 to 1957) known for reforms and anti-communist efforts; opened Malacañang to the public.

Filipino First Policy

Economic policy by Carlos P. Garcia; measures implemented to prioritize Filipino businesses, labor, and goods over foreign alternatives.

Ferdinand Marcos

The sixth president of the third Philippine Republic & largest-serving President (1965-1986). In 1972 he declared Martial law.

Plaza Miranda Massacre

The bombings in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo on August 21, 1971, was used to justify the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Legal protection from unlawful detention, suspended during Martial Law.

Martial Law, Proclamation #1081

1972-1986. The declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos significantly curtailed democratic freedoms and suppressed dissent.

September 21, 1972

Official date Martial Law was declared.

Sen. Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr.

Chief opposition leader during the era of martial law in the Philippines.

January 7, 1981

Formal lifting of Martial Law by Marcos.

August 21, 1983

Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was assassinated at Manila International Airport.

Agrava Commission/Board

Established to investigate the assassination of opposition senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

People Power Revolution, EDSA Revolution of February 1986

Peaceful uprising that ousted Marcos and restored democracy.

Rolando Galman

Alleged assassin of Ninoy Aquino.

Snap Election of 1986

Hastily called by Marcos to prove he had public support.

February 25, 1986

Cory Aquino sworn in as the new President after People Power & Marcos fled the country.

Corazon “Cory” Aquino

First female President, restoring democratic rule in the country after the long dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

1986 Constitution

Current constitution created after the Marcos regime.

Carlos P. Garcia

8th president of the Republic of the Philippines known for 'Filipino First policy.

Diosdado Macapagal

9th president, Father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, changed the country's Independence Day from July 4 to June 12.

Elpidio Quirino

6th president; focused on post-war reconstruction.

SS Thomas

Ship that brought American teachers (Thomasites) to the Philippines.

Thomasites

First American teachers who helped establish the Philippine republic education system.

Philippine Normal University, University of the Philippines

Key institutions established for training educators and leaders.

Cronies

Close allies of Marcar who benefit from corrupt and favoritism.

3 Grades of Katipunan Membership

Katipun (new member/associate), Kawal (soldier), Bayani (hero/leader/patriot).