Spanish Era

• 1521 was the year the Philippines was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan.
• The five ships of Magellan were Trinidad, Santiago, Concepcion, San Antonio, and Victoria.
• Magellan's primary goal was to establish a westward trade route for spices and silk, which were present in Indonesia.
• On March 17, 1521, Magellan arrived in the Islands of Homonhon where he was welcomed by Rajah Calambu of Limasawa, who guided him to Cebu on April 7.
• March 29th marked the first blood compact between Magellan and Rajah Kulambo of Limasawa and Rajah Siago Butuan.
• The first Christian Mass was held in Limasawa in March 31.
• Magellan's cross was planted in April 21.
• The first mass was officiated by Friar Pedro de Valderrama.
• Magellan was killed in the battle of Mactan as a consequence of his interference in the dispute between Datu Lapu-Lapu and Zula.
• During the battle of Mactan, ships Victoria and Trinidad were the only surviving ships under Juan Sebastián Elcano, where they were loaded with spices when they arrived in Moluccas.
• Enrique of Malacca was known to be Magellan's interpreter and servant.
• When Magellan was killed, Enrique was set free.
• Rajah Humabon was baptized as Carlos while his wife Juana was baptized as Maria.
• February 2, 1543, was when Ruy Lopez De Villalobos reached the islands of Saranggani, which he named Samar and Leyte 'Filipinas' in honor of Prince Philip II of Spain.
• Gen. Miguel Lopez De Legazpi claimed Cebu on Feb. 13, 1565, where he made a blood compact with the two kings of Bohol: Sikatuna and Sigala.
• On April 27, 1565, 'La Villa de San Miguel' was established as the first community in Cebu.
• In the honor of Sto. Nino, the community was renamed 'Ciudad del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus' and became the first permanent Spanish Settlement.
• Martin de Goite defeated Rajah Sulayman and conquered Manila in June 3, 1571.
• In June 24, 1571, Legazpi named Manila a "Distinguished and Ever Loyal City" and became the first governor.
• In 1574, Limahong, a Chinese pirate, invaded Manila and killed Martin de Goite.
• A royal audience was created on May 16, 1584.
• In the battle of Playa Honda, Zambales, the Spanish fleet overwhelmed 6 Dutch ships under Admiral Lamb.
• On October 5, Manila was conquered by British Forces under Gen. William Draper and Admiral Samuel Cornish.
• After the 7 year war, Britain was forced to hand over Manila to Spain.
• Because the friars refused to give his brother a proper funeral, Francisco Dagohoy led the "Dagohoy Revolt" which is known as the longest revolt lasting for 85 years.
• The Spanish government executed Apolinario Dela Cruz, known as "Hermano Pule" after founding the 'Cofradia de San Jose.'
• The Cofradia de San Jose was created in response to the racial discrimination of Spanish practices.
• Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861.
• The three Filipino priests who led the Cavite Mutiny were Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
• Miguel Morayta founded the 'Asociacion Hispano Filipina,' to promote political reforms in the Philippines.
• Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the newspaper 'La-Solidaridad' which served as the mouthpiece of the propaganda.
• The peninsulares are pure-blooded Spaniards who were born in Spain but moved to the Philippines.
• The insulares are those born in the Philippines with either mixed or full Spanish blood.
• Mestizo is the term used for a mixed breed.
• Indio is the lowest class in the society.
• Sangley refers to a Chinese Mestizo.
• Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina to unite the Filipinos for political reforms.
• Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) is Jose Rizal's first novel which criticized the abuses committed by the friars against the Filipino people.
• El Filibusterismo (The Subversive) is Jose Rizal's second novel which exposed the corruption among the government officials.
• When Rizal was on his way to Cuba, he was arrested and imprisoned in Fort Santiago. Then, he was sent into exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.