When one thinks of the Philippines, images of pristine beaches and lush landscapes often come to mind. However, the country is also home to some of the most stunning examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Asia, a legacy of more than three centuries of Spanish rule. These historical structures are not just … Read more
The Filipino-American War (1899-1902), an often-overlooked conflict in history books, played a crucial role in shaping the political landscapes of both the Philippines and the United States. Despite its significant impact, the war is seldom featured in mainstream cinema. In this article, we will explore some of the top movies that delve … Read more
The Filipino-American War is also referred to as the Philippine-American War, the Philippine War, the Philippine Insurrection, or the Tagalog Insurgency. It was an armed conflict between the United States and the First Philippine Republic. The war lasted from February 4, 1899, to July 2, 1902. For Filipino nationalists, the war is … Read more
Miguel Malvar stands as a pivotal figure in Philippine history, embodying the spirit of resistance and nationalism during two critical junctures: the Philippine Revolution and the subsequent Philippine-American War. Born in 1865 in Batangas, Malvar was not only a military leader but also a dedicated family man and a respected community figure. … Read more
War Escalates: Battles in Manila and Suburbs, Feb. 5-6, 1899 At daybreak of February 5, the reinforced Americans counterattacked and retook their original positions. Soon after, firing broke out across the 16-mile Filipino and American lines involving 15,000 Filipinos and 14,000 Americans (3,000 of whom were assigned to provost or police duty … Read more
Feb. 6, 1899: US Senate Ratifies Treaty of Paris President William McKinley controlled all the information coming from the Philippines. On Feb. 6, 1899, after he reported to the American people that the Filipinos had attacked US troops in Manila, the U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris by one vote more … Read more
US Infantry, Naval Reinforcements, Embark For Manila, May 25 – June 29, 1898 The US Army forces that invaded the Philippines in the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars assembled at the Presidio (ABOVE, in 1898) on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, California. The Presidio was originally a Spanish Fort built … Read more
US Infantry Troops Arrive In The Philippines, June 30 – July 31, 1898 The first American infantry troops arrived in the Philippines on June 30, 1898. They were commanded by Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Anderson. [He was a son of Maj. Gen. Robert Anderson, who had commanded Fort Sumter at the beginning … Read more
Dec. 10, 1898: Treaty of Paris On Oct. 1, 1898, American and Spanish delegates opened discussions in Paris to end the Spanish-American War. The American commission consisted of Judge William R. Day, Sen. Cushman K. Davis, Sen. William P. Frye, Sen. George Gray, and Whitelaw Reid. The Spanish commission included the Spanish … Read more
Trapping Aguinaldo, Oct.12 – Nov. 20, 1899 In October 1899, the Americans launched a campaign intended to cut Emilio Aguinaldo’s northward retreat and trap his remaining conventional forces. The 3-pronged attack consisted of Lawton’s command (red and green lines) moving northeastward to cut off any possibility of Aguinaldo’s army heading east to take refuge in … Read more
The War Rages: Creation of Macabebe Scouts, September-October 1899 The US Army organized special forces officered by Americans but manned by Filipinos. The first unit of this type was experimental, one company of 100 Macabebes enlisted on Sept. 10, 1899, for a term of 3 months and led by 1Lt. Matthew Batson, … Read more
The War in the Visayas, Feb. 11, 1899 – March 10, 1899 On Feb. 11, 1899, the US First Separate Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Marcus P. Miller, West Point Class 1858, invaded Iloilo City (ABOVE, in 1899) on Panay Island. The defenders were led by General Martin Delgado and Teresa “Nay … Read more
