Philippines 101 : The 7107 Islands

The Philippines. The History 101

From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, the 7,107 islands of Philippines today has evolved as a unique blend of the east and the west, both in appearance and culture. Today regarded as the third largest English speaking country in the world, the country has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences.

The Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese before the landmark event, Spanish colonization in 1521 altered the destiny of the island country. The Spanish colonization being a strong denominator in the history of Philippines, it brought about the construction of Intramuros, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. A series of political rebellions then continued for as long as 350 years, at the end of which in 1898, the Filipinos succeeded in winning their independence. It is worth mentioning over here that this independence of the nation was fuelled by leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo.

1898 became a landmark year in the history of Philippines as in this year; Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. However, The U.S. refused to recognize any Philippine right to self-government. As a result, Aguinaldo declared war against the United States for denying them independence on February 4, 1899. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. However, the country was able to regain its independence in 1946. In this way, the freedom-loving Filipinos have waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes, resulting in the vibrant democracy of today’s Philippines. Today, there are as many as 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations in Philippines, which ensures that democracy is restored to the country.

"High tide or low tide?" was the reply given by Charlene Gonzales to a question asked at the finals of the Miss Universe pageant held in Manila in 1994. It's not clear whether the host realized that Gonzales was joking, so she then had to say that there are 7,107 islands at high tide, and 7,108 at low tide, which was not necessarily correct. Watch the interview on ...