PHILIPPINE HISTORY
FACT or FAKE: Treaty of Tordesillas is the treaty that ended the Spanish-American War and transferred the Philippines to the United States
FAKE: The Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War and resulted in Spain ceding the Philippines, along with Guam and Puerto Rico, to the United States. The treaty marked a significant turning point in Philippine history, as it transitioned the country from Spanish colonial rule to American occupation. It also sparked the Philippine-American War as Filipinos sought to achieve.
FACT or FAKE: Rodrigo Duterte is the First Visaya President of the Philippines
The first Visayan president of the Philippines was Sergio Osmeña Sr. He served as president from 1944 to 1946, succeeding Manuel L. Quezon upon his death. Osmeña was born in Cebu and represented the Visayas region, making him the first president from that area.
FACT or FAKE: Typhoon Haiyan aka Bagyong Ondoy is one of the deadliest disasters to strike the Philippines, affected 26 million people and claimed at least 8,000 lives.
FAKE: It is Bagyong Yolanda.
FAKE: The Philippines doesn't have a formally proclaimed national hero, but Jose Rizal is widely recognized and revered as such. While he's not officially declared, his contributions to the Philippine nationalist movement, particularly through his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, have cemented his status as a symbol of national pride
FACT or FAKE: The execution of the GomBurZa triggered the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
FAKE: The Cry of Pugad Lawin, marked by the tearing of community tax certificates (cedulas) by Andres Bonifacio and other Katipuneros, signaled the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. This act of defiance symbolized the Filipinos' rejection of Spanish authority and their determination to fight for independence. It became a defining moment in Philippine history, galvanizing widespread support for the revolutionary cause
FACT or FAKE: Diosdado Macapagal imposed the Filipino First Policy.
FAKE: The Filipino First Policy was a key part of President Carlos P. Garcia's administration in the Philippines, aiming to prioritize Filipino businesses and economic interests. It was a response to the economic dominance of foreign investors, particularly Americans, after World War II.
FACT or FAKE: Mindoro Oil Spill is considered the worst in the history of the Philippines, spilling more than 2.1 millions of bunker fuels.
FAKE: The worst oil spill in the Philippines, to date, was the Guimaras oil spill in 2006. It occurred when the oil tanker M/T Solar 1 sank in the Guimaras Strait, releasing over 500,000 liters of oil. This spill significantly impacted marine life and ecosystems, including marine sanctuaries and mangrove reserves.
FACT or FAKE: Sipa is considered the national sport of the Philippines.
FAKE: The Philippine national sport is Arnis (also known as Kali or Eskrima), a Filipino martial art. It was officially declared as the national sport through Republic Act No. 9850 on December 11, 2009. Arnis is a stick fighting martial art that uses bamboo or other similar sticks for combat.
FACT or FAKE: The drafting of the Malolos Constitution was primarily influenced by Apolinario Mabini, a member of the constitutional commission.
FAKE: The drafting of the Malolos Constitution was primarily influenced by Felipe Calderón, a member of the constitutional commission. While Apolinario Mabini played a crucial role in advising and providing legal expertise, Felipe Calderón chaired the committee responsible for drafting the constitution.
FACT or FAKE: Jose P. Laurel is the Father of Filipino Language.
FAKE: Manuel L. Quezon is the Father of Filipino Language. He spearheaded efforts to promote the use of Tagalog as the foundation for the national language, which was later officially renamed Filipino. His birthdate, August 19, is also celebrated as the start of "Buwan ng Wika" (Language Month).
FACT or FAKE: The strongest of the killer earthquakes took place in Northern and Central Luzon in 1990. Most adversely affected were the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, and Cabanatuan which saw the collapse of multiple storey buildings, resulting to the deaths of more than 2,000 persons.
FAKE: The 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake in southern Mindanao with a magnitude of 7.9 and which claimed the lives of up to 8,000 persons is by far the worst earthquake in the Philippines with regard to strength of ground shaking and death toll.
FACT or FAKE: The Philippines is the oldest democracy in Asia.
Sri Lanka is considered the oldest democracy in Asia in terms of universal suffrage, which was granted in 1931. The first country in Asia to establish a democratic republic was the Philippines, becoming the first republic in Asia. It was also the first country in Asia to have a constitutional democracy.
FACT or FAKE: Diego Silang led a rebellion and is considered the longest in Philippine history.
FAKE: Francisco Dagohoy led a rebellion in Bohol that lasted for 85 years, from 1744 to 1829. This revolt was triggered by the refusal of a Spanish priest to give his brother a proper Christian burial. This exceptionally long resistance highlights the enduring spirit of Filipino resistance against colonial oppression. The Dagohoy Rebellion is considered the longest in Philippine history, showcasing the determination of Filipinos to fight for their rights and beliefs.
FACT or FAKE: Corazon Aquino is the 11th President of the Philippines and known to be the first female President in Asia.
FACT: Corazon Aquino served as president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992, the first woman to hold that office. She was also the first female president in Asia.
FACT or FAKE: The worst landslide in the Philippines is the Batangas Landslide, occuring in Barangay Sampaloc, Talisay, resulted from Typhoon Kristine killing 61 people.
FAKE: The worst landslide in the Philippines, in terms of casualties, was the 2006 Southern Leyte Landslide. This event, triggered by heavy rains and a minor earthquake, buried the village of Guinsaugon in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, resulting in an estimated 1,126 to 1,420 deaths.
FACT or FAKE: Filipino is the official national language in the Philippines.
FACT: 1987 Constitution, Article XIV, Section 6 states that “the National language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages. The constitution also provided that subject to provision of law and as the congress may deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.
FACT or FAKE: Mariano Ponce was in charge of the political section of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipino.
FAKE: Marcelo del Pilar was in charge of the political section of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipino. This implies that he was responsible for overseeing and managing the political activities and affairs of the organization. His role would have involved advocating for the rights and interests of the Filipino people, promoting political awareness and activism, and strategizing for the advancement of the Filipino cause. Marcelo del Pilar was a prominent figure in the Philippine Revolution and a key leader in the fight for independence from Spanish colonial rule.
FACT or FAKE: Pres. Bongbong Marcos spearheaded the creation of the National Youth Commission as the principal author of R.A. No. 8044, otherwise known as the “The Youth in Nation-Building Act”.
FAKE: Rep. Jaime Lopez authored Republic Act 8044, otherwise known as the “The Youth in Nation-Building Act. It is a consolidation of HB 11614 and SB 1977, which was passed by the House of the Representatives and the Senate on June 2, 1995. President Fidel Ramos signed it into law on June 7, 1995.
FACT or FAKE: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council was created by Presidential Decree No. 1566, which focused on strengthening the Philippine disaster control capability and establishing a national program for community disaster preparedness.
FAKE: RA 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, aims to strengthen the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system. It focuses on a comprehensive, all-hazard, multi-sectoral, and community-based approach to disaster management. The law institutionalizes the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan and provides for the establishment of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
FACT or FAKE: Sampaguita, Narra, Philippine Eagle and the Pearl are some of the official national symbols by virtue of the executive orders declaring them as such.
FACT: The Philippines has 4 official national symbols (meaning, those which represent Philippine traditions and ideals and convey the principles of Philippine sovereignty and national solidarity) enacted through a proclamation by the executive department, namely sampaguita, narra, Philippine Eagle, and the Philippine Pearl. In 1934, during the Commonwealth era, Governor-General Frank Murphy declared sampaguita and nara as National flower and National tree, respectively, through Proclamation No. 652. Philippine President Fidel Ramos Former President Fidel V. Ramos proclaimed the Philippine eagle as the national bird in 1995 through Proclamation No. 615. Ramos likewise named the Philippines’ National Gem: Philippine Pearl through Proclamation No. 905 s. 1996.