Category Archives: Manila History

Manuel L. Quezon in 1935

1 Reply

Manuel L. Quezon was inaugurated president on November, 1935. Considered to be the first Filipino President of the Philippine Commonwealth under the United States.

He was famous for his remarks:

“I prefer a country run like hell by Filipinos to a country run like heaven by Americans. Because, however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it.”

I don’t necessarily agree with that quote above, and i’m not being a US suck up.

He redeemed himself by saying this:

“My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.”

Manila History Tidbits part 2

Leave a reply

1834 – Manila port opened by the Spanish colonial government for trading.

1896 – Rizal was executed at Bagumbayan Field of what is now popularly called Luneta Park. Revolution ensued because of it.

1897 – The Katipunan was replaced by a new government headed by Emilio Aguinaldo as president. Andres Bonifacio resisted and built his own government, but was executed together with his brother for treason.

1898 – The US bought the Philippines for US$ 20 million from Spain, and staged a mock Battle of Manila Bay to make it appear as a legitimate war between the US and Spain.

1899 – The start of Philippine-American War that lasted for three years.

Manila History Tidbits

2 Replies

Some Manila history highlights that might be helpful to you. Will add more in the future.

1571 – Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Manila, and became the governor general. As a result Catholicism spread like wildfire.

1646 – Spaniards successfully defended the city against the Dutch in Manila Bay.

1762 – The British grabbed Manila from the Spaniards.

1764 – Spaniards successfully drove out the British.