The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
BALACAT FESTIVALMabalacat City, Pampanga Starting in 2023, the name of the annual festival of the Kapampángan city of Mabalacat was changed from Caragan Festival (named after the city’s indigenous Aeta founder) to Balacat Festival to give reference to the balacat tree which is the origin of Mabalacat’s name. The city was said to have been … Read more
The first Augustinian Friars to visit China were Fathers Martin de Rada and Jeronimo Marin in 1575, in the embassy sent from Manila by the Spanish Governor Guido de Lavezares. In 1584, the Augustinian Friars established themselves in Macao. In 1680, the missionaries Fr. Alvaro de Benavente and Fr. Juan de Rivera, created several Christian … Read more
The Dungeons of Fort Santiago In 1592, the dungeon was originally built to store weaponry during the Spanish occupation. Eventually, a new storage area for artillery was built on higher ground, and this chamber was turned into a series of prison cells. Our national hero himself was imprisoned just steps away from Fort Santiago’s dungeon. … Read more
Settlement of Baybay San Nicolas was originally known as Baybay, due to its location by the sea. The area was used as an anchorage by Chinese merchants who were trading with Manila. Gradually, settlements would sprout in the area of Baybay, mostly fishing villages. The area of San Nicolas is shown in the oldest map … Read more
King Felipe II Monument (Magallanes Drive Intramuros Manila) King Felipe II of Spain or Felipe II was the first official King of Spain from 1556 to 1598, king of Naples and Sicily from 1554 to 1558, King of England from 1554 to 1558, King of Portugal and the Algarves from 1580 to 1598 and King … Read more