The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
On this day, September 18, in 1891, Jose Rizal’s “El Filibusterismo” (“The Subversive”) was printed in Ghent, Belgium. Written in Spanish, the novel inspired the people of the Philippines to revolt against Spain, culminating in the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Set in a fictional town of San Diego, the novel begins where the Noli … Read more
On this day, September 16, in 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted in Montreal, Canada. The Philippines ratified the Protocol in 1991. 1975 On this day, September 16, we celebrate 44 years of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Philippines … Read more
On this day, September 14, in 2005, the Philippines, as President of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for September, presided over the UNSC Summit in New York City. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became the first Asian leader and woman head of state to preside over the Summit. The UNSC Summit, the third such meeting since … Read more
On this day, September 12, in 1896, 13 Filipinos were executed by Spanish authorities at Plaza de Armas of Fort San Felipe Neri in Cavite Nuevo (now Cavite City.) They are commonly known as the 13 Martyrs of Cavite or “Trece Martires.” 1919 On this day, September 12, 1919 – The first Filipino-produced and directed … Read more
On this day, September 11, in 1956, the Pangasinan-born, English-language novelist, Carlos Bulosan passed away from bronchopneumonia in Seattle, USA. He is best known for his semi-autobiography, “America is in the Heart.” 1917 On this day, September 11, in 1917, the kleptocrat and dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines, was born in … Read more