History of Philippines in Timeline

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia, situated in the western Pacific Ocean. It comprises approximately 7,641 islands, covering around 300,000 square kilometers. These islands are geographically divided into three main regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With a population exceeding 112 million, the Philippines ranks as the fourteenth most populous country globally.

1900: Historical forest cover

In 1900, forest cover was at 70 percent of the Philippines' total land area.

1902: Establishment of American Civilian Government

In 1902, after the fall of the First Philippine Republic, an American civilian government was established through the Philippine Organic Act.

1911: Wettest recorded typhoon

The wettest recorded typhoon to hit the Philippines dropped 2,210 millimeters (87 in) in Baguio from July 14 to 18, 1911.

1919: First Filipino-produced feature film

In 1919, the first Filipino-produced feature film, Dalagang Bukid (A Girl from the Country), directed by Jose Nepomuceno, was released.

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1924: Summer Olympic Games Participation

Since 1924, the Philippines has participated in every Summer Olympic Games, with one exception.

1933: Sound films emerge

In 1933, sound films and larger productions emerged in the Philippine film industry.

1934: Tydings-McDuffie Act Granted Independence

In 1934, the Tydings–McDuffie Act granted a ten-year transition to independence for the Philippines.

1935: Establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines

In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was created, with Manuel Quezon as president and Sergio Osmeña as vice president. Women's suffrage was also introduced during the Commonwealth period (1935–1946).

1935: Republic of the Philippines official title

In 1935, the official title "Republic of the Philippines" was included in the constitution as the name of the future independent state.

December 1941: Japanese Invasion of the Philippines

In December 1941, the Empire of Japan invaded the Philippines during World War II.

1942: Start of Japanese occupation resistance

Beginning in 1942, the Japanese occupation of the Philippines was opposed by large-scale underground guerrilla activity.

1944: Philippine resistance and Allied troops defeated the Japanese

In 1944, The Philippine resistance and Allied troops defeated the Japanese.

October 11, 1945: Philippines became a founding member of the United Nations

On October 11, 1945, the Philippines became a founding member of the United Nations.

July 4, 1946: Recognition of Philippine independence by the United States

On July 4, 1946, during the presidency of Manuel Roxas, the United States recognized the country's independence with the Treaty of Manila.

1946: Independence of the Philippines

In 1946, after the United States retook the Philippines from the Japanese, the Philippines became independent.

1946: End of Commonwealth period

The Commonwealth period came to a close in 1946.

1948: Philippine population

Between 1948 and 2010, the population of the Philippines increased almost fivefold, from 19 million to 92 million.

1951: Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States signed

In 1951, the Philippines and the United States signed a Mutual Defense Treaty as part of their long-standing relationship involving economics, security, and interpersonal relations.

1962: Decline in quality films

The 1962–1971 decade saw a decline in quality films in the Philippines, although the commercial film industry expanded.

1963: Science high schools established

In 1963, science high schools for talented students were established in the Philippines.

1965: Marcos Elected President

In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos won the presidential election against Macapagal.

1967: Largest global supplier of nurses

Since 1967, the Philippines has become the largest global supplier of nurses, with seventy percent of nursing graduates going overseas to work.

1969: Marcos Re-elected

In 1969, Ferdinand Marcos was re-elected as president.

1971: Decline in quality films

The 1962–1971 decade saw a decline in quality films in the Philippines, although the commercial film industry expanded.

September 21, 1972: Marcos Declares Martial Law

On September 21, 1972, Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, initiating a period of rule by decree.

1972: Martial Law Declared

In 1972, Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, beginning a period characterized by political repression, censorship, and human rights violations.

1972: Winter Olympic Games Debut

In 1972, the Philippines debuted at the Winter Olympic Games, becoming the first tropical nation to compete.

1973: Plans to harness nuclear energy began

In 1973, plans to harness nuclear energy began during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in response to the 1973 oil crisis.

1975: The Philippines valued its relations with China

Since 1975, the Philippines has valued its relations with China—its top trading partner, and cooperates significantly with the country.

1976: Major earthquake in the Moro Gulf

In 1976, a major earthquake struck the Moro Gulf.

1979: Filipino hip-hop origin

Filipino hip-hop originated in 1979.

1980: Boycott of the Summer Olympics

In 1980, the Philippines supported the American-led boycott of the Summer Olympics.

1981: End of Martial Law

In 1981, the period of martial law under Ferdinand Marcos came to an end.

1982: Critically acclaimed films

In 1982, critically acclaimed Philippine films like Himala (Miracle) and Oro, Plata, Mata (Gold, Silver, Death) were released.

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August 21, 1983: Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.

On August 21, 1983, opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated at Manila International Airport.

1984: Nuclear power plant completed

In 1984, the Philippines completed Southeast Asia's first nuclear power plant in Bataan.

1984: Economic contraction

In 1984, the economy contracted by 7.3 percent annually.

1985: Economic contraction

In 1985, the economy contracted by 7.3 percent annually.

1985: Poverty rate

In 1985, the poverty rate in the Philippines was 49.2 percent.

1986: Return of democracy

After the return of democracy in 1986, the CPP-NPA continued to gather public support in urban areas.

1986: Chernobyl disaster

In 1986, the Chernobyl disaster created safety concerns which prevented the Philippines' newly built nuclear power plant from being commissioned.

1986: People Power Revolution and Installation of Corazon Aquino as President

In 1986, the People Power Revolution forced Marcos to flee, and Corazon Aquino was installed as president.

1986: People Power Revolution

In 1986, the People Power Revolution overthrew Ferdinand Marcos, leading to a return to democracy.

1986: Start of government reforms

In 1986, the return of democracy and government reforms began.

1990: Progress in sanitation

Between 1990 and 2015 the Philippines made good progress in sanitation.

1990: Filipino hip-hop mainstream

In 1990, Filipino hip-hop entered the mainstream.

1990: Major earthquake on Luzon

In 1990, a major earthquake occurred on Luzon.

June 1991: Eruption of Mount Pinatubo

In June 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo occurred.

1991: Law devolved some powers to local governments

In 1991, a law was passed that devolved some powers to local governments in the Philippines.

1995: Military modernization program began

In 1995, a military modernization program began in the Philippines to build a more capable defense system.

1996: First Satellite

In 1996, Philippines bought its first satellite.

1996: Moro National Liberation Front signed final peace agreements with the government

In 1996, the Moro National Liberation Front signed final peace agreements with the Philippine government.

1997: Onset of Asian Financial Crisis

In 1997, the onset of the Asian financial crisis overshadowed economic gains.

1999: Decline in forest cover

In 1999, forest cover declined to about 18.3 percent.

1999: Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the US

In 1999, the Visiting Forces Agreement supplemented the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.

2000: Jade artifacts dated

Jade artifacts in the Philippines have been dated to 2000 BC, including lingling-o jade items made in Luzon with raw materials from Taiwan.

January 20, 2001: Overthrow of Joseph Estrada and Succession of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

On January 20, 2001, Joseph Estrada was overthrown by the EDSA Revolution, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo succeeded him as president.

2003: Philippines designated a major non-NATO ally by the US

In 2003, the Philippines was designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States.

2003: Philippines seeks observer status in OIC

Since 2003, the Philippines has sought to obtain observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

2004: Allegations of Electoral Fraud in Presidential Election

During the 2004 presidential election, Arroyo's administration was tainted by allegations of electoral fraud.

2004: Alternative education and madaris mainstreaming

In 2004, the Philippine government began offering alternative education to out-of-school children, youth, and adults to improve literacy; madaris were mainstreamed in 16 regions, primarily in Mindanao Muslim areas under the Department of Education.

2007: SMS Messages Per Day

In 2007, the nation sent an average of one billion SMS messages per day.

2009: National Grid Corporation manages the country's power grid

Since 2009, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has managed the country's power grid.

2010: Philippine population

Between 1948 and 2010, the population of the Philippines increased almost fivefold, from 19 million to 92 million.

2010: P-pop influence

From 2010 to 2020, Pinoy pop (P-pop) was influenced by K-pop and J-pop.

2010: Philippines entered into the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement

In 2010, the Philippines entered into the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement as part of its efforts to seek economic liberalization and free trade.

2010: Growth rate

Since around 2010, the Philippines has experienced an average annual growth rate of six to seven percent, becoming one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

2012: Boracay called the best island in the world

In 2012, Travel + Leisure called Boracay the best island in the world.

2012: Military modernization program expanded

In 2012, a military modernization program expanded in the Philippines to build a more capable defense system.

2012: Decline in income inequality

In 2012, the Philippines' income inequality began to decline.

2012: Scarborough Shoal standoff

In 2012, the Scarborough Shoal standoff occurred after China seized the shoal from the Philippines, leading to an international arbitration case which the Philippines eventually won.

2013: Roman Catholic population

As of 2013, the Philippines had the world's third-largest Roman Catholic population and was Asia's largest Christian nation.

2014: Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed final peace agreements with the government

In 2014, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed final peace agreements with the Philippine government.

2015: Improved sanitation access

In 2015, the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation noted that 74 percent of the Philippine population had access to improved sanitation, showing good progress between 1990 and 2015.

2015: Gold production

The country's gold production in 2015 is 21 metric tonnes.

2016: Genetic markers

A 2016 National Geographic project concluded that people living in the Philippine archipelago carried genetic markers in the following percentages: 53 percent Southeast Asia and Oceania, 36 percent Eastern Asia, 5 percent Southern Europe, 3 percent Southern Asia, and 2 percent Native American (from Latin America).

2016: Household access to water and sanitation

As of 2016, 96 percent of Filipino households had an improved source of drinking water, and 92 percent had sanitary toilet facilities; however, connections to appropriate sewerage systems remained insufficient, particularly in rural and urban poor communities.

2016: Launch of Diwata-1

In 2016, Diwata-1, the Philippines' first micro-satellite, was launched on the United States' Cygnus spacecraft.

2016: Election of Rodrigo Duterte

In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected as president.

2016: Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the US

In 2016, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement supplemented the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.

2017: Air domestic market

The 2017 air domestic market was dominated by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.

December 2018: Kilometers of roads

In December 2018, there were 210,528 kilometers of roads in the Philippines.

2018: Malasakit Centers established

Since 2018, Malasakit Centers (one-stop shops) have been set up in several government-operated hospitals in the Philippines to provide medical and financial assistance to indigent patients.

2019: Higher education institutions

As of 2019, the Philippines has 1,975 higher education institutions, of which 246 are public and 1,729 are private.

2019: Railway footprint

As of 2019, the country had a railway footprint of only 79 kilometers.

2019: Universal Health Care Act

In 2019, President Duterte enacted the Universal Health Care Act, facilitating the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos in the national health insurance program.

2019: Tourism contribution to GDP and Jobs

In 2019, Tourism contributed 12.7 percent to the Philippine GDP, and provided 5.7 million jobs.

2019: Literacy rates

In 2019, the Philippines had a basic literacy rate of 93.8 percent of those five years old or older, and a functional literacy rate of 91.6 percent of those aged 10 to 64.

May 2020: ABS-CBN franchise denial

In May 2020, the Philippine government denied ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, leading to its shutdown as the country's largest network.

2020: Muslim Population

According to the 2020 census, Islam is the Philippines' second-largest religion, with 6.4 percent of the population. Most Muslims live in Mindanao and nearby islands.

2020: Primary import markets

As of 2020, the Philippines' primary import markets were China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Indonesia, and it was the biggest importer of copra.

2020: Religious Denominations

Census data from 2020 found that 78.8 percent of the population professed Roman Catholicism. Other Christian denominations include Iglesia ni Cristo, the Philippine Independent Church, and Seventh-day Adventism.

2020: P-pop influence

From 2010 to 2020, Pinoy pop (P-pop) was influenced by K-pop and J-pop.

2020: Top languages spoken

In 2020, the top languages generally spoken at home in the Philippines were Tagalog, Binisaya, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Cebuano, and Bikol.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Reaches the Philippines

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Philippines, leading to nationwide lockdowns and a severe economic recession.

2020: Ethnic groups

In the 2020 census, the Philippines' largest ethnic groups were Tagalog (26.0 percent), Visayans (14.3 percent), Ilocano and Cebuano (both eight percent), Hiligaynon (7.9 percent), Bikol (6.5 percent), and Waray (3.8 percent). The country's indigenous peoples consisted of 110 ethnolinguistic groups, with a combined population of 15.56 million.

2021: Household electrification level

As of end-2021, the Philippines' household electrification level was about 95.41%.

2021: First Olympic Gold Medal

In 2021, Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal in weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics.

2021: Installed power capacity

In 2021, the Philippines had a total installed power capacity of 26,882 MW, with 43 percent generated from coal.

2021: Water withdrawals

In 2021, the Philippines had total water withdrawals of 89 billion cubic meters.

2021: Leading causes of death

In 2021, the leading causes of death in the Philippines were ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, COVID-19, neoplasms, and diabetes.

2021: Tourism contribution to GDP

In 2021, tourism contributed 5.2 percent to the Philippine GDP.

2021: Entry of Dito Telecommunity

The 2021 entry of Dito Telecommunity improved the country's telecommunications service, which had been dominated by the PLDT-Globe Telecom duopoly for more than two decades.

January 2022: Women's National Football Team World Cup Qualification

In January 2022, the Philippines women's national football team qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking their first appearance in the World Cup.

2022: National government-owned airports

As of 2022, The Philippines had 90 national government-owned airports.

2022: AFP Manpower

As of 2022, the Armed Forces of the Philippines had a total manpower of around 280,000.

2022: Bongbong Marcos Wins Election

In 2022, Bongbong Marcos, the son of Ferdinand Marcos, won the election with Sara Duterte as his running mate.

2022: Nickel ore export

In 2022, Philippines was the world's second biggest exporter of nickel ore.

2022: Dangerous country for journalists

In 2022, the Philippines was listed as the seventh-most-dangerous country for journalists by the Committee to Protect Journalists due to 13 unsolved murders of journalists.

2022: Increased water withdrawals and expenditures

In 2022, the total water withdrawals in the Philippines increased to 91 billion cubic meters from 89 billion cubic meters in 2021, and the total expenditures on water amounted to ₱144.81 billion.

2023: Forest cover in the Philippines

According to official estimates, the Philippines had 7,000,000 hectares (27,000 sq mi) of forest cover in 2023.

2023: American citizens in the Philippines

As of 2023, almost 300,000 American citizens live in the Philippines.

2023: Expanded protected areas

As of 2023, protected areas have been expanded to 7,790,000 hectares (30,100 sq mi).

2023: Education budget and public libraries

As of 2023, the Philippines allocated ₱900.9 billion from the ₱5.268 trillion budget to education, and the country had 1,640 public libraries affiliated with the National Library of the Philippines.

2023: Average life expectancy

As of 2023, the average life expectancy in the Philippines is 70.48 years (66.97 years for males, and 74.15 years for females).

2023: Philippine military spending

In 2023, US$477 million, or 1.4 percent of GDP, was spent on the Philippine military.

2023: Remittances from overseas Filipinos reached a record

In 2023, remittances from overseas Filipinos reached a record US$37.20 billion, accounting for 8.5 percent of GDP.

2023: International Visitors

In 2023, the Philippines attracted 5.45 million international visitors, 30 percent lower than the 8.26 million record in pre-pandemic 2019.

2023: Philippines entered into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement (FTA)

In 2023, the Philippines entered into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement as part of its efforts to seek economic liberalization and free trade.