ELGEN B.

LLORERA
HRM 2-1
PHILIPPINES HISTORY

REFLECTION

Every country in the world has their own challenges and struggles, sometimes their citizen

makes sacrifices. But every problem has their own solution. Even before, the Philippines is a very

peaceful nation but even then, there are some misunderstandings between the rulers of the island

which sometimes lead to bloodshed. That was the environment of pre-colonial period before

Magellan came. Thereafter, the Philippines became a colony of Spain from 1521 until 12 June

1898 when independence was won. During the Spanish occupation, many Filipinos made

sacrifices for their motherland. It was dark times like there is no more morning for the Filipinos

because of the pain and struggle they are facing. And even today, me living in this time of peace

and democracy, also felt the pain and sorrow of my fellow Filipinos. I pity them because of what

they went through to obtain our freedom and democracy today. I’m very proud of them because

they remain strong and fighting for the country and their loves ones. The Spanish has no pity to

punish the innocent Filipinos. And the discrimination they experience is really bad, because

Spanish treat Filipinos as illiterate as if they are a God. They did not consider to help the Filipino

people, give them food and shelter. The Filipinos hug the new beliefs they introduce to them

without hesitation but they return unimaginable hardships for the Filipino people.

But some other Filipino choose to fight to gain the freedom even they are lack weapons,

soldiers and other resources for the battle. Even if they will possibly to lose their life they still

choose to fight for the country and thus, becomes heroes. Filipinos used different tactics to fight

the Spanish soldier, some choose to fight using their iron fist but some used pen and paper.

Anything against the Spanish to wake the Filipino peoples from its long slumber, thus the
revolution begins. I really admired those people very much because they have courage in their

heart and the love for their country and love ones.

During the Spanish colonization the American entered the picture. That Filipino believe

that they are the hero which remove them from the mud that bury them for a long time cast upon

by the Spanish colonization. Later that they know, that they are wrong because after the first

republic was born a new war erupted between the Americans and Filipinos that cause again

bloodshed and death of many people. The wrath of the Americans quickly spread all over the

country their attacked were fast, ruthless and systematic. The Filipinos were easily fall because

they are still young in fighting like Dr. Jose Rizal said. And many people died to defend the country

but our Heroes are happy to die for the freedom of their beloved country. But instead becoming

one the Filipino’s fought each other for their own gain and started to lose trust at each other. But

Filipinos choose to accept the condition of America just for the peace of the rest of the country.

But the peacefulness wished by all Filipinos did not last for a long time. World War II erupted.

Japan attacked Philippines and it cause again millions of Filipinos to die together with the

Americans. The hardships and pain is again experience by the innocent people that only want to

live happy and to have a peaceful environment. No matter what happen Filipinos are very strong.

It is not the reason of giving up their dreams. After the war they move forward and rise again to

have a strong government.

The Republic of the Philippines proclaimed with Manuel Roxas as the President and the

other president follow to govern the country and to supervise the citizen. But after Ferdinand

Marcos was elected as a president during this administration the economic are slowly worsen, the

crime rate is high, the poverty is spread all over the country. The ordinary citizen is sacrificing and

never stop working just to reach the demand of the market but they are failed to left their families
in poverty while the family of Marcos, their relative and friends are enjoying their lives living like

kings and queens in a castle not knowing that the country they are ruling is slowly dying.

The riches of the country were stolen by a government they used it for their own benefit

and the country are in poverty. Filipinos sacrificed again but in the hands of the greedy fellow

Filipinos who only think the sake of their own. It was more painful because the citizens know that

they must keep on living peacefully and normally because they are govern by a Filipino but they

are wrong because he was the one who buried them in poverty, hardship, pain and sorrow.

President Marcos was re-elected but the constitution did not allow it for a third time, he declared

a martial law to remain in position. Marcos ruled for almost 21 years which created economic and

political crisis that resulted in national impoverishment. Every people who went against his rules

were killed and jailed. After the assassination to the late Sen. Aquino, anti-Marcos masses rallied

resulting to a national assembly election but Marcos won again because he cheated the result of

the election. Corazon ran against Marcos in the presidential election was still disputed, a military

revolt in Manila led by the President Marcos’ two top official initiated and later was a People

Power Revolution because people fight their right and shout the wrong handled of Marcos

administration. Marcos and his Family run and fly to US. Corazon elect as a new president a first

woman become a president of Philippines. I admired the late Corazon Aquino because she believes

in herself and fight just to gain the freedom of the whole country. And it started again a democracy

that we enjoy today

Everybody has capabilities to protect our country and love ones just believe and do a right

thing. Be a responsible citizen and do your part to protect the country and maintain the love and

peacefulness to everyone.