This document provides an overview of key concepts and periods in Philippine history for exam preparation. It recommends focusing on textbooks rather than dates, being familiar with basic geographic concepts, Philippine presidents through the mnemonic AQLORQMGMMAREAA, and current events. Key historical periods discussed include the pre-Hispanic, Spanish, American, Japanese occupation, independence, Marcos/Martial Law, EDSA Revolution eras. Specific events, figures, and legal terms within these periods are also outlined.

1. Social Science
Philippine History

2. Considerations
• Do not focus on dates because they do not (or seldom)
appear in the Licensure Examination for Teachers
• Do not rely too much on the lectures and hand-outs.
• Read social studies textbooks in high school, from first
year to fourth year (Philippine History, Asian Studies,
World History, Economics)
• Be familiar with basic geographic concepts
• Use mnemonics like AQLORQMGMMAREAA for
Philippine Presidents
• Be up to date or be familiar with current events
• Have your own research on every item in the hand-
outs. For instance, you can read wikipedia webpages.

3. Considerations
• Be familiar with some legal terms like Writ of Habeas
Corpus, Writ of Amparo and Writ of Habeas Data (appeared
in the exam)
• Habeas Corpus - writ ordering detained person into court: a
writ issued in order to bring somebody who has been
detained into court, usually for a decision on whether the
detention is lawful was not found in the English Dictionary
• Amparo and Habeas Data - In the Philippines, amparo and
habeas data are prerogative writs to supplement the
inefficacy of the writ of habeas corpus (Rule 102, Revised
Rules of Court). Amparo means 'protection,' while habeas
data is 'access to information’

4. Philippine Historical Periods
• Pre-Hispanic Period
• Spanish Period
• American Period
• Japanese Occupation
• Philippine Independence
• Marcos Era and Martial Law
• EDSA Revolution and Fifth Republic
• Contemporary Period

5. Pre-Hispanic Period
• Migration of Aetas, Indonesians and Malays
• Unit of government - Barangay, from the term
“balangay”
• Rule of the Datu – exercised legislative,
executive and judicial powers
• Social classes – Maharlika, timawa, alipin
(namamahay at sagigilid)
• Early laws: Maragtas Code by Datu Sumakwel
and Kalantiaw Code by Datu Kalantiaw

6. Spanish Period
• Discovery of the Philippine Islands by Ferdinand
Magellan on March 16, 1521
• Death of Magellan in the hands of Lapu-Lapu’s
men on April 27, 1521
• Unitary form of government through the
governor-generals
• The excerise of judicial powers through the Royal
Audiencia
• The Propaganda Movement and various
publications like La Solidaridad (know the
pseudonyms of writers)
• Gomburza and secularization

7. Spanish Period
Revolutionary era
• Establishment of KKK or Kataas-taasan Kagalang-
galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan by Gat
Andres Bonifacio (Agapito Bagumbayan)
• Philippine Revolution of 1896
• Biak-na-Bato government of General Emilio Aguinaldo
• Dictatorial government of General Emilio Aguinaldo
• Revolutionary government of General Emilio Aguinaldo
• First Philippine Republic in Malolos, Bulacan
• The life and execution of Dr. José Protacio Rizal
Mercado y Alonso Realonda
• The contributions of other Filipino Heroes

8. American Period
• The Battle of Manila on May 1, 1898
• Treaty of Paris, through which the Philippines was sold
by Spain to the US for 20 Million US dollars
• American Military Government
• The Civil Government and Philippine Commissions
(Schurman and Taft)
• Tydings-Mcduffie Act or the Philippine Independence
Act – which provided for the self-government of the
Philippines and for Filipino Independence (from the US)
after a period of ten years
• Commonwealth government

9. Japanese Occupation
• World War II
• Bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941
• Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines
• HUKBALAHAP – Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon
• Fall of Bataan and the Death March from Bataan
to San Fernando, Pampanga
• Return of Gen. Douglas McArthur and the Leyte
Landing

10. Philippine Independence
• Independence of the Philippine declared on
July 4, 1946
• Third Republic under President Manuel Roxas
• Presidencies of RQMGM – Roxas, Quirino,
Magsaysay, Garcia and Macapagal

11. Marcos Era and Martial Law
• Martial Law proclaimed on September 21,
1972 (Proclamation 1081)
• 1973 Constitution
• Assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.,
who said “The Filipino is worth dying for”
• Martial Law was lifted on January 16, 1981

12. EDSA Revolution and Fifth Republic
• EDSA People Power Revolution (EDSA stands
for Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) on February
22-25, 1986
• Freedom Constitution
• Presidencies of Corazon C. Aquino, Fidel V.
Ramos, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino
III

13. Contemporary Period
• Administration of President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte
• Current Events...
• Watch the news!