Before the discovery of the Philippines by the Spanish explorer- Magellan in 1521 while searching for spices, the first people who migrated in the country are the Negritos. The Malayans followed and build their tribes. The Arabs also came into the picture, and had a significant role in not just trading with the natives but also in influencing them to Islam religion. The Chinese also traded with the natives and played a significant role in the Philippine history as evidently shown on the number of Filipino-Chinese living in the country right now and as seen in Binondo, Manila.

When the Spaniards came, they introduced Catholicism in the country, which is the most influencial religion in the Philippines right now. They stayed in the country as they were attracted with it's rich natural resources. The Spanish colony remained on the country and brought several revolt to arise. With the great writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, who is the country's National Hero, the world was educated on how the Filipinos were treated by the Spaniards.

When Emilio Aguinaldo, who was the first president of the Philippines, spear-headed the revolt against the Spaniards, they were able to take over all of Luzon except for Intramuros. Since the Spanish-American war is still on, they agreed to sign a treaty turning over the Philippines from the Spaniards to the Americans to end the war. This treaty was called - Treaty of Paris.

Another revolt led by Gen. Aguinaldo came, but now, against the Americans to claim the independence he had declared. However, he was captured by Gen. Frederick Funston. The Americans concentrated in developing the country's economy by opening the country to the world through Free Trade. The independence of the country was given back when the great depression came to the U.S. when Japan started to declare war in Asia.

The Japanese started to increase its power and reached the Philippines. Sergio Osmeña, who was the president at that time after the death of president Manuel L. Quezon (1st president of the Commonwealth), came back to the Philippines with the great forces of the Americans. This ended the Japanese reign in the country.

The Republic of the Philippines was then established with Manuel Roxas as the president.

When Ferdinand Marcos won against President Macapagal in 1965 Presidential Election. Marcos was able to enrich the country's economy on the first part of his term when the Philippines became one of the founding countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) in 1967. However, as violence grew all over the country, President Marcos declared martial law in 1972. More darkness covered the country when the assassination of opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino in 1983 happened at Manila airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA). During the 1986 election came, the widow of Ninoy Aquino, Corazon Aquino, fought Marcos in the presidential seat. Both declared to have won the election, but the Filipinos stood up against the dictatorship of president Marcos, and joined forces together. This is the infamous "People Power" in EDSA which made the Marcos's from leaving Malacañang and fled to the United States.

When the Marcos's left the country, Corazon Aquino took the office as the new president of the Philippines. During her reign, there were several attempts to destabilize the government, wanting to take over Malacañang Palace. Aquino declined to run for re-election in 1992, then was succeeded by Fidel Ramos, who was her army chief of staff. During Fidel Ramos term, he focused on developing the country's economy. In 1998, Joseph Estrada, who was a famous movie actor and a long-term politician, run for presidency and won the election. Estrada launched several projects focusing on the poor Filipinos. He was loved by the masses, but was unpopular amongst the other sectors like businessmen, other politicians, and church leaders. Another uprising came led by those sectors who does not favor Estrada and had Gloria Arroyo, who was the vice president at that time, took her oath under the power of the Supreme Justice.