Today in Philippine History: Legazpi Establishes Manila as Capital

JUNE 24, 1571

On the feast day of St. John the Baptist, Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made Manila the capital of the Philippines. He named the city Nuevo Reino de Castilla (New Kingdom of Castille). The city government was established the following day complete with a cabildo (city council) and a court. Years later, King Philip II of Spain through his Royal Decree of June 1, 1574 renamed Manila Insigne y Siempre Leal de Ciudad (Distinguished and Ever Loyal City) and conferred a coat-of-arms for the city through his Royal Decree of March 26, 1596. 

Photo credit: http://visitpinas.com/

Today in Philippine History: The Treaty of Cebu

JUNE 4, 1565

The first Filipino-Spanish Treaty of Peace or the Treaty of Cebu was an agreement signed by Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi representing King Philip II of Spain and Rajah Tupas, the King of Cebu. Under the treaty, Cebu would recognize the government of Spain and in return, Spain will protect Cebu in any event of war. Tupas, the nephew of Rajah Humabon  was earlier defeated by Legazpi’s forces on April 27, 1565 after which the first Spanish settlement was founded. Rajah Tupas was the last king of Cebu during the pre-Spanish period.   

Today in Philippine History: Legazpi Claims Maynilad (Manila)

MAY 19, 1571

Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (c. 1502 – August 20, 1572) took possession of Maynilad in the name of King Philip II of Spain. Also known as El Adelantado and El Viejo, Legazpi left Panay in the middle of April with a force consisting of 27 vessels, 280 Spaniards and 600 Visayan allies. Rajah Lakandula, the king of Tondo knowing that it is futile to resist the Spanish forces decided to welcome Legazpi and convinced his nephew Rajah Sulayman, the king of Maynilad to make peace with the Spanish Conquistador.     

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Legazpi and Sikatuna's Blood Compact

MARCH 16, 1565

Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Bohol chieftain Rajah Sikatuna forge their friendship in a ritual called Sandugo or blood compact. This ritual involves the cutting of their  wrists and pour their blood into a cup filled with wine and then drink the mixture. Juan Luna came out with an award-winning masterpiece featuring this event.