Initial conquest

  Philippines suffered from bloody continuous conquest from Spain, US, and Japan. Philippines was first discovered on March 15, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator, while sailing to Spain (A). He tried convert Filipinos to Christianity and take control of their area. Magellan thought that fighting against the natives will be easy, however, Lapu Lapu who was the chief of the Mactans in the island proved him wrong. The Mactans recognized Magellan and immediately killed him leaving his men to surrender (C). 

  Even though Lapu Lapu first resisted foreign colonist, Spain returned for the conquest of the Philippines. With the force by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, they were able to conquer Philippines (C). Philippines had no special attractions or effective trade goods that would attract Spain. Although Philippines did not have much attraction, it was the only island that could be the stopping point in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. Spain's initial conquest of Philippines led Filipinos to convert to Christianity and adapt more developed Spanish culture. Slowly along with their conquest, the Mestizo culture emerged to the Philippine society. Also, churches of Christianity did not tolerate any old practices to Philippine which led Spanish culture to become more dominant (E).