The Philippines is a unique nation not only because of its island heritage or its diverse culture, but also because of its turbulent history. As a nation that was placed right in the heart of the historic Silk Route, the control of the oceans and ports of the Philippines were a much coveted prize among the colonial European nations, this lead to the island being controlled by the Portuguese, the Spanish and finally by the Americans.
Colonization of the Philippines began with the arrival of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. However it is Miguel Lopez who is credited with establishing the first Spanish base in Cebu. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi is a famed Spanish conquistador who is credited with various colonial feats. Lopez was a member of the troupe that travelled with Cortes in 1528 to Mexico, it is said that he took to sea faring to escape from the mental anguish of his parents’ death. He was highly regarded by the Spanish colonial authorities and was made the Governor of Mexico City.
However later on he decided to write a new chapter in his life by leading an expedition that was commissioned by the King of Spain to find the “Spice Islands of the East”. At the culmination of this journey he had constructed an outpost in Cebu that was to be the entry point for the Spanish conquistadors to Asia. Fort Santiago was built a few years after this as Manila was being established as the capital of this new colony. It was meant to serve as a protective fort that would deter the native tribes from attacking the Spanish colonials. The fort is named after the patron saint of the nation of Spain, and the façade of the fort has a stone carving with his image.
