PHL-US Long ties

A little history we need.
How did the Philippines and the US develop alliance for more than half a century. There isn't anybody today who has lived the life before the Americans came to the Philippines. With the recent events in the Philippines, I believe it is just appropriate to review a little history on how the Philippines and the US developed alliance which lasted for decades, if not, a century.
1521 - 1898 Spanish colonization.
1898 - outbreak of the Spanish - American War in Manila Bay. The signing of the Treaty of Paris in December 1898 transferred the Philippines to the United States from Spanish rule. This marked a period of political turbulence known as the Philippine - American War.
1901 - the military government was replaced by a civilian government, the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands with William Howard Taft serving as the first Governor-General.
1901 - 1906 - a series of revolutionary government existed but lacked significant international diplomatic recognition.
1934 - passage of Philippine Independence Act, also known as the Tydings - McDuffie Act which established the process for the Philippines to become an independent country after a ten-year transition period. The 1935 Constitution of the Philippines was written and the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established. This was in preparation for the country's full independence in 1946.
1941- 1945 Japanese occupation and World War II. On December 8, 1941, Japan launched air raids in several cities and US military installations in the Philippines. On December 10, the first Japanese troops landed in Northern Luzon. Manila was occupied by the Japanese on January 2, 1942. Bataan fell on April 9, 1942. The Commonwealth Government exiled to Washington, DC. The Philippine Commonwealth Army, the auxiliary units of the US Army, continued to fight the Japanese in a guerilla war. In October 1944, General MacArthur began retaking the Philippines, landing with Sergio Osmena who became President of the Philippines after Quezon's death. The Filipino and American forces, while fighting the Japanese, also removed local Huk governments and imprisoned high ranking members of the Philippine Communist Party. Over a million Filipinos perished in the war and many towns were left in ruins.
July 4, 1946 - With the signing of the Treaty of Manila between the governments of the Philippines and the United States, Philippine Independence and the relinquishment of the sovereignty over the Philippine Islands by the United States was officially recognized.
1946 - 1961 - Independence Day was observed on July 4.
May 12, 1962 - President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 28 proclaiming June 12, as a special public holiday.
1964 - Philippine Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12 and renamed the July 4 holiday as Philippine Republic Day.
1947 - 1991 - US Bases era. The United States maintained major facilities at Clark Air Base until November 1991 and at Subic Bay Naval Complex and other smaller areas until November 1992.
July 16, 2015 - The Philippine government announced that it will revive a US built deep water naval base in Subic Bay.
2016 - Rodrigo Duterte became the Philippine President and assumed office on June 30, 2016. President Duterte is critical on the presence of military bases in the Philippines. He mentioned that the US take back with them high-tech and powerful weapons after each military exercise. He said, "they're the ones who benefited, the're the ones who learned but we got nothing." He further stated, "I do not mean to cancel or abrogate the military alliances. But let me ask you--- do you really think we need it?" The joint drills between the US and Philippines ended last tuesday.
The Philippines was colonized by Spain for over 300 years. Then, the Americans came. Then, the Japanese attacked and ruled for a few years. Then, the Americans came back. The Philippines was never really independent. And when it was independent, it was still relying on aid from its major ally, the United States.
It would be almost impossible to fathom how the Philippines would be without the usual US alliance. But, this is not absolute. The alliance will always be there but not to the extent that the Philippines is used to. It seems that President Duterte is planning on a more independent Philippines and alliances with other countries as well aside from the United States.
President Rodrigo Duterte appears to be the most genuine president the Philippines ever had for a long time. He is facing a battle to correct problems the country is facing that had developed for decades. He has faith in his fellowmen. Do not let his faith in his people be taken for granted. He definitely needs the support of his people.
I guess we can only presume what the future may hold for the Philippines. --- Change is Here, Philippines. By: Gil Acosta