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Front: José Rizal (1861-1896), Filipino national hero

Rizal was a prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era and its eventual independence from Spain. His 1896 military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.

Back: Scene of Aguinaldo's Independence Declaration of June 12, 1898

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Front: Manuel Quezon (1878-1944), 2nd President of the Philippines 1935-1944

Back: Malakanyang Palace

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Front: Sergio Osmeña (1878-1961), 4th President of the Philippines 1944-1946

Back: Legislative building

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Front: Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964), 1st President of the Philippines

Back: Scene of Aguinaldo's Independence Declaration of June 12, 1898

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Front: Apolinario Mabini (left) and Andres Bonifacio (right)

Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903), author of the Constitution and 1st Prime Minister of the Philippines 1899

Andrés Bonifacio (1863-1897), one of the chief leaders of the revolution against Spanish colonial rule

Back: Barasoain Church (left) and Initiation of Katipunan members by blood compact (right)

Philippines, an archipelago in the western Pacific 500 miles from the southeast coast of Asia, was discovered by Spanish explorers in 1521.

The first permanent Spanish settlement was establish in 1565. Spain held the Philippines amid a growing movement of Filipino nationalism until 1898 when they were ceded to the United States at the end of the Spanish-American War.

The Filipinos then fought unsuccessfully against the United States to maintain their independent republic proclaimed by Emilio Aguinaldo. The country became a self-governing Commonwealth of the United States in 1935, occupied by Japan during WWII, and attained full independence in 1946.

For a more detailed country profile, see CIA World Factbook on Philippines.