The Philippines were claimed in the name of Spain in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer sailing for Spain, who named the islands after King Philip II of Spain. They were then called Las Felipinas.

French colonists were interested in acquiring land, exploiting labour, exporting resources and making profit. 3. Vietnamese land was seized by the French and collectivised into large rice and rubber plantations. Local farmers were forced to labour on these plantations in difficult and dangerous conditions.

Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – March 23, 1901)

Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944)

Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945)

Sergio Osmeña Sr. (August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946)

Manuel A. Roxas (May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948)

Elpidio R. Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)

Ramon Magsaysay Sr. (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

Carlos P. Garcia (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)

Diosdado P. Macapagal (December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965)

Ferdinand E. Marcos (December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)

Corazon C. Aquino (February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)

Fidel V. Ramos (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)

Joseph E. Estrada (June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001)

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010)