Philippine History, Illustrated

CEBU, Philippines — A new book on the history of the Philippines had its formal launch in Cebu last Sunday, February 17.

Titled “An Illustrated History of the Philippines” and written by Cebu-born now-Europe-based writer and academic Jose Raymund Canoy, the book documents how the country’s past shaped it into becoming one of the most globalized cultures in the world – a telling of how the norms and mores of contemporary Philippine society have been forged through the generations-spanning integration of lasting and deeper influences of various cultures.

Published by John Beaufoy Publishing firm, with headquarters in Oxford, England, the illustrated paperback documents the country’s notable historic points from pre-historic times to the present day.

With chapters describing pre-historic life in the country through the 1500s, the country’s colonial experiences under the Spanish from 1500 to 1896, the formation of the first republic and subsequent defeat by the United States from 1860 to 1910, the Japanese occupation and the formation of the third republic from 1910 to 1972 and the Martial Law era from 1970 to 1986, the book ends with a look towards the future.

The second of a series of titles by John Beaufoy Publishing (the first being “An Illustrated History of Thailand” released in 2015), “An Illustrated History of the Philippines” is also the second book written by Canoy. It’s available in National Bookstore branches nationwide. (YRST)