Philippines History Quiz: 50 Quiz Questions and Answers about the history of the Philippines

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Do you love trivia and want to test your knowledge of the Philippines? Then this ultimate Philippines history quiz is for you!

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country with a rich and vibrant history that dates back centuries.

From its ancient tribal roots to the colonial period, the modern nation of the Philippines has been shaped by many different cultures and influences.

To better understand this unique nation, let’s take a look at some of its fascinating history through this quiz of 50 questions and answers about the Philippines!

Test your knowledge on everything from pre-colonial times to present-day events in Philippine history, and see how much you know about this diverse country!

In the first section of the quiz, you will find all the questions about the history of the Philippines. If you want to find out the answers, keep scrolling, they are further down below!

Round 1: Easy Philippines History Trivia Questions

1. Which country invaded the Philippines 10 hours after Pearl Harbor?
2. What is the oldest city in the Philippines?
3. From which Spanish king do the Philippines takes its name?
4. Who was the first president of the Philippines?
5. What was the name of the largest naval battle fought in the Philippines?
6. To which country did Spain cede the Philippines in 1898?
7. Which president is sometimes referred to as PBBM?
8. Which president introduced the Martial law in 1972?
9. During which battle with the warriors of Lapulapu was Ferdinand Magellan killed?
10. What is the oldest university in the Philippines?
11. Who was the first female president of the Philippines?

Round 1: Easy Philippines History Trivia Questions and Answers

1. Which country invaded the Philippines 10 hours after Pearl Harbor? Japan
2. What is the oldest city in the Philippines? Cebu
3. From which Spanish king do the Philippines takes its name? Philip II
4. Who was the first president of the Philippines? Emilio Aguinaldo
5. What was the name of the largest naval battle fought in the Philippines? Battle of Leyte Gulf
6. To which country did Spain cede the Philippines in 1898? United States
7. Which president is sometimes referred to as PBBM? President Bongbong Marcos
8. Which president introduced the Martial law in 1972? Ferdinand Marcos
9. During which battle with the warriors of Lapulapu was Ferdinand Magellan killed? Battle of Mactan
10. What is the oldest university in the Philippines? University of Santo Tomas
11. Who was the first female president of the Philippines? Corazon Aquino

Round 2: Philippines History Multiple Choice Questions

1. In which year was Martial Law declared in the Philippines?
   A. 1972
   B. 1965
   C. 1986
   D. 2016
2. How old was Jose Rizal when he was executed?
   A. 45
   B. 50
   C. 36
   D. 28
3. Which of these isn’t a written work of Jose Rizal?
   A. Mi Ultimo Adios
   B. Aves De Rapina
   C. El Filibusterismo
   D. Noli Me Tangere
4. In what year did the Philippine Revolution against Spain begin?
   A. 1901
   B. 1890
   C. 1861
   D. 1896
5. Which of these wasn’t a President of the Philippines?
   A. Carlos P Garcia
   B. Jose Abad Santos
   C. Elpidio Quirino
   D. Manuel Roxas
6. In which year did Magellan discover the Philippines?
   A. 1521
   B. 1571
   C. 1600
   D. 1611
7. One what date was Philippine Independence proclaimed?
   A. June 26, 1898
   B. June 12, 1898
   C. June 12, 1901
   D. July 4, 1898
8. What is the name of the script widely used in Luzon before the adaptation of the Latin Alphabet?
   A. Baybayin
   B. Cuneiform
   C. Tangut
   D. Nandinagari
9. In which year were the Gomburza priests executed?
   A. 1872
   B. 1898
   C. 1896
   D. 1862
10. Which of these Filipino historical figures didn’t start a rebellion against Spain?
    A. Diego Silang
    B. Francisco Dagohoy
    C. Andres Malong
    D. Kapitan Tiago

Round 2: Philippines History Multiple Choice Questions and Answers

1. In which year was Martial Law declared in the Philippines? 1972
2. How old was Jose Rizal when he was executed? 36
3. Which of these isn’t a written work of Jose Rizal? Aves De Rapina
4. In what year did the Philippine Revolution against Spain begin? 1896
5. Which of these wasn’t a President of the Philippines? Jose Abad Santos
6. In which year did Magellan discover the Philippines? 1521
7. One what date was Philippine Independence proclaimed? June 12, 1898
8. What is the name of the script widely used in Luzon before the adaptation of the Latin Alphabet? Baybayin
9. In which year were the Gomburza priests executed? 1872
10. Which of these Filipino historical figures didn’t start a rebellion against Spain? Kapitan Tiago

Round 3: Philippines History Quiz – True or False

1. The current Constitution was created in 1972.
2. President Fidel Ramos served as a lieutenant in the Korean War
3. Ninoy Aquino was a correspondent in the Vietnam War.
4. The name Manila came from a flower which grew on the banks of the Pasig River.
5. The Philippines were under US tutelage for 48 years.
6. Tagalog was declared the basis of the National Language in 1937 by Manuel Quezon.
7. The Mendiola Massacre took place in the 70s.
8. The first mass in the Philippines was celebrated in Limasawa, Southern Leyte.
9. President Ramon Magsaysay died in a car accident.
10. The Subic and Clark Bases in the Philippines were the largest military installations by the US Armed Forces outside America until they left in 1991.

Round 3: Philippines History Quiz Answers – True or False

1. The current Constitution was created in 1972. False, the one currently in use was created in 1987
2. President Fidel Ramos served as a lieutenant in the Korean War True
3. Ninoy Aquino was a correspondent in the Vietnam War. False, he served as a correspondent during the Korean War.
4. The name Manila came from a flower which grew on the banks of the Pasig River. True
5. The Philippines were under US tutelage for 48 years. True
6. Tagalog was declared the basis of the National Language in 1937 by Manuel Quezon. True
7. The Mendiola Massacre took place in the 70s. False, it was in the 80s.
8. The first mass in the Philippines was celebrated in Limasawa, Southern Leyte. True
9. President Ramon Magsaysay died in a car accident. False, he died in a plane crash.
10. The Subic and Clark Bases in the Philippines were the largest military installations by the US Armed Forces outside America until they left in 1991. True

Round 4: Medium Philippines History Trivia Questions

1. Which American general delivered a famous speech title ‘I Have Returned’ in 1944?
2. Who was the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth?
3. Who was the commander of the Japanese Forces in the Philippines during the campaigns of 1944 and 1945 and who was executed for War Crimes?
4. Who was the politician and leading opposition figure who was assassinated upon his arrival and return to the Philippines in 1983?
5. Who was the Philippine President who underwent impeachment proceedings and was ousted from power in 2001?
6. Which 2015 movie stars John Arcilla as the leader of the Philippine Revolutionary Army?
7. Which Filipino painter who is known for a piece called the Spolarium?
8. Who was the Filipino General who is known as the hero of Tirad Pass?
9. Against which country were the Americans and Filipinos fighting in the battle of Mindanao?
10. In which city did Ferdinand Magellan first land in the Philippines?

Round 4: Medium Philippines History Trivia Questions and Answers

1. Which American general delivered a famous speech title ‘I Have Returned’ in 1944? General Douglas MacArthur
2. Who was the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth? Manuel Quezon
3. Who was the commander of the Japanese Forces in the Philippines during the campaigns of 1944 and 1945 and who was executed for War Crimes? Tomoyuki Yamashita 
4. Who was the politician and leading opposition figure who was assassinated upon his arrival and return to the Philippines in 1983? Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino
5. Who was the Philippine President who underwent impeachment proceedings and was ousted from power in 2001? Joseph “Erap” Estrada
6. Which 2015 movie stars John Arcilla as the leader of the Philippine Revolutionary Army? Heneral Luna
7. Which Filipino painter who is known for a piece called the Spolarium? Juan Luna
8. Who was the Filipino General who is known as the hero of Tirad Pass? Gregorio del Pilar
9. Against which country were the Americans and Filipinos fighting in the battle of Mindanao? Japan
10. In which city did Ferdinand Magellan first land in the Philippines? Cebu

Round 5: Hard Philippines History Trivia Questions

1. On which island in the Central Philippines was Jose Rizal exiled?
2. Which Filipino President accompanied General McArthur on his return to the Philippines?
3. What was the first book published in the Philippines?
4. Which Filipino hero was known as The Sublime Paralytic?
5. What was the name given to the first batch of teachers who arrived in the Philippines from the United States?
6. Who composed the National Anthem of the Philippines?
7. Who was the Filipino woman who made the first ever Philippine flag?
8. Which Spanish conquistador who founded Manila?
9. Who was the famous World War II guerilla fighter who became the leader of Hukbalahap Communist Insurgents during the 40s and 50s?
10. Which Filipino was elected as UN Secretary General in 1949?

Round 5: Hard Philippines History Trivia Questions and Answers

1. On which island in the Central Philippines was Jose Rizal exiled? Dapitan
2. Which Filipino President accompanied General McArthur on his return to the Philippines? Sergio Osmena
3. What was the first book published in the Philippines? Doctrina Christiana
4. Which Filipino hero was known as The Sublime Paralytic? Apolinario Mabini
5. What was the name given to the first batch of teachers who arrived in the Philippines from the United States? The Thomasites
6. Who composed the National Anthem of the Philippines? Julian Felipe
7. Who was the Filipino woman who made the first ever Philippine flag? Marcela Mariño Agoncillo
8. Which Spanish conquistador who founded Manila? Miguel López de Legazpi
9. Who was the famous World War II guerilla fighter who became the leader of Hukbalahap Communist Insurgents during the 40s and 50s? Luis Taruc
10. Which Filipino was elected as UN Secretary General in 1949? Carlos P. Romulo

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