A Not Well-Publicized Facts in Philippine History

William Draper, the British commander, led the successful conquest of Manila in 1762, placing the city under British control for two years. However, what many don’t know is that Draper came close to dying at the hands of a Filipino warrior.

José Manalastas, a fierce Pampango warrior, led a daring counterattack against the British forces just one week after Manila's occupation.

Manalastas and his men, armed with bows and spears, launched an assault on the British camp, managing to penetrate the defenses and reach Draper’s tent.

In a dramatic encounter, Manalastas engaged Draper in a duel, even managing to stab him in the chest before being overwhelmed by the British forces.

Draper later praised Manalastas’ bravery, admitting that had the Filipino warriors been armed with better weapons, he would have certainly perished.

This act of valor is a lesser-known chapter of Filipino resistance during the British invasion of Manila, showcasing the courage of Filipino warriors even in the face of overwhelming colonial power.

Meanwhile here are the other Countries That Were Once Part of the British Empire. The Philippines is not in this list.

The British Empire was the largest in history, ruling over nearly a quarter of the world’s land and people. Its reach spanned every continent — shaping borders, cultures, and histories that still influence the world today.

Examples of former British territories by region:

Asia

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Yemen, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Israel/Palestine, Cyprus, Hong Kong

Africa

Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Mauritius, Seychelles

Americas & Caribbean

United States (13 colonies), Canada, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica

Oceania & Pacific

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu

Europe (selected)

Ireland, Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus

At its peak, people used to say:

“The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

Meanwhile Did you That :

In the 1600s, a mysterious babaylan named Tapar led a daring revolt in Oton, Panay, rejecting Spanish rule and creating his own fusion of Christianity and native beliefs.

Declaring himself a divine leader, he wore women’s clothing and claimed to speak with spirits, forming his own version of the Catholic Trinity and the Virgin Mary.

When a Spanish priest tried to stop him, Tapar had him executed, sparking a brutal crackdown. 

Spanish forces slaughtered Tapar and his followers, displaying their bodies on bamboo poles and feeding them to crocodiles as a gruesome warning to others.

Even the sacred image of their Virgin Mary was not spared, meeting the same fate.

Lastly Did You Know That?

The Chinese presence in the Philippines dates back to pre-colonial times when Chinese merchants were essential to trade. During the Spanish era, the Chinese were restricted to Manila’s Parian, but their skills in commerce kept them around.

However, the game-changer came during the American Period (1898-1946) when anti-Chinese laws were lifted, and Chinese immigrants were granted full citizenship. This shift allowed them to integrate fully into Philippine society, especially in business, politics, and education.

Families like the Sy, Tan, and Gokongwei built business empires, shaping industries such as retail, manufacturing, and real estate—making Chinese-Filipinos central to the nation’s growth! Half of the top ten richest Filipinos has Chinese Ancestry.