The human history of the Philippines is believed to have begun 150,000 years ago. Stone artifacts suggest hunters from the Asiatic mainland crossed an ancient land bridge.

Many historians regard the Negrito, who arrived from Asia about 25,000 years ago, to be the original inhabitants of the Philippines. Yet bones aged 50,000 years have also been discovered.

Five separate migrations of Indo-Chinese took place between 1500 and 500 BC. They were followed by Malayans between AD 500 and 1500. By the time the Portuguese voyager Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521, he found the islands to be thriving centers of commerce. Traders from India, Arabia, and China had been exchanging their wares and influencing the indigenous culture since the 10th century.

Along with spices, silks, and porcelains, the traders later brought Islam. Today the majority of Mindanao is Muslim. The rest of the population might also be Muslim if Magellan had not claimed the archipelago for Spain. He spread the Christian word with such fervor and total disregard for local sensibilities that fighting broke out with the people led by chieftain Lapu-Lapu, during which Magellan was killed.

But Spanish expeditions to the islands continued. By 1565 the archipelago had been named "Felipinas" in honor of Spanish king Felipe II. Treaties were signed and Miguel L退