* * * * * Flag of the Philippines. Manila, Luzon Island, Republic of the Philippines Saturday, 5 th October 1996 The Philippine Archipelago is situated in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of roughly 7,641 islands. It’s also resting on the “Pacific Ring of Fire” and is subject to frequent volcano activity, earthquakes and typhoons. I had the privilege of flying over many of these islands, and discovered them to be extraordinarily beautiful. The arrival of Portuguese explorer, and Spanish subject, Ferdinand Magellan, in 1521 at the Philippines, marked the beginning of Hispanic colonization, which would continue for the next 300 years. With the advent of the Spanish-American War of 1898, lasting only three months and three wee...