Ask anyone who's been to the Philippines and they'll tell you it's an island paradise, the "Pearl of the Orient," as one of its most famous writers, José Rizal, put it. But things weren't always peaceful and bright for that beautiful island nation. For three centuries, it was under the Spanish colonial yoke and most of its population enjoyed few rights and civil liberties. But by the 19th Century, there were talks of independence, of revolution, not just amongst its commoners, but its native-born intelligentsia as well. Tune in this week for part one of the story, in which we explore the history of the Philippines and the circumstances that led up to its war for freedom.