Yeah. The United States is a big bully, as it was like, "Hey Philippines! Spain is trying to take you over? We'll help you!" So the US fought to protect the Philippines, and when Spain gave up, the US was like, "Ok great. Now WE own the Philippines! Yes, no Philippinos were present when we declared that we own it, but the locals can't do anything about it, so HA!" Basically, the US helped the Philippines not fall under Spain's rule, and then we took it ourselves.
That was the beginning of the US's colonization.