The Spaniards ruled the Philippines for 300 years under these conditions, continually harassed by

Chinese pirates, by the Moros (Mohammedans from Mindanao and Sulu), by the Dutch and the English
who wanted to take possession of the Islands, and finally by the frequent revolts on the part of the
natives.

When European traders, in search for a new route to the Spice Islands, stumbled into the Philippine
archipelago in 1521, they found the people living in a comparatively high state of civilization. The natives
dwelt on houses made of bamboo and palm leaves, and were properly attired at all times. They
cultivated rice, which was their staple food, fished the extensive waters around them, and brewed many
kinds of drinks, which they were very fond of. The women’s position in society was high; tribal laws and
customs recognized her equality with the men in many respects. The people practiced monogamy in
general. Codes of law governed their conduct. Punishments with varying degrees of severity were meted
out to culprits whose offenses were tried in public courts presided over by the chiefs.

Several languages were spoken, then, as now, although there was one common alphabet called
babaying, which resembled the ancient alphabet of India. Spanish historians, writing about the early
Filipinos, affirmed that there was hardly a man or woman who could not read and write. There was oral
and written literature.

Such was the state of culture of the Filipinos when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines at
the head of a Spanish expedition searching for the Spice Islands in 1521. Magellan never completed the
journey himself; he was killed in an encounter with natives after having claimed the Philippines for
Spain.

The actual work of colonization began in 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi concluded treaties of
friendship with the native chiefs. Then he proceeded to establish a Spanish town on Cebu Island, to
convert the people to Roman Catholicism.

Spain’s foremost aim in the Philippines was to spread their religion. For this purpose thousands of
Catholic missionaries belonging to various orders came to the Philippines. The contribution of this
mission work toward the advancement of education, culture, and architecture in general was enormous,
although in later years the friars came to be considered as the opponents of the enlightenment of the
people. It was also at this point when the Spanish missionaries tried to eliminate the ancient written
literature of the Filipinos. Because of the destruction of ancient writings, in their eagerness to erase the
previous cultural records of the Philippines, only the orally transmitted literature has survived.
 Starting on a clean slate, it can be said that the missionaries encouraged the growth of literature, art,
science, and industry. The religious orders established schools and colleges, founded libraries and
museums, and set up printing presses. They also built hospitals, asylums, and orphanages to take care of
the sick and needy (including the unwanted babies sired by friars).

But Spain’s biggest legacy to the Philippines is Roman Catholism, which the people embraced readily
from the beginning. The missionary zeal to make the country an outpost of the Catholicism in spite of
the fact that (even with unsparing exploitation), the Philippines was a financial liability as a colony.
Whether this is true or not, historians seem to agree that the cross, rather than the sword, conquered
the Filipinos.

The colorful rituals and numerous holidays of the Catholic Church gave rise to many folk traditions.
The fiesta, or religious festival, for example, quickly became the chief occasion for the folk to gather and
perform songs and dances. Each town was assigned a patron saint on whose birthday the festival was
held. The folk have come to associate the occasion with gay colors, brass bands, and general
merrymaking. It was during these feasts, too, that the peasants indulged in such pastimes as drinking
palm wine and cock-fighting.

With the rising influence of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, there began a contention for
power between the religious and civil authorities, which proved harmful to the Filipinos. Each camp
accused the other of oppressing the people. In the conflict, the progress of the nation was retarded,
because the Spaniards spent much time and energy in quarreling among themselves instead of
governing.

One chief source of abuse, the encomienda system, was not abolished until the end of the 18th
century. By this system, pieces of territory, with their inhabitants and resources, were granted by the
Spanish king to the colonizers as a reward for services to the Crown. The encomenderos ruled like the
feudal lords of Medieval Europe, and exploited their territories to the limit. They abused, overtaxed,
cheated, and practically enslaved the Filipinos. The few priests who tried to defend the people were
helpless, and the elaborate laws framed to protect the subjects were openly flouted.

Even after the encomienda system was abolished, corrupt Spanish officials continued to exploit the
people, who still had to render forced labor and pay heavy tribute. The feudal economy remained, with
land concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and the Church itself. Attempts at reform by
sympathetic Spanish officials were quickly put down by influential personages who had their own
interests to protect. With the growth of the country’s population, poverty was widespread among the
masses; mendicancy, unknown before the coming of the Spaniards was common. The beggar by the
church gate or the frequented street corner, and the blind mendicant begging from house to house
became familiar sights.

The Spaniards ruled the Philippines for 300 years under these conditions, continually harassed by
Chinese pirates, by the Moros (Mohammedans from Mindanao and Sulu), by the Dutch and the English
who wanted to take possession of the Islands, and finally by the frequent revolts on the part of the
natives.

Reflection:

The Spaniards conquered the Philippines for 333 years. No unity, no proper government, divided
tribes. Those are some reasons on why the Spanish easily conquered our land. Result of these are, we
adapted their culture, traditions, and even their languages which we used until today. the Spanish took
advantage of the already divided up people in the Philippines and easily dominated by them. When a
Filipino tribe was planning to have a revolution, the Spanish would send another group of Filipino tribes
to conquer their fellow Filipinos, which results of creating a stronger sense of division.

If the Spaniards did not colonize our country, we can’t have our religion today, the Christianity. We all
know that they were the one who presented our today’s religion even they forced the Filipinos before,
but still we adapted it and devoted with our strong faith. Due to their power (the Spaniards), they
became abusive to the Indios which they discriminated in their own land. This results to the revolution
of the Filipinos. The Spanish showed how advanced and strong they are in terms of technologies and
how to handle a war.

Reference:

Athena Goodlight: https://history.knoji.com/the-spanish-era-in-the-philippines/

The rule of the United States over the Philippines had two phases.

The first phase was from 1898 to 1935, during which time Washington defined its colonial mission as
one of tutelage and preparing the Philippines for eventual independence. Political organizations
developed quickly, and the popularly elected Philippine Assembly (lower house) and the U.S.-appointed
Philippine Commission (upper house) served as a bicameral legislature. The ilustrados formed the
Federalista Party, but their statehood platform had limited appeal. In 1905 the party was renamed the
National Progressive Party and took up a platform of independence. The Nacionalista Party was formed
in 1907 and dominated Filipino politics until after World War II. Its leaders were not ilustrados. Despite
their “immediate independence” platform, the party leaders participated in a collaborative leadership
with the United States. A major development emerging in the post-World War I period was resistance to
elite control of the land by tenant farmers, who were supported by the Socialist Party and the
Communist Party of the Philippines. Tenant strikes and occasional violence occurred as the Great
Depression wore on and cash-crop prices collapsed.

The second period of United States rule—from 1936 to 1946—was characterized by the establishment
of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and occupation by Japan during World War II. Legislation
passed by the U.S. Congress in 1934 provided for a 10-year period of transition to independence. The
country’s first constitution was framed in 1934 and overwhelmingly approved by plebiscite in 1935, and
Manuel Quezon was elected president of the commonwealth. Quezon later died in exile in 1944 and was
succeeded by Vice President Sergio Osmeña.

Japan attacked the Philippines on December 8, 1941, and occupied Manila on January 2, 1942. Tokyo set
up an ostensibly independent republic, which was opposed by underground and guerrilla activity that
eventually reached large-scale proportions. A major element of the resistance in the Central Luzon area
was furnished by the Huks (short for Hukbalahap, or People’s Anti-Japanese Army). Allied forces invaded
the Philippines in October 1944, and the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945.

World War II was demoralizing for the Philippines, and the islands suffered from rampant inflation and
shortages of food and other goods. Various trade and security issues with the United States also
remained to be settled before Independence Day. The Allied leaders wanted to purge officials who
collaborated with the Japanese during the war and to deny them the right to vote in the first postwar
elections. Commonwealth President Osmeña, however, countered that each case should be tried on its
own merits. The successful Liberal Party presidential candidate, Manual Roxas, was among those
collaborationists. Independence from the United States came on July 4, 1946, and Roxas was sworn in as
the first president. The economy remained highly dependent on U.S. markets, and the United States also
continued to maintain control of 23 military installations. A bilateral treaty was signed in March 1947 by
which the United States continued to provide military aid, training, and matériel.

Japanese Occupation of the Philippines

During Word War II

A typical Japanese soldier during Word War II On December 8, 1941, Japan invaded the Philippines.
Clark Air Base in Pampanga was first attacked and also Nichols Field outside Manila was attacked, then
on December 22, The Japanese forces landed at the Lingayen Gulf and continued on to Manila. General
Douglas MacArthur declared Manila an open city on the advice of commonwealth President Manuel L.
Quezon to avoid its destruction. Manila was occupied by the Japanese on January 2, 1942. MacArthur
retreated with his troops to Bataan while the commonwealth government withdrew to Corregidor island
before proceeding to the United States. The joint American and Filipino soldiers in Bataan finally
surrendered on April 9, 1942. MacArthur escaped to Corregidor then proceeded to Australia. The 76,000
captured soldiers were forced to embark on the infamous "Death March" to a prison camp more than
100 kilometers north. An estimated 10,000 prisoners died due to thirst, hunger and exhaustion.

The Huks
In the midst of fear and chaos, some farmers of Pampanga banded together and created local brigades
for their protection. Luis Taruc, Juan Feleo, Castro Alejandrino, and other leaders of organized farmers
held a meeting in February 1942 in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. In that meeting, they agreed to fight the
Japanese as a unified guerrilla army. Another meeting was held the following month, where in
representatives from Tarlac, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija threshed out various details regarding their
organization, which they agreed to call "Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon" or HUKBALAHAP. Taruc
was chosen to be the Leader of the group, with Alejandrino as his right hand man. The members were
simply known as Huks!

The Philippine Executive Commission

Jose P. Laurel, president during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines

In accordance the instructions of President Manuel Quezon to Jorge Vargas, the Filipino officials in
Manila were told to enter into agreements and compromises with the Japanese to mitigate the
sufferings of the people under the iron-clad rule of the Japanese. On January 23, 1942 the Philippine
Executive Commission was established, with Vargas as chairman. the following was appointed as
department heads: Benigno Aquino, Sr., interior; Antonio de las Alas, finance; Jose P. Laurel, justice;
Claro M. Recto, education, health, and public welfare; and Quintin Paredes, public works and
communication; Jose Yulo was named Chief Justice of the Supreme court.

The following month, an election was held for members of The Preparatory Commission for Philippine
Independence (PCPI). The purpose of PCPI is to draw up a constitution for a free Philippines. Jose Laurel
became its head. Against the will of the PCPI delegates the new Constitution was finalized on July 10,
1943. Two months later it was ratified by the KALIBAPI, which was the only political party allowed to
exist at that time. KALIBAPI is the acronym for "Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas".

The new constitution, which noticeably lacked a bill of rights contained 12 articles lifted from the 1935
constitution that fitted the wishes of the Japanese. It was meant to be in effect only temporarily, while
the Philippines still in chaos. After the war, a new constitution would again be drafted for the new
Philippine Republic.

The Second Republic

On September 20 1943, the KALIBAPI- under the leadership of its director general, Benigno Aquino Sr.
held a party convention to elect 54 members of the National Assembly. The Assembly was actually made
up of 108 members; but half of this number was composed of incumbent governors and city mayors.
Jose P. Laurel was elected as president of the second republic (the first republic was Aguinldo's Malolos
Republic) and both Benigno Aquino Sr. & Ramon Avancena as a vice-presidents. The new republic was
inaugurated on October 14 1943 on the front steps of the legislative building in Manila. The Philippine
flag was hoisted as the national anthem was played. Meanwhile, the Japanese started using propaganda
to gain the trust and confidence of Filipinos who refused to cooperate with them. They hung giant
posters and distribute their materials that contains such slogans as "the Philippines belong to the
Filipinos." they also used newspapers, movies, and others to publicize the same idea. Promoting
Japanese propaganda was one of the main objectives of the KALIBAPI, but still Japanese failed to gain
the trust of the Filipinos.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur Returns

From Australia, Allied forces slowly advanced toward the Philippines, bombing several Japanese
strongholds until they regained control of areas previously occupied by the enemy. The bombings began
on September 21 1944, and barely a month later, on October 20, 1944, the Americans landed
triumphantly in Leyte. Once a shore, General Douglas MacArthur said; "I have Returned."

Sergio Osmena, President during the commonwealth period

Sergio Osmeña was Part of MacArthur’s group. He had taken over Manuel L. Quezon as president after
the latter past way at Saranac Lake, New York on August 1944. From October 23 to October 26, 1944 the
Americans engaged Japanese forces in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Consider as the biggest naval battle in
World History, this historic encounter almost destroyed the entire Japanese fleet and rendered in
incapable of further attack. The US victory in the battle of Leyte Gulf is said to have signaled the
beginning of Philippine liberation from the Japanese.

By mid-December, the American soldiers had reached Mindoro. The Japanese, meanwhile, secured
other area where their thought other American units would land. Nevertheless, US liberation forces
successfully docked at Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945. The news alarmed the Japanese. Lt. Gen.
Tomoyuki Yamashita, supreme commander of the Japanese troops in Manila, mobilize his kamikazes
(Japanese suicide pilots); but they failed to stop Americans. The Japanese also deployed MAKAPILI units
to defend Manila but neither succeeds.
On December 8, 1944, President Laurel and his cabinet moved to Baguio upon orders of Yamashita, who
is also known as the tiger of Malaya. The Japanese forces retreated to Yamashita line a jungle battlefront
stretching along the Sierra Madre Mountains from Antipolo, Rizal to Appari Cagayan.

The Japanese in Manila would not give up easily. In fact, it took 3 weeks of intense fighting before they
finally surrendered on February 23. Gen. MacArthur continued to liberate other parts of the country.
And finally proclaim general freedom from the Japanese on July 4, 1945. Continue to Philippine
Independence from the Americans.

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