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Philippine Culture: Spanish Period (1521-1898)

I. INTRODUCTION

US News and World Report claimed that, “The Philippines is known for having an abundance of
beautiful beaches and delicious fruit.”1 Other countries are amazed in the richness of not just our resources but
our history as well. One of the historic moments in the Philippines was the time when the Spaniards colonized
the country. Spanish colonization has brought advantages and disadvantages. About 499 years ago, according to
Steemit, “the Spaniards introduced their own Philosophy of life to the Filipinos as well as their habits, language,
clothing, ways of amusement including games, religion, arts and even cooking.” 2 This is the reason why,
undeniably, we have similar cultures and traditions as with the Spaniards.

The Spaniards discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan led a Spanish expedition to the
Spice Islands and reached Cebu in 1521. After that day, everything changed in the way the Filipinos lived and it
continued for over 300 years. Before the Spaniards came to the country, the Filipinos had no surnames. “The
lack of surnames confused the Spaniards especially those names that are the same. As a result, they prepared a
long list of surnames for the Filipinos to choose from.” 3 Even some Filipino terms were from the Spaniards –
uno, dos, tres. How Filipinos pray and devote were influenced by the Spanish people. In AsiaSociety, “the
Philippines proudly boasts to be the only Christian nation in Asia. More than 86 percent of the population is
Roman Catholic.”4 This is also the reason why Filipinos are used to celebrating the feast day of their Patron
Saints. Barangay or town fiestas have become a tradition to the Filipinos – wherein tourists come to visit the
country to experience the celebration of such particular yearly event.

Despite numerous influences and contributions to the country, the Filipinos fought hard for freedom
against the Spaniards. The Spanish colonization ended with the Philippine Revolution. However, before the
revolution, there were Filipinos who contributed to the freedom that the country begs. Jose Rizal, one of the
most respected figures in Philippine history, was an intellectual person and a political activist known for his
political writings that inspired the Philippine revolution, incurred the wrath of the colonial government through
the publication of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. “The power of Rizal’s narratives transcend the paper
documents handwritten 125 years ago. He is remembered as a Filipino writing for his people, a native son who
used the tools of storytelling to expose the truth about life under the colonial rule,” Association for Asian
Studies.5 To name a few, the following are the names of the Filipino heroes and heroines who contributed to the
independence of the Philippines: 1) Andres Bonifacio – founder of the revolutionary called Katipunan that led
the uprising against the Spanish colonial administration in 1986; 2) Marcelo del Pilar – founder of a nationalistic
newspaper which exposed the evils committed by the Spanish government in the Philippines; 3) Women of the
Katipunan – they were wives and daughters of the revolutionaries. They served as record-keepers and served as
a front whenever the revolutionaries held a secret meeting in a particular house.

Spanish colonization brought huge impact to the culture, history and lives of the Filipinos. What the
country portrays or is known for now is part of the influence of the Spaniards.
II. COMMENTARY EVALUATION

SYMBOLS AND RITUALS AND ROUTINE

FILIPINO CULTURE
INFLUENCED BY THE
SPANIARDS

The topmost picture is the Pahiyas Festival. Fiesta or festival is considered part of the culture of
Filipinos to honor the town patron saints. “Fiesta was one of the religious events of the Catholic Church. This
has given birth to other occasions done together in fiesta such as food gathering and street parades.” 6 This has
been a part of the Philippine culture wherein it is being celebrated every year with colorful costumes, designs,
parade, dances, and a lot more.

The picture in the right is the main door of San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila. It depicts the
Spanish influence in sculpture and carving. NCCA claimed that, “the façade of churches may be carved from
adobe, coral stone, and volcanic rock, among others. It may have carved images of saints, floral decorations or
leaf decors.”7 This influence has been very evident until this day because most of the doors, altars, or saints are
made through carving.
 The picture below is a Filipino dish called lechon. The Spaniards did not only bring their Catholic
religion but their dishes as well. Some other Filipino food which were from the Spaniards are paella, embutido,
morcon, lecho flan, etc. In the Philippines, lechon is being prepared during special occasions. During the
Spanish period in the the country, the Spaniards used to prepare their cuisines and delicacies during moments
worth celebrating for. Until now, Filipinos adapt that practice.

Last photo on the left was an altar with the priest having the mass. “The Spaniards introduced
Christianity (Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos.” 8
Christianity is the greatest influence that the Spaniards brought to the Philippines. This is the reason why most
of the celebrations and culture in the Philippines can be correlated to Christianity or religion, just like fiestas,
Christmas, processions, and a lot more.

POWER STRUCTURE

One of the contributions of the Spaniards in the Philippines is the political structure wherein they
established a government in the country that was composed of a National Government and a Local Government
that administered provinces, cities, towns and barangays. Even up to date, these contributions created an impact
and change in how the operations and social power work in the Philippines.

Through this contribution, there are maintenance of peace and order, taxes, schools and public works.
Even the rules and laws in the Philippines were inspired by the rules and laws that governed the Spaniards. It
only goes to show that indeed, Spanish colonization influenced the Filipinos in so many ways.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Most Valued
Contributions of
the Spaniards

Religion Government

Religious Governmental
Christianity Hospitability
Celebrations Structure

The Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards, Americans, and Japanese. The Spaniards brought
religion and government; Americans brought education including the public school system and taught the
Filipinos the English language; and, Japanese wherein during their colonization caused physical destruction and
the country had suffered great loss of life due to war.

In the organizational structure above, it merely focuses on the contributions of the Spaniards who
colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years. The most valued contributions of the Spaniards are the
Religion and the Government. These two contributions greatly influenced the Filipinos – how they live and
work harmoniously. Without a doubt, Spanish colonization, somehow, left a mark in the culture and traditions
of the Filipinos.

“Even though the Spanish stopped ruling the Philippines hundreds of years ago, it can still be clearly
seen the effects on the Philippines today. For instance the name ‘Philippines’ which originated from one of the
Spanish kings, Philip of Asturias. Additionally, the original capital of the Spanish Philippines remains the
capital to this day: Manila.”9

CONTROLS

Because of the taxes that the Spaniards imposed during their colonization in the Philippines, the
country was able to generate income. “Spanish rule for the first 100 years was exercised in most areas through a
type of tax farming imported from the Americas and known as the encomienda.”10 Filipinos were influenced
through importing goods.

“Agricultural technology changed very slowly until the late 18 th century, as shifting cultivation
gradually gave way to more intensive sedentary farming, partly under the guidance of the friars.” 11 A lot of
Filipinos do the work of cultivation and agriculture. This can be connected to the influence of the Spaniards in
importing because rice and other products found in the Philippines are being imported now.

III. CONCLUSION

What is with the Philippines that makes it different from the rest of the countries? In an article
published in Culture Trip, “Filipinos are very religious.” Indeed, Filipinos are religious in a way that attending
mass every Sunday has been an obligation. Images of crosses and sculptures of saints can be found in their
homes. “Filipinos value traditions and culture,” festivals, parties and other celebrations are part of the tradition
of every Filipino. “Filipinos love art and architecture,” this is true because Filipinos love to design creatively,
and have passion for anything. 12 There are numerous characteristics that made the Philippines different from
other countries.

“The Filipino culture is an exuberant story that tells of the nation’s journey through the centuries.
Customs reflect the people’s faith, their oneness with others, their affinity with nature and their celebrations of
life.”13 Filipinos are fond of celebrating the life with music, art, and food present. “The culture of the Philippines
comprises a blend of traditional Filipino and Spanish Catholic traditions, with influences from America and
other parts of Asia.”14 The experiences of the Filipinos of what they went through created different and unique
characteristics that made their culture and tradition known around the world.

“History played a critical role in the evolution of Filipino cultural life affecting their character and how
they think and act.”15 This is a great chance to ask other Filipinos to be proud of their blood and embrace the
culture they have.
 REFERENCES

1. US News and World Report. Lauren Favre. June 20, 2019. “10 Things to Know About The Philippines”
URL: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-06-20/10-things-to-know-about-the-
philippines#:~:text=The%20Philippines%20is%20known%20for,King%20Philip%20II%20of%20Spain.

2. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Influence of Spanish Colonization in the Philippines” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author#:~:text=Particularly%2C%20the%20Spaniards%20introduced%20their,mixed%20with
%20Spanish%20cultural%20elements.

3. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Influence of Spanish Colonization in the Philippines” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author#:~:text=Particularly%2C%20the%20Spaniards%20introduced%20their,mixed%20with
%20Spanish%20cultural%20elements.

4. Asia Society Org. Jack Miller. “Religion in the Philippines”. URL: https://asiasociety.org/education/religion-
philippines#:~:text=The%20Philippines%20proudly%20boasts%20to,well%20over%20100%20Protestant
%20denominations.

5. Association for Asian Studies. Dana Herrera. 2015. “The Philippines: An Overview of the Colonial Era”
URL: https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/the-philippines-an-overview-of-the-colonial-era/

6. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Influence of Spanish Colonization in the Philippines” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author#:~:text=Particularly%2C%20the%20Spaniards%20introduced%20their,mixed%20with
%20Spanish%20cultural%20elements.

7. National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Eloisa Mae Hernandez. “The Spanish Colonial Tradition in
Philippine Visual Arts” URL: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/the-spanish-colonial-tradition-in-philippine-visual-arts/

8. Republic of the Philippines Consulate General Jeddah Saudi Arabia. “History, Culture and People” URL:
https://jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph/the-philippines/history-culture-people

9. Homeschool Spanish Academy. Ashley Reid. June 1, 2020. “The Spanish Philippines: Its History and
influence on 7,000 islands” URL: https://www.spanish.academy/blog/the-spanish-philippines-its-history-and-
influence/
10. Britannica. “The Period of Influence” URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-period-of-U-
S-influence

11. Britannica. “The Period of Influence” URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-period-of-U-

S-influence

12. Culture Trip. Gelyka Dumaraos. May 31, 2018. “11 Things You Should Know About Filipino Culture”.
URL: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/11-things-you-should-know-about-the-filipino-culture/

13. Republic of the Philippines Embassy of the Philippines Beijing China. 2020. “Introduction on the Filipino
Culture” URL: https://beijingpe.dfa.gov.ph/82-the-philippines/89-introduction-on-the-filipino-culture

14. IExplore. “Philippines – History and Culture.” URL: https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/south-

and-southeast-asia/philippines/history-and-culture

15. Purdue Filipino. “Basic Filipino History”. URL: http://purduefilipino.com/filipino-history