Chapter/ Module 3: Occupations in the Philippines

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

✔ Describe and analyze the reaction of the early Filipinos to Spanish

Occupation
✔ Analyze the different economic policies of the Americans in the
Philippines that made impact to the society during and after the
American rule
✔ Effectively communicate and articulate the historical analysis of a
particular evemt or issue that could help other people understand and
manage present dat issues and concerns.

Lesson 1. Spanish Occupation in The Philippines

Lesson 1.1: Spanish Colonial Way of Life

a. Spanish Colonial Experience

The Spanish Expansion is a result of various forces. Aside from the

Philippines, the Spaniards have already colonized parts of South, North, and
Central America. The inclusion of the Philippines resulted out of the attempts
of Spaniards to control the spice trade in the Moluccas islands. Aside from
the interests in spices, Spain had been motivated by its mercantilist nature
or accumulation wealth in the form of gold. This was simultaneous with the
invention of new technologies needed for exploration like the compass and
sextant. Maps were also refined at this time that greatly aided the explorers.

Before Spain actually decided to occupy the Philippines, two noted

voyages already reached the Philippines. This was Magellan voyage in 1521
and the Villalobos voyage in 1543. These did not start Spanish colonialism
although they provide information and fed the interest of the Spanish
government to finally take the islands. In 1565, Legaspi carried the Spanish
flag and set up in the Philippine islands another colony for Spain. This
commenced the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

Exploration and colonization during this time were realized through

contractual agreements between the Crown and the Conquistadores. In
essence, the Consquistadores conquered for Spain but they shall share in the
riches of the new territories they conquered. Thus, conquistadores like
Legaspi instituted measures both for the pacification of the people and the
satisfaction of their private goals. It is within this frame that we understand
that the pacification efforts of the colonizers were also coupled with
exploitation.
 b. Instruments of Pacification and Exploitation

Encomienda. A system of organizing territories to be under the care of

an Encomendero. It was an administrative unit for the purpose of exacting
tributes from the natives. The Encomendero unit for the purpose of extracting
tributes from the natives. The Encomendero had the power to collect tributes
and to use the personal services of the inhabitants of the encomienda. The
Encomienda shall take care of the welfare of the natives.

1. Protect natives by maintaining peace and order

2. Support missionaries in conversion to Catholicism
3. Help in defense of country.

The services are compensated from the shares an Encomendero can

get from the tributes and the services of the natives. So, while the system
was meant to facilitate the organization and administration of the colony,
the Encomendero gave a negative image to it. This system was
characterized by greed and cruelty. It was an opportunity for one to enrich
oneself primarily by collection of tribute or unlawful exaction of numerous
services.

a. Tributor. This is levying of tax to all Filipinos aged 19-60 except

government employees, soldiers with distinguished services, decendants of
Lakandula and some few native chieftains, choir members, sacristans, porters
of the church, and government witnesses. The alcalde mayors, encomendero,
gobernadorcillo, and the cabezas acted as tribute collectors.

The Spanish form of “taxation” was by itself heavy for the native. But
this was aggravated by the force and abuses that accompanied its
implementation. Soldiers were used to escort tax collectors to force collection
and these often resulted to violence. Worst, of course, is the act of collecting
much more than what the law required by the tax collectors.

The abusive nature of this policy is evidenced by the fact that Filipinos
who joined the revolts later on cite the exploitative nature of tribute collection
as a chief cause. In Apayao, for example, they constructed tribute as a
monster that could kill people. The understanding is borne by the fact that
the Ilokanos who entered the Apayao territory related that they were scared
of the tribute that has killed several of them.

b. Polo Y Servicio. This is another colonial policy that obliged male

natives aged 16-60 except chieftains and their eldest son to serve 40 days
each year in labor pools. The labor pools refer to the site of labor that were
mostly of construction kind. The natives were
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asked to build buildings both for the church and the government. They were
also made to make roads and build ships.

This policy was meant to help set up of government infrastructure and

the laborers were even given ration of rice and paid minimal amounts. There
were other regulations to ensure the protection of the workers. In practice
though, all these regulations were violated. Laborers were not paid and were
not given any rice ration. The policy became insensitive to the need of the
communities so that it was still enforced in time of planting or harvest
seasons.

In the end, polo y servicio became a forced labot that contributed to

famine experiences and the destruction of communities.

c. Bandala. This is another policy meant to augment the finances of the

colonial government. It required the compulsory sale of products to the
government. Communities were given quotas to produce and sold only to the
government. The prices set by the government were lower than the prevailing
prices of these products but were sold back to the people for a high price.
This practice formed natives to be indebted to the chieftain entrenching the
socio-economic position of the chief. In worst cases, which was usually the
case, farmers were not paid at all of their produce and were given promissory
notes. In effect, this policy became a virtual confiscation of natives’ products.

Divide and Rule: This is a military strategy utilized by the Spaniards

against the natives. In this method, native mercenaries were used against
other groups to beef op limited military contingency of the Spaniards. Ny its
very nature, it was exploitative as the inter
village warfare tradition of the early Filipinos was reinforced to serve the
interests of the colonizers.

The policies provide clear examples as to how the colonial policies

impacted on the native Filipinos. For them, the policies were exploitative even
if these were just part of the pacification process of the Spaniards.

These difficulties were compounded by the constant war Spain was

into against the Dutch and Portuguese.

In all the abusive policies, the traditional head of barangay as the

Maginoo and Datu became intermediaries. They were converted into willing
allies of the Colonizers and their powers and authority were complicated by
the colonizers. As traditional barangay authority, they were used as
intermadiaries between the natives and the Spaniards. Political privilege was
also granted by Spaniards as tribute collectors, gobernadorcillos and thus
helped in mobilizing labor for government construction of projects.
Economically, the Chiefs were given the opportunity and took advantage of
the concept of private property of land. In the end, the traditional chiefs were
transformed into a willing ally and were called principals. One can see the
prestige of principalia in the social hierarchy of the period. Of the native
Filipinos, they were ranked higher next to the Spaniards as tribute collectors,
gobernadorcillos and thus helped in mobilizing labor for government
construction of projects. Economically, the Chiefs were given the opportunity
and took advantage of the concept of private property of land. In the end,
the traditional chiefs were transformed into a willing ally and were called
principals. One can see the prestige of principalia in the social hierarchy of
the period. Of the native Filipinos, they were ranked higher next to the
Spaniards.

Self-assessment Task 1

Compare and contrast the administration of the local government units

during the Spanish period with those of the present.

SPANISH PERIOD PRESENT

Conclusion:

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Lesson 1.2: Filipino Nationalism

a. Early Revolts and Resistance

Given the exploitive nature of Spanish colonialism, early Filipinos chose

to revolt against the regime. Among the earliest revolts were those by
Lakandula in Manila. Revolts became an indispensable response of early
Filipinos to Spanish Rule. Revolts became an indispensable response of early
Filipinos to Spanish rule. In the 1600’s nativistic revolts characterized the
reactions of the people towards the Spanish rule. More complicated revolts
continued up to the 1700’s. the earlier revolts could be generalized as revolts
from ordinary natives. These revolts could be generalized as revolts from
ordinary natives. These revolts include Tamblot, Bankaw, Tapar, Dagohoy,
Sumuroy, Dabao, and others. Since many of the leaders of these revolts were
babaylanes, or traditional priests, one of important underlying objective was
to go back to old native religion (nativistic). As such leaders emerge as self-
proclaimed messiahs saving the people from evil effects of colonization.

The second group of revolts were those initiated by local chiefs, or the
princiipales, whose type of leadership are already complicated by Spanish
ways. This type of revolt manifested class interest where the mass revolts
were taken advantage of in the desire to seize power for themselves. This is
why many of these were open to compromises. Examples of this type of revolt
are the revolts of Maniago, Malong, Gumapos, Palaris, Silang, and others.

Both types of revolts, however, contained the desire to improve the

hardship brought about by the colonial rule. Economic grievance remained
the primary reason why people supported groups and leaders versus
Spaniards.

b. The Igorot Resistance to Spanish Interests and the Price of

Igorot Independence

The Igorots, together with the Muslims in Mindanao were the two
biggest groups that were not colonized by the Spaniards. During the entire
300 plus years of Spanish rule, these groups remained independent. This
work shall consider only the Igorot resistance.

A note on the word Igorot should be made. Historically speaking, the

groups that were referred by Spanish documents as Igorots were the
inhabitants of Benguet and Bontoc. Other groups in the Cordillera region were
called distint names such as Mandayas for the Apayao, Itneg for the upper
Abra area, Ifugao for Ifugaos. This would explain
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the reluctance of many people outside Benguet and Bontoc to be considered
as Igorots. Etymologically, Igorot was coined with the use pf two old
Austronesian words as “gorot”, meaning mountain, and “I” referring to the
source/place or from where one belongs. It is etymological sense that this
work adopts the word Igorot to refer to all people in the Cordillera as Igorots
or “from the mountains.”

The Spaniards entered the Cordillera for many reasons but gold was
initially the primary aim. As soon as the colonizers learned of Igorot gold in
the region, expeditions were immediately sent to secure it. In the 1600,
several attempts like those of Aldana, Carino, and Quirante. They have taken
samples of ores and were brought to Manila for tests. The attempt at reducing
the Igorots to Christianity was another motivation for the Spaniards. The
Augustinians entered the mountain from the Ilocos areas while the
Dominicans penetrated Ifugao in the east. Another reason for Spanish
intrusion into the Cordillera was simply to extend the conquered territories or
to protect the conquered areas of the lowlands.

Still another motivations was the punitive expeditions, which were

meant to punish the Igorots for the resistance they have been showing.
However, it was the sabotage of the tobacco monopoly that really angered
the Spaniards to sponsor succeeding punitive expeditions against the Igorots.
The most successful of these expeditions was the Galvey expedition.
Guillermo Galvey led a 10-
year campaign against the Igorots from 1829-1839, burning tobacco
plantations and communities, and crushing Igorot opposition. It was the
Galvey expeditions that finally opened the region to Spanish conquest. By the
later part of 1840’s up to the 1950’s, the Spaniards were able to set up
military posts in key areas in the Cordillera. These posts were called
Commandancia Politico-Militares, which were manned by military people and
intended for collection of taxes.
Confronted by the instrusions, the Igorots responded in different ways
but almost always resisting all the plans of the intruders. In many instances,
Igorots simply abandoned their communities when they learn of Spanish
arrival. They would retreat into deeper parts of the mountain and wait until
the Spaniards are gone. If the Igorots were ready, though, they would engage
the Spanish troops with their traditional weapons as spears, head axes, and
bolos. Although the Igorot weapons were of inferior kind, they relied heavily
on ambushes utilizing the mountainous landscape to their advantages. In
some recorded instances, the Igorots used the weaknesses of the Spanish
weapons they came to learn and won over the more supposedly superior
weapons. In the Christianization efforts, the Spaniards were able to convert
some Igorots into Christianity. Most of these converts have been relocated in
the lowland areas of Ilocos, La Union and Nueva Viscaya. Overall through,
the Igorots remained pagans.

Whereabout of their gold have also been denied to Spaniards and other
foreigners.

These responses have been largely successful so that at the end of the
Spanish colonial rule, the Igorots remained independent.

A discussion of the Igorot resistance is incomplete without considering

the price that the Igorots had to pay for their freedom.

One is the periodic destruction of homes. Most often than not, the
Spaniards burned villages along their route. These were reconstructed by the
Igorots only to be destructed with the next Spanish expedition.

Another is the estrangement between the lowlanders and the Igorots.

Before Spanish colonization, it has been the case that the two were partners
in trade. The lowlanders brought up salt, animals, threads, and fish to the
highlands. Igorots brought down gold, beeswax, and other forest products.
With the colonization of the lowlands and the resistance of Igorots, the
friendly relation soured. This is basically because lowlanders were colonized
while the Igorots remained independent. Specifically, the lowlanders were
used by the Spaniards in their attempts at subjugating the Igorots. The
lowlanders usually accompanied the colonizers as guides and soldiers. One
can add the long period of time that the Spaniards have portrayed negative
images of Igorots to lowlanders painting them as “headhunters”, “pagans”,
and “savages”.

After the period of colonization, it became ironic that the Filipinos who
resisted colonialism were indifferently treated by later Philippine government.
They have often been understood as the others or the “minority”. As minority,
the state has ignored them for a long time and has used their territories only
as sources of raw materials. In the 1970’s the Marcos government ignored
the please of Igorot of Bontoc and Kalinga not to build the dams along the
Chico River. It was only stopped when resistance included international
groups and the local resistance became violent.

c. Campaign for Reforms

The unjust execution of the three Filipino priests Mariano Gomez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora was a turning point in Philippine history, for it
ushered in a new era – the reform movement.
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Realizing the danger of fighting for their cause on the home front, the sons
of the wealthy and the well-to-do Filipino families migrated to Europe to
breath the free atmosphere of the Old World. There they initiated a sustained
campaign for reforms in the Spanish administration of the Philippines. In the
homeland, meanwhile, the Filipino intellectuals secretly collaborated with
those in Spain and founded nationalistic societies.

The dissatisfaction of the Filipino men of wealth and intellect was

centered on the abuses of the Spanish authorities, civil as well as clerical.
The middle class denounced Spanish abuses and asked Spain to make the
Philippines one of its provinces. There was no clamor for independence, for
the reformists believed that the Filipinos would be better off if they were to
become Spanish citizens, enjoying the rights and privileges of the latter. Such
a program constituted what has been known as assimilation.

For more than a decade the Filipino propagandists waged their war
against the Spanish authorities and friars, but they failed to awaken the
Government of the Peninsula to the demoralizing realities of colonial
administration. The reform movement was a failure for it did not achieve its
goals. In another sense, however, it was a success, for its failure led to the
founding of the Katipunan with separatist aims (Agoncillo, 1990).

d. The Katipunan

The Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng

Bayn, otherwise known as KKK or simply Katipunan, was a secret society that
was established by Andres Bonifacio and some of his comrades on July 7,
1892. This was a significant event for the Filipinos because it marked the end
of the peaceful campaign for reforms and the beginning of a movement which
aimed to end Spanish oppression by uniting the Filipinos and achieve
independence by means of a revolution.

To increase the number of members of the organization, and to stop

suspicion on the part of the family members, the Katipunan accepted women
members. The women were least suspected by the Spanish authorities, so
they were able to keep important documents of the society. They also served
as messengers and front for the secret meetings of the organization (Vivar
et al., 1999)

The Katipunan became especially popular in the suburbs of Manila and

in the provinces of Central Luzon. But as the number of its affiliates increased,
the Spanish authorities began to suspect its underground character. The friars
began to denounce the nightly
meeting held by Katipuneros and on August 19, 1896, a certain Patino, a
Katipunan member, exposed the society to Fr. Mariano Gil. With the discovery
of the Katipunan, Bonifacio had no alternative than to take the fieldand on
August 23, at pugadlawin, he and his men declared their intention to fight to
the bitter end. The revolution spread to the other provinces. In cavite,
meanwhile, the two factions of the society were at loggerheads and Bonifacio
was invited to mediate between them. At Tejeros, it was agreed to change
the society with a government responsive to the demands of the times, and
in the election that followed, Bonifacio was chosen Director of the Interior.
Unfortunately, his election was questioned by Daniel irona. Bonifacio hurt by
insult, declared the results of the lection null and void. In April, he was
ordered arrested, tried and executed. The Filipinos were at that time losing
battle after battle. Aguinaldo retreated to Baiak-na-Bato, where the Republic
was founded. Later in, December, the Truce of Biak-na-Bato was concluded
between the rebels and the Spanish Government. The truce, however, was a
failure (Agoncillo, 1990).

Self-assessment Task 2

1. Discuss the teachings of the KKK. Point out some teachings that you find
useful and helpful in your daily life.

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 2. Make a chart comparing the Reform Movement and the Katipunan.

REFORM MOVEMENT KATIPUNAN

MOVEMENT

AIMS
NATURE
METHODS
RESULTS

Conclusion:

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