In every part of the Philippines culture, language, delicacies, and existence, the

Spanish always have a touch of them in it. The Spaniards have long been influential
amongst the Filipinos. We cannot take some of their cultures away from us because we
have been used to them for centuries.

One of the outstanding traits that the Spanish regime left us is our trait of
"Pagmamano" to our elders, and it gave our country the name of also one of the most
respectful citizens in Asia. The way we treat our elderly with kindness and respect is
reasonably prominent in Asia because the elderly became part of our colorful and
memorable history, and they are also the ones who can tell it to us. Pagmamano came from
the Spanish root word "mano," which means hand or hand in hand. It is the way Filipinos
show to their seniors their sign of respect, and it also means that the seniors acknowledge
their presence and give their blessings to the young ones. This Filipino culture similarly
equates to how the Japanese show their respect which is their form of bowing or kneeling
to their ancestors.

Even before the Spaniards came to our country, native Filipinos are already
religious to their own beliefs, and the Spaniards took this as an advantage for them to
introduce Christianity to the country. A well-known representation of Christianity in our
country is the scattered old churches along the archipelagoes of the Philippines. The most
famous Church here is in Ilocos Norte, named the Paoay Church and considered to be a
National World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization. Christianity is the most distinguished culture that the Spaniards have left us,
and it continues to be part of our future because it is seen as our only place of refuge and
peace from the extreme events happening in our lives.

With the coming of the Spaniard oppressors, it opened our spirit of Nationalism.
Having to take some form of pride in one's country is the nucleus of nationalism. It is about
having a sense of loyalty for everything the country and its citizens stand for. I think that if
the Spaniards did not colonize our country, we would not be able to identify who we are in
this land. Although there were some noble sacrifices on our way to our freedom,
nonetheless, it is through adversity that we find our strength and character.

Writing this essay made me realize the vast influence of the Spanish regime in our
lives. They have colonized us for 333 years, and the scars, death, memories, and abundant
culture that they brought to us will never be forgotten. People change, and things end, but
our past will always be remembered through generations and generations.