COLEGIO DE SAN GABRIEL ARCANGEL
College of Education Program AB, BSED, BPE, BEED,
Course Code GECO2 Description Readings in Philippine
History RPHistory
LAS no. 3 (For Students on On-Line and Blended
Modality}
Topic: The Formation of the Philippine Colonial Society:
1565-1762
Learning 1. Find out and explain the various factors that
led to the Spanish Outcomes; colonization of the
Philippines.
2. Identify and explain the instruments of pacification and
exploitation employed by the Spaniards.
3. Analyze patterns of Filipino responses to Spanish
colonial rule.
4. Point out the effects of the Spanish colonization of the
country.
5. Know the results of the instruments of pacification and
exploitation among the Filipinos by the Spaniards
I. FACTORS THAT LED TO SPANISH
COLONIZATION OF THE
PHILIPPINES
In economics, accumulation of capital and the development
of banking in Europe helped increase the rise of lending
houses (e.g. House of Fugger in Germany and House of
Medici in Italy) helped ensure zeal for navigation and more
trade beyond the confines of Western Europe.
There were also desires for spices in the West. Spices were
in demand to improve insipid European food and to
preserve meat during winter time. Exposure to food and
spices grown in the East changed the Westerner’s taste
preferences. Desire for spices became a major motivation
for early Portuguese and Spanish expeditions to the East.
Meanwhile, European trade with the East made Spain and
Portugal search for new routes mainly carried through three
principal trade (silk) routes, mostly by land. These routes
were dangerous to men and goods, and entailed much time,
money and effort. In 1453, Constantinopole fell to the
Muslims, and the routes were closed to Europe. However,
the Sultan of Egypt allowed the Venetians, who had been
allies and supporters of the Muslims against the Greeks to
use the southern route that ended in Cairo, upon payment of
certain duties. The Venetians thus gained a monopoly in the
distribution of eastern goods to the rest of Europe.
Spain and Portugal that is located in the westernmost
seaboard of the continent found it easier to meet the
challenges of maritime expansion than the rest of Western
Europe did and missionary purpose was included in their
search for a new trade.
In politics and religious concerns, the Crusades (1096-
1272) originally were a religious adventure to regain the
Holy Land from the Muslims. Later they developed into a
highly commercial enterprise. But the movement brought
the Europeans into close touch with superior and
sophisticated civilization of the East. That contact
stimulated not only European interest in Oriental culture
but also the demand for its goods and products.
On May 29, 1453 the city of Constantinopole which played
a vital role in the trade of Europe with the Orient, fell into
the hands of Sultan Mohammed II and his Ottoman
warriors. As a result of this conquest, the trade routes to the
East were blocked, hence, discovery of new routes to Asia
became an imperative necessity.
The movement to destroy Muslim power in the Iberian
Peninsula called Reconquista ended with the capture of
Granada in 1492. The spirit of the reconquista was
manifested in the attempts of Spain and Portugal to
colonize and convert pagan and Islamic lands to
Catholicism.
The Treaty of Tordesillas which was signed in 1494
divided non-Christian lands into two spheres: one for Spain
and the other for Portugal and the demarcation line was
drawn 370 leagues west of Cape Verde Islands. This means
that all lands already discovered and still to be discovered
east of the line belonged to Portugal, and those west of the
line, to Spain. This influenced Magellan to sail westward.
In the end, it led him to rediscover the Philippines.
In 15th century the leadership of Prince Henry the
Navigator of Portugal inspired more maritime explorations.
He gathered the best geographers and sailors of Europe and
established an observatory and a nautical school. Likewise,
he sent out expedition after expedition to uncharted waters
of the African coast.
In another development, scientific and secular pursuits
brought “revival of learning” called Renaissance that put
emphasis on scientific, secular, and artistic pursuits rather
than the religious. It advanced geographical knowledge and
included Aristotle’s theory of the sphericity of the earth, the
compilation of a 17-volume geography of the world, known
in the days of Emperor Augustus by Strabo, a celebrated
Roman geographer at the beginning of the Christian era. In
150 A.D., the renowned work on world geography by
Ptolemy in Alexandria. and the infusion of greater
emphasis on geographical science by such works.
Similarly, humanism being the dominant philosophy of the
16th century eroded the blinding power of religion and
stressed the development of the mind and heart, rather than
the soul.
The discovery and invention of more technologically-
advanced navigational instruments led to the discovery and
invention of that included the mariner’s compass used by
Italian navigators at the beginning of the 13th century.
According to Hookman (1970;193), the Chinese had known
about the magnetic polarity since 3rd century A.D. and the
compass (in China, a south-seeking needle) in their trade
with the Southeast Asia by the early 12th century, several
decades before its introduction to the Europeans by Arab
mariners.
Among these instruments were the astrolabe,a device for
measuring the elevation of the pole star above the sea
horizon while portolani, a sailing chart, was made available
by the invention of the printing press, quadrant was used
for measuring altitude and an instrument called sextant was
used for determining latitude and longitude.
The other factors leading to the expeditions in the East
included the following: the early travels to the East, travels
of Franciscan fathers like Carpini (1192-1252), William
(1215-1270), Ordoric (1286-1331) that inflamed European
interest in the Orient and its fabled treasures. Also, included
was the travel of Ibn Batuta (1304-1378), Sheik Morocco,
through India, Malaysia, and China from 1325 to 1353 and
travels of Marco Polo in China and Southeast Asia.
Early Portugese and Spanish voyages included rounding of
Cape Blanco, Africa in 1441 by Antonio Gonzalvez.
Dennis Fernandez discovered Cape Verde Islands in 1445.
Bartholomew Diaz discovered Cape of Good Hope in 1487.
Columbus discovered America in 1492. Vasco da Gama
discovered the route going to Calicut, India in 1489.
Albuquerque captured Goa, India in 1510. Portugese started
exploration and conquest of the Moluccas and the Malay
Peninsula in 1511. There were missionary exploits of St.
Francis Xavier in Southeast Asia, Japan and China. Balboa
discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1511.
Aside from the early travels and voyages, improvements in
military and in ship-building technology. More sea worthy
ocean-going vessels and warships were built.
This enabled the European colonizers to organize a well-
equipped military force. It made easy the conquest of the
natives through the use of fire-arms and cannons. It
encouraged the Europeans to organize more expeditions to
the East.
II. THE COMING OF THE SPANIARDS
TO THE PHILIPPINES
The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 led Magellan to conduct
an expedition westward in going to the East. This led to the
so-called “First Catholic Mass in Limawasa” and the initial
conversion of the natives to Catholicism in Cebu, the battle
of Mactan and its significance the aftermath of which led to
the establishment of the Spanish colonial regime.
The Treaty of Zaragoza in 1529 clearly implied which
colonial power owned the Philippine archipelago.
Following the successful establishment of the Spanish first
settlement by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in Cebu, was
followed by more Spaniash pacification campaigns and the
intensified missionaries activities.
III. THE PACIFICATION AND
EXPLOITATION OF THE FILIPINOS
BY THE SPANIARDS
The subjugation of the Filipinos can be traced to the
military might of the Spanish conquistadores, the policy of
attraction, the method of divide and conquer, the crucial
role of Christianity, the lack of unity among Filipinos, the
“reduccion” and the plaza complex and the Filipino
hospitality.
SAQ No. 1: Undertake a research and answer briefly in 2-3
sentences the following:
a.What made the Spanish soldiers strong militarily?
b.Why the Spanish policy of attraction proved to be effective in
the colony?
c.How is the method of divine and conquer accomplished by the
Spaniards?
d.In what way the role of Christianity became crucial in the
colonization of the country? e.Describe and explain how the
‘reduccion” and the plaza complex effectively controlled the
natives?
f.Is the Filipino hospitality considered a positive or negative trait?
The instruments of exploitation and control were reinforced by the
encomienda system, the imposition of taxes, the polo y servicios or
forced labor, the role of traditional leaders, the Manila-Acapulco
trade and the government monopolies. You are also required to
conduct also a study based on the following subjects:
SAQ No. 2: Give a brief explanation to each of the following:
a.Encomienda system
b.Polo y servicios
c.Manila Acapulco trade
SAQ No. 4: Enumerate the different taxes imposed by the
Spaniards and define each clearly SAQ No. 5: Identify the various
government monopolies adopted by the Spanish colonial regime
with one sentence description.
IV. FILIPINO RESPONSES TO SPANISH ROLE
A. The Initial Resistance and Subsequent Subjugation of
Lowland Communities
Due to the physical and demographic conditions of the
archipelago the Spaniards succeeded eventually in
subjugating the inhabitants of the coastal communities in
Luzon and the Visayas.
The lack of understanding of the natives made it difficult
for them to wage an effective resistance against the Spanish
invaders.
The areas that came under the effective control of the
Spaniards were the centers of populations. The outlying
territories remained relatively free of Spanish control up to
the middle part of the 18TH century
B. The opposition of the “Moros”
When Megellan arrived in 1521, the sultanates of Sulu and
Maguindanao were working to extend their influence and
control over the coastal areas in the north.
During the time of Legazpi the strongest opposition
against him came from Manila whose ruler was a Muslim
prince, Rajah Soliman. Prior to the coming of the
Spaniards, there was animosity between the Sultan of Sulu
and the Sultan of Maguindanao. The campaign of the
Spaniards against them, however, Resulted in their unity
and their Desclaration of jihad ( holy war ) against the
foreign invaders and the Christianized indios. One major
outcome of this was the frequent raids conducted by the
Moros on Christianized settlements of the Visayas.
In many cases, on short-term basis, The Spaniards were
succesfull in their campaigns but, in the long run, they
failed because they did not succed in occupying Mindanao
and Sulu. C.The Successful Avoidance of Ethnic
Communities
Some groups of people pled to the upland areas to avoid
Spanish colonization. Others followed later because of
Spanish exploitation and injustics.
Through time, the number of people who fled to the
mountains, increased and were not subjected to Spanish
influences. Thus, they were able to preserve their culture.
Because of the number of those who were out under
colonial control was greater than those who fled and
remained free, the latter became known as the “ cultural
minority “ and was seldom included in history books
because they led a life outside the control of colonization.
IV. EFFECTS OF THE SPANISH
COLONIZATION OF THE
PHILIPPINES
In socioeconomics, there was an imposition of the tribute,
bandala and cedula personal. There was also the
requirements of polo y servicios, establishment of
government monopolies and limited agricultural and
commercial development.
During Gov. Gen. de Basco’s administration in the late
18th century, incentives were given through cash prizes and
medal of recognition for achievements in farming indigo,
spices, cotton, mulberry for silk production, beekeeping,
mining, and inventions.
Through the so-called Royal Economy Society of Friends
of the Country (1780-1895), a ban on slaughtering carabao
was introduced in 1782 to conserve this draft animal. A
silversmith and gold beaters guild was formed in 1783, and
the first paper mill was constructed in the Philippines in
1825. As a whole, however, the economic reforms did not
benefit the Filipinos. Instead, they lead to more misery
because Filipinos were forced to plant much-prized cash
export crops from which they did not have any direct
benefit. Although this may be the case, there was the
improvements in public utilities and communications. The
Ferrocaril de Manila was the only railway line in the
archipelago. It was 120 miles long, and was constructed
mainly through Filipino labor in the 1890’s. Horse-drawn
and steam-powered street cars were used in Manila, and the
calesa and carretela elsewhere. Bridges were constructed in
many parts of the country. Telephone service in the country
began; Manila in 1890 and Iloilo in 1894. Telegraph lines
were put up as early as 1872 in Manila and in Iloilo in the
late 1880’s. The public lighting system in Manila was
established in 1814, followed by other cities later.
Aside from the socioeconomic effects, there was also an
effect when in politics. There was loss of freedom on the
part of Filipinos and the establishment of a highly
centralized unitary government and bureaucratic set-up.
On the national level, the Spanish king governed the
colony through the Consejo de las Indias with the governor-
general, his sole spokeperson and representative. The seat
of power was in Manila. On the provincial level, the alcalde
mayor headed the alcadia or provincial, the pacified
provinces and districts. The unpacified zones or
corregimientos, on the other hand, were headed by
corregidores. Only a Spaniard could be an alcalde mayor or
a corregidor. On the municipal level, the “little governor”
or gobernadorcillo (later replaced by the captain municipal
in 1894) headed the municipio or pueblo. Any propertied
Spaniard, Indio or mestizo could be a gobernadorcillo.
Catholic Church has a high influence on the state. The
colonial administration of the Philippines was popularly
viewed as reflective of the union of the church and state.
From the very start of the Spanish occupation in the
country, the ecclesiastics were already involved in
administering the affairs of the state. This was because in
many occupied and pacified places, the only Spaniard
present was the Spanish parish priest. Thus, by virtue of his
position and because of circumstances, he acted as
representation of the Spanish government and
consequently, performed the functions and duties of an
administrative official.
The particular role of the Spanish priest in colonial
administration was given a de facto recognition because the
Spanish king also served as the royal patron of the Roman
Catholic Church. This made him essentially responsible in
advancing Catholicism in the colonies of Spain.
The high influence of the church on the state was exposed
by Filipino reformers, among them was Marcelo H. del
Pilar who referred to the situation in the Philippines as la
soberania monacal (monastic supremacy) or la frailocracia
(frailocracy), because the Spanish friars or monastic orders
ruled supreme, even over governmental matters.
In education, the Boy’s colleges and secondary schools for
both boys and girls were established in Manila, Iloilo, Cebu
and few other places, but were initially exclusive for sons
and daughters of Spaniards. A free compulsory publicly
supported system of primary schools came with the
Educational Decree of 1863, simultaneous with the
establishment of men’s normal school to prepare future
schoolmasters. A lot of problems, however, confronted the
educational system implemented by the Spaniards in the
Philippines. Among those pointed out by Dr. Jose Rizal in
his Noli Me Tangere. These were absence of basic
textbook, lack of school buildings, lack of qualified and
dedicated teachers, employment of corporal punishment,
emphasis on rote-learning, humiliation of students by
teachers and lack of opportunity for students to really
develop themselves.
On the other hand, Socio-cultural results included the
adoption of Spanish surnames and first names. Majority of
the Filipinos adopted Spanish names especially as a result
of a decree issued by Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria in 1849.
The decree listed Spanish family names from which the
natives chose their own surnames. This made it easier for
the Spaniards to identify individuals and families for
taxation, census taking and other purposes. There was a
change in the manner Filipnos dressed. One of the apparent
changes was the use of shirts and trousers of men in place
of the pre-Spanish bahag. The women, on the other hand,
except for the upper class, continued to wear more or less
of the same pieces of clothing they wore in pre-Spanish
times. Hats, shoes, and slippers came into use. There was
also the emergence of the mestizo class due to
intermarriage and sexual liason between Filipinos and
Spaniards. The Filipinos, especially those belonging to the
upper class, began to speak the Spanish language. Even the
less fortunate learned to speak a little Spanish. BY and
large, Philippine major languages have been influenced by
Spanish terms and phrases. The Latin or Western alphabet
also replaced the pre-Spanish syllabary of the Filipinos,
except among a few native groups like the Mangyans of
Mindoro and the Palawanis of Palawan.
The Spaniards were not really interested in making most
Filipinos familiar with the Spanish language for that would
hasten understanding among the latter and make it more
difficult for the rulers to keep them in subjugation. Included
in this socio-cultural development is the adoption of the
Gregorian calendar and the Western method of keeping and
counting time and the introduction of Spanish music and
dances the Spanish dishes like arroz valenciana, afritada,
estofado, mechado, puchero, menudo, and so on. The
patronal fiesta and Christmas celebrations and the over-all
cultural alienation of the Filipinos brought about by
colonial mentality.
Religion is has a profound influence in a Filipinos way of
life. Catholicism enhanced monotheistic worship among the
Filipnos. Most of the natives, because of their conversion,
went to the same church and observed the same religious
ceremonies and rituals. This brought about increased direct
interaction and facilitated understanding among them. On
the other hand, the spread of Catholicism widened the gap
between its followers and those who practiced Islam.
The holding of Catholic fiestas and other religious
provided amusement and rest for the people, and provided
occasion for getting together, they were frequently costly
affairs. Thus, many Filipino families spent in a single day a
part or the whole of their savings during the year. The
construction of churches, convents, and cemeteries helped
spread of Catholicis and brought about the necessity of
putting this up which made it effective in the use of native
labor through the polo y servicios or forced labor.
The advent of the religious literature and art developed in
the Philippines during the Spanish period was mostly
religious in character. Among the types of literature were
the cenaculo, a religious play which depicted the passion
and death of Christ; the , a cloak and dagger play; the
moro-moro, a melodrama involving clashes between the
Christians and the Muslims; the awit and the corrido, or
metrical romances; and the passion play. The best Filipino
sculptors devoted their talents to images or scenes depicting
religious characters.
Prepared by: Dr. Ma.Leda J. Fuentes (Professor)