Spanish era

In 1521 Ferdinand Magellan set foot on Philippines after a brief pleasant encounter the natives leaded
by Rajah Humabon and baptizing 800 natives and all habitant in Cebu was baptize - written by pigaffeta
in his accounts

Magellan was died in battle of mactan under lapulapu

Spanish king Phillip ll took interest on the colonization of this land, 44 years after Ruy de Legaspis
expedition was able to land

Colonization start in the archipelago which Legaspi gave the name Filipinas in honor of king in Spain, the
life and culture of habitants change, except of the Muslim and some indigenous tribes in north

The Philippines society during Spanish era was composed of the ruling class

• MIDDLE CLASS

Peninsulares - Spaniards who were born in Spain, they entertained the idea that the archipelago should
ruled by them

Insurales or Creole - Spaniards who where born in Philippines, they were servicing the colonial army of
former priest some of them are former farmers and businessmen who became very rich

Mestizos - a landholder and a middleman wholesaler of local produce and foreign imports

• THIRD CLASS ( INDIOS) - Divided into principalia

Native Aristocratic Filipinos like the children of former datus and current gobernadorcillos and cabeza de
barangay and the wealthy educated Filipinos belonged

Masa - was the lowest class in the colonial society they are poorest of the poor

1st school in Philippines was Parochial school opened by missionaries, students taught arithmetic,
practical art education, latin, geography mathematics and philosophy, girls taught religion, Good
manners, painting, writing, Spanish, music and home economics.

17th century higher education began only for Spaniards and have Spanish blood

19th century high education admitted in Filipinos

A normal school for boys opened in 1865 for girls opened in 1895

It was not only Christianity that the Filipinos influence ingrained into the lives of people food, delicacies
like ham, chorizos, sardines and to learned how to eat canned goods, drink coffee chocolate and use of
fork, spoon and glasses in manner of dressing they learned how to wear pants and camise de chino
(barong), fiestas became a part of yearly celebration

Different ways of leisure such as; playing cards, bullfights, horserace, moro-moro, cenaculo and
comedian

The most popular literature written in dialects were the pasyon awit and corrido. Filipinos became found
of Spanish songs, learned how to use musical instruments such as piano, violin flute, harp and others
which was an important features which every maiden knows how to play

Art of painting, Architecture, Sculpture influenced by Europeans

Teatro Comico 1790 - drama became popular

Life in the Spanish Philippines could be glimpsed from the reading of the accounts of;

Fr. Pedro Murillo Velarde ( Pueblo life ) - the roots of the Filipino

Everyday boys and girls up to the age of 14 yrs there call themselves " Schools" and "Company of rosary"
then they sing of all prayers that belong to mass. On Saturday not only children recite the prayers but
baguntaos and dalagas, on Sunday the boys go out with a banner around the village singing the prayers
to call the people together, if the minister say mass they recite the prayers together called tocsohan

The minister preaches a moral sermon and offer prayers during 9 days preceding Christmas they sung in
very early in the morning these are called "masses for Christmas" mise de aguinaldo. The Indians in
general have a great highest respect they rise to their feet, take of their hat and kiss father hands
especially they ask for forgiveness

Conrad Myrick ( Life in Intramuros ) - Filipino Heritage

Life in Intramuros from 1571 to 1898 mainly followed Spanish customs which blended in Orient and
Tropics, Intramuros life was reverse Filipino custome was blended with Spanish ways Spaniards match
the ability of Filipino musicians but shared interest in gambling especially in fiestas and family life
celebrating name days, anniversaries and respect for the aged both Filipino and Spaniards hospitality
were generous and gracious.

The Intramuros life clock

Gentlemen arose at 6 in the morning and took chocolate, lounged with their shirt's out of there trousers
they dress at 9, breakfast at 10 then went to town for business. They dived at noon took siesta until 4
o'clock from 5 they droved around the esplanade until 6 and visits were made from 7 to 10

The transportation was carruajes, calesas and carromatas

Guillaume le Gentil ( Philippines society during the Spanish period )

Viscount Pierre de pages ( Travel to the Philippines)