Sociocultural Context

Peninsulares
Peninsulares - They are the highest class in the Philippine social structure during
the Spanish colonialism. Peninsulares are entrusted with the offices of high rank,
They are pure blooded Spaniards born from Spain and sent to the Philippines to
govern.Often times, they own many properties and possesses great power over
lower ranks.

Notable Peninsulares
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi - He led the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.

Ramon Blanco y Erenas - The Governor General during the time of Rizal and the
Katipunan.
Insulares
Insulares - They are high ranking people in the Philippine social structure during
the spanish colonialism, Ranking behind the Peninsulares. The insulares or
Criollos are of European descent but born in Spanish colonies. A son or daughter
of a Spanish couple is called “insulare”.

Notable Insulare
Luis Rodriguez Varela - Also known as El Conde Filipino, He was a European
noble who fought for the rights of Filipinos and was exiled from the Philippines.
Mestizo de Espanol
Mestizo de Espanol - Mestizos are offsprings of Spanish people interbreeding with
Filipinos. Mestizo is a term given to individuals inheriting foreign ancestry. They
may or may not have European or other racial features despite popular belief. The
original term was used in Latin america but was later adopted here in the
philippines to children of racial interbreeding. Mestizo de Espanol comes as the
third highest rank in the Philippine social structure during the spanish colonialism.
Principalia
Principalia or Noble class - The principalia was the ruling and usually educated
upper class in the Philippine social ranking during the spanish colonialism. The
principalia is mostly composed of the Gobernadorcillo, and the Cabezas de
Barangay. The principalia come in just below the Mestizo de Espanol
Chinese Mestizo
Chinese Mestizo - The Chinese mestizo played a significant role in the formation
of the Filipino middle class. Chinese mestizo is an archaic term used to classify a
person mixed of Chinese and Filipino ancestry. They played a big role in barter
trading in the Philippines, the influence of their culture is still present up to this day.
They come in just below the principalia in the Philippine social structure during the
spanish colonialism.

Notable Chinese Mestizo

Jose Rizal - Jose Rizal came from Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino blood.
Chinese
Chinese or Chino - The chinese or chino is the world’s largest ethnic group. They
participate in a maritime trade with the Philippines before, during, and after the
spanish colonialism. They are just above the lowest class in the Philippine social
structure during the spanish colonialism.
Indio
Indio - Indio is used to call indigenous people of the Philippines. They are
considered as the lowest in the rankings, mostly composed of workers and slaves.
The upper class considered the indio as inferior because the natives are
“uncivilized”.