The Spanish Legacy

by Bonifacio Sibayan

I. Influence over Philippine languages under Spanish Christianization

A. Use of Philippine native languages to Christianize natives
1. Ease of preaching the Good News in the natives own languages
2. Use of Christianity for priests to learn the Spanish language
B. Mixing of terms from Spanish language to the Philippine native languages
1. Retainment of certain Spanish terms that did not have equivalents in native
languages
2. For the purpose of not equating such terms with their pagan beliefs
3. Includes words that can be found in the first published book, Doctrina Christiana,
published in 1593
a. God
b. Holy Trinity
c. Holy Ghost
d. Virgin Mary
e. Pope
f. Grace
g. Sin
h. Cross
i. Hell
j. Holy church
k. Sunday
l. Names of the Sacrament
II. Influence of the Spanish language to Philippine life
A. Extension of the marriage of Spanish and Philippine languages from religion to home and
everyday life
B. Use of Spanish language among the Spanish, and a minority of Filipinos
1. In higher education
2. In government
3. In law
C. Only very few Filipinos that had learned the Spanish well
1. Only 2,169 degrees conferred by the University of Sto. Tomas from 1634 to 1865
2. Spanish-speakers of only 2.46% of the 4.65 million adult population towards the
end of the Spanish regime
3. Referred to as the Illustrados
D. Spanish as the official language of the Philippines until 1986