RHODA LOU S.

FAJARDO
2004113514
AR124/BR3

The Philippines contain a great deal of diversity in ethnicity and social organization. A lot of our
current trends came from foreign influences. If I were in the position to decide to have the
Philippines colonized by foreign countries, I honestly would’ve said yes without hesitation.
Here’s why.

Before the Spaniards arrived, Filipino culture and technology were too primitive. Not that I doubt
that early Filipinos could’ve figured out better building technologies, but being colonized
improved our ancestors way of living. Also, we were also introduced to religion, formal
education, new language, and government.

The spread of Spanish influence occurred quickly and peacefully, since there were few large
communities able to resist the superior technology and organization (except for the Islamized
states in the south, especially Mindanao).

Spanish Influence in Architecture and Planning. When the Spanish introduced the
Encomienda System, we learned the concept of land as a private property, which we still apply
until now. The Encomienda was not a land grant; it was more of an administrative unit to extract
tribute.

Urban Planning was also introduced that resulted to having streets, plazas and monuments.
Military establishments, civic buildings, churches, schools, and hospitals were also built.

Spanish Influence in General. Although being colonized by the Spaniards improved our way of
living, history still tells us that we we’re weak. Being colonized means the imposition of political
control over a weaker colony. And this is something that the Filipinos acquired over the years.

If we take a closer look at our present government, it’s just like history repeating itself, only this
time, it’s Filipinos against Filipinos. The government is still establishing dominance, regardless
if they’re already bending or even breaking the law. Sure, the government was established to
observe law and order, but the Philippine government is chaotic, and so are the Filipino citizens.

Corruption has been going on even during the Spanish period that’s why our National Heroes
died for our country. Leaders should lead by example so that the future generations will pass it
on to the next.