Part I

Prelim Period:
Philippine History with Politics,
Governance, and Constitution

HANDBOOK OBJECTIVES:

1.1.1 The Uses and Sources of History

1.1.2 The Setting
1.1.3 Early Philippines
1.1.4 The Formation of the Philippines Colonial Society: Spanish Era 1565 –
1896

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Chapter 1: Philippine History with Politics, Governance, and Constitution

1.1.1 The Uses and Sources of History

Some students who are taking up other programs are usually not interested in
studying history. The only probable reason why they read or take into consideration
reading the history of their country and other countries is because it is required.
However, taking the perspectives of the significance of knowing the achievements
of the past generations is an important element in taking the challenge and
preparing for the future.

Some people dismiss the connection that binds the past to the future in
considering history. But people and country are best understood if we know the
past; because history is the reflection of the people and that people and country
and reflected in their history.

The great philosopher of education, John Dewey wrote, “The achievements of the
past provide the only means at command for understanding the future.” Great
military and political leaders rely from the lessons of history not to repeat the same
mistakes committed by their predecessors; they study the biographies of leaders,
their political policies, their military strategies and foreign conduct so that they will
be guided in their decision making. The great political strategist and philosopher
Nicollo Machiavelli in his world renowned book “The Prince” even suggested how
leaders and would be leaders should use the events in history in order to avoid the
situations that swept some leaders away from their powers. This is to show that
history should be used not only by political leaders but even ordinary individuals
should learn from their experiences in facing the future. As George Santayana
asserted that “those who do not know their past are condemned to repeat it.” His
statement had further put history into subjects that should be taken seriously.

This section will provide the reader important reasons in studying history and that
the subject should not only be considered a part of the curriculum but a subject
that will provide the student critical analysis of the connection of the past, present
and the future.

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 Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Identify the uses of history,

2. Relate the present events to the past; and
3. Connect the political and economic strategies of the present leaders to the
past leaders.

What is History?

History is descriptive of the chronology of significant past events; events that

shaped the social, political and economic culture of the people. History also gives us
significant idea on the conduct of nations in the international community, their
reaction to some events and the alliances they make in relation to other nations. In
addition, according to Machiavelli, interpreting the past for the purposes of the
present will give us a view of the future. Though studying the past does not
guarantee a sure prediction of the future, it prepares us to face the future.

Why Do You Need to Study History?

As Freud liked to say, “Theory is good, but it does not prevent things from
existing.” The existence of history gives us an idea of the way of life of our
ancestors; their struggle to survive in a harsh environment, their defeats and
victories, their family and communal relationships and the transformations that
shaped the society we have today. If not for history, we would be ignorant of the
workings of the world, the connection of the past, the present and its impact to the
future. History is a helpful guide in resolving the challenges in the aspects of social,
political, and economic problems of the country.

The Uses of History

1. History shows us what it means to be human

o History is a search for light on the nature and destiny of man (Arnold
Toynbee)
o History is for human self-knowledge- the only clue to what man can do is what
man has done ( R.G. Collingwood)
o Human knowledge is the most important role of education (Bruno
Bettelheim)

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2. History improves judgment

o Schooling should be chiefly historical – he past will enable people to judge

the future (Thomas Jefferson)
o History endows us with the “invaluable mental power, which we calls
judgment (Woodrow Wilson)
o History doesn’t tell us the answer to our questions, but it helps to inform us
so that we might make better decisions in the future (Diane Ravich)

3. History gives us tremendous examples of the way of life

o Wisdom available from history is not only applied to public issues but has
more personal applications (Peter N. Stearns)
o History provides instructive examples
o People need models (Nietzsche)
o Historical figures are great sources of examples
o History is the result of two conflicting ideas (Friedrich Hegel)
o Historical cultures follow a process of growth

4. History makes us better thinker

o Broad grounding in specific facts and information promotes the general

thinking skills (E.D.Hirsch)
o Historical study teaches analytical and communications skills that are usable
in other academic pursuits (Conal Furay & Michael J. Salevouris)

5. History supports common understanding and dialogue

o History helps people to have the same common ground

o History promotes mutual confidence and good will (Jacques Barzun)
o History satisfies a need for identity

6. History provides people a sense of identity

o Cultural identity contributes to meaning, purpose and cohesion in society
(Beverly Southgate)
o History is society’s “collective memory” ( Furay & Salevouris)
o A country without memory is a country of madmen (George Santayana)

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1.1.2 The Setting

What do Alexander the great, Peter the great, and Julius Caesar have in
common? Why did they expand their empire? Was it lust for power or simply to
expand their political dominions? History will tell us that these revered leaders
fought wars in order to acquire more territories to extend the territorial hegemony
of their countries and gain respect from the international community. Expanding
territorial boundaries can have economic and political advantage, thus empires
and colonial powers had extended their countries’ dominance to put them in a
balanced and strategic location.

The size, shape and location of a country is very important to its political and
economic development, though these are not the only factors, but it plays a
considerable importance in playing a dominant role in the international
community. The setting of a country can be compared to human body parts, where
proper appropriations and proportions contribute to the person’s confidence and
development.

The Philippines is a country where everything has been altered; from its cultural,
political and social structures, we see the influence of colonialism but if there is
one that colonialism did not change, it’s the location, size and shape of the
Philippines. The strategic location of the country in the world map has probably
contributed to its accidental discovery, which put the country in a disadvantage or
advantage situation?

In the words of the expansionists, The Philippines proximity to China has attracted
colonial powers like Spain and the United States who aim to have a share of the
illimitable markets that had been emerging in the Far East. However, its
vulnerability to foreign domination is its greatest advantage as well; its shape has
made it impossible for any country to have total control of the Philippines.

On this part of the module, we will examine how the size, shape and location of
the country could be turned into an economic and political advantage, and how
does it protect the country from the conflict that has affected the neighboring
regions.

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 Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Identify connections between geography, culture, and the economy in their

local area,
2. Provide examples of the countries and explain their economic and political
influence to the Philippines in relation to their shape and location; and
3. Cite a case where the shape and location of the country have played a
significant role in the international politics

The Setting: Location, Size and Shape

The country’s importance in the economic and political relations within its
neighboring regions and in the international community is based on its location, size
and shape. Though many factors are considered like the culture, religion and
natural resources, the three features must be evaluated because it plays significant
role in the political and economic advantage of the country and in the context of
national defense. These three elements must be analyzed first because it could give
the country its advantage or disadvantage.

The neighboring regions of the Philippines have contributed to the economic and
political interests of the country. The Southeast Asia where the country belongs has
tremendous impact to the well-being of the country. Viewed in the region as the first
democratic state, the Philippines have been the envy of many Southeast Asian
countries before.

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Location of the Philippines

The location can be expressed in terms of latitude and longitude or in relation to

its vicinity or its nearness to the land and water bodies. Latitude is the angular
distance measure north or south of the equator while longitude is the angular
distance measured east and west of the prime meridian. We mention here equator
and the prime meridian. Equator is an imaginary horizontal line that divides the
globe into the northern and southern hemispheres, which is given zero latitude, and
is the reference line while prime meridian is another imaginary line which has zero
longitude and divides the globe into the eastern and western hemispheres. It
passes through Greenwich, England.

In the standpoint of international politics, the Philippines is part of Southeast Asia

and an original member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (
Abinales & Amoroso, )However, though the Philippines was part of the regional bloc
of ASEAN it was not close to the member countries. The Philippines is closely
associated with the United States. This relationship is viewed by neighboring
countries with suspicion. But this animosity changed when the Philippine Senate
voted against the retention of US Bases in the country (Abinales & Amoroso,). It is
situated between the equator and the tropic of Cancer. Specifically it lays between 4
degrees 23 minute and 21 degrees 25-minute north latitude and between 116
degrees and 127 degrees 00 minutes east longitude.

The Philippines is bounded on north by the Bashi Channel, on the east by the
Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Celebes Sea, and on the west by the South China
Sea.

The neighboring countries of the Philippines in the north are Taiwan, China and
Japan. In the west the nearest states are Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
While in the south, the Philippines are bounded by Malaysia and Indonesia. In this
location, the Philippines lie in the heart of the Asia Pacific region.

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Size

Size is an important factor in assessing the economic and political potentialities of

the Philippines. It has an area of 114,000 square kilometers. Comprising 7,107
islands, it is readily accessible to the different capitals of the world. Its main islands
are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Philippines officially consists of 7,107 islands of which only 2000 are
inhabited. Only about 500 of the islands are larger than 1 one square mile, and
2,500 aren't even named.

The total area of the Philippines is 191,000 sq. mils. From North to South the
Philippines stretches 1,156 miles, and from East to West 687 miles. The highest
Peak is Mt. Apo in Mindanao, at 7,385 ft. Mt. Pulog in North Luzon is the second at
7,325 ft.

There are 37 volcanoes, 18 of which are classed as active including the Mt. Mayon
Volcano in South Luzon and Mt. Pinatubo North West of Manila in Central Luzon.
The longest rivers are the Cagayan, Pampanga, and Agno in Luzon.

Philippine Geographical Setting

Significance of geographical setting to the nation

A world map showing the Philippines in relation to its neighboring countries would
show a strategically located nation, an archipelago east of the continent of Asia and
west of the Pacific Ocean where lies the American continent in the east. It is north
of Indonesia and Malaysia; east of Indo-China (Vietnam. Cambodia Laos and
Thailand); southeast of Mainland China, south of Taiwan and Japan; and west of
tiny Pacific Islands of Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia.

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Significance of the Location

Geographical location plays an important role in the political and economic stability
of a country. Remote location of a country has severe economic disadvantages,
which could mean fewer inhabitants because of few opportunities for people.
However, small countries with significant and strategic oceanic routes and
surrounded by peaceful neighbors can compensate the disadvantage of their size,
while small countries or even big countries surrounded by war freak neighbors or by
the sea with long distances to other countries cannot.

Major Oceanic Route

The Philippines lies along the major oceanic trade route and air lane between the
United States and Asia, which is the Pacific trade route. This route originates from
western United States, passes through Hawaii, and then splits into three branches:
one branch goes to Japan, the second to the Philippines, and the third to Australia
and New Zealand. This makes Manila one of the busiest port of call for ships to
other southeastern countries.

Centuries prior to the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines in 1521,

Manila was famed as a major intermediary center of trade and transshipment.
Vessels from India, Japan and China came in order to barter.

Political Significance

The location of the Philippines makes it politically important among the nations of
the world. Let us put in the picture the Philippines when, in 1941, the islands some
7,000 in number, formed a natural barrier between Japan and the rich resources of
east and Southeast Asia. Japan had to grab the Philippines first before any country
in the region, though inescapably delayed the combined US-Filipino forces under

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USAFFE when it turned Bataan and Corregidor into a battleground. The United
States, however, had to hold the islands for her military (political) strategy.

Ended the last World War, the Philippines became a Republic. Years later, there
Cold War set in. Marcos came to power, and recognized by the US as the most
democratic among Asian leaders. The US had to bring an end to the most familiar
indication of the Cold war, the spread of Communism to the nations in the Indo-
Chinese peninsula and their subsequent plummet into it, one after another, like
"domino. “This speculation was used by the US to justify its intervention in Vietnam
and the persecution of the Vietnam War.

The persecution of the Vietnam War, the strategic position of the Philippines came
into the limelight. In campaigning to “contain Communism” Clark Air Base became
the headquarters of the 13th Air Force and Subic became a forward station for the
Seventh Fleet. Clark and Subic played a key logistical role in support of the US
forces in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. From 1965 to 1975, the US bases
served as logistical fulcrums of the US war of intervention in Indochina. Air traffic at
Clark reached as high as 40 transports per day, all bound for Vietnam.

The late Dr. Pedro Baldoria of the Department of Political Science, University of the
Philippines described the significance of the vicinal location of our country as
follows:

The Philippines is centrally located in the region where the conflict between
Communism and Democracy appears to be coming to a head. This country, being
‘the most oriental of Orientals’ is the ‘show window of democracy’ in Asia. It stands
on the crossroad of the competition for power in the orient.

Being insular in location, the Philippines is clear of sensitive spot of regional

conflict. Unlike countries continental in location, like India and its neighbor
Pakistan, our country has never been engaged in wars over borders since waters
bound us. Even so, part of out territory is regarded as a potential flashpoint for

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 regional conflict. According to an American author, "the valiant defense of the
Philippines had several important consequences. It delayed the Japanese timetable
for the conquest of south Asia, causing them to expend far more manpower and
materiel resources than anticipated. Probably of equal importance, the determined
resistance against overwhelming odds became a symbol of hope for the United
States in the early, bleak days of the war."

The surrounding waters of the Philippines serve as its defense against people who
because of the political upheaval in their country will try to cross the border. Waters
eliminate that possibility of hosting refugees uprooted from their country because of
political persecution or violence.

1.1.3 Early Philippines

The formation of the Philippine islands and the origin of the Filipino race were
explained by different theories. These theories were based on archeological
findings rooted from the material culture believed to be produced and used by the
early inhabitants during that epoch. However, the certainty of their explanations
were contested by some experts but whatever is the truth behind the formation of
the Philippine islands the existing information available to the students of history
suggests that some neighboring countries are interconnected at some point in
time, thus proving the assumption that the Filipinos are products of the wave of
migration from other parts of Asia. Further, the similar physical features shared by
the Filipinos to some people from Asia like the Indonesians and Malaysians
suggests that they shared the same racial origin.

As the question of formation and racial origin were recognized, the questions on
how the early inhabitants lived, their social structure, their political concepts and
economic practices were also taken into account.

The early Filipinos lived in an era where communal life and blood relations were
the only existing rules that protect and give them security from each other. The
highly closed knit relationship of people seemed to dominate their way of life.
However, unlike in other societies where people are ruled by one leader or their
representatives, the early people in the island were not subjected to one leader
alone, rather ruled by different rajas or tribal leaders, this is primarily because of
the geographical setting. Thus each communal society is different from the other.

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 The scattered islands made it impossible to have a uniform social structure that
can be the start of political organizations and unity of the people of the island and
also the concept of territoriality is practiced only in Luzon, thus the difficulty of
ruling is impossible. Nevertheless, the early inhabitants developed a social
structure within their dominated area in Luzon.

This section will give you information that is beneficial in knowing the roots of
our ancestors and how the island was formed, how the early people lived, their
way of life, their social structure and political and economic concepts.

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Trace the origin of the Filipino people

2. Describe the various ethnic groups comprising the Filipino nation
3. Discuss the culture of the early Filipinos
4. Criticize the unique cultural heritage of the early Filipinos and those of the
major and minor ethnic groups

The Formation of the Philippine Archipelago

It has been postulated by archeologists that the Philippines was formed out of
the different evolutionary changes which helped shaped the Philippine archipelago
today. Many theories had been explored to support the contention that the island
was formed as a result of violent tectonic changes during the Miocene period- a
geological epoch. The violent geological changes produced massive different
elevations like the Baguio plateau and raised sea level forests into similar heights.
Thus, some fossilized leaves of trees have grown in the Sagad in the Central
Cordilleras.

In the Pleistocene era, another movement took place specifically during the ice
ages or glacial periods when the water level was affected by the changes; land
bridges were formed, thus connecting the archipelago to Borneo, Java, Sumatra
and mainland Asia. However, after the ice age ended water level rose and the land
bridges that were formed and connected the island had submerged but leaving
the high peaks like Palawan and Sulu island groups. Given the earth’s movement
that formed the archipelago, a drop of 100 meters from the present coastline of
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the Philippines will unite Mindoro and Luzon, with Mindanao through Samar, Leyte
and Bohol and make one island of Cebu, Negros, Panay and Masbate, although
Sulu and Tawi-Tawi would still occupy a separate island.

The geologic and geographic location of the Philippines to the continent of Asia
has made it a part of the so called “ring of fire” that rims the Pacific which means
that the archipelago could be geologically unstable and could be affected with
earthquakes and erupting volcanoes.

The Early People of the Archipelago

The racial ancestry that connected the Filipinos to that of the people of the
neighboring countries like Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam
suggests a very close relationship of racial origin and the postulation that the early
Philippines was peopled through the so called “waves of migration.” However, this
theory of H. Otley Beyer was discarded when archeologists found the remains of
the Tabon Man in Palawan dated 22,000 years; this discovery had prompted the
early beliefs that the Philippines was peopled through the “waves of migration.”
Thus, the early theories explaining the origin of the early inhabitants in the
Philippines were completely discarded. Robert B. Box and his associates
unearthed the remains of the Tabon Man at the Tabon Cave in Palawan, his team
further asserted based on the archeological findings that the cave had been the
home of man in the last 50, 000 years.

The belief that the archipelago was inhabited by the found remains of the Tabon
Man and the discovery of other fossils in other parts of the region further suggests
that the same group of people had inhabited the area. According to Jocano, fossil
evidence suggests that the people of Southeast Asia be they Indonesians, Malays
or Filipinos are the products of long processes of human evolution and later
movements of people.

Physical anthropologists who have examined the Tabon skull cap agree that it
belonged to modern man that is Homo sapiens, as distinguished for those mid-
Pleistocene species called Homo erectus. Two experts have further given the
opinion that the mandible is “Australian in physical type, and the skull cap
measurements are most nearly like those of Ainus and Tasmanians. What this
means is that Tabon Man was pre-Mongoloid, Mongoloid being the term
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anthropologists apply to the racial stock which entered Southeast Asia during the
Holocene period (post-Pleistocene) and absorbed earlier peoples to produce the
modern Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, and Pacific peoples popularly and
unscientifically called “the brown race.”

The anthropologist Dr. Fox says that, generally, the Filipinos (except Negrito and
Dumagat and a few other groups, such as the Batak of Palawan), share the
common racial ancestry with many other peoples in South and Southeast Asia;
their stock is generally derived from “Southern Mongoloid.” The Indonesians,
Malays, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Burmese, and Laotians also belong to this
stock.

The Way of Life of People

The tools that archeologists were able to gather in Tabon cave suggest that the
people who inhabited the area were food gatherers and hunter. The manufactured
flake tools made of quartz that can be found in the area were evidence that those
people relied on the availability of the materials within the area to be used for
hunting and gathering food. However, as the climate started to change, people
also started to move from one place to another. The tools that they had used to
gather food also improved, and the dependency on the whims of nature had also
diminished giving another way of life. They learned to settle in one place and grow
their own crops and raised animals that can be used for farming as well as
consumption.

Social Structure of the Early People

When the Spaniards arrived in the archipelago, the social and political
organizations are widely scattered in the island and almost generally have the
same common pattern.

However, people lacked the social and political unity as they were not subjected
under one ruler. Every place was ruled by a completely different chief who is not
subjected to a higher authority.

Every place was scarcely populated, thus people maintained a close relationship
with one another and the unit was based on kinship. The basic unit of settlement
was the barangay but within that unit, a social division was developed as people
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were divided into four statuses: the maharlika (noble), Timawa (Freemen),
dependents – those who are landless agricultural workers and alipin (slaves).

Political Organizations/Concepts

Barangay was considered the early political organization of the early people; the
datu or chief was considered the head of the barangay, and population in a unit is
primarily based on kinship. Every barangay is independent over the others and the
rules were basically formulated by the head of the barangay. The chief or Datu had
a considerable influence, power and authority over his people. Every place in the
archipelago is completely independent from the others; the concept of national
government that was introduced by the Spaniards was entirely new to the natives.

Economic Concept

The early people had trade relations with China and Japan and had strong cultural
ties with India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Since money was not yet conceptualized
at the time, the people used the concept of barter as a way of trading with their
economic partners. They exchanged goods and other products coming from China,
Japan and other neighboring countries. Though the sophistication of trade was
introduced by the Europeans, early people in the archipelago relied on trust and
mutual respect in trading with other traders.

Religion

Early people practiced animism – the belief that all life is produced by a spiritual
force, syncretized with Buddhism and Hinduism. Our ancestors were early
believers of anitos to which the Spaniards believed as a form of ignorance,
savagery dubbed the people as uncivilized. Though animism became the dominant
religion in the island, Islam was embraced by the people in Sulu archipelago and
spread to Mindanao and also reached Luzon but people who a firm belief in
animism had refused to embrace Islam as their religion, thus Islam was confined
to Sulu and some parts of Mindanao. However, it was the Muslim immigrants who
were also responsible in bringing Islam to the archipelago such as the traders and
proselytizers who were responsible for introducing the political concept of
territorial states, thus when the Spaniards came, the archipelago was divided into
different territorial states under the command of a raja or sultan.

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1.1.4 The Formation of Philippine Colonial Society: Spanish Era 1565-1898

The Spanish era in the Philippines marked the beginning of an entirely new way
of life for the people. In the social, political, economic and religious aspects, the
early people were introduced to different concepts which were not culturally linked
and completely incompatible to what had been practiced. Their history and culture
were altered or changed, and they were forced to conform to a culture that is
foreign to them, a culture that does not suit their history and environment. Thus
the history and culture that had begun to flourish and the identity that had been
developed was competently forgotten. What was left was a tainted and corrupted
identity of a nation that had been dubbed uncivilized and savage.

The thriving trade in the east particularly in China and Japan and the growing
appetite of the Europeans to the most celebrated product of Asia, the spices and
silk and the continued competition of powerful European countries to extend their
political and economic interests in other parts of the world had resulted to the
discovery of other Southeast Asian countries with the inclusion of the Philippines.
As Spain ventured into several explorations to look for additional source of
revenue for the empire, the archipelago was seemed to be a perfect place
especially its proximity to China and Japan to which Spain had an interest. From
the moment of discovery up to permanent settlement of Spain in the Philippines in
1565, Spain lost no time in changing and imposing their culture and religion to the
early inhabitants, thus the natives immediately succumb to a trance or force that
will permanently change their history, culture forever.

The simple quiet way of life and the right to plan the course of their future had
been completely controlled by people who do not even speak their language and
could not even embrace their way of life. This section of the module will discuss
the events, the processes, the programs, and the institutions of colonial
Philippines that still have influence or shaped our social, political, economic and
religious aspects even today.

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Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

 evaluate the colonial policies enforced by Spain in establishing its authority,

 illustrate the motives of Spain in colonizing the Philippines,
 chart the contributions of Spain to the Filipino society and culture,
 justify the nature of Filipino nationalism; and
 weigh the heroism of the Filipinos fighting for freedom

The complete settlement of Spanish empire to the Philippines was not done from
the moment of discovery, but rather from the day that Spanish forces took control
of the natives and established themselves in the island. Propelled by “Gospel,
Gold, and Glory,” and supported by much-improved technology-new types of ships,
and superior high-powered arms- and the use of religion as a disguise, the early
settlers were easily deceived and influenced by the mighty Spaniards. However,
contact between Spain and the Philippines was not yet fully established, all
transactions and trade were done between Acapulco (now Mexico and Manila). No
Spanish ships sailed around Africa and there was no direct link between Spain and
the Philippine colony. All contact was via Mexico.

Reasons for Spanish Conquest

 The Philippines served as an entry pot for a China trade

 The conversion of the local population to Roman Catholicism
 Expansion of Spain’s economic and political dominion in the east
 Pattern of accommodation
 Welcomed by the chieftains or Datus without resistance with the exception
of the few
 Submissive to the demands of the Spaniards
 Catholicism was embraced by majority of the natives

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  The guise of friendship and trade was the initial impression of the coming
and settlement
 How did Spain manage to tame the natives? Taming the natives

The Spaniards came to the Philippines to look for additional sources of spices
that could help the growing demand of the European community. But the rivalry
between Spain and Portugal helped developed the interest of Spain to maintain
the land as possible source of resources and to increase the territory possessed
by the Spanish empire. The Philippines was a part of the so called “expansionist
idea” of the colonizing power to assert their influence in Asia and to control the
growing spice trade. However, to do this, Spain had to developed pacification
techniques to subdue the natives and not to alert them.

Techniques Used by Spain

 Help develop the country through modern tools and technology

 Opening of trade to the international market
 Enhance the competitive advantage of the archipelago because of its
strategic location
 Instruments of pacification
 The use of modern weapons against the natives
 The use of religion represented by the regular missions that helped mold
the natives in the Hispanic image
 Encomienda system
 Government officials
 Divide and rule

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Friarocracy

 Manner of exploitation
 The government officials
 The encomienda system
 Tribute
 Forced labor
 The Bandala
 Military conscription
 Institutions of colonial Philippines

Though there were statuses adopted by the early inhabitants, there was no clear
indication that the natives had institutions that were responsible in developing and
catering to the needs of the entire population, and this is probably because of the
entirely different set-up that worked well for them. However, the rule of Spain in
the Philippines completely changed the institutional structure of the way of life of
people as Spain introduced new institutions that will form part of the daily
activities of people. However, the institutions that Spain claimed to be their
greatest contribution to the civilization of the natives were also the source of
harassment, oppression and underdevelopment of the people.

Education

 Completely controlled by the Friars

 Obsolete curriculum
 No academic freedom
 Most educational institutions were built for boys
 Education is focused on religion and morality
 Educational institutions were privately controlled
 The Church
 Church and state were inseparably linked
 Friars were very influential
 Responsible for the education of the natives
 Had tremendous influence to the affairs of the state
 Owners of vast lands
 Exacted a share from the produce of the natives

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Political Institutions (National, Provincial, City, Municipal And Barrio)

 Captaincy-general administered by the viceroyalty of Nueva Espana (Mexico)

 National government Governor-general (Commander-in-chief of the Army
and the Navy and president of the Supreme Court –National government
 Mayor (judge, inspector of Encomienda, chief of police and tribute collector)
 Cabeza De barangay
 Economic Institutions
 Encomienda System
 Galleon Trade

Accommodating the Invaders

The coming of the Spaniards was perceived by the natives as a friendly and
helpful act because of the use of religious ideas that had been the cornerstone of
Spain’s entry to Asia. Although the total penetration was delayed and did not
materialize abruptly due to resistance and suspicion of the few chieftains like Lapu
Lapu, the total entry was immediately embraced without skepticism. The natives
were led to believe that the settlement was a first step to improving the lives of the
people through the use of advanced technology from Spain.

The cross or religion was used as a “primary tool” to “physically subdue” and
“conquer the mind” of the natives. This technique was effective in quashing and
preventing revolts in the name of religious adherence, until Filipinos who had been
educated abroad realized that religion was being used as a veil and mask to
protect the interest of the Friars and Spain. The submissiveness and ignorance of
the majority of the early settlers were enough to give the Spaniards total control of
the Island politically and economically, however there were natives who were
disgusted the way Spain managed the land; these people were brave enough to
challenge the supremacy and authority of the colonizer. Filipinos had accepted
first the ideas and belief of Catholicism but later renounced or altered some
questionable beliefs that had rendered questionable through the very fashion of
the Friars’ lifestyle and manner of treatment to the supposed “flock of God.” But

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 nevertheless, the acceptance was overwhelming to challenge the very foundation
of Spain’s grip for authority.

Resisting the Rule

Although submission to Spanish authority was seen and marked by the long
period of colonization, the representative government of Spain to the Philippines
was constantly disrupted and threatened by constant revolts or uprising by
disgusted but courageous natives.

Personal Motives

Religious Motives

The Influence of European Events on Philippine Society

European events were always considered instrumental in influencing the political,

economic and intellectual awakening and development of colonial societies.
Colonial people were empowered by the social upheavals and industrial revolution
in Europe, and it spread like a wildfire in the far corners of the world including the
Philippines. Though Spain tried to contain the development of her continent from
spreading to her colonies in an effort to maintain the power and loyalty of the
people, it was a difficult task for an empire that also faced with challenges brought
by the same events. As Spain scrambled to keep colonies from seeking
independence, many of her own people like the liberals wanted Spain to grant
freedom and independence to the colonies and change the status quo of the state
by abolishing the monarchy. The faction that divided the intellectual society of Spain
shook the very foundation of the empire, thus creating chaos and political divide.

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 Social Impact of European Events on the Philippines

 The rise of Filipino upper class, the pricipalia

 The exodus of Filipino intellectuals to study in Europe
 The rise of the illustrados
 The arrival of Spanish liberals who despised Spanish rule in the Philippines
 The awakening of some Filipinos to the reality of freedom
 The clamor for educational overhaul of obsolete curriculum
 Schools were opened to accommodate the growing number of students
 Political impact on Philippine society

Filipino Intellectuals Envisioned a Free Nation

 The creation of political organizations and political newspapers

 Publication of political sentiments, satirical essays critical to the rule of
Spain and the social slump of the Filipino people
 The clamor for representation in the Spanish Cortes
 The vision of a free Philippines
 The shaping of Filipinos’ patriotism and nationalism throng essays and
articles published by the Filipino propagandists
 Exposing the plight of the Filipinos
 The opening of consular offices of other countries in Manila
 Economic impact on Philippine society

The Opening of Philippine Ports to Foreign Traders

 The exportation of Filipino products to other parts of the world

 The collapse of galleon trade due to a new economic ideology i.e. capitalism
 The rise of Filipino middle class
 The opening of some important financial institutions like banks
 Communication and transportation impact on Philippine society

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Mail Service between Manila and Cavite Started As Early As 1839

 Newspaper began to be circulated and reached other parts of the

archipelago
 Arrival of “educated Spaniards” whose point of view had been changed by
the events in Europe
 The opening of Suez Canal made travel easier, faster and safer
 People go from one island to another
 New developments in Europe reached the Philippine shores
 Political essays written by the propagandists were read by the Filipinos
 Events that shaped the revolutionary ideas of the Filipinos

The Execution of the Three Priests

 The political, intellectual and economic development in Europe

 The rise of the illustrados
 The comparison of European societies, the freedom enjoyed by people in
Europe against the situation of the Filipinos
 The founding of political organizations
 The creation of the propaganda movement
 The clamor for representation and equality
 The call for freedom and independence
 The publication of Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo
 The trial and execution of Dr. Jose Rizal

The Philippine Revolution was the greatest awakening of the Filipino people to
the greatest malady that had plagued the country for three centuries of oppression
and injustice. Though it was not prolific in execution as compared to the French
and American Revolution, it gave the Filipinos a sense of identity that had eroded
them for centuries. It catapulted the Filipino nation into the community of nations
and brought the Filipino race into the attention of other sovereign powers like the
United States. Though the revolution gave us freedom from Spain, the
independence that the Filipinos were looking for did not materialize as the United
States grab the Philippines for its expansionist idea.

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Achievements of the Revolution

 The end of Spanish rule in the Philippines

 The founding of the revolutionary republic
 The creation of the first Philippine Constitution
 The re-structuring of Philippine political, social and economic aspects with
the help of the Americans

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