Eumagail B. Mejarito Mr.

Arvin Pingul
BPA 1-3

Chinese and Parian at Manila by Domingo Salazar

Citation
Ocampo, Ambeth R. “The Chinese of Spanish Era” February 2019
https://opinion.inquirer.net/119247/the-chinese-of-spanish-era-manila
Agoncillo, Teodoro A. A History of the Filipino People. Quezon City: Garotech Publishing, Inc.
1990.; Arcilla, Jose S. SJ. ed.. Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People, Vol. 3: The Spanish
Conquest. Manila: Asia Publishing, Ltd., 1998.; Zaide, Gregorio F. and Sonia M. Zaide. The
Philippines: A Unique Nation. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing, Inc., 1994. Project
Gutenberg. The Philippine Islands

Summary
Monastery of Sancto Domingo stand close by the Parian of Sangleys, which is build in
marshy place on the border of this city between northern and southern sides. Sangleys were
transferred thither by Diego Ronquillo. Through the diligence of the president and governor,
Doctor Vera much better houses were built. In this Parian is to be found workmen of all trades and
handicrafts of a nation they make prettier articles than are made in Espana. Gardeners among
sangleys are raising many good vegetables of the kinds that grow in Mexico and Espana. Bakers
make bread with wheat and fine flour which they bring from China and sell it in the market along
the street. Sangleys are so intent upon making a livelihood. They are hardworkers and very greedy
for money. Marquis de Villa manrrique who prevented the shipment of the bricks to Sangleys of
the Dominican Religious who came to these islands, four are engaged in ministering the sangleys
two of the four officiate in the church of Sant Gabriel, together with the house, stand close to
Parian. Another church with its house is on the promotory o baybay near Tondo which river
divides separating it from manila. The opportunity which the infidels of both towns had to hear the
sermons preached by the fathers to the Christians, made them acquainted with many matters
relating to our faith, and some of them desired to be baptized.
Analysis

 Parian played an important role not only to manilenos and the Chinese but also to our
nation history as well.
 It is trading area that ler evolved into a ‘tianggi’(market) with several stalls similar to the
present-day marketplace or shopping mall were various goods and services are being
offered to the public.
 During that time Sangleys or the Chinese traders, as the Spaniards called them, lived
anywhere in the city. Here the Chinese traded silk, porcelain, spices, furniture and
jewelry in exchange for goods produced by the natives
 The area became a bustling Chinese trading hub and the ‘nerve-center’ of business life
in Manila. It also became the backbone of the galleon trade with Acapulco for almost
200 years. Aside from selling goods, many Chinese craftsmen provide their skilled
services as shipbuilders, carpenters, sculptors, weavers, and many others. By daylight,
the gates of Intramuros known as the Puerta del Parian were opened and the Spaniards
and Filipinos did their shopping at the Parian were products from China were on sale.
The Parian moved from time to time and persisted until the late 19oth century.
 After the Sangley Revolt of 1603, the Spaniards destroyed and burned the Parian. After
30 years, the Chinese traders who were involved in the galleon trade built a new and
bigger Parian.
 Similar districts were also established in the different parts of the country such as the
Parian de Cebu in Cebu City and the Pariancillo de Naga in Camarines Sur.
 Chinese settlements in the Philippines are not new, and were documented as early as
the 16th century in Spanish accounts.
 One of the most detailed descriptions of the Parian, the Chinese settlement in Manila,
was written by the first bishop of Manila, Domingo de Salazar, on June 24, 1590
 Misinformed by the Portuguese regarding the reception of foreigners in China, Salazar
saw the promise of many conversions and recommended opening China for
evangelization, by force if necessary
 Sangleys are so skillful and clever that as soon as they see any object made by Spanish
workman, they reproduce it with exactness.