Maria Kristina R.

Rey SEC 53

Hierarchy

It can be said that Filipinos had endured inequalities caused by the emanation of
colonizers in our country and their regimentation. Due to the prolonged occupation of these
immigrants, social stratums were effectuated hence molded our society to their likeness, which
in turn, became embedded in our nation of today. This assertion manifests in a variety of
context such as in land ownership, religion, ethnicity, linguistic aptitude, gender, economic
disposition and politics. These are well and evident in extensions of stratification in specific
settings, dimensions and era.

Plasencia (1903) stated that even in our country’s pre-hispanic period, hierarchical
constructs are already installed. In the Spanish period, people were divided into four
categorizations that are recognized as the datus, maharlikas, timawas and alipins; slaves were
subdivided into even lowers castes such as the serfs wherein they have the alternative to
acquire their liberty, and the true slaves who are sold off, nevertheless could be granted release
by their master. Distinction amongst the different social orders could be seen as well in the last
rites. Deceased Filipinos who resided in remote areas were denied of their right to be sanctified
after death due to the fact that the Spanish clergy deemed it imprudent and unreasonable to
journey for a single person exclusively. Comparatively speaking, hierarchy is also evident at the
time when the regular Spanish clergy was diminishing. The regular Spanish clergy adamantly
disdained to the proposition of permitting ordination to eligible Filipinos hence manifested the
appetite for power and thirst for superiority over Filipinos. To conclude, our pre-Hispanic
customs were surmised as insignificant and primordial; this discernment led to the belief of the
necessity for refinement thus creating the concept of how we needed cultivation from the
Spaniards.

During the American colonization, apparency of the social stratification endured. The
American sanitary regime projected this prevalently when the cholera outbreak transpired; the
epidemic caused fatalities from all stratums of society including eminent Filipinos, American
soldiers and the socially advantaged. The dispensation of victims amongst races and castes was,
however, biased. The unprivileged were greatly disadvantaged such that Americans, Spaniards
Maria Kristina R. Rey SEC 53

and Chinese was equipped and had well-resourced hospitals that accommodated them and
only them exclusively. Furthermore, Filipinos experienced persecutions and decimations.
People were taken away from their families and are placed in quarantines erected by the
Americans specifically for infected Filipinos; barangays were helplessly razed and burnt to the
ground along with its inhabitants, whether they are infected or not. This encapsulates that the
impoverished Filipinos who were infected by cholera were good as dead.

Whilst in the Japanese occupation, correlative events emanated. Filipinos, most

especially women were situated at rock-bottom at the time of the war; distinction of social
classes are most evident due to the fact that the Filipinos are subjected to injustices and
fatalities inflicted by the dominant Japanese. The Japanese imperial forces established ianjo or
“comfort stations” specifically for the utilization of soldiers in order to allegedly decrease the
gradation of rape at that time. The concept of the comfort women spawned after these
military-run brothels was initiated; women were helpless particularly if one is destitute. Military
commanders asserted that it was paramount to satisfy their men’s carnalities.

With this, our country would not prosper unless we gradually reform our society’s
conception of social order. In my perception, we must deviate from these ideologies despite the
fact that it is perceptible to our populace to eliminate discriminatory tendencies amongst us.
Even though we have be liberated years ago, the grasp of our colonizer’s influence remains
encapsulated to the point, we ourselves, perpetuate what they have started.
Maria Kristina R. Rey SEC 53

REFERENCES

Plasencia, J., (1903). Customs of the Taglogs. Retrieved from

https://feu.instructure.com/files/2345041/download?download_frd=1

Phelan, J. L., (1959). Hispanization in the Philippines. Retrieved from

https://feu.instructure.com/files/2345038/download?download_frd=1

Ileto, R. C., (1988). Cholera and the origins of the American sanitary order in the Philippines.
Retrieved from https://feu.instructure.com/files/2345014/download?download_frd=1

Henson, M. R., (1999). Comfort Woman: A Filipinas Story of Prostitution and Slavery under the
Japanese Military Retrieved from https://feu.instructure.com/files/2345012/download?
download_frd=1