READING IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

WRITTEN REPORT
REPORTERS: ANDRADA, JENIERY M. COUSRE/SEC: BSA- 1C
BILLOSO, FARRAH PROFESSOR: MRS. DELA CRUZ

PHILIPPINES UNDER SPANISH REGIME

PHILIPPINES BEFORE THE SPANISH

 When the Spanish arrived in 1565, the Philippines did not have a national identity. Instead, the
archipelagos were comprised pf hundreds pf territories occupied by different tribal groups who
fought and traded with one another. It was already a major cultural and trade crossroads. For
hundred years, Chinese, Japanese, Malays and even Hindus traded here.

 In pre-colonial Philippines, the tagalogs had a writing system based on Sanskrit and an advanced
mettalurgy technology.

5.1 REASONS FOR SPANISH COLONIZATION:

 Spanish claim the archipelago (Philippines) for two reasons:
1. Right of discovery
2. Actual possession of the Philippines

5.2 POLITICAL CHANGES

 In 1863, in order to make the administration of the Philippines efficient as a colony, It was
placed under jurisdiction of Ministry of the colonies or overseas ministry (Ministerio de
Ultramar)

THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

 In order to make the Central Government of the Philippines organized under Spanish rule, the
adopted their experience in Mexico and South America

PHILIPPINE TERRITORY IN SPANISH TIMES

 The isaland archipelagoes of Guam, the Marianas, The Carolines, and the Palaus in the South
Pacific were included in the Philippine territory during Spanish times.
 Most of Mindanao and Sulu were excluded.
 Interior mountan regions of Luzon and Visayas were also excluded.

THE PHILIPPINE AS A COLONY OF SPAIN

 Being a “colony” means our land and our people belonged to the Spanish Monarch.
  Philippines were colonized of Spain for 333 years, from the time legazpi discovered the
philippines in 1565 to the time when Spain lost to America in 1898.

MONARCHY UNDER SPAIN

 The spanish king or queen was the supreme power in Spain and its colonize.
 The system of government is called “Monarchy”.
 Monarchy is different from our present government system. At present, we have a
“democracy”.

THE MEXICAN VICEROY

 Until 1821, the Philippines really was ruled by the Spanish viceroy in Mexico in the name of the
King.
 However, after mexico got its independence in 1821, the philippines was ruled directly from
Madrid.

THE SPANISH GOVERNOR-GENERAL

 The Spanish governor-general represented the king of Spain in the Philippines.

 He could make laws and he had a great powers.

THE ROYAL AUDIENCIA

 Highest court of the land.

 It was equivalentto the Supreme Court then.

LAWS

 The laws of the Philippones were maid by the Spaniards.

 Most of these laws were for the benefit of Spain not the Filipinos

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

 The country was divided into provinces, with town and cities.
 The cities had their own government called “ayuntamiento”. The city council known as “cabildo”
was headed by the mayor (“alcalde”)
 The provinces(“alcadias”) were groups of town and barangays. There were 19 provinces
including Manila, Albay, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan etc.
 Towns called “pueblos”. It was ruled by a Filipino official called “governadorcillo” (little
governor).

GOVERNMENT DEBTS

 The government debts were due to these reasons:

1. Government officials were dishonest.
2. The odinary people lacked cooperation and loyalty to the state.

THE SPANISH POPULATION

 In early 17th century, there were only about 2,000 Spaniards in the Philippines.
 The Spanish population slowly increased in 19th century, rising to 4,000 Spaniards.

CHRISTIANITY AND SPANISH COLONIZATION

  The Filipinos were attracted to christianity because of these reasons:
1. The message of christianity appealed to the Filipinos.
2. Filipino life was approved by christianity.
3. The missionaries helped the soldiers in the conquest and pacification of the philippines.

CHURCH ORGANIZATION

 The head of the organization was the archbishop of Manila.

 Manila started with a bishop in 1587. The first bishop of Manila was Monsignor Domingo de
Salazar as he defended the filipinos from abuses by the other spanish officials.

THE POWER OF CHURCH

 During the Spanish time, the Catholic church was the official religion of the people.
 “Union of Church and State.”
 The archbishop, bishop and parish priest receive their salries from the government.
 Govenment paid for the churches, schools and charities run by the religious orders.
 Until 1764, archbishop could act as a temporary governor-general.
 Archbishop Manuel Rojo became the acting head of State.
 In every town, the parish priest was the real power. He was called the Friar of “fraile”.

THE ONLY CHRISTIAN NATION IN ASIA

 The Spaniards used the Filipinos as a military base.

 Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia.

5.3 ECONOMIC CHANGES

 Even though our social and cultural life improved under Spain, our economic life did not
improve very much because Spain benefited more than the Filipinos. This slow development
was one of the reasons for the Philippine Revolution.

SLOW DEVELOPMENT UNDER SPAIN

 This was due to the lack of interest of Spain in practical matters.

 They did not maximize the ability of philippines when it comes to natural resources.

ECONOMIC CHANGE MADE BY SPAIN

 New way of Land Ownership – Spain intorduced the idea that a peson and his family could own
a land.
 Encomienda – it was the money from the tribute upon a certain conquered territory.
 Tribute – it was the residence tax during spanish times.
 Polo or Forced Labor – during sapnish times, all male filipinos from 16-60 years old were forced
to work to the government.
 Abolition of Slavery – filipinos could own slaves like they owned property.
 Galleon tade and subsidy from Mexico
 Introduction of New Plants and Animals – Spanish colonizers introduced new plants and
animals among these were coffee, corn, cacao, bean and etc.
 Introduction of New Industries – the Spanish taught the Filipinos of better farming, cattle
ranching, the making of candles and soap, the construction of stone houses and etc.
 Economic Society and the Royal Company
 Scientific Survey – in 1789, the first scientific survey was done by the Spaniards under the
command of Captain Alejandro Malaspina.
 Opening Doors to World Trade and Foreign Investment – starting 1834, Spain officially opened
the Philippines to World trade. This meant that goods from the philippines could be shipped to
any country abroad.
 The Rise of Banks – the first Filipino bank was founded at Manila in 1830 by Francisco
Rodriguez (a filipino quaker who lived in England).
 Improvement of Transportation and Communication – spain build many roads and bridges,
lighthouses for ships and the first city tramcar.
 Social Classes – upper class, middle class, lower class.
1. Upper class composed of the richest and most powerful people in the society. They
were also called the principalia or the ilustrados.
2. Middle class were the newly rich people who owned lands and businesses or worked as
professionals.
3. Lower class included the workers and tenant farmers.
 Price exhibition --