M2L1: Tracing Rizal’s Historical Roots | While task 1

1. What were the historical conditions that led to the emergence of Chinese mestizo as an important
element of Philippine society?

The recorded history in the Philippines would be imperfect if the Chinese “mestizos” are not included as
a basis for understanding today’s society. They’ve played an important role during the 19th century
Philippine society. Most of the few Chinese in the Philippines that time had gathered in Manila in which
they provided trade goods and services that Spaniards can’t do. As immigrants’ population grew, many
Chinese took this liberty to their advantage, so they spread across different places within the country.
They come to Luzon and to some of the southern islands. From there on, they became more powerful
when it comes to commerce. Thus, they became significant in the Philippine economy as they go way up
their places there. They were considered by the Spaniards as “sangley” or pure-blooded Chinese people.
Also, some Chinese immigrants also married native Filipino people. Later, the intermarriage of Filipino
natives and the Chinese produced a new class called the Mestizo de Sangley. These Chinese Mestizo or
Mestizo de Sangley become one of the hundred ethnic groups of the Philippines. The rise of the
mestizos shows the existence of social change during the Spanish period. By the end of the Spanish era,
the Chinese Filipinos comprised the middle class of Philippine society. People belonging to this class had
greater privilege when it comes to education and were thus instrumental in the Philippines’ fight for
freedom. This new group gave birth to the educated illustrados like Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar
who started the Philippine Revolution. Because of what happened, Filipino nationality is formed. Today,
Chinese mestizo’s significance in the Philippines continues. Many “Chinoys” occupied important
positions in the government such as Vice President Sergio Osmena, Presidents Jose P. Laurel Elpidio
Quirino and Ramon Magsaysay.

2. What were the implications of their ascendance?

China and the Philippines have shared a long enduring relationship before spain conquered the
Philippines. The Philippines’ relationship with China is by far the longest the Philippines has ever had
with any country outside Southeast Asia. Just look at the over 400-year-old Binondo, the oldest
Chinatown in the world, being situated in the Philippines. Throughout their long withstanding historical
ties, they have shared inter-ethnic relations, territorial disputes, maritime conflicts, diplomacy and
foreign policy, trade and economic partnerships. The Chinese’s skills in commerce and trading also
influenced the FIlipino culture. One major influence that the Chinese contributed within the culture was
culinary arts. In addition, the Chinese way of family structure also heavily influenced the traditional
Filipino family structure. The traditional Filipino structure is very rigid, authoritarian, and uses Chinese-
based nomenclature.