THE NINETEENTH CENTURY:

PHILIPPINE ECONOMY,
SOCIETY, AND THE CHINESE
MESTIZOS
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
 “PROFOUND CHANGE WAS FELT IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING 19TH
CENTURY.”
 Before the Spaniards came in the Philippines, our ancestors were
already trading with other countries.
 The Spanish Government traded continuously with these countries
until Manila became the center of commerce of the Philippines.
 Spain set colonial policies that had an effect on the Philippines
 Galleon trade (Manila to Acapulco trade) – main economic
institution in the Philippines that suffered from declining economic
enterprises.
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
 The Spaniards found ways to save the shrinking economy of trade
and industry.
 Industrialization and raw materials made the Philippine economy
rise again.
 When Jose de Basco y Vargas , the first governor general to the
Philippines came here, he created reforms.
 Royal Philippine Company was established to manage finances of
agriculture and trades with Spain and Asian Markets
 Basco allowed the gradual opening of Manila ports to foreign
markets.
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
 The farmers were given incentives for planting sugarcane, cotton,
and spices.
 The miners took part in the economy by mining gold, tin, copper,
and silver.
 Tobacco industry was also established.
 Only the chosen provinces were only allowed to plant and harvest
tobacco.
 The harvesters of tobacco sold it to the government depending on
the set price given by the government.
 The export of the tobacco was utilized.
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
 The crops were the sources of the revenue.
 Lands were given an importance to cultivate such crops.
 However, the farmers were given less opportunities to plant crops.
 Due to higher demand of land, the price of the land increased so
the farmers were buried to indebtedness until they could not get
back their lands.
 The farmers were forced to become tenants or “kasama” of their
lands which were forfeited by the hacienderos.
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
 In 1834, the Royal Philippine Company was closed.
 Manila was opened to trade worldwide.
 Traders and merchants came here in the Philippines to finance and
facilitate the agricultural production, exportation of good, and the
economy of the Philippines.
 Major Investors: British and Americans.
 In the middle of 19th century, through crop products that were
traded and exported, the Philippines experienced the rapid growth
and development of the economy.
THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF
PHILIPPINE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
 For better management of lands, renting of a part of the land was
offered to them.
THE CHINESE AND CHINESE MESTIZOS

 The Chinese and the Chinese Mestizos were the ones who
benefited a lot from the changing economy in the Philippines.
 Our ancestors and the Chinese had its trade relationship.
 The products that were being traded are from China during the
Galleon Trade.
 The settlement of the Chinese here in the Philippines gave suspicions
to the Spaniards.
 The Spaniards realized that the stability of economy of the
Philippines was made possible because of the effort of the Chinese.
 Intermarriages of Indios and Chinese – Chinese Mestizos
IMPACT ON LIFE IN THE COLONY

 The economic growth and development of the Philippines offered

greater opportunity for the society: may it be social, political and
cultural.
 The economy demanded for a literate society to answer the rising
need of profession and workforce.
 Issuance of the colonial government order:
▪ To establish primary schools in all towns to teach the people to read
and write.
 The passage of education decree mandated the free primary
education.
 In 19th century, different schools were established to address the
demand of different professions. E.g. Ateneo Municipal
 IMPACT ON LIFE IN THE COLONY

 Colonial government was intensified.

 Manila became the destination for those who wanted to get a
better opportunity.
 Issues were raised:
▪ overcrowding,
▪ sanitation and public health,
▪ increase in criminality,
 tax collection
IMPACT ON LIFE IN THE COLONY

 In order to address the concerns and issues in Manila, Governor-

general Narciso Claveria implemented the 1849 decree wherein:
 The people will use the surnames which were assigned to them.
 Registration and possession of cedula
 To fully implement the policies, guardia civil was established to
regulate the policies that were being implemented during that time.
RENEGOTIATING SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
SOCIAL STRATA
Peninsular Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the
Iberian Peninsula
Insular Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the
Philippines
Mestizo Born of mixed parentage:
Spanish Mestizo – one parent is
Spanish, the other is native
Chinese Mestizo – one parent is
Chinese, the other is native
Principalia Wealthy pure-blooded native
supposedly descended from the
kadatoan class
Indio Pure-blooded native of the
Philippines
Chino Infiel Non-Catholic pure blooded
Chinese
REFERENCES

 TEXTBOOK
 The Life and Works of Rizal (Rhodalyn Wani-Olbis, Aaron Abel Mallari, Jonel
Reguindin-Estrella) pp. 59-66

 WEBSITE
 https://www.philippine-history.org/galleon-trade.htm