PHILIPPINES DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD

Before, Spanish people went to Philippines and colonized its people and the country, Philippines. There
are lots of negatives than the positives on Spanish Colonization. LOSS OF IDENTITY is one of the
negative effects. Consider that prior to colonization, there was no religion. Furthermore, we were peaceful
and prosperous at the time because there were no looters of minerals, particularly gold, until Ferdinand
Magellan discovered our Islands and introduced us to Catholicism. In exchange for converting to a new
religion, we were made slaves and were referred to as Indios rather than Filipinos. At the time, a Filipino
was a full-blooded Spanish born in the Philippines. Meanwhile, after more than 333 years of colonization,
our identity has changed, and the new generations are different

Here are the disadvantages of Spanish colonization in the Philippines.

1. The killings and forced conversion of the people to Christianity during the Spanish
colonization.
2. The sequester of many Filipino lands in favor of Spaniards.
3. The plunder of Filipino wealth in arts and cultures and minerals
4. The bad habits of the Spaniards such as, manana (tomorrow), siesta, etc.
5. The country’s devastation during the Spanish and American war.
6. The adoption of Spanish names by native Filipinos have deprived them from using their original name.

While we discussed about the negative effects, we can’t also deny the fact that Spanish has also
advantages brought here in Philippines. Some of the positive effects were: universities were opened early.
In 1820 only the Philippines have improved in civilization, wealth, and Populations. The establish of
schools, many schools were built. They taught them how to read, write, and speak in English. Spaniards
established government systems, trading business, railways, schools, and universities. Spaniards made
Manila as the country’s capital. A lot of cities and provinces were renamed by them according to Spanish
orthography. Most Filipino surnames were derived from Spanish names. The Spaniards brought the
Philippines into the attachment of the Western culture. Particularly, the Spaniards introduced their own
Philosophy of life to the Filipinos as well as their habits, language, clothing, ways of amusement
including games, religion, arts, and even cooking. Although there are negative and positive side, we are
not who we are today if it weren’t for the sacrifices that our ancestors did. We are still grateful that
Philipppines were able to fight for the freedom of our country.