the Contributory Factors that Led to the Birth of Philippine Nationalism during
the Spanish Colonization

Three(3) Major Factors:

1. Economy

Later in the 18th century, as economic uncertainty between Buen

Consejo and Galleon commerce grew, the Creoles turned their focus to
agricultural production. Over time, the Creoles transformed from being a very
reliant class on the government to capital-driven entrepreneurs. Their turning
of attention towards guild-ed soil caused the rise of the large private
haciendas. Various government and church positions were transferred to the
roles of the Peninsulares who were characterized mostly in the 19th century
Philippine history as corrupt bureaucrats.

2. Education

As the percentage of educated Filipinos rose, a new social class

emerged that became known as the Ilustrados.Additionally, travel to Spain
became quicker, simpler, and more economical once the Suez Canal opened
in 1869. As a result, many Filipinos took advantage of this to pursue their
further education in Spain and Europe, mostly in Madrid and Barcelona. This
new enlightened class of Filipinos would later lead the Philippine
independence movement, using the Spanish language as their main
communication method. The most well-known Ilustrado was José Rizal,
whose Spanish-language books stimulated the yearning for independence.
Other academics from the Philippines, include Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano
Ponce, or Antonio Luna, who had also studied in Spain, started advancing the
cause for the self-government and independence of the Filipino.

3. secularization of parishes

There was a secularization movement in the Philippines. It was a

movement in the Philippines under Spanish colonial administration from the
18th to late 19th century for greater rights for native Filipino Roman Catholic
clergymen.
Through this, It advocated choosing native-born Filipino priests to
serve as head parishes. Regular Spanish friars opposed the movement
because it had a negative impact on their political power and authority in the
Philippine islands.[4] Some religious regulars justified their opposition from
give native priests more responsibility with racist reasoning, that natives are
not suitable for priesthood to begin with. They were also concerned that the
secularization process might lead to secession of the island colony from
Spain. Native priests previously played a role in the uprisings in Mexico and
Peru.