CULTURAL CHANGES AND IDENTITY (1600 - 1800) ee | Efforts to quell the early uprisings and revolts by force and imposition of the principle of “divide-and-rule” (Le., by exploiting the | fragmented geographic features of the country, its multicultural characteristics, and regionalistic tendencies), were certainly not enough to keep the people peaceful and loyal to Spain. Culture and the many changes in this area playet.a crucial role in maintzining Spanish rule to the lps andereSPANISH INFLUENCES “The coming of the Spaniards brought the Filipinos into contact with western culture. In particular, the Spanish way of life wi their clorhirsg, colina nantes, “is of words, and Christianity—all these resulted c and Filipino cultural elements. It was inevitable that such mixture 2hould result in each group of people borrowing some aspect of culture from the other so that the thing borrowed merged with what was indigenous. The combination of the two, so tospeak, which was neither native nor Spanish, in the course of time, became the dominant culture. This happened to the Filipinos. They borrowed so many of the things that the Spaniards introduced in the Philippines. In time, the things that sere borrowed were no longer Spanish but something having the “haracteristics of both cultures. This new culture, which was Spanish and Filipino in origin, has now become recognizably Filipino yet colonial in impact and function. introduced: >t Spanish. hange in Filipino Names Before the coming of the Spaniands, Filipinos had no surnames. The name of a boy, for example, was taken from his physical appearance or from any natural event, or object. Thus, if a boy locked strong, he was named 3i Malakas. If a girl looked beautiful, she was named Si Maganda. ‘The little word “si” is not part of the person’s name. Thus, when the Spanish records referred to Cigala, it should actually be spelled as Si Gal Cimaquio for Si Makyo; Cilapulapu for Si Lapulapu; and so on. The Spaniards, at first, made iittle changes in the names of the Filipinos. ‘Those who had Christian surnames chose Spanish names, usually the names of saints, Thus, a boy was named after a saint, such as, Santo ‘Tomas, San Gregorio, or San Andres, and so forth. Many Filipinos, did They used such names as Magiting, Magianggol, lc Gathonton, Gatmaitan, and othe! : or ‘more, were adopted by most Christian however, continued to use their Filipino opted Christian names such as Francisco, Jose, ‘one finds such names as Francisco Dimagiba,Juan Gathonton, Jose G: aitan, Pedro Lacanilao, Calixto Lakand: and Filipino surnames Intermat aaards 25 a rule did nct invermerry with Filipinos. Theze were, of course, exceptions and these exceptions led to limited intermarriages between Spanish men and Filipino women. There were very few recorded marriages between a Filipino male and a Spanish female. The child of the marriage of a Filipino and a Spaniard was called Spanish mestizo (mestizu Espanol). Toward the end of the Spanish period, the qualifying word, “mestizo,” was also used to refer to childven of a male Chinese anda native woman, as in mestiza de Sangley. Today, a child of Spanish and Filipino parents is simply called “mestizo.” As was the case during the end of the nineteenth century, the term “mestizo” referred to Spanish mestizo or mestiza. The intermarriages between Spaniards and Filipinos resulted in an interesting addition to the racial stcck. The same thing happened to the blending of Spanish with Chinese mestiza. Those who belonged to the pure indigenous stock were called “Indios” or “Indias.” Social Life ‘The social life in any Christian community during the Spanish times revolved around the church because the friar-currate was the all-powerful person in the whole community. What he wanted was always followed. The church was usually located in the best part of the town. Beside the church was the municipal building called tribunal where the gobernadorcillo or capitan held office. The proximity of the church and the tribunal to each other symbolized the union of Church and State. The capitan could not i a fiesta was to be held, the capitan had ‘also determined the amount to be ts in theplay tobe staged 9 make the festivities lively, ynsent of the friar-curate, the staging of dia, and later, zarzuela, which lasted two the religious procession. The comedia, the 7moro-moro, the zarzuela, and the carillo were theatrical performances which were popular not only in Manila but also in the provinces. It was during fiesta time that even the poorest Filipino family prepared plenty of good foods for their guests. Oftentimes, poor in order *> feed their ys Ht, Gi ed on poor "families Uecame heavily indebted. This practice was pa from father to children, through generations. | Lamusement Cockfighting was the principal form of entertainment of the Filipino men. Some foreign travelers who had been to the Philippines _ attested to their “passionate eagerness” in the game. According to a German scientist, peace “seer. the Filipinos used cockfighting as amusement and asa form oF gainbling. It is not true that cockfighting was introduced by the Spaniards. Pigafetta, the chronicler of the Magellan expedition, testified chat on their way back to Spain after Mazellan’s death, they dropped anchor in Palawaa, and here they sav’ men engaged in cockfighting. So this game and form of gambling was al=cady in the Philippines long before the Spaniards settled in the country. But the Spaniards encouraged cockfighting among the Filipinos. In this way, the government collected more taxes. Many terms used in cochfighting are mostly Spanish innovations such as soltada, kareo, ruweda, sentensiyador, pusta, dihado, llamado, and ~ others. Cockfighting was a regular event during fiestas and even to this day. Gambling in other forms were introduced from Spain. These games _ included panggingge, monte, tres siete, and others. Lottery, horse race, bullfighting were all of Spanish origin. Bullfights were held in what ly, in Pasey. of ae were ote mourners playing cards (with or without . prenda. The ninth day after the death of a staging the duplo. This was a kind of debate or between a man, called bellaco, and a ser was “punished” by making him/her x palm be hit lightly by an object or a ly called today as barong Tagalog, began by the ordinary menfolk. Unlike the European ed in, the barong was loosely worn to n the foreigners. In place of the original dto wear hats. In the case of the capitan.Corruaie de Alquiler by Jose Lozano, 1851 or gobernadorcillo, he wore a salakot with a silver top. He also wore a coat over along shirt, and carried a gold-hilted cane. This was the symbol of his avthority as capitan. Tine weli-to-do Filipinos wore slippers or shoes, but the poor people went about barefooted. Tne women, on the other hend, still wore | i | their skirt or saya, the tapis, i and the patadyong. They learned to wear a camisa ina Spanish way. The camisa was made of fine material such as husi or pinya. They, too, learned to wear shoes and definitely influenced by the Spanish 0 ‘transparent part called ccmisa which is ‘hus!, or pineapple filaments. The lower part is called .d by the shoulders is the baksa, which, is made of so worn by any woman who could afford to buy the material for such dress. Today, the mestiza dress is still worn but without the baksa. Clothing ultimately became a status symbol to distinguish one’s social class and race.The Antillean Houses distinctions between the rich av he poor. For example, the Spaniards red the type of house called weclean. Thi: or square house made of strong materials such as first-class wood like narra, ipil, and molave. The roof was made of either nipa or tiles. In many cases, the roof was made of red tiles. ‘At the back or at the side of the house was the azotea. The houses of rich Filipinos during those days were of r Antillean architecture. Today, in many ‘Antillean house _ parts of the Philippines, one can still see this kind of architecture. On the other hand, the houses of poor Filipi-es yemained almost thc same as in pre-Spanish times. A few changes had been made, however. ‘The ordinary Filipino house during the Spanish period had a banggera (probably from the Spanish banquera or frame), on which dean platok, cups, and ether things were placed. Thea the ladder was improved and the stairs were, in some cases, made of wood Of course, bambeo ladder continued to be in use. Another improvement Was the addition of the balcon, which was a sort of gallery where members of the family could sit and look at the people passing by. either 2 i 5 The Position of Women Men and women were treated equally, before the Spanish conquest. nish times, the women existed as dependents of sroperty which they enjoyed during pre- could not sell the property they \e arriage, ae the nee same ght the hought it prayers and how to behave in public. ‘use the fork, the spoon, and the knife in ‘not, however, taught how to be independent, jin earning more for the family, how to work .eir husbands were sick or away, and they i rootless terrace ‘at the side or att the back of the house introduced by the Spaniardswere not taught how to think for themselves. During the Spanish howsver, the Filipme women continued, and still continue, to be the rer of the home. The husbands dutifully handed over their earnings to their wives, who kept the money for the family. A Common Religion ‘The Spaniards introduced Catholicism to the Filipinos, who, } contrary to earlier views, did not readily accept the new religion. In fact, many of the earliest resistances or uprisings were due to the desive of the people to return to the religion of their ancestors before ble for | Spanish culonization. If the Spanish missionaries and the friar- curatcs, in a span of a comnaratively short time, were able to convert a great majority of the Filipinos to the Catholic -cligion, this was due to a large extent to the adaptations of the Catholic religion to the indigenous faith and traditions of the people. Only then did Catholicism win the hearts and. minds of millions of Filipinos, who to this day, remain in che majority. Fo= irstance, the Mass, sacrament of baptism, marriage, prayers for the dying, emong others, were sizailar to the'y ancient rituals. The intercession through the saints were no different from the ancient way of asking deities for favors is and guidance. The colorful cenaculo and processions were just as : festive and unifying as the ancient rituals and chanting of epics. While Catholicism did not unify the Filipinos in the real sense of the word, it nevertheless sustained their faith in the Creator or Bathala amidst adversities and sufferings as a people. { adaptation — {someting made | & eppropriate ! | te ino new {Suction 0 Geographical Identity The conquest and colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards created geographical unity for the country. Before their arrival, there was no such gecgraphical unit as the Philippines. There were only thousands of island*) Phe Influence of the Spanish Language While it is true t lid not teach the Spanish lang snany Filipinos who had contacts with the Spaniards learned the lang sne of Spanish words among many Fil languages. At the same time, the friar-curates, thc -aissionati Spanish civil officials and employees used Spanish words and phrases in their dealings with the people. In the course of time ds li silla, mesa, cama, and many more, were incorpora' languages like Hiligaynon, Sugbuhanon, Bicolano, Tagalos, others. Tagalog was especially influenced by the Spanish languay the Tagalog region was, and still is, in the center of the social, political cultural, and economic setup of the country. Such Ts sibuyas, kabayo, bintana, balkon, kusina, and otizers, wer pronounced and spelled the Tagalog way. These words came from thé Spanish words cebolla, caballo, ventana, balcon, and cocina. Thus, the nativ languages were enriched by the incorporation of Spanish words, whic have become part of everyday language or comm.nication .d into the © Printing and Engraving ‘The Dominican missionaries introduced printing by woodblocks when they published the first books in the Philippines, the Doctrina Christiana, one in Tagalog and one in Chinese. Later, printing by typography was introduced. Filipinos and Christianized Chinese aided the Spanish friars in their printing work. One of the earliest printers wa Tomas Pinpin. He was called the “Prince of Filipino printers” because of the many books he printed for the Dominicans. Another Filipino printer who became famous was Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay. He was not only a printer, but a good engraver. He engraved a map prepared by a Jesuit Domingo Loag was also a printer and the carrillo. Were they merely entertaining or not? How did these forms of entertainment affect the ordinary folks’ social consciousness? e 4. Observe how the present-day fiesta is celebrated. Discuss with your classmates the similarities and differences betwecn the fiesta yesterday and the fiesta today. Are you in favor of celebrating fiestas? Give your reasons for your answer. Go out and look for houses in your locality which are of the arttillean type. Draw it on a sheet of bond paper. What landmarks in your town have Spanish influence? Draw them on a sheet of bond paper. Discuss with your classmates the archite-tural features of these houses and Is . Identify which features are Spanish and which are Fill