Jodie Naomi B. Laygo Ms.

Laila Marie-Ato

BSSW-11` September 20, 2021

READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Diagnostics
Instructions: Based on your assumptions, describe the community of the Tagalogs prior to the
arrival of the Spaniards and Christianization of Filipinos in terms of the following:

1. Religious practices
● When the Spaniards arrived and ruled our country, they were also
responsible for bringing Christianity, taught Filipinos how to embrace the
sense of faith and built religious establishments throughout the whole
country.

2. Concepts of marriage and family

● Dowry systems or transfer of goods from the prospective groom’s family
to the bride’s were varied, another term of which is“bigay-caya.”
● All I know is that men or fathers would find and do the outside jobs and
women would stay at home, watch the children, and do household chores.

3. Community mores, values, and beliefs

● The Filipinos also learned the Mañana Habit from the Spaniards, a habit
called procrastination in English. Mañana which literally
means tomorrow in Spanish was coined because Filipinos will usually
say “mamaya na,” a Filipino phrase meaning later in English, when
asked to accomplish duties.
● The Siesta is another Filipino practice we inherited from the Spaniards. It
is the act of taking a nap during the afternoon, usually after eating lunch.

4. Community laws and political system

● The Philippines (governed by the Spanish) had a government hierarchy
primarily composed of the nacional, the alcaldia or encomienda, the
pueblo, and the barrio.
 5. Economic system
● The Spanish colonization introduced money currency to the Filipinos and
along with this came a standardized taxation system. Through this,
Filipinos learned to work for money and use it to pay for their needs and,
at the same time, there was also a standard amount of money to be paid by
Filipinos to the government and to the church.

6. Socialization Practices
● Social Classes are relevant in this period wherein wealthy people are
called “Maharlika” while “Indios” are referred to indigenous natives.
There are also called “aliping saguiguilid” which pertains to a slave of
wealthy people and has no properties of its own while “aliping
namamahay” is still a slave of “maharlika” but quite elevated as it has its
own properties.

Exercise:
1. Identify at least five distinct or unique practices, customs, and traditions in your province
or community.
● Due to globalization and modernization that this world has brought to us.
The community that I live in found it difficult to retain such practices,
customs and traditions as the society that I’m currently residing in is full
of products of a modernized community.

2. Give three(3) reasons why Plasencia’s Customs of the Tagalogs is important to the grand
narratives of Philippine history.
● One observation of Plasencia is the fashion statement of Filipinos in the
Spanish Period wherein women are dressed in “baro” or “camisa” and
“saya” and men are dressed in “barong tagalog” this fashion statement is
still recognized up until today specially, when “Buwan ng Wika” which is
in August arrives.
● Embracing of Christianity. This religion is traced back in the Spanish
period wherein it practices prayers, having faith in the creator and
recognizing that all living things are created by one Supreme Being.
● The existence of Barangays. Before, barangays were ruled by a chieftain
and consisted of 10-30 members along with their families and slaves.
Now, it is already led by a barangay captain and has no required number
of people.
3. Identify the practice mentioned by Plasencia on the following aspects:
a. Community
● Filipinos are being divided into four social groups. Datu and Maharlika, which
are composed of the wealthiest families under these classes are Aliping
Saguiguilid and Namamahay.
b. Property
● Properties and houses before are made up of bamboo, woods and any
resources that can be obtained from raw materials. Land ownership isn't usual
for average families.
c. Marriage
● Before marriage, courtship exists where men will do household chores or do
things for the woman he adores.
d. Religion
● Christianity and Catholicism are the religions that were abundant before. They
practice faith towards the Supreme Being and even build holy establishments
dedicated to God.
e. Superstitions
● Respecting nature like ant hills or mountains as it was believed to be the home
of such elementals like aswang and kapre.
● Serving pancit canton or any kinds of noodles to make one’s life longer.
f. Burial or Death

● The Spaniards include the location, body position and decoration. They also
have high regards with the dead and they treat it with respect specially, if one
had an influence when it is still living.