LICOS, JODELOU ANN B.

BSN 4-YA-3

1. What was the background of the Philippines before the Spaniards came? Are we truly uncivilized? Prove your answer.
 Festivals and social activities such as theater, singing, and dancing were popular in pre-colonial Philippines. We
may trace our conservative and familial roots back to the fact that all of these activities are organized in groups -
like massive karaoke sessions. Filipinos enjoy writing as well because we have our own distinct dialects and
writing system. There are lots of history books claims that prior to the arrival of the Spanish, we were uncivilized
- think barbaric, nomadic, or as a typical high school student would put it: little brown men in bahag with
makeshift spears frequently raging through forests to hunt for food; something similar to how these same people
would perceive a Homo Erectus. But, in reality, all of these viewpoints are founded on the Spanish point of view,
and it's no surprise that some of us perceive our forefathers as submissive, non-progressive, and, at worst, nothing
without the Spaniards. However, the pre-colonial Philippines already had its own government. Although local and
decentralized, politics is conducted on a Barangay size, with Datus and Rajas serving as leaders primarily to
oversee trade, agriculture, and crime. Historically, the Philippines had three separate social strata that influenced
their way of life and democracy. There were three of them: the maharlika or the noblemen, the timawa as
commoners, and the alipin also known as slaves or “namamahay or saguiguilid”.
2. What were the other social and political systems that the Spaniards developed?
 Spain brought Roman law, a highly centralized government, Catholic doctrine, and places of worship. The
Philippines was divided into provinces made up of a collection of small towns, cities, and villages. Numerous
religious orders' friars kept watch. But the conquistadors also established their empire on an archipelagic pre-
Hispanic base. The cooperative leaders rose to positions of authority in the community and used these positions to
advance their families and clans. They rapidly established a distinct class known as "principals," and over time
they evolved into a self-sustaining oligarchy. Spanish law restricts "elections" to village roles, with upper-class
voters constantly supporting one another. Over the decades, people have discovered that bureaucracy, law, and the
government are tools of exploitation, abuse, and oppression. Even laws with the best of intentions have been used
in oppressive ways, but victims never realize this. All colonial laws, after all, were written in Spanish. Land was
taken, taxes were imposed, and tribute, which included forced labor, was required.
3. Cite certain examples of Spanish Oppressive System based on historical accounts.
 Labor – No matter their age, many Filipinos were made to serve in the labor force, doing occupations like
building constructions, maintaining military defenses of the area, and exporting products with foreign nations.
Examples include Polo Y Servicio, Galleon Trade, and the Encomienda System.
 Taxation – Spanish people typically pay high taxes known as the tribute and the Bandal'a.
 Sexual Abuse – During that time, several Spaniards sexually assaulted numerous Filipino women.
 Education – It is rather upsetting how poorly the educational system in the Spanish Colonization is performing. It
is because the Spaniards restricted school levels and curricula so that there wouldn't be any Filipinos to utilize
education to rise against them.