Spanish Colonialism in Today’s Philippines

ARCHI – 3A

CERVANTES, ALYSA

CORPUZ, MARK EDWARD

LAGADO, ALLEN GLENN C.

Spaniards colonized the Philippines for 300 years. A massive stretch of history is
needed to study how and when Spaniards first landed on the island of the Philippines.
Throughout centuries of occupying the island, there are a lot of factors that have
changed for the long period of tyranny. Some of which include the reformation of our
government system, our religion, cultures, beliefs, and inequality. Filipinos are treated
like dogs in their own homeland. Ot of issues is stirred upon from the very they arrived.
Some issues still lived with us today. Most of their words, practices and cultures have
traces you can see everywhere. And it seems we are still not free from the grasp of
Spaniards.

The first issue that still plays vital role in our in the Philippines is the type of
government we have. Even though the Philippines have their version of government
before Spaniards came, this is all altered when they take over the whole country. By the
time the Spaniards came to the islands, therefore, the Filipinos had developed a way of
life and a distinct culture that were suitable and satisfactory to them (AHA, n.d,). The
political structure that we use today is somewhat still related to the Spanish colonization
government. Although the use of feudal system from the start of Spanish colonization
abrupt many Filipinos, the government system continued to evolve to what we know of
today. According to sfu.ca, in the time of the Spanish colonial period, natives or
indigenous people were forced to cultivate large amounts of crops, not just for their own
sake but to give huge portions to the warlords. Spain established a centralized colonial
government in the Philippines that was composed of a national government and the
local governments that administered provinces, cities, towns, and municipalities. With
the cooperation of the local governments the national government-maintained peace
and order, collected taxes and built schools and other public works (Philippine History,
n.d,)

Another issue that is still relevant today is our nationality. According to Quora,
most western people mistaken Filipinos for being Latinos/Latinas. Well, it is only natural
because of the 300 years colonization. Lauren Espejo remembers people asking her
“what kind of Spanish she was” when she was a little a girl. “My first recollection thinking
I was Spanish was when I was four or five,” Espejo said. “When I correct people and tell
them I was Filipino, some of them would say ‘Oh, you’re basically Spanish.’ But I’m not
basically anything. I’m Filipino.” (Blancaflor S., 2020).

It is important to note that the historical issues are interrelated. It is impossible to

undo the colonization of the Spaniards in the Philippines. Most of their influences are
still present today whether in politics, language, music, culture and even our physical
features. It is important to note that although Spaniards exploited Filipinos in any way
possible, they are part of the reason that made Filipinos get known for their bravery and
courage.
REFERENCES

SpanishRule. (n.d.). https://www.sfu.ca/fuga/history/hist02.html?fbclid=IwAR1CL3UnUqHoregypFuESf-

mpBr2j6i_nzLO9xfjCiP_4w3APELVtjQSzHU#:~:text=The%20feudal%20system%20forced%20on,Hand
%20over%20to%20the%20warlords.

The Spaniards as colonial masters in the Philippines. (n.d.). https://www.philippine-history.org/spanish-

colonial-masters.htm

When did Philippine history begin? | AHA. (n.d.). https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-

membership/aha-history-and-archives/gi-roundtable-series/pamphlets/em-24-what-lies-ahead-for-the-
philippines-(1945)/when-did-philippine-history-begin

120 years after Philippine independence from Spain, Hispanic influence remains. (2018, October 1). NBC
News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/120-years-after-philippine-independence-spain-
hispanic-influence-remains-n912916