Harold James D.

Pajaron Readings in the Philippine History

II - BMA Final Term HT 2 - Life in the Colony

Describe the life of the Filipinos during the Spanish Period based on the following:

1. Role of Christianity
- During the early Spanish Colonization, Christianity was spread widely and rapidly
throughout the archipelago. Philippines before was ignorant about the concept of religion
except for the southern part of the country which they exercise the Islam religion.
Catholicism played a great role during Spanish Colonization, especially associated with
power, greed, exploitation, elitism at various points in the history. Since Catholicism and
Spanish states were inseparable, the decisions of the friars were supported by the
Spanish Government such as building mansions or haciendas in the land of the farmers.
After the country was fully colonized, religion became one of the strongest governments.
They will teach good deeds however, since they were believed to be the closest bridge
to the Almighty, the friars exercise their authority and use it in felonies.
2. Reduccion
- To expand or to gain more territories or possessions over people, the Spaniards or most
likely the Religion during that time compelled and encouraged certain individuals from
the Indigenous people of the Philippines to relocate in poblaciones so they are able to
hear the church bells. The audibility of the church bells states the possession of the
Crown over the land, place, barangay, or territories. According to the works of Jose
Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the louder you hear the church bells, the
nearer you are to the Almighty. In this way, it creates a society or formed a classicism
and also points out that when you live near to the church, then you are close to
Spaniards.
3. Governor General
- The Governor General was the Spanish King’s official representative in the Colonial
Period. He’s like what we can call a President these modern days. He possessed great
authority over the colonial processes in the country. He has both the legislative, judicial,
and executive powers. He can appoint who will be the alcalde mayor of the provinces,
officials, and even the priests and friars that will facilitate the churches. He also has the
power to impose and issue law and the commander-in-chief. During this era, the
Governor General is indeed the most powerful and scariest that even the friars are
feared of because if the Governor General found out their crimes and exploitations, they
will be removed from the church.
4. Cultural Life
- For an exact 333 years of colonial history of Spaniards over the Philippines, the cultural
life of the Filipinos has greatly affected our languages. For example, “kumusta?” derived
from the Spanish term “como esta?” which means “how are you?” in English. The
Baybayin, first Tagalog writing system, rapidly declined during the Spanish Colonization
and became extinct. Catholicism circles on the life of the Filipinos during the era that still
adopted up to these modern times.
5. Economic Activity
- During this era, the Filipinos were introduced to taxes, galleon trade, monopoly, title
contracts, etc. These supposed economic concepts were to make sure that they will
have a great flow of lifestyle— it had for Spaniards but not for the FIlipinos, because
after on that time, Spaniards are claiming lands as their own by presenting a title or titulo
just to take claim in the land and since Filipino people were ignorant about it, they just let
the Spaniards take the land. The Spaniards will consider and allow the Filipinos to live
but they have to rent and they will levy unjust taxes. They are also forced to work for 40
days to men ranging from 16 to 60 years of age, this is known as, Polo y Servicio.
References:

Acabado, S. & Koller, J. (2018). Under the Church Bell: Reducción and Control in Spanish
Philippines. Retrieved from:
https://core.tdar.org/document/444892/under-the-church-bell-reduccion-and-control-in-spanish-p
hilippines#:~:text=Reducci%C3%B3n%20aimed%20to%20consolidate%20colonial,and%20by%
20marking%20special%20occasions.
Badongen, S. Philippine Economy under the Spanish Occupation. Retrieved from:
https://www.slideshare.net/shielambb/spanish-8824883?fbclid=IwAR1b-NqHQXbi_UG5L94g5Jg
VrAm4gsXjpXmugEasQHyFRnB3NWRgHneGeLA
Harvard Divinity School. (n.d.) Catholicism in the Philippines. Retrieved from:
https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/catholicism-philippines#:~:text=Catholicism%20rapidly%20sprea
d%20during%20the,which%20might%20have%20challenged%20it.
Lopez, E. (2021). Decolonising the Philippine language: The ebb and flow of Spanish influence
on Filipino culture. Retrieved from:
https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/decolonisesml/2021/05/10/decolonising-the-philippine-language-the-ebb-
and-flow-of-spanish-influence-on-filipino-culture/#:~:text=The%20colonial%20powers%20compe
lled%20the,where%20they%20had%20(and%20still
Nunez, R. The Spanish Colonial Administration. Retrieved from:
https://prezi.com/wjxkyqzbtle8/the-spanish-colonial-administration/