Readings in Philippines History

May B. Dichosa, BSED Social Studies 1

Module12;

1) What is your reaction on the statement below?

 According to John Leddy Phelan “ were it not for the Spanish Colonization of the
Philippines for 333 years, the country, would have been a Muslim State like it’s
Southeast Asian neighbors”.

I agree with John Leddy Phelan that if not for Spanish colonization, the Philippines would have
been a Muslim state like its Southeast Asian neighbors. The Spaniards did, in fact, bring and spread
Christianity to the Philippines. They successfully converted a large number of native Filipinos to
Christianity through massive evangelization efforts by missionaries. However, many sultanates had
already been established in various parts of Mindanao long before the Spaniards arrived. Even in Manila,
a Muslim ruler by the name of Rajah Sulayman ruled. He refused to marry Spanish colonists or convert
to Roman Catholicism. The Spaniards were not entirely successful in occupying Mindanao. The Muslims
had a formidable defense and fought hard for their religion. Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei,
Myanmar, and Laos are vastly Muslims.