Socio-political

and Economic
Conditions of
the Philippines
R ep or te r: A ng el o Pa du ll on
SOCIAL STRATA IN THE
PHILIPPINES DURING
SPANISH PERIOD
A set of social hierarchy based on resources,
power, and authority which forms inequality to
the status of the people.
 Principalia
• also the "Peninsulas and
Insurales" at the apex of the
triangle
• The social and educated class
• Ex. Gobernadorcillo and Cabeza
de Barangay
 Ilustrados
• The middle class

• Educated in Spanish liberal and

European ideals.
 Chinese-Spanish
• Mixed racesMestizos
(AUSTRONESIAN/MALAY/
MALAYO POLYNESIAN AND (natives)
SPANIARD, CHINESE ANCESTRY ).

• Ex. Meztizo de Sangley ( person of mixed Chinese and Malay

ancestry)
⚬ Meztizo de Español (person of mixed Spanish and Malay
ancestry
⚬ Tornatrás (person of mixed Spanish, Malay and Chinese
ancestry)
 INDIO
• Natives
• Lower class and uneducated
Filipinos
• 60% of the population are
indios.
 Principalia

Ilustrados
Chinese-Spanish
Meztisoz

Indios
Frailocracy
• "rule of the friars"

A term coined by Marcelo H. Del Pilar, during

the time where the influence and power of the
Spanish friars were so powerful, they practically
ruled the Philippines.

• Its primary role is to propagate Christianity

among the natives of these new conquered
islands.
Rizal as a Product of his
Time
• He witnessed the execution of the triumvirate priests,
Gomez, Burgos and Zamora on February 17, 1872,
which reckoned his historical thoughts in his letters as
revealed by his early biographers.
Some points to be considered, to
wit;
• Divine Intervention
• Rizal’s vast knowledge and social consciousness are
God’s gifts to him.
• he used his literary and writing ability to fight the
Spanish tyranny
• He believed that “the pen is mightier than the
sword”.
2. Environmental
Awareness
• The 19th century was the Age of Enlightenment
and Rizal was the product of that time.

• He believed that “tyranny” has no room in a free

society which he envisioned for the country.
3. E du ca ti on al
fa ct or s • a young professional who gained his expertise in Ateneo (as
surveyor), University of Santo Tomas (as a medical student) and in
Universidad Central de Madrid (continuing his medical studies).

• a barrio doctor serving his less privileged compatriots.

• wrote two novels - Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, inspired

by his literary knowledge, observations in the Philippines and
travels abroad.
 4. Family
Orientation
• The Mercado's and other "middle class families" where Rizal's first
teachers.

• belonging to the Ilustrado class, he was sent abroad to continue his

medical studies.

• His family is his strength in his fight for social justice.

• Paciano was his closest adviser and supporter during his stays in
Europe.
Thank
you
B y A ng el o Pa du llo n