THE NINETEENTH-

CENTURY PHILIPPINE
ECONOMY, SOCIETY,
ANDPresented
THE CHINESE
by:
MESTIZOS
Adriaque, Ivan Rey
Elpueblo, Ma. Danna Mae
Eugenio, Kim
Quijano, Aireen P.
 Learning Objectives
-locate Rizal's life in the Philippines within the wider
context of the developments in the nineteenth century
-explain the important role of the Chinese mestizos
and their ranks within the changing Philippine
economy and society
-discuss the interplay of several factors that
contributed to the changing landscape of Philippine
society and economy
The Changing Landscape of
Philippine Economy and Society
• Many scholars consider the nineteenth century as an
era of profound change in the Philippines.
• During this period, vast economic, political, social,
and cultural currents were felt.
• In the late 18th century, the monarchy in Spain
experienced a dynastic shift from the Habsburgs to
the Bourbons.
• With the goal of invigorating the profitability of the
colonies like the Philippines, Bourbon policies and
reforms were carried out
The Changing Landscape of
Philippine Economy and Society

• By the time Basco arrived, the Galleon Trade, the main, economic institution in the
Philippines, was already a losing enterprise.
• The global wave of industrialization became a silver lining.
• Many imperial powers in Europe and the West were undergoing industrialization, and
an increased demand for raw materials presented an opportunity to look into the
agricultural potential of the Philippines.
• Basco established the Royal Philippine Company in 1785 to finance agricultural
projects and manage the new trade being established between the Philippines and
Spain (and Europe) as well as other Asian markets.
The Changing Landscape of
Philippine Economy and Society
• Resistance also came from various sectors like the Catholic
Church which was not receptive to the labor realignments
entailed by the planned reforms, and traders that were still
holding on to the Galleon Trade.
• Manila was opened to world trade by 1834. As a result, foreign
merchants and traders came and eventually resided in Manila.
• By the first half of the nineteenth century, majority of the
exports of the Philippines came trom cash crops like tobacco,
sugar, cotton, indigo, abaca, and coffee.
Today, Binondo is famous as the world's oldest
China town: a slice of China outside the
mainland. The Binondo area: from the streets of
Escolta and Divisoria to the bustle of Plaza San
Lorenzo Ruiz all the way to Ongpin-and the
many who lived there and contributed to its rich
history- has had a huge influence on the rest of
Manila, as well as the nation.
 The Chinese and Chinese
Mestizos
• The sectors that greatly benefited from the
changing economy were the Chinese and the
Chinese mestizos.
• Since pre-colonial times, the natives of the
Philippines had had trade relations with the
Chinese.
• The Chinese proved to be "necessary
outsiders" in the Philippine colonial
economy and society.
• They influenced the changing economy in
the nineteenth century by purchasing land
accumulating wealth and influence.
 Impact on Life
in the Colony
• The economic developments, as mentioned, precipitated
social, political, and cultural developments as well.
• As Manila became a trading center, it became a viable
destination for people seeking better opportunities or
those wanting to escape the worsening conditions in the
farmlands.

• As the new economy afforded the

colonial state new opportunities, it also
prompted the state to be more regulatory
and to assert its authority.
Renegotiating Social Stratification

The Philippine society

felt the impact of the Sociologists use the term social
stratification to describe the
developing economy. As system of social standing. Social
a result, social relations stratification refers to a society's
underwent redefinitions categorization of its people into
and the changing rankings of socioeconomic tiers
dynamics brought about a based on factors like wealth,
renegotiation of social income, race, education, and
stratification. power.
 With the growing relevance of the mestizo population, new
lines were drawn with the following social strata:

PENINSULAR INSULAR MESTIZO

PRINCIPALIA INDIO CHINO INFIEL

 PENINSUL
Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the Iberian
AR Peninsula (i.e., Spain)
 INSULAR
Pure-blooded Spaniard born in the Philippines
 MESTIZO
Born of mixed parentage, a mestizo can be:
Spanish mestizo - one parent is Spanish, the other is a native; or
Chinese mestizo - one parent is Chinese, the other is a native
 PRINCIPAL
Wealthy pure-blooded native supposedly
IA
descended from the kadatoan class
 INDIO
Pure-blooded native of the Philippines
 CHINO
Non-Catholic pure blooded Chinese
INFIEL
 • As the economic power of the Spaniards waned in the
nineteenth century, they sought to maintain dominance
based on their race, leading to tensions with the rising
principalia and mestizo populations.
• These groups, recognizing their importance in driving the
economy, demanded social recognition denied to them by
the pure-blooded Spaniards. Wealthy mestizos and
principalia members amassed economic and cultural
capital, pursuing higher education both locally and in
Europe.
• Their increasing relevance in society laid the groundwork
for the emergence of nationalist sentiments.
Thank You!