Early Philippine History Quiz

Early Philippine History

• Earliest documented record is the Laguna Copperplate Inscription of the early 900s CE.
• The document was written in a variant of Old Kawi, an ancient form of the Javanese language.
• The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the oldest known written document discovered in the Philippines. It provides valuable insights into the social, cultural, and legal aspects of Philippine society during that period.
• The Laguna Copperplate Inscription was discovered in 1989 in Lumban, Laguna.
• This Inscription is a significant historical artifact that sheds light on the development of writing and literacy in the Philippines.

Pre-colonial Philippine Social Organization

• Barangays were the basic social and political units of pre-colonial Philippine society.
• The word "barangay" is of Malay origin and refers to a boat, signifying the importance of maritime trade and travel in the region.
• The barangay typically consisted of 30 to 500 people, often related by blood or kinship.
• The leader of a barangay was a datu, chosen by the people.
• In areas with greater contact with the Indian subcontinent, such as Sulu and Maguindanao, rulers were called "rajas," and in regions where Islam was adopted, the ruler was called a "sultan."

Pre-colonial Philippine Social Classes

• Philippine society before the Spanish colonization was marked by a hierarchical social structure.
• Individuals were classified according to their birth or acquired status.
• The pre-colonial social hierarchy consisted of Maginoo, Maharlika, Timawa, and Alipin.

Maginoo (Noble Class)

• The Maginoo were the elite class, comprising the datu and their families.
• The lineage of the datu was passed down to the eldest son or a relative in the absence of a son.
• The Maginoo were addressed as "ginoo" (men) and "dayang" (women).
• The term "Panginoon" was reserved for individuals of the highest nobility.

Maharlika (Warrior Class)

• The Maharlika were commoners who enjoyed various privileges within the community.
• They had the right to acquire property, choose their occupations, select their spouses, and own slaves.
• In return, they were expected to pay taxes, a duty primarily levied upon this class.

Timawa (Free Men)

• The Timawa were respected warriors who held similar rights to the Maharlika but were exempt from paying taxes.
• They were expected to provide protection for the community and prepare their own weapons.
• Timawa had the autonomy to move to another barangay, but they needed to pay a fee to the datu of their current barangay.
• Maharlika were often honored with a feast before their departure from the community.

Alipin (Dependent Class)

• Alipin were considered a dependent class, serving those of higher social standing.
• These individuals performed domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and assisting their masters in completing their duties.
• There were two types of alipin:

Alipin Namamahay

• Alipin Namamahay had their own quarters within the property of their master.
• They had the right to choose their spouses and own property, and they received payment for their services.

Alipin Saguiguilid

• Alipin Saguiguilid lacked their own homes and resided with their masters.
• They could be sold by their masters, served without pay, and could only marry with their master's permission.
• Although they had no ownership rights, they had some rights within the system.

Pre-colonial Laws

• Laws in pre-colonial Philippines were either customary, passed down through generations, or written documents.
• These laws addressed various issues, including inheritance, property rights, usury, family relations, adoption, loans, and criminal matters.
• Punishments for crimes ranged from fines to death, and in some cases were considered torture by modern standards.

The Legislative Process

• Before enacting laws, the datu consulted with a council of elders for their approval.
• New laws were not immediately enforced until a village official, known as the Umalohokan, announced and explained them to the community.

Judicial Process

• Disputes among individuals were handled by a court presided over by the village chief and the council of elders.
• Disputes between barangays were resolved by a specific board of arbitrators.
• The accused and the accuser presented their cases before the court, accompanied by their witnesses.
• Both parties took an oath to tell the truth.
• The party with the greatest number of witnesses typically won the case.
• The losing party could contest the decision but was unlikely to prevail; the chief often favored the winner.

Trial By Ordeal

• To prove innocence, the accused was subjected to a number of ordeals.
• These ordeals included immersing one's hand in boiling water, holding a lit candle without extinguishing it, diving into a river and staying underwater for an extended time, chewing uncooked rice and spitting it out, and others.

Trade

• Trade was conducted between barangays within the islands or even internationally.
• Pre-colonial Philippines traded with countries like China, Siam (Thailand), Japan, Cambodia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and other islands in Malaysia.
• Trade did not rely on currency. Instead, it was conducted using barter.
• Prices were sometimes expressed in terms of gold, demonstrating its value as a form of exchange.

Religion

• Pre-colonial Filipinos practiced polytheistic animism.
• They believed that all things in nature possessed a spirit, which needed to be respected to maintain good fortune and prevent misfortune.
• Ancestor worship was also significant.
• Filipinos attributed animal characteristics to their ancestors.
• Magic and witchcraft were highly respected and feared. People believed in the power of spells and potions to influence events.

The Spanish Arrival in the Philippines

• The arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines marked a turning point in the nation's history.
• The Spanish expedition, led by Ferdinand Magellan, reached the Philippines in 1521.
• The introduction of Christianity, the Spanish colonization effort, and the subjugation of local populations have profoundly shaped Philippine society.

Ferdinand Magellan

• Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who led the first circumnavigation of the globe.
• His expedition, under the patronage of Charles I of Spain, landed in the Philippines in 1521.
• Magellan established relations with various local communities and encountered a strong resistance, particularly during the Battle of Mactan.
• He was killed in this battle against the native forces led by Lapu-Lapu, a chieftain from Mactan Island.
• Magellan's efforts paved the way for Spanish colonization and influenced the course of history in the region.

Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

• Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was appointed as the first governor-general of the Philippines by Philip II of Spain.
• He was a Spanish conquistador who continued the colonization effort initiated by Magellan.
• Legazpi established the first permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu in 1565.
• His leadership led to the conquest of various islands and the establishment of a Spanish colonial administration.
• Legazpi's work was instrumental in laying the groundwork for Spanish rule in the Philippines for the next three centuries.

Social Classes under Spanish Colonization

• The Spanish colonial period introduced a new social hierarchy based on racial and economic factors.
• This hierarchy had a profound impact on the lives of Filipinos.

Peninsulares

• Peninsulares were full-blooded Spaniards born in Spain.
• They held the highest positions in society, enjoying privileges and power, both in the government and the church.

Insulares

• Insulares were full-blooded Spaniards born in the Philippines.
• While enjoying some social advantages, they were considered less prestigious than the Peninsulares.

Illustrados

• Illustrados were a wealthy group of Filipinos who were able to study abroad, primarily in Europe.
• They became educated in Western ideas, and many of them became leaders in the movement for Philippine independence.

Chinese/Spanish Mestizos

• Chinese/Spanish Mestizos were people of mixed Chinese and Spanish descent.
• They played significant roles in the economy and often acquired wealth and influence.

Indio

• Indio referred to Filipinos of indigenous descent.
• They constituted the majority of the population and were subject to the harsh realities of Spanish rule.

Sangley

• Sangley were full-blooded Chinese living in the Philippines.
• They were often subject to discrimination and restrictions imposed by the Spanish authorities, but they made significant contributions to the economy.

Taxation System

• The Spanish implemented a system of taxation to extract revenue from their colony.
• This system was a significant source of discontent for Filipinos who lived under colonial rule.

Cedula Tax

• The Cedula Tax was a form of head tax implemented in 1184.
• It required Filipinos to carry a cedula, a government-issued identification document, as proof of their status as a colony of Spain and a legitimate member of a pueblo (a town or village).
• The cedula tax was a form of direct taxation, raising funds for the Spanish government and contributing to the colony's economic development.

Bandala System

• The Bandala System was a form of direct taxation in which Filipinos were coerced to sell their products to the Spanish government at extremely low prices.
• This system exploited Filipinos by extracting their agricultural goods at artificially reduced prices.
• The Bandala System was deeply resented by Filipinos, who saw it as a system that enriched the Spanish at their expense.

Kasama System

• The Kasama System was a form of sharecropping, a prevalent agricultural practice during the Spanish colonial period.
• The landowners provided the seeds and cash needed by the cultivators for the planting season, while the cultivators contributed tools, draft animals, and labor.
• The expense of crop production was usually shared equally between the landowner and the sharecropper, with the landowner deducting expenses before dividing the harvest.

Polo y Servicio

• Polo y Servicio was a system of forced labor that required all Filipino men between the ages of 16 and 60 to work for the Spanish government for 40 days each year.
• These individuals were obliged to perform various tasks like construction, public works projects, and other labor-intensive jobs.
• Individuals could be exempted from polo by paying a fee known as the "falla" (a daily wage).
• This system was exploitative and oppressive, forcing Filipinos into a life of unpaid labor.

The Spanish Colonial System

• The Spanish colonial system was complex, consisting of political, economic, and social structures that aimed to exploit the Philippines for Spain's benefit.
• This system was marked by inequality, discrimination, and the suppression of Filipino culture, leading to widespread resentment and resistance.
• The legacy of Spanish colonization persists today, shaping the Philippines' political, social, and cultural landscape.

Test your knowledge of Early Philippine History, focusing on key aspects such as the Laguna Copperplate Inscription and the social organization of pre-colonial Philippine society. Explore fascinating insights into the culture, politics, and language of the Philippines before colonial influence.