Philippine History: Coming of Spain Quiz

The Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

• On April 7, 1521, the Spanish arrived in Cebu, guided by Raha Kolambu, and were initially refused permission to land by King Humabon, but eventually allowed to stay after persuasion by King Koilambu.
• A blood compact was made between Magellan and King Humabon on April 14, 1521, and a mass was held on the shore, converting 800 Cebuanos to Christianity.
• Magellan placed a cross on the same date, which still stands in Cebu City today.

Death of Magellan

• Magellan was killed in battle by Lapulapu's men on April 27, 1521, after he agreed to help Zula, another king of Mactan, defeat Lapulapu.
• Lapulapu is considered the first Filipino hero, and Lapulapu City in Mactan was named after him.

Spanish Rule in the Philippines

• The Philippines was a colony of Spain for 333 years (1565-1898).
• Spain established a single government in the country, and the independent barangays disappeared.
• The Philippine territory included the island archipelagos of Guam, Marianas, Carolines, and Palaus, but excluded most of Mindanao and Sulu, and the interior mountain regions of Luzon and Visayas.

Spanish Governors and the Philippine Government

• The Philippines was ruled by a Spanish viceroy in Mexico in the name of the King until 1821.
• The Governor-General was appointed to represent the king, with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi being the first and Diego delos Rios being the last.

Education and Literature

• The Spanish introduced Western-style education, with the first foreign teachers being Spanish missionaries.
• The first printing press in the Philippines was started by Dominican friars in 1593, with Tomas Pinpin being the first Filipino printer.
• The first book printed in the Philippines was the Doctrina Christiana, and notable Filipino poets included Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, and Jose Palma.

Theater and Entertainment

• Western-style plays were introduced by the Spaniards, with two popular types being cenaculo (a religious play about Christ's life) and moro-moro (featuring fights between Christians and Muslims).

Economy and Trade

• New ways of land ownership, encomienda, tribute, and polo (forced labor) were introduced by the Spanish.
• The galleon trade was established, with a sailing ship sailing once a year from Manila to Acapulco, Mexico, and back.

Infrastructure Development

• The first railroad was built in 1891, running from Manila to Dagupan.
• The first postage stamp was issued on February 1, 1854, and the first monthly mail railroad started from Manila to Hong Kong in 1854.
• The first steamship was introduced in 1848, the first telegraph in 1873, and the first telephone in 1890.

British Invasion

• The Philippines was invaded by the British in 1762, and it became a British colony for two years, as part of the 7 Years' War between Britain and France.
• On October 4, 1762, part of Luneta was blown up by British cannons.