Philippine History: Spanish Colonization

Philippine History: Spanish Colonization

• Course: GEED 02: Readings in Philippine History
• Presenter: Angelu Jane I. Galicia
• Topic: The Succeeding Expeditions and The Filipino Society under Spanish Colonization

Lesson Objectives

• Students should discuss the Spanish expeditions.
• Students should critique strategies used to conquer the country.
• Students should describe the political, economic, and social-cultural changes brought about by Spanish colonization.
• Students should evaluate the importance of education and the concepts of social justice, compassion, and freedom.

Failed Expeditions

• Garcia Jofre de Loisa (1525)
• Sebastian Cabot (1526)
• Alvaro de Saavedra (1527)
• Cause of Failure: Financial problems
• Zaragosa Agreement (1529): King Charles I ceded rights to the Moluccas to Portugal.

Villalobos Expedition (1542)

• Aims: Establish a permanent settlement in the islands, spread Christianity, trade with natives, and observe native culture.
• Explorers: Ruy Lopez de Villalobos
• Significant Event: Claimed the islands as "Las Islas Filipinas."
• Outcomes: Mixed success, did not establish a permanent settlement

Legazpi Expedition (1564)

• Aims: Establish a permanent settlement in the Philippines for spice trade.
• Leader: Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
• Date: February 13, 1565
• Actions: Expedition reached Cebu, sailed to Bohol, interaction with Rajah Sikatuna and Raja Sigala, and established the first permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu, named "Santisimo Nombre de Jesus."
• Other Important Participants: Fray Andres de Urdaneta (priest)

Legazpi Expedition (Manila)

• Leader: Martin de Goiti
• Event: Established the kingdom of Manila (Kota Seludong).
• Significant Interaction: Rajah Sulayman
• Appointment of Manila Capital (1571): Legazpi appointed Manila as the capital, also named "Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad.”

Treaty with the Maharlikas

• Conditions: Maharlikas maintained status, Spanish recognized rights, exempted from Polo y Servicios, retained properties and land, Datus received monthly salaries.

Policies Under Spanish Colonization

• Polo Y Servicio: Forced labor for 16-60 year-old males. Exemptions could be purchased.

• Encomienda System: Land ownership system where land was given to loyal friends of the Spanish King or those who contributed to Filipino colonization.

• Types of Encomienda:

• Royal - for the King's loyal friends

• Privado - for people who helped with colonization

• Eclesiastical - for the church

• Centralized Government (1800): King > Viceroy > Governor-General > Encomendero

• Hacienda System: Replaced the Encomienda system during the 1800s

• Reduccion: Resettlement program that united Filipinos under one government and faith. Reduced number of settlements for better control. This led to the establishment of major cities.

• Capital establishment: Major city/colonial center

### Spanish Government Structures

• Barangay: Local government structure under the Spanish. Headed by Datus (Cabeza de Barangay). Each Barangay had a limited number of families approximately 40-45.
• Pueblo (or Towns): Led by a gobernadorcillo assisted by lower officials like teniente mayor, juez de policia, juez de sementeras, and juez de ganados.
• Alcaldía (or Province): Highest-ranking official (Alcalde Mayor) responsible for province administration, serving as governor and judge.
• Governor-General: Head of the Philippine government. Responsible for enacting laws and having executive, judicial, and military power. Appointed by the Spanish Viceroy in Mexico.
• Council of Indies: Advisory body which controlled the colonial policy. Spanish Indirect Rule. The Viceroy appointed the Governor-General. A payment was required for officials to be appointed.

Suffrage

• Requirements: Male, 23 years or older, with a payment of 500 reales tax per year to vote.

Other Spanish Colonization Policies

• Tributo: Forced giving of products by Filipinos to the Spanish.
• Bandala: Forced purchase/acquisition of goods at set prices.
• Cedula: A certification that had to be carried containing identification and residence tax information.
• Social Classes: Hierarchical, based on caste and race.
• Peninsulares(Spanish born in Spain) were at the top.
• Insulares (Spanish-born in the Philippines) slightly lower
• Creoles(people of Spanish descent)
• Illustrados
• Native Filipinos who were educated and gained some power.
• Indio (native Filipino peoples)
• Sanleys

Notable Spanish Governor-Generals

• Miguel Lopez de Legazpi: First Governor-General of the Philippines
• Rafael Maria dela Torre: Longest-serving Governor-General (13 years)
• Carlos Maria dela Torre: Liked and known for his liberal leadership
• Rafael de Izquierdo: Most hated Governor-General,
• Ramon Blanco: Declared martial law in 8 provinces
• Camilo de Polavieja: Responsible for Rizal execution

Other Personalities

• Narciso Claveria: Introduced the use of Spanish surnames.
• Sultan Kudarat: Prominent leader of Mindanao during Spanish occupation.

Education

• Friar control: The friars controlled the education system, which focused on religion.
• Religion-based curriculum: Focused on religious education.
• Separate schools for women: Schools for women were established.
• Universities: The Dominican Order established the oldest Philippine university (University of Sto. Tomas) (1611)
• Other Institutions: Colegio de San Juan de Letran (1630), Escuela Pia (1817), Ateneo de Manila.
• Later opened to natives: In 1863, the government allowed universities to be open to natives.

Overall Impact

• Education policies enforced religion to control the minds of the Filipino people, also contributing to subjugation of Filipinos.