Pre-Spanish Philippines and Spanish Period

Pre-Spanish Philippines

• Social unit was the barangay, derived from Malay term "balangay" meaning boat.
• Barangays were small, typically 30-100 families.
• Communities were primarily coastal, near-coastal, or riverine.
• Dealing with traders brought contact with Chinese, Arabian, and Indian civilizations.
• Coastal communities in Manila, Cebu, Jolo, and Butuan had higher cultural levels due to trade.
• Community members were often related by blood or marriage, with economic interests and shared rituals forming community bonds.
• Slaves (aliping) lived in their own homes; called upon by datu for farming/housebuilding. Different categories of slaves existed (e.g., aliping namamahay, aliping saguiguilid).
• The barangay was a social, not political, unit, with limited interaction between villages.
• Social hierarchy: Maharlika, Timawa (free person), and Slaves (lowest).

Spanish Period

• March 16, 1521: Ferdinand Magellan sighted Samar.
• March 17, 1521: Magellan landed on Samar and Homonhon, naming it Archipelago of St. Lazarus.
• March 29, 1521: Blood compact between Magellan and Rajah Kulambo of Limasawa.
• March 31, 1521: First Mass in Limasawa, Leyte, celebrated by Fr. Pedro de Valderama.
• Miguel Lopez de Legazpi: First Governor-General of the Philippines, establishing Manila as the capital.
• 1565-1821: Philippines governed by the King of Spain through Mexico. 1821-1837 rule directly from Spain via the Council of Indies.
• Polo: Forced labor service for Filipino men between 16-60 years old.
• Fall: Money paid by wealthy Filipinos to exempt themselves from forced labor.
• Looking for spices.