Philippine History/Before The Coming of Spanish Colonialists

Before the coming of Spanish colonizers, the people of the Philippine archipelago had already attained a semicommunal and semislave social system in many parts and also a feudal system in certain parts, especially in Mindanao and Sulu, where such a feudal faith as Islam had already taken roots.

The Society

The barangay was the typical community in the whole archipelago. It was the basic political and economic unit independent of similar others. Each embraced a few hundreds of people and a small territory. Each was headed by a chieftain called the rajah or datu.

Social Structure

The social structure comprised a petty nobility, the ruling class which had started to accumulate land that it owned privately or administered in the name of the clan or community.

Maharlika (Datu in Visayas): an intermediate class of freemen called the Maharlika who had enough land for their livelihood or who rendered special service to the rulers and who did not have to work in the fields.
Timawa: the ruled classes that included the timawa, the serfs who shared the crops with the petty nobility.
Alipin (Olipun in Visayas): and also the slaves and semislaves who worked without having any definite share in the harvest. There were two kinds of slaves then: those who had their own quarters, the aliping namamahay (aliping mamahay in Visayas), and those who lived in their master's house, the aliping sagigilid (aliping hayohay in Visayas). One acquired the status of a serf or a slave by inheritance, failure to pay debts and tribute, commission of crimes and captivity in wars between barangays.

Islamic Monarchy

The Islamic sultanates of Sulu and mainland Mindanao represented a higher stage of political and economic development than the barangay. These had a feudal form of social organization. Each of them encompassed more people and wider territory than the barangay. The sultan reigned supreme over several datus and was conscious of his privilege to rule as a matter of hereditary "divine right."

Though they presented themselves mainly as administrators of communal lands, apart from being direct owners of certain lands, the sultans, datus and the nobility exacted land rent in the form of religious tribute and lived off the toiling masses. They constituted a landlord class attended by a retinue of religious teachers, scribes and leading warriors.

The sultanates emerged in the two centuries precedent to the coming of Spanish colonialists. They were built up among the so-called third wave of Malay migrants whose rulers either tried to convert to Islam, bought out, enslaved or drove away the original non-Muslim inhabitants of the areas that they chose to settle in. Serfs and slaves alike were used to till the fields and to make more clearings from the forest.

Throughout the archipelago, the scope of barangays could be enlarged either through the expansion of agriculture by the toil of the slaves or serfs, through conquests in war and through interbarangay marriages of the nobility. The confederations of barangays was usually the result of a peace pact, a barter agreement or an alliance to fight common internal and external enemies.

As evident from the forms of social organization already attained, the precolonial inhabitants of the Philippine archipelago had an internal basis for further social development. In either barangay or sultanate, there was a certain mode of production which was bound to develop further until it would wear out and be replaced with a new one. There were definite classes whose struggle was bound to bring about social development. As a matter of fact, the class struggle within the barangay was already getting extended into interbarangay wars. The barangay was akin to the Greek city-state in many respects and the sultanate to the feudal commonwealth of other countries.

The people had developed extensive agricultural fields. In the plains or in the mountains, the people had developed irrigation systems. The Ifugao rice terraces were the product of the engineering genius of the people; a marvel of 12,000 miles if strung end-to-end. There were livestock-raising, fishing and brewing of beverages. Also there were mining, the manufacture of metal implements, weapons and ornaments, lumbering, shipbuilding and weaving. The handicrafts were developing fast. Gunpowder had also come into use in warfare. As far north as Manila, when the Spaniards came, there was already a Muslim community which had cannons in its weaponry.

The ruling classes made use of arms to maintain the social system, to assert their independence from other barangays or to repel foreign invaders. Their jurisprudence would still be borne out today by the so-called Code of Kalantiyaw and the Muslim laws. These were touchstones of their culture. There was a written literature which included epics, ballads, riddles and verse-sayings; various forms and instruments of music and dances; and art works that included well-designed bells, drums, gongs, shields, weapons, tools, utensils, boats, combs, smoking pipes, lime tubes and baskets. The people sculpted images from wood, bone, ivory, horn or metals. In areas where anito worship and polytheism prevailed, the images of flora and fauna were imitated, and in the areas where the Muslim faith prevailed, geometric and arabesque designs were made. Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a record of what the Spanish conquistadores came upon, would later be used by Dr. Jose Rizal as testimony to the achievement of the indios in precolonial times.

There was interisland commerce ranging from Luzon to Mindanao and vice-versa. There were extensive trade relations with neighboring countries like China, Indochina, North Borneo, Indonesia, Malaya, Japan and Thailand. Traders from as far as India and the Middle East vied for commerce with the precolonial inhabitants of the archipelago. As early as the 9th century, Sulu was an important trading emporium where trading ships from Cambodia, China and Indonesia converged. Arab traders brought goods from Sulu to the Chinese mainland through the port of Canton. In the 14th century, a large fleet of 60 vessels from China anchored at Manila Bay, Mindoro and Sulu. Previous to this, Chinese trading junks had been intermittently sailing into various points of the Philippine shoreline. The barter system was employed or gold and metal gongs were used as medium of exchange.

Philippines Timeline

900 - 1400

(900) Indian Kingdom of Tondo established around Bay of Manila
(1000) Trade routes established in Sulu by people from Southern Annam (present day Vietnam)
(1200 - 1300) Migrants from Borneo spread into southern Philippines
(1240) Arab Tuan Masha'ika introduced Islam to Sulu
(1380) Muslim Arabs arrived at Sulu Archipelago, built a mosque in Jolo
(1450) Muslim Sultanate of Jolo established on islands between Borneo and Mindanao
(1475) Muslim sultanate of Maguindanao founded on Mindanao; Islam spread throughout the archipelago reaching as far as central Luzon.

1500s

(1521) Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan discovered Homonhon Island, named it "Arcigelago de San Lazaro"
(1521) Magellan reached the Philippines
(1521) Magellan reached Limasawa Island, met Rajah Kulambo, the ruler
(1521) Magellan and Kulambo entered into blood compact
(1521) First Philippine mass is held at Limasawa
(1521) Magellan sailed to Cebu Island, entered into blood compact with Chieftain Rajah Humabon
(1521) Magellan died in battle near Cebu
(1525 - 1536) Spain attempted sending three more expeditions to Philippines - all failed
(1543) Spanish expedition led by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos arrived; he named the islands the Philippines in honor of Philip II, son of King Charles I of Spain
(1565) Expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived
(1565) Legaspi established first permanent Spanish settlement on Cebu, became first Spanish General-Governor
(1568) Portuguese attacked Cebu, blockaded port
(1571) Legaspi established Spanish Colonial Government in Manila; proclaimed it the capital of the colony
(1580) King Philip II of Spain became King of Portugal, ended Portuguese harassment of Philippines
(1580) Forced labor of all males aged 16 to 60 instituted by Spanish
(1583) Fire destroyed Manila

1600s - 1700s

(1600) Dutch attacked the Philippines during European war between Spain and the Netherlands.
(1603) In the Luzon Tragedy, over 30,000 Chinese merchants were killed, along with officials and civilians by Spanish chieftain
(1621 - 1683) Revolts and uprisings against religious customs and Spanish rule occurred throughout the Philippines
(1744) Dagohoy Revolt in Bohol lasted 85 years, provided independence from Spanish rule
(1754) Towns of Lipa, Sala, Tanauan, Talisay destroyed by eruption of Mt. Taal
(1762) During Europe's Seven Years War, British attacked and occupied Manila
(1762) British took control of Philippines; Darsonne Drake became Governor-General; colony opened to international trading
(1763) British occupation of Philippines ended when Treaty of Paris signed by England, Spain and France; Manila was returned to Spain

1800s

(1808) French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte installed brother Joseph as King of Spain
(1809) Spanish colonies, including Philippines made part of Spain, Filipinos given privileges of Spanish citizenship and representation in Parliament
(1812) Cadiz Constitution established
(1813) Cadiz Constitution implemented in Manila
(1813) In Battle of the Nations, French were defeated, Napoleonic forces driven out of Spain
(1814) Ferdinand VII, son of King Charles IV, became King of Spain
(1816) Spanish Parliament rejected Cadiz Constitution, Philippine representation abolished
(1830) Port of Manila opened
(1863) Earthquake left Manila in ruins
(1869) Suez Canal opened, steamship service established between Philippines and Europe
(1872) 200 Filipino soldiers staged mutiny in Cavite for secularization and nationalism
(1872) Three priests executed as alleged leaders of Cavite Conspiracy
(1890s) Insurrection against Spanish rule began
(1898) U.S. Navy destroyed Spanish fleet in Manila Bay during Spanish-American War
(1898) Spain and U.S. signed Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded Philippines to U.S. for payment of 20 million dollars
(1899) Hostilities flared between Filipino and U.S. forces

1900s

(1901) Filipino insurgent leader, Emilio Aguinaldo was captured
(1901) William H. Taft became first U.S. governor of Philippines
(1901) 48 members of U.S. 9th Infantry killed by townspeople and guerrillas in the Balangiga Massacre
(1902) Civil government established by U.S. to replace military rule
(1902) Governor Taft improved economic conditions, established "pensionado" program for students, modernized and westernized the country
(1907) First congressional election took place, Philippine assembly was inaugurated
(1911) 1,334 people were killed when Mt. Taal erupted
(1916) Jones Law enacted, promised independence when stable government was established

Philippines Timeline

1900s continued

(1934) Tydings-McDuffie Law (Philippine Independence Law) approved by U.S. President Roosevelt, allowed establishment of Commonwealth of the Philippines and full independence in ten years
(1935) Philippine Constitution approved
(1935) Manuel Quezon elected president for six-year term in first elections, office of U.S. Governor-General was abolished
(1941) Manuel Quezon re-elected president in second election
(1941) After bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese attacked Philippines as ally of U.S.
(1941) U.S. troops left Manila, surrendering it to Japanese
(1941) U.S. and Filipino troops retreated to Bataan
(1942) Bataan was last province to surrender to Japanese
(1942) Bataan Death March - 36,000 U.S. and Filipino soldiers were forced to march without food and water, prisoners of war were killed by their guards, survivors were taken to a concentration camp at Capaz
(1942) Japanese forces entered Manila, proclaimed end of U.S. occupation of Philippines, martial law was imposed
(1942) Commonwealth of the Philippines joined United Nations
(1943) Philippine economy collapsed, shortage of rice became serious
(1945) U.S. forces entered Manila; Battle of Manila ended; Japan surrendered to U.S.
(1946) Islands granted full independence, renamed Republic of the Philippines
(1947) Elpidio Quirino took oath of office as President of the Philippines
(1947) U.S. awarded military bases in Philippines
(1951) Peace treaty signed with Japan
(1953) Ramon Magsaysay elected President of the Republic of the Philippines
(1957) President Magsaysay died in plane crash; Vice-President Carlos P. Garcia assumed office
(1957) Carlos P. Garcia elected President of the Republic of the Philippines
(1961) Diosdado Macapagal won presidential election
(1965) Ferdinand Marcos elected President
(1969) Ferdinand Marcos re-elected President
(1969) Muslim separatists began campaign of guerrilla war in the country's south
(1972) Suspicious bombing incidents increased around the country
(1972) President Marcos declared the entire country was under martial law, suspended parliament, arrested opposition politicians, imposed censorship
(1972) Opposition leader, Senator Benigno Aquino, arrested
(1973) Constitutional Convention passed new Constitution of the Philippines; gave President Marcos absolute power
(1973) President Marcos' term extended by referendum
(1976) Major earthquake and following tsunami killed 8,000 people at Mindanao.
(1977) Referendum empowered President Marcos to continue in office, and to also become Prime Minister
(1977) Opposition leader Benigno Aquino sentenced to death; execution delayed by President Marcos
(1980) Benigno Aquino released to undergo heart surgery in the U.S.
(1981) Due to upcoming three-day visit by the Pope, martial law was lifted
(1981) Marcos re-elected president
(1983) Benigno Aquino assassinated at Manila International Airport upon arrival from the U.S.
(1986) Aquino's widow, Corazon, ran against Marcos in presidential election; Marcos declared himself winner, Aquino disputed results
(1986) Mass protests followed election; military withdrew support of Marcos
(1986) Marcos fled to Hawaii
(1986) New government claimed Marcos looted billions of dollars during his presidency
(1989) U.S. assisted Philippine government forces in suppressing attempted coup
(1990) Military officials convicted of murdering Benigno Aquino
(1991) Philippine Senate voted to end U.S. military presence in the county
(1992) President Aquino's defense minister, Fidel Ramos, won presidency
(1996) Peace agreement reached with Moro National Liberation Front, a Muslim separatist group; the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continued with its campaign
(1997) Economy damaged by Asian financial crisis
(1998) Joseph Estrada elected president

2000s

(2000) President Estrada declared "all-out-war" against Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
(2000) Impeachment proceedings began against President Estrada due to allegations of corruption, violation of the Constitution, betraying of public trust
(2001) Following suspension of impeachment proceedings, mass street protests took place; military withdrew its support of Estrada
(2001) Estrada forced to step down due to public outrage over corruption allegations; Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the office of president
(2001) Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) declared cease fire; said it was ready for talks with government
(2001) Estrada charged with plundering more than $80 million in state funds while in office; found guilty, jailed for life; won a pardon
(2002) U.S. and Filipino military held joint exercises in war on international terrorism
(2002) Series of bomb blasts on Manila bus and three locations in Zamboanga City blamed on Islamic militants
(2003) Cease fire between MILF and government
(2003) Talks between MILF and government were called off after rebel attack in Mindanao killed 30
(2003) Over 300 army soldiers seized shopping center in Manila in a mutiny; surrendered peacefully after negotiations
(2003) President Arroyo declared state of rebellion
(2004) Arroyo won presidential election

Philippines Timeline

2000s continued

(2004) Hundreds of people killed in floods and mudslides caused by powerful storms and typhoon
(2005) Fighting between Filipino troops and MILF rebels broke 2003 cease fire
(2005) Peace talks in Malaysia between government and MILF rebels resulted in breakthrough of issue of ancestral land
(2005) Demonstrations and calls for President Arroyo's resignation over allegations of vote-rigging in election
(2005) Congress voted against filing of impeachment against Arroyo
(2006) Mudslide on island of Leyte killed more than 1,000
(2006) President Arroyo declared state of emergency in response to coup rumors
(2006) Typhoon Durian battered east coast, triggered mudslides, hundreds dead
(2007) Army confirmed death of Abu Sayyaf leader, Khaddafy Janjalani
(2007) Military increased offensive against Abu Sayyaf, after the beheading of seven Christian hostages
(2007) Government report accused military of being responsible for killings of hundreds of left-win activists
(2007) Soldiers on trial for 2003 mutiny, made coup attempt at luxury hotel in Manila
(2007) Former President Joseph Estrada was convicted of plunder
(2008) Government negotiators, MILF rebels reached an agreement for a Muslim autonomous region in the south; deal collapsed after objections from Christian communities and fighting on island of Mindanao which left more than 30 people dead
(2009) Army captured MILF base on Mindanao
(2009) People traveling to file election nomination papers in Mindanao were attacked, 57 were killed
(2009) Peace talks resumed between government and MILF rebels in peace talks in Malaysia
(2009) Three volunteers of the International Committee of Red Cross kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf rebels
(2009) Former President Corazon Aquino died
(2009) "State of calamity" declared by President Gloria Arroyo due to Typhoon Ketsana which caused landslides, flooding; nearly 500 people died
(2010) Prosecutors charged 196 people with murder over the Maguindanao massacre
(2010) Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino elected president
(2010) Manila Hostage Crisis occurred when dismissed national police officer hijacked tourist bus in Manila in attempt to get his job back
(2010) Typhoon Megi killed 31 people, caused major damages in Luzon, one of the costliest typhoons in the Philippines
(2011) U.S. committed to defense of the Philippines amid rising tensions in South China Sea with China over the Spratly Islands
(2011) Former President Gloria Arroyo arrested on vote-fraud over Senate election in 2007, she denied charges
(2011) Ban ordered on deployment of workers to 41 countries for failure to sign agreements to protect foreign workers from abuse
(2011) More than 1,000 died after Typhoon Washi struck Mindanao; entire neighborhoods swept away, tens of thousands forced into shelters
(2011) Abu Sayyaf group blamed for explosion at small hotel in Zamboanga which killed three, injured nearly 30
(2012) Gunmen in speedboats opened fire on fishermen off Sibago Island, killed 15
(2012) Military announced it killed man on FBI most-wanted terror list, two other militants in pre-dawn air strike on Sulu Island
(2012) Philippines, Chinese naval vessels confronted one another in South China Sea
(2012) Torrential rains caused flooding which paralyzed most of Manila
(2012) Philippine Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo missing after the light aircraft he was traveling in crashed into the sea
(2012) Approximately 3,000 protesters from the Philippines Muslim minority burned U.S. and Israeli flags in Marawi over amateur anti-Islam video produced in the U.S.
(2013) Filipino coastguard killed Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters, set off major diplomatic row
(2013) Over 75,000 residents fled Zamboanga during stand-off between Moro National Liberation Front rebels and the army, 200 people were killed, including 166 rebels
(2013) Typhoon Haiyan decimated central area of the country, over 6,000 killed, millions lost homes, major international aid effort was organized
(2013) Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed power-sharing accord
(2014) Benito Tiamzon and wife Wilma, leaders of the Communist Party-New People's Army-National Democratic Front, and five others were arrested by armed forces for for their crimes against humanity that included multiple murders
(2014) Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed peace accord, ended four decades of fighting
(2014) U.S. and Philippines reached 10-year agreement giving American warships, planes and troops greater access to bases in Philippines
(2014) National Police arrested 11 Chinese fisherman for poaching more than 500 endangered sea turtles in disputed South China Sea

Spanish Expeditions to the Philippines

In an age when real estate was as abundant as air, the electronic industry was yet to come and financial bubbles didn't exist, the big business was spices. Discovered by the Romans many centuries ago, they had become an essential part of European life pretty quickly. There was a catch: they were only found in India, over seven thousand miles away, and there was a whole industry of middlemen making money by bringing them from over there to, for example, the Golden Mile in Marbella.

Perhaps the fact that opium was considered a spice import may put Europe's dependence on this trade system into perspective.

In any case, whenever they weren't waging war against each other or arranging to marry their offspring, the monarchs of Europe would devote themselves to finding new routes from which to bring the spices themselves -- that way they could cut the middle man and join in on this lucrative business.

In fact, the game-changing discovery of America in 1492 was a blatant mistake. The courses the Spanish had set before sailing were actually aimed towards finding the Middle East. Even though the fortunate discovery had a lot of other advantages, Charles V was aware that he hadn't found his way to India. So he sent a new explorer, a Portuguese-born captain called Ferdinand Magellan, to finish the job. He didn't find India either. Instead, he did the Columbus thing of accidentally discovering new land.

He also waged one of the strangest wars in Spanish history.Spanish Conquest of the Philippines - round one.

In March, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan was darting across the Pacific ocean when he thought he'd spot some land. It was a much-needed sight. He had just suffered a mutiny (one of the side effects of sailing through uncharted waters is that the crew tends to lose their patience) and had but three ships out of the five he initially had. He decided to stop and get some food and water.

Now, besides being a successful sailor, he must have been a man with people skills. Ferdinand Magellan was quickly taken in by the natives and befriended their leader, the Sultan of Cebu. He promptly Christianized everybody, with the exception of one: Lapu Lapu. He was a tribal chief on the nearby island of Mactan who disliked Cebu and wouldn't accept his orders to be Christianized.

It was fantastic opportunity for Magellan to showcase the power of his men and his weaponry. That'd show the natives how unwise it would be to not obey him. He decided to battle the Mactan tribe. After all, fighting natives seemed pretty easy.

That was a fatal mistake. When he met the Mactans on their own island, he found about 1,500 ready to attack. They immediately recognized the captain and swarmed over him. After admirably surviving a few blows (an arrow in his shoulder and two hits on the head), Ferdinand Magellan died. The remaining crew was driven back to their boats. There were so few survivors, they easily squeezed into two vessels. They had to burn the other one to prevent the natives from chasing them.

Lapu Lapu thus became the first native to victoriously resist the oppression of foreign colonists.

The Return of the Spaniards

It would be another 40 years until Spain finally attempted the Spanish conquest of the Philippines again. Namely, with the Miguel López de Legazpi. This man, Spain's first royal governor, found his way to the islands from New Spain, or Spanish Mexico as we call it nowadays. He decided to name the islands after King Philip II. Working his way from Maynilad (what now is Manila), he moved Spain's sway up north. It is not known what he did when he met Lapu Lapu.

The Philippines weren't the gold mine that Peru was. In fact, there were no spices or minerals that attracted Spanish attention. The islands' worth was more strategic than anything else: the islands were a fantastic stopover in the middle of the Pacific ocean, brimming with food and peaceful people. They learned from the Spanish how to grow corn and then watched their colonists move on to other, more lucrative endeavors. Luckily for the natives, the Spanish conquest of the Philippines was not as bloody as the American ones.

The Magellan Expedition

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese in the service of the Spanish crown, was looking for a westward route to the to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. On March 16, 1521, Magellan's expedition landed on Homonhon island in the Philippines. He was the first European to reach the islands. Rajah Humabon of Cebu was friendly with Magellan and embraced Christianity, but their enemy, Lapu-Lapu was not. Humabon wanted Magellan to kill Lapu-Lapu while Magellan wanted to convert Lapu-Lapu into Christianity. On April 17, 1521, Magellan sailed to Mactan and ensuing battle killed Magellan by the natives lead by Lapu-Lapu. Out of the five ships and more than 300 men who left on the Magellan expedition in 1519, only one ship (the Victoria) and 18 men returned to Seville, Spain on September 6, 1522. Nevertheless, the said expedition was considered historic because it marked the first circumnavigation of the globe and proved that the world was round.

Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the master of ship "Concepcion" took over the command of the expedition after the death of Magellan and captained the ship "Victoria" back to Spain. He and his men earned the distinction of being the first to circumnavigate the world in one full journey. After Magellan's death in Cebu, it took 16 more months for Elcano to return to Spain. The Magellan expedition started off through the westward route and returning to Spain by going east; Magellan and Elcano's entire voyage took almost three years to complete.

Spain sends other expedition

After the Spain had celebrated Elcano’s return, King Charles I decided that Spain should conquer the Philippines. Five subsequent expeditions were then sent to the Islands. These were led by Garcia Jofre Loaisa (1525), Sebastian Cabot (1526), Alvaro de Saavedra (1527), Rudy Lopez de Villalobos (1542) and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (1564). Only the last two actually reached the Philippines; and only Legazpi succeeded in colonizing the Islands.

The Villalobos Expedition

Ruy Lopez de Villalobos set sail for the Philippines from Navidad, Mexico on November 1, 1542. He followed the route taken by Magellan and reached Mindanao on February 2, 1543. He established a colony in Sarangani but could not stay long because of insufficient food supply. His fleet left the island and landed on Tidore in the Moluccas, where they were captured by the Portuguese.

Villalobos is remembered for naming our country “Islas Filipinas,” in honor of King Charles’ son, Prince Philip, who later became king of Spain.

The Legazpi Expedition

Since none of the expedition after Magellan from Loaisa to Villalobos had succeeded in taking over the Philippines, King Charles I stopped sending colonizers to the Islands. However, when Philip II succeeded his father to the throne in 1556, he instructed Luis de Velasco, the viceroy of Mexico, to prepare a new expedition – to be headed by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who would be accompanied by Andres de Urdaneta, a priest who had survived the Loaisa mission.

On February 13, 1565, Legaspi's expedition landed in Cebu island. After a short struggle with the natives, he proceeded to Leyte, then to Camiguin and to Bohol. There Legaspi made a blood compact with the chieftain, Datu Sikatuna as a sign of friendship. Legaspi was able to obtain spices and gold in Bohol due to his friendship with Sikatuna. On April 27, 1565, Legaspi returned to Cebu; destroyed the town of Raja Tupas and establish a settlement. On orders of the King Philip II, 2,100 men arrived from Mexico. They built the the port of Fuerza de San Pedro which became the Spanish trading outpost and stronghold for the region.

Hearing of the riches of Manila, an expedition of 300 men headed by Martin de Goiti left Cebu for Manila. They found the islands of Panay and Mindoro. Goiti arrived in Manila on May 8, 1570. At first they were welcomed by the natives and formed an alliance with Rajah Suliman, their Muslim king but as the locals sensed the true objectives of the Spaniards, a battle between the troops of Suliman and the Spaniards erupted. Because the Spaniards are more heavily armed, the Spaniards were able to conquer Manila. Soon after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived to join Goiti in Manila. Legaspi built alliances and made peace with Rajahs Suliman, Lakandula and Matanda. In 1571, Legaspi ordered the construction of the walled city of Intramuros and proclaimed it as the seat of government of the colony and the capital of the islands. In 1572, Legaspi died and was buried at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros. In 1574, Manila was bestowed the title "Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de España" (Distinguished and ever loyal city of Spain) by King Philip II of Spain.

Why the Philippines was easily conquered

Through largely outnumbered, the Spaniards who came to colonize the Philippines easily took control of our country. How did this happen?

The best possible explanation is that the natives lacked unity and a centralized form of government. Although the barangays already functioned as units of governance, each one existed independently of the other, and the powers that each Datu enjoyed were confined only to his own barangay. No higher institution united the barangays, and the Spaniards took advantage of this situation. They used the barangays that were friendly to them in order to subdue the barangays that were not.

The First 200 Years of Spanish Rule
(1560-1760)

Following the discovery of the islands for Spain by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, the archipelago was made a colony of Spain.

The islands became known as the Philippines, named after the King of Spain, Felipe II (Philip II).

The Spaniards were able to conquer the archipelago with little bloodshed due to the absence of centralized authority and very low population that was scattered all over the 7,000 islands

Spanish rule was principally based in Manila, which became the center of the Galleon trade between Mexico and the Philippines.

Manila became the transshipment port for trade between Mexico and China: the Chinese sent silks to Manila in exchange for Mexican silvers.

The Spaniards based in Manila were the middle men in the Galleon trade.

In the 19th century, agricultural exports of the Philippines grew, which were made of up sugar, rice, hemp, indigo, bananas, coconuts and pineapple.

The Spaniards as Colonial Masters

Spain reigned over the Philippines for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898. since Spain was far from the country, the Spanish king ruled the Islands through the viceroy of Mexico, which was then another Spanish colony. When Mexico regained its freedom in 1821, the Spanish king ruled the Philippines through a governor general. A special government body that oversaw matters, pertaining to the colonies assisted the king in this respect. This body became known by many names. Council of the Indies (1565-1837), Overseas Council (1837-1863), and Ministry of the Colonies (1863–1898). It is implemented the decrees and legal codes Spain promulgated although many of its provisions could not apply to condition in the colonies. It also exercised legislative and judicial powers.

The Political Structure
Spain established a centralized colonial government in the Philippines that was composed of a national government and the local governments that administered provinces, cities, towns and municipalities. With the cooperation of the local governments the national government maintained peace and order, collected taxes and built schools and other public works.

The Governor General
As the King's representative and the highest-ranking official in the Philippines, the governor general saw to it that royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were implemented in the Philippines. He had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials, except those personally chosen by the King. He also supervised all government offices and the collection of taxes.
The governor general exercised certain legislative powers, as well. He issued proclamations to facilitate the implementation of laws.

The Residencia
This was a special judicial court that investigates the performance of a governor general who was about to be replaced. The residencia, of which the incoming governor general was usually a member, submitted a report of its findings to the King.

The Visita
The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official called the Vistador General to observe conditions in the colony. The Visitador General reported his findings directly to the King.

The Royal Audiencia
Apart from its judicial functions, the Royal Audiencia served as an advisory body to the Governor General and had the power to check and a report on his abuses. The Audiencia also audited the expenditures of the colonial government and sent a yearly report to Spain. The Archbishop and other government officials could also report the abuses of the colonial government to the Spanish king. Despite all these checks, however, an abusive governor general often managed to escape stiff fines, suspension, or dismissal by simply bribing the Visitador and other investigators.

The Provincial Government
The Spaniards created local government units to facilitate the country’s administration. There were two types of local government units – the alcadia and the corregimiento. The alcadia, led by the alcalde mayor, governed the provinces that had been fully subjugated: the corregimiento, headed by corregidor, governed the provinces that were not yet entirely under Spanish control. The alcalde mayors represented the Spanish king and the governor general in their respective provinces. They managed the day-to-day operations of the provincial government, implemented laws and supervised the collection of taxes. Through they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges such as the indulto de comercio, or the right to participate in the galleon trade.

The Municipal Government
Each province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by Gobernadordcillos, whose main concerns were efficient governance and tax collection. Four lieutenants aided the Governardorcillo: the Teniente Mayor (chief lieutenant), the Teniente de Policia (police lieutenant), the Teniente de Sementeras (lieutenant of the fields) and the Teniente de Ganados (lieutenant of the livestock).

The Encomienda System
Spain owed the colonization of the Philippines to Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who valiantly and loyally served the Spanish crown. To hasten the subjugation of the country, King Philip II instructed Legazpi to divide the Philippines into large territories called encomiendas, to be left to the management of designated encomenderos.

To show his gratitude to his conquistadors, the King made them the first encomenderos in the colony. As the King’s representatives in their respective encomiendas, the encomenderos had the right to collect taxes. However, the encomiendas were not there to own. The encomenderos were only territorial overseers who had the duty to: 1) protect the people in the encomienda; (2) maintain peace and order; (3) promote education and health programs; and (4) help the missionaries propagate Christianity.

The Galleon Trade

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, our ancestors were already trading with China, Japan, Siam, India, Cambodia, Borneo and the Moluccas. The Spanish government continued trade relations with these countries, and the Manila became the center of commerce in the East. The Spaniards closed the ports of Manila to all countries except Mexico. Thus, the Manila–Acapulco Trade, better known as the "Galleon Trade" was born. The Galleon Trade was a government monopoly. Only two galleons were used: One sailed from Acapulco to Manila with some 500,000 pesos worth of goods, spending 120 days at sea; the other sailed from Manila to Acapulco with some 250,000 pesos worth of goods spending 90 days at sea.

It also allowed modern, liberal ideas to enter the country, eventually inspiring the movement for independence from Spain. And because the Spaniards were so engrossed in making profits from the Galleon Trade, they hardly had any time to further exploit our natural resources.

Basco’s Reforms

Filipino farmers and traders finally had a taste of prosperity when Governor General Jose Basco y Vargas instituted reforms intended to free the economy from its dependence on Chinese and Mexican trade. Basco implemented a “general economic plan” aimed at making the Philippines self sufficient. He established the “Economic Society of Friends of the Country”, which gave incentives to farmers for planting cotton, spices, and sugarcane; encouraged miners to extract gold, silver, tin, and copper; and rewarded investors for scientific discoveries they made.

Tobacco Monopoly

The tobacco industry was placed under government control during the administration of Governor General Basco. In 1781, a tobacco monopoly was implemented in the Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Isabela, Abra, Nueva Ecija, and Marinduque. Each of these provinces planted nothing but tobacco and sold their harvest only to the government at a pre-designated price, leaving little for the farmers. No other province was allowed to plant tobacco. The government exported the tobacco to other countries and also part of it to the cigarette factories in Manila.

The tobacco monopoly successfully raised revenues for the colonial government and made Philippine tobacco famous all over Asia.

The Spread of
Roman Catholicism and Nationalism

In latter part of Spanish period, large friar estates developed. The Spaniards prevented the promotion of Filipino clergy to high positions, a stance which led to the Cavite mutiny of 1872.

Spanish officers were attacked in Cavite and three Filipino priests -- Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora (known as the GOMBURZA) were executed on trumped-up charges.

The martyrdom of the three priests led to the birth of Filipino nationalism on February 17, 1872.

The institutions of Church and State were inseparable throughout most of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

The Catholic missionaries were largely responsible for attracting people through theatrical performance of major Christian Biblical stories in the form of Pasyon plays and mass baptisms thought to cure illnesses.

It is said that the initial baptism of 800 subjects on Cebu island after Magellan arrived cured the ailing grandson of Rajah Humabon; but Magellan was later killed by a native named Lapu-lapu.

Few Catholic missionaries conversant in the local language led to the development of "folk Catholicism", e.g., continuing belief in the healing power of amulets and local spirit beings; crucifixions and flagellations as route to forgiveness and redemption reflects this "acting out" of Biblical themes.

The martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, an outspoken Chinese mestizo who wrote famous books such as El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, ignited further the nationalism of Filipinos against Spain.

Rizal was executed at the Luneta Park publicly for criticizing Filipino clergy and demanding land sales to tenant farmers on friar estates. His death united the insurrection leaders that started the Philippine-Spanish war.

Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo were leaders of the revolutionary movement against Spain, called the Katipunan.

The Impact of
Spanish Rule in the Philippines

An important impact of Spanish rule in the Philippines is the creation of a mestizo culture with entrenched landed interests and a highly skewed land distribution.

The Spaniards made the local datus head of the barangays, who eventually acquired large landholdings.

Some of the barangay heads were natives, but many important families arose at this time through the intermarriages of two types:

First, the Spanish-Indio mestizo that had a higher status: it is a socially exclusive class from which the scholars and literatis of Manila emerged and today have close ties to Spain and the United States;

Second, the Chinese-Indio mestizo that had a lower status: this class blended with Filipino rural cultures; it also acquired large tracts of land through money lending. From this class emerged an important economic group of Filipino-Chinese in the Philippines today. This class competed with migrant Chinese in trade but were less successful in business.

The Secularization of Priests During Spanish Period

The Opening of the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal, which connected the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, was inaugurated in 1869. It was built by a French engineer named Ferdinand de Lesseps. By passing through the Canal, vessels journeying between Barcelona and Manila no longer had to pass by the Cape of Good Hope, at the southern tip of Africa. Thus, they were able to shorten their traveling time from three months to 32 days.

Thanks to the Suez Canal, trading in the Philippines became increasingly profitable. More and more foreign merchants and businessmen came to the colony, bringing with them a lot of progressive ideas. The Filipinos not only gained more knowledge and information about the world at large; they also gained the desire for freedom and improvement in their lives.

The Secularization Controversy

Two kinds of priests served the Catholic Church in the Philippines. These were the regulars and the seculars. Regular priests belonged to religious orders. Their main task was to spread Christianity. Examples were the Franciscans, Recollects, Dominicans, and Augustinians. Secular priests did not belong to any religious order. They were trained specifically to run the parishes and were under the supervision of the bishops.

Conflict began when the bishops insisted on visiting the parishes that were being run by regular priests. It was their duty, they argued, to check on the administration of these parishes. But the regular priests refused these visits, saying that they were not under the bishop’s jurisdiction. They threatened to abandon their parishes if the bishops persisted.

In 1774, Archbishop Basilio Santa Justa decided to uphold the diocese’s authority over the parishes and accepted the resignations of the regular priests. He assigned secular priests to take their place. Since there were not enough seculars to fill all the vacancies the Archbishop hastened the ordination of Filipino seculars. A royal decree was also issued on November 9, 1774, which provided for the secularization of all parishes or the transfer of parochial administration from the regular friars to the secular priests.

The regulars resented the move because they considered the Filipinos unfit for the priesthood. Among other reasons they cited the Filipinos’ brown skin, lack of education, and inadequate experience.

The controversy became more intense when the Jesuits returned to the Philippines. They had been exiled from the country because of certain policies of the order that the Spanish authorities did not like.

The issue soon took on a racial slant. The Spaniards were clearly favouring their own regular priest over Filipino priests.

Monsignor Pedro Pelaez, ecclesiastical governor of the Church, sided with the Filipinos. Unfortunately, he died in an earthquake that destroyed the Manila Cathedral in 1863. After his death, other priests took his place in fighting for the secularization movement. Among them were Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora.

The Death of Gomburza & The Propaganda Movement

In February 17, 1872, Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jocinto Zamora (Gomburza), all Filipino priest, was executed by the Spanish colonizers on charges of subversion. The charges against Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora was their alleged complicity in the uprising of workers at the Cavite Naval Yard. The death of Gomburza awakened strong feelings of anger and resentment among the Filipinos. They questioned Spanish authorities and demanded reforms. The martyrdom of the three priests apparently helped to inspire the organization of the Propaganda Movement, which aimed to seek reforms and inform Spain of the abuses of its colonial government.

The illustrados led the Filipinos’ quest for reforms. Because of their education and newly acquired wealth, they felt more confident about voicing out popular grievances. However, since the illustrados themselves were a result of the changes that the Spanish government had been slowly implementing, the group could not really push very hard for the reforms it wanted. The illustrados did not succeeded in easing the sufferings of the Filipinos; but from this group arose another faction called the intelligentsia. The intelligentsia also wanted reforms; but they were more systematic and used a peaceful means called the Propaganda Movement.

Goals of the Propaganda Movement

Members of the Propaganda Movement were called propagandists or reformists. They worked inside and outside the Philippines. Their objectives were to seek:

▪ Recognition of the Philippines as a province of Spain

▪ Equal status for both Filipinos and Spaniards

▪ Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes

▪ Secularization of Philippine parishes.

▪ Recognition of human rights

The Propaganda Movement never asked for Philippine independence because its members believed that once Spain realized the pitiful state of the country, the Spaniards would implement the changes the Filipinos were seeking.

The Propagandists

The Filipinos in Europe were much more active in seeking reforms than those in Manila. They could be divided into three groups: The first included Filipinos who had been exiled to the Marianas Islands in 1872 after being implicated in the Cavite Mutiny. After two many years in the Marianas, they proceeded to Madrid and Barcelona because they could no longer return to the Philippines. The second group consisted of illustrados in the Philippines who had been sent to Europe for their education. The third group was composed of Filipinos who had fled their country to avoid punishment for a crime, or simply because they could not stand Spanish atrocities any longer. Still, not all Filipinos living in Spain were members of the Propaganda Movement. Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Marcelo H. del Pilar were it most prominent members.

Lopez Jaena was a brilliant orator who wrote such pieces as "Fray Botod," "Esperanza," and "La Hija del Fraile," which all criticized the abuses of Spanish friars in the Philippines. Del Pilar was an excellent writer and speaker who put up the newspaper Diarion Tagalog in 1882. His favorite topic was the friars. Some of his most popular writings included "Caiingat Cayo", "Dasalan at Tocsohan," and "Ang Sampung Kautusan ng mga Prayle". "Caingat Cayo" was a pamphlet answering the criticisms received by Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere. "Dasalan…" was parody of the prayer books used by the Church, while "Ang Sampung Kautusan…" was a satirical take on the Ten Commandments, which highly ridiculed the Spanish friars.

Jose Rizal was recognized as the great novelist of the Propaganda Movement. He was the first Filipino become famous for his written works. He wrote a poem entitled “Sa Aking mga Kababata” when he was only eight years old. His novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, clearly depicted the sufferings of the Filipinos and the rampant abuses committed by the friars in the colony. Because of his criticisms of the government and the friars, Rizal made a lot of enemies. He was executed at Bagumbayan (later renamed Luneta Park and now called Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896.

The writings produced by the Propaganda Movement inspired Andres Bonifacio and other radicals to establish the Katipunan and set the Philippine Revolution in place.

La Solidaridad & La Liga Filipina

La Liga Filipina
In 1892, Jose Rizal (full name: Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo) returned to the Philippines and proposed the establishment of a civic organization called “La Liga Filipina.” On July 3, 1892, the following were elected as its officers: Ambrosio Salvador, president: Agustin dela Rosa, fiscal; Bonifacio Arevalo, treasurer; and Deodato Arellano, secretary. Rizal functioned as its adviser.

La Liga Filipina aimed to:

▪ Unite the whole country▪ Protect and assist all members▪ Fight violence and injustice▪ Support education▪ Study and implement reforms

La Liga Filipina had no intention of rising up in arms against the government; but the Spanish officials still felt threatened. On July 6, 1892 only three days after La Liga Filipina’s establishment, Jose Rizal was secretly arrested. The next day, Governor General Eulogio Despujol ordered Rizal’s deportation to Dapitan, a small, secluded town in Zamboanga.

La Liga Filipina's membership was active in the beginning; but later, they began to drift apart. The rich members wanted to continue supporting the Propaganda Movement; but the others seemed to have lost all hope that reforms could still be granted. Andres Bonifacio was one of those who believed that the only way to achieve meaningful change was through a bloody revolution.

La Solidaridad

In order to help achieve its goals, the Propaganda Movement put up its own newspaper, called La Solidaridad. The Soli, as the reformists fondly called their official organ, came out once every two weeks. The first issue saw print was published on November 15, 1895.

The Solidaridad’s first editor was Graciano Lopez Jaena. Marcelo H. del Pilar took over in October 1889. Del Pilar managed the Soli until it stopped publication due to lack of funds.

Why the Propaganda Movement Failed
The propaganda movement did not succeed in its pursuit of reforms. The colonial government did not agree to any of its demands. Spain itself was undergoing a lot of internal problems all that time, which could explain why the mother country failed to heed the Filipino’s petitions. The friars, on the other hand, were at the height of their power and displayed even more arrogance in flaunting their influence. They had neither the time nor the desire to listen to the voice of the people.

Many of the reformists showed a deep love for their country, although they still failed to maintain a united front. Because most of them belonged to the upper middle class, they had to exercise caution in order to safeguard their wealth and other private interests. Personal differences and petty quarrels, apart from the lack of funds, were also a hindrance to the movements success. Lastly, no other strong and charismatic leader emerged from the group aside from Jose Rizal.

The Katipunan Finally Starts a Revolution

The Katipunan is born

Andres Bonifacio was also a member of La Liga Filipina, although he soon lost hope in gaining reforms though peaceful means. This feeling was especially heightened when Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan. Bonifacio became convinced that the only way the Philippines could gain independence was through a revolution.

Bonifacio then founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro M. Recto), in Tondo Manila.

The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they performed the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed his name with his own blood..

The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment. Each original member would recruit tow new members who were not related to each other. Each new member would do the same thing, and so on down the line. Members were also asked to contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in order to raise funds for the association.

The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:

▪ The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the country’s independence.▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor oppressed.

The “Kataastaasang Sanggunian” (supreme council) was the highest governing body of the Katipunan. It was headed by a supremo, or president. Each province had a “Sangguaniang Bayan” (Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay” (Popular Council).

The Leaders of the Katipunan:
▪ Deodato Arellano -Supremo▪ Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal▪ Teodora Plata -Secretary▪ Valentine Diaz -treasurer▪ Andres Bonifacio -controller

Jose Rizal and the KatipunanJose Rizal never became involved in the organization and activities of the Katipunan; but the Katipuneros still looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizal’s name was used as a password among the society’s highest-ranking members, who were called bayani.

Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his La Liga Filipina days, although Rizal did not know Bonifacio personally Nevertheless, Bonifacio so respected Rizal’s intelligence and talent that in June 1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek Rizal’s advice on the planned revolution.

Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a revolution. The people were not yet ready and they did not have enough weapons. He suggested that the Katipunan obtain the support of wealthy and influential Filipinos first, in order to gain financial assistance. He also recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its armed forces, since Luna had much knowledge and expertise in military tactics.

Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed Rizal’s advice to Bonifacio, who admitted that it would indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight without enough weapons. However, there was no stopping the Revolution. Bonifacio ordered his men to prepare for battle. He directed them to store enough food and other supplies. Battle plans were made with the help of Emilio Jacinto. It was suggested that the revolutionary headquarters be located near the seas or mountains to provide for an easy retreat, if necessary.

The Katipunan is Discovered

Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long been in circulation, although no solid evidence could be found to support them. The big break as far as the Spanish authorities was concerned, came on August 19, 1896 when a KKK member, Teodoro Patiño told his sister Honoria about the existence of the Katipunan. Patiño was a worker in the printing press of Diario de Manila. Honoria was then living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.

The information upset Honoria so much that she told the orphanage’s Mother Superior, Sor Teresa de Jesus, what her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek the advice of Father Mariano Gil, the parish priest of Tondo.

After hearing Patiño’s revelations, Father Mariano Gil-accompanied by several Guardias Civiles immediately searched the premises of Diario de Manila and found evidence of the Katipunan’s existence. The governor general was quickly informed. The printing press was padlocked and hundreds of suspected KKK members were arrested.

Social Sciences/ Social Studies

Thursday, September 24, 2015

the Philippines, Concise history

The Galleon Trade