the uses and sources of history

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1.1.1 The Uses and Sources of History1.1.2 The Setting1.1.3 Early Philippines1.1.4 The Formation of the Philippines Colonial Society: Spanish Era 1565 –

1896

Part IPrelim Period:Philippine History with Politics,Governance, and Constitution

HANDBOOK OBJECTIVES:


Chapter 1: Philippine History with Politics, Governance, and Constitution

1.1.1 The Uses and Sources of History

Some students who are taking up other programs are usually not interested instudying history. The only probable reason why they read or take into considerationreading the history of their country and other countries is because it is required.However, taking the perspectives of the significance of knowing the achievementsof the past generations is an important element in taking the challenge andpreparing for the future.

Some people dismiss the connection that binds the past to the future inconsidering history. But people and country are best understood if we know thepast; because history is the reflection of the people and that people and countryand reflected in their history.

The great philosopher of education, John Dewey wrote, “The achievements of thepast provide the only means at command for understanding the future.” Greatmilitary and political leaders rely from the lessons of history not to repeat the samemistakes committed by their predecessors; they study the biographies of leaders,their political policies, their military strategies and foreign conduct so that they willbe guided in their decision making. The great political strategist and philosopherNicollo Machiavelli in his world renowned book “The Prince” even suggested howleaders and would be leaders should use the events in history in order to avoid thesituations that swept some leaders away from their powers. This is to show thathistory should be used not only by political leaders but even ordinary individualsshould learn from their experiences in facing the future. As George Santayanaasserted that “those who do not know their past are condemned to repeat it.” Hisstatement had further put history into subjects that should be taken seriously.

This section will provide the reader important reasons in studying history and thatthe subject should not only be considered a part of the curriculum but a subjectthat will provide the student critical analysis of the connection of the past, presentand the future.


Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Identify the uses of history,2. Relate the present events to the past; and3. Connect the political and economic strategies of the present leaders to the

past leaders.

What is History?

History is descriptive of the chronology of significant past events; events thatshaped the social, political and economic culture of the people. History also gives ussignificant idea on the conduct of nations in the international community, theirreaction to some events and the alliances they make in relation to other nations. Inaddition, according to Machiavelli, interpreting the past for the purposes of thepresent will give us a view of the future. Though studying the past does notguarantee a sure prediction of the future, it prepares us to face the future.

Why Do You Need to Study History?

As Freud liked to say, “Theory is good, but it does not prevent things fromexisting.” The existence of history gives us an idea of the way of life of ourancestors; their struggle to survive in a harsh environment, their defeats andvictories, their family and communal relationships and the transformations thatshaped the society we have today. If not for history, we would be ignorant of theworkings of the world, the connection of the past, the present and its impact to thefuture. History is a helpful guide in resolving the challenges in the aspects of social,political, and economic problems of the country.

The Uses of History

1. History shows us what it means to be humano History is a search for light on the nature and destiny of man (Arnold

Toynbee)o History is for human self-knowledge- the only clue to what man can do is what

man has done ( R.G. Collingwood)o Human knowledge is the most important role of education (Bruno

Bettelheim)


2. History improves judgment

o Schooling should be chiefly historical – he past will enable people to judgethe future (Thomas Jefferson)

o History endows us with the “invaluable mental power, which we callsjudgment (Woodrow Wilson)

o History doesn’t tell us the answer to our questions, but it helps to inform usso that we might make better decisions in the future (Diane Ravich)

3. History gives us tremendous examples of the way of life

o Wisdom available from history is not only applied to public issues but hasmore personal applications (Peter N. Stearns)

o History provides instructive exampleso People need models (Nietzsche)o Historical figures are great sources of exampleso History is the result of two conflicting ideas (Friedrich Hegel)o Historical cultures follow a process of growth

4. History makes us better thinker

o Broad grounding in specific facts and information promotes the generalthinking skills (E.D.Hirsch)

o Historical study teaches analytical and communications skills that are usablein other academic pursuits (Conal Furay & Michael J. Salevouris)

5. History supports common understanding and dialogue

o History helps people to have the same common groundo History promotes mutual confidence and good will (Jacques Barzun)o History satisfies a need for identity

6. History provides people a sense of identityo Cultural identity contributes to meaning, purpose and cohesion in society

(Beverly Southgate)o History is society’s “collective memory” ( Furay & Salevouris)o A country without memory is a country of madmen (George Santayana)


1.1.2 The Setting

What do Alexander the great, Peter the great, and Julius Caesar have incommon? Why did they expand their empire? Was it lust for power or simply toexpand their political dominions? History will tell us that these revered leadersfought wars in order to acquire more territories to extend the territorial hegemonyof their countries and gain respect from the international community. Expandingterritorial boundaries can have economic and political advantage, thus empiresand colonial powers had extended their countries’ dominance to put them in abalanced and strategic location.

The size, shape and location of a country is very important to its political andeconomic development, though these are not the only factors, but it plays aconsiderable importance in playing a dominant role in the internationalcommunity. The setting of a country can be compared to human body parts, whereproper appropriations and proportions contribute to the person’s confidence anddevelopment.

The Philippines is a country where everything has been altered; from its cultural,political and social structures, we see the influence of colonialism but if there isone that colonialism did not change, it’s the location, size and shape of thePhilippines. The strategic location of the country in the world map has probablycontributed to its accidental discovery, which put the country in a disadvantage oradvantage situation?

In the words of the expansionists, The Philippines proximity to China has attractedcolonial powers like Spain and the United States who aim to have a share of theillimitable markets that had been emerging in the Far East. However, itsvulnerability to foreign domination is its greatest advantage as well; its shape hasmade it impossible for any country to have total control of the Philippines.

On this part of the module, we will examine how the size, shape and location ofthe country could be turned into an economic and political advantage, and howdoes it protect the country from the conflict that has affected the neighboringregions.


Objectives:


1. Identify connections between geography, culture, and the economy in theirlocal area,

2. Provide examples of the countries and explain their economic and politicalinfluence to the Philippines in relation to their shape and location; and

3. Cite a case where the shape and location of the country have played asignificant role in the international politics

The Setting: Location, Size and Shape

The country’s importance in the economic and political relations within itsneighboring regions and in the international community is based on its location, sizeand shape. Though many factors are considered like the culture, religion andnatural resources, the three features must be evaluated because it plays significantrole in the political and economic advantage of the country and in the context ofnational defense. These three elements must be analyzed first because it could givethe country its advantage or disadvantage.

The neighboring regions of the Philippines have contributed to the economic andpolitical interests of the country. The Southeast Asia where the country belongs hastremendous impact to the well-being of the country. Viewed in the region as the firstdemocratic state, the Philippines have been the envy of many Southeast Asiancountries before.


Location of the Philippines

The location can be expressed in terms of latitude and longitude or in relation toits vicinity or its nearness to the land and water bodies. Latitude is the angulardistance measure north or south of the equator while longitude is the angulardistance measured east and west of the prime meridian. We mention here equatorand the prime meridian. Equator is an imaginary horizontal line that divides theglobe into the northern and southern hemispheres, which is given zero latitude, andis the reference line while prime meridian is another imaginary line which has zerolongitude and divides the globe into the eastern and western hemispheres. Itpasses through Greenwich, England.

In the standpoint of international politics, the Philippines is part of Southeast Asiaand an original member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Abinales & Amoroso, )However, though the Philippines was part of the regional blocof ASEAN it was not close to the member countries. The Philippines is closelyassociated with the United States. This relationship is viewed by neighboringcountries with suspicion. But this animosity changed when the Philippine Senatevoted against the retention of US Bases in the country (Abinales & Amoroso,). It issituated between the equator and the tropic of Cancer. Specifically it lays between 4degrees 23 minute and 21 degrees 25-minute north latitude and between 116degrees and 127 degrees 00 minutes east longitude.

The Philippines is bounded on north by the Bashi Channel, on the east by thePacific Ocean, on the south by the Celebes Sea, and on the west by the South ChinaSea.

The neighboring countries of the Philippines in the north are Taiwan, China andJapan. In the west the nearest states are Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.While in the south, the Philippines are bounded by Malaysia and Indonesia. In thislocation, the Philippines lie in the heart of the Asia Pacific region.


Size

Size is an important factor in assessing the economic and political potentialities ofthe Philippines. It has an area of 114,000 square kilometers. Comprising 7,107islands, it is readily accessible to the different capitals of the world. Its main islandsare Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Philippines officially consists of 7,107 islands of which only 2000 areinhabited. Only about 500 of the islands are larger than 1 one square mile, and2,500 aren't even named.

The total area of the Philippines is 191,000 sq. mils. From North to South thePhilippines stretches 1,156 miles, and from East to West 687 miles. The highestPeak is Mt. Apo in Mindanao, at 7,385 ft. Mt. Pulog in North Luzon is the second at7,325 ft.

There are 37 volcanoes, 18 of which are classed as active including the Mt. MayonVolcano in South Luzon and Mt. Pinatubo North West of Manila in Central Luzon.The longest rivers are the Cagayan, Pampanga, and Agno in Luzon.

Philippine Geographical Setting

Significance of geographical setting to the nation

A world map showing the Philippines in relation to its neighboring countries wouldshow a strategically located nation, an archipelago east of the continent of Asia andwest of the Pacific Ocean where lies the American continent in the east. It is northof Indonesia and Malaysia; east of Indo-China (Vietnam. Cambodia Laos andThailand); southeast of Mainland China, south of Taiwan and Japan; and west oftiny Pacific Islands of Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia.


Significance of the Location

Geographical location plays an important role in the political and economic stabilityof a country. Remote location of a country has severe economic disadvantages,which could mean fewer inhabitants because of few opportunities for people.However, small countries with significant and strategic oceanic routes andsurrounded by peaceful neighbors can compensate the disadvantage of their size,while small countries or even big countries surrounded by war freak neighbors or bythe sea with long distances to other countries cannot.

Major Oceanic Route

The Philippines lies along the major oceanic trade route and air lane between theUnited States and Asia, which is the Pacific trade route. This route originates fromwestern United States, passes through Hawaii, and then splits into three branches:one branch goes to Japan, the second to the Philippines, and the third to Australiaand New Zealand. This makes Manila one of the busiest port of call for ships toother southeastern countries.

Centuries prior to the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in the Philippines in 1521,Manila was famed as a major intermediary center of trade and transshipment.Vessels from India, Japan and China came in order to barter.

Political Significance

The location of the Philippines makes it politically important among the nations ofthe world. Let us put in the picture the Philippines when, in 1941, the islands some7,000 in number, formed a natural barrier between Japan and the rich resources ofeast and Southeast Asia. Japan had to grab the Philippines first before any countryin the region, though inescapably delayed the combined US-Filipino forces under


USAFFE when it turned Bataan and Corregidor into a battleground. The UnitedStates, however, had to hold the islands for her military (political) strategy.

Ended the last World War, the Philippines became a Republic. Years later, thereCold War set in. Marcos came to power, and recognized by the US as the mostdemocratic among Asian leaders. The US had to bring an end to the most familiarindication of the Cold war, the spread of Communism to the nations in the Indo-Chinese peninsula and their subsequent plummet into it, one after another, like"domino. “This speculation was used by the US to justify its intervention in Vietnamand the persecution of the Vietnam War.

The persecution of the Vietnam War, the strategic position of the Philippines cameinto the limelight. In campaigning to “contain Communism” Clark Air Base becamethe headquarters of the 13th Air Force and Subic became a forward station for theSeventh Fleet. Clark and Subic played a key logistical role in support of the USforces in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. From 1965 to 1975, the US basesserved as logistical fulcrums of the US war of intervention in Indochina. Air traffic atClark reached as high as 40 transports per day, all bound for Vietnam.

The late Dr. Pedro Baldoria of the Department of Political Science, University of thePhilippines described the significance of the vicinal location of our country asfollows:

The Philippines is centrally located in the region where the conflict betweenCommunism and Democracy appears to be coming to a head. This country, being‘the most oriental of Orientals’ is the ‘show window of democracy’ in Asia. It standson the crossroad of the competition for power in the orient.

Being insular in location, the Philippines is clear of sensitive spot of regionalconflict. Unlike countries continental in location, like India and its neighborPakistan, our country has never been engaged in wars over borders since watersbound us. Even so, part of out territory is regarded as a potential flashpoint for


regional conflict. According to an American author, "the valiant defense of thePhilippines had several important consequences. It delayed the Japanese timetablefor the conquest of south Asia, causing them to expend far more manpower andmateriel resources than anticipated. Probably of equal importance, the determinedresistance against overwhelming odds became a symbol of hope for the UnitedStates in the early, bleak days of the war."

The surrounding waters of the Philippines serve as its defense against people whobecause of the political upheaval in their country will try to cross the border. Waterseliminate that possibility of hosting refugees uprooted from their country because ofpolitical persecution or violence.

1.1.3 Early Philippines

The formation of the Philippine islands and the origin of the Filipino race wereexplained by different theories. These theories were based on archeologicalfindings rooted from the material culture believed to be produced and used by theearly inhabitants during that epoch. However, the certainty of their explanationswere contested by some experts but whatever is the truth behind the formation ofthe Philippine islands the existing information available to the students of historysuggests that some neighboring countries are interconnected at some point intime, thus proving the assumption that the Filipinos are products of the wave ofmigration from other parts of Asia. Further, the similar physical features shared bythe Filipinos to some people from Asia like the Indonesians and Malaysianssuggests that they shared the same racial origin.

As the question of formation and racial origin were recognized, the questions onhow the early inhabitants lived, their social structure, their political concepts andeconomic practices were also taken into account.

The early Filipinos lived in an era where communal life and blood relations werethe only existing rules that protect and give them security from each other. Thehighly closed knit relationship of people seemed to dominate their way of life.However, unlike in other societies where people are ruled by one leader or theirrepresentatives, the early people in the island were not subjected to one leaderalone, rather ruled by different rajas or tribal leaders, this is primarily because ofthe geographical setting. Thus each communal society is different from the other.


The scattered islands made it impossible to have a uniform social structure thatcan be the start of political organizations and unity of the people of the island andalso the concept of territoriality is practiced only in Luzon, thus the difficulty ofruling is impossible. Nevertheless, the early inhabitants developed a socialstructure within their dominated area in Luzon.

This section will give you information that is beneficial in knowing the roots ofour ancestors and how the island was formed, how the early people lived, theirway of life, their social structure and political and economic concepts.

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Trace the origin of the Filipino people2. Describe the various ethnic groups comprising the Filipino nation3. Discuss the culture of the early Filipinos4. Criticize the unique cultural heritage of the early Filipinos and those of the

major and minor ethnic groups

The Formation of the Philippine Archipelago

It has been postulated by archeologists that the Philippines was formed out ofthe different evolutionary changes which helped shaped the Philippine archipelagotoday. Many theories had been explored to support the contention that the islandwas formed as a result of violent tectonic changes during the Miocene period- ageological epoch. The violent geological changes produced massive differentelevations like the Baguio plateau and raised sea level forests into similar heights.Thus, some fossilized leaves of trees have grown in the Sagad in the CentralCordilleras.

In the Pleistocene era, another movement took place specifically during the iceages or glacial periods when the water level was affected by the changes; landbridges were formed, thus connecting the archipelago to Borneo, Java, Sumatraand mainland Asia. However, after the ice age ended water level rose and the landbridges that were formed and connected the island had submerged but leavingthe high peaks like Palawan and Sulu island groups. Given the earth’s movementthat formed the archipelago, a drop of 100 meters from the present coastline of


the Philippines will unite Mindoro and Luzon, with Mindanao through Samar, Leyteand Bohol and make one island of Cebu, Negros, Panay and Masbate, althoughSulu and Tawi-Tawi would still occupy a separate island.

The geologic and geographic location of the Philippines to the continent of Asiahas made it a part of the so called “ring of fire” that rims the Pacific which meansthat the archipelago could be geologically unstable and could be affected withearthquakes and erupting volcanoes.

The Early People of the Archipelago

The racial ancestry that connected the Filipinos to that of the people of theneighboring countries like Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnamsuggests a very close relationship of racial origin and the postulation that the earlyPhilippines was peopled through the so called “waves of migration.” However, thistheory of H. Otley Beyer was discarded when archeologists found the remains ofthe Tabon Man in Palawan dated 22,000 years; this discovery had prompted theearly beliefs that the Philippines was peopled through the “waves of migration.”Thus, the early theories explaining the origin of the early inhabitants in thePhilippines were completely discarded. Robert B. Box and his associatesunearthed the remains of the Tabon Man at the Tabon Cave in Palawan, his teamfurther asserted based on the archeological findings that the cave had been thehome of man in the last 50, 000 years.

The belief that the archipelago was inhabited by the found remains of the TabonMan and the discovery of other fossils in other parts of the region further suggeststhat the same group of people had inhabited the area. According to Jocano, fossilevidence suggests that the people of Southeast Asia be they Indonesians, Malaysor Filipinos are the products of long processes of human evolution and latermovements of people.

Physical anthropologists who have examined the Tabon skull cap agree that itbelonged to modern man that is Homo sapiens, as distinguished for those mid-Pleistocene species called Homo erectus. Two experts have further given theopinion that the mandible is “Australian in physical type, and the skull capmeasurements are most nearly like those of Ainus and Tasmanians. What thismeans is that Tabon Man was pre-Mongoloid, Mongoloid being the term


anthropologists apply to the racial stock which entered Southeast Asia during theHolocene period (post-Pleistocene) and absorbed earlier peoples to produce themodern Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, and Pacific peoples popularly andunscientifically called “the brown race.”

The anthropologist Dr. Fox says that, generally, the Filipinos (except Negrito andDumagat and a few other groups, such as the Batak of Palawan), share thecommon racial ancestry with many other peoples in South and Southeast Asia;their stock is generally derived from “Southern Mongoloid.” The Indonesians,Malays, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Burmese, and Laotians also belong to thisstock.

The Way of Life of People

The tools that archeologists were able to gather in Tabon cave suggest that thepeople who inhabited the area were food gatherers and hunter. The manufacturedflake tools made of quartz that can be found in the area were evidence that thosepeople relied on the availability of the materials within the area to be used forhunting and gathering food. However, as the climate started to change, peoplealso started to move from one place to another. The tools that they had used togather food also improved, and the dependency on the whims of nature had alsodiminished giving another way of life. They learned to settle in one place and growtheir own crops and raised animals that can be used for farming as well asconsumption.

Social Structure of the Early People

When the Spaniards arrived in the archipelago, the social and politicalorganizations are widely scattered in the island and almost generally have thesame common pattern.

However, people lacked the social and political unity as they were not subjectedunder one ruler. Every place was ruled by a completely different chief who is notsubjected to a higher authority.

Every place was scarcely populated, thus people maintained a close relationshipwith one another and the unit was based on kinship. The basic unit of settlementwas the barangay but within that unit, a social division was developed as people


were divided into four statuses: the maharlika (noble), Timawa (Freemen),dependents – those who are landless agricultural workers and alipin (slaves).

Political Organizations/Concepts

Barangay was considered the early political organization of the early people; thedatu or chief was considered the head of the barangay, and population in a unit isprimarily based on kinship. Every barangay is independent over the others and therules were basically formulated by the head of the barangay. The chief or Datu hada considerable influence, power and authority over his people. Every place in thearchipelago is completely independent from the others; the concept of nationalgovernment that was introduced by the Spaniards was entirely new to the natives.

Economic Concept

The early people had trade relations with China and Japan and had strong culturalties with India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Since money was not yet conceptualizedat the time, the people used the concept of barter as a way of trading with theireconomic partners. They exchanged goods and other products coming from China,Japan and other neighboring countries. Though the sophistication of trade wasintroduced by the Europeans, early people in the archipelago relied on trust andmutual respect in trading with other traders.

Religion

Early people practiced animism – the belief that all life is produced by a spiritualforce, syncretized with Buddhism and Hinduism. Our ancestors were earlybelievers of anitos to which the Spaniards believed as a form of ignorance,savagery dubbed the people as uncivilized. Though animism became the dominantreligion in the island, Islam was embraced by the people in Sulu archipelago andspread to Mindanao and also reached Luzon but people who a firm belief inanimism had refused to embrace Islam as their religion, thus Islam was confinedto Sulu and some parts of Mindanao. However, it was the Muslim immigrants whowere also responsible in bringing Islam to the archipelago such as the traders andproselytizers who were responsible for introducing the political concept ofterritorial states, thus when the Spaniards came, the archipelago was divided intodifferent territorial states under the command of a raja or sultan.


1.1.4 The Formation of Philippine Colonial Society: Spanish Era 1565-1898

The Spanish era in the Philippines marked the beginning of an entirely new wayof life for the people. In the social, political, economic and religious aspects, theearly people were introduced to different concepts which were not culturally linkedand completely incompatible to what had been practiced. Their history and culturewere altered or changed, and they were forced to conform to a culture that isforeign to them, a culture that does not suit their history and environment. Thusthe history and culture that had begun to flourish and the identity that had beendeveloped was competently forgotten. What was left was a tainted and corruptedidentity of a nation that had been dubbed uncivilized and savage.

The thriving trade in the east particularly in China and Japan and the growingappetite of the Europeans to the most celebrated product of Asia, the spices andsilk and the continued competition of powerful European countries to extend theirpolitical and economic interests in other parts of the world had resulted to thediscovery of other Southeast Asian countries with the inclusion of the Philippines.As Spain ventured into several explorations to look for additional source ofrevenue for the empire, the archipelago was seemed to be a perfect placeespecially its proximity to China and Japan to which Spain had an interest. Fromthe moment of discovery up to permanent settlement of Spain in the Philippines in1565, Spain lost no time in changing and imposing their culture and religion to theearly inhabitants, thus the natives immediately succumb to a trance or force thatwill permanently change their history, culture forever.

The simple quiet way of life and the right to plan the course of their future hadbeen completely controlled by people who do not even speak their language andcould not even embrace their way of life. This section of the module will discussthe events, the processes, the programs, and the institutions of colonialPhilippines that still have influence or shaped our social, political, economic andreligious aspects even today.


Objectives:


evaluate the colonial policies enforced by Spain in establishing its authority, illustrate the motives of Spain in colonizing the Philippines, chart the contributions of Spain to the Filipino society and culture, justify the nature of Filipino nationalism; and weigh the heroism of the Filipinos fighting for freedom

The complete settlement of Spanish empire to the Philippines was not done fromthe moment of discovery, but rather from the day that Spanish forces took controlof the natives and established themselves in the island. Propelled by “Gospel,Gold, and Glory,” and supported by much-improved technology-new types of ships,and superior high-powered arms- and the use of religion as a disguise, the earlysettlers were easily deceived and influenced by the mighty Spaniards. However,contact between Spain and the Philippines was not yet fully established, alltransactions and trade were done between Acapulco (now Mexico and Manila). NoSpanish ships sailed around Africa and there was no direct link between Spain andthe Philippine colony. All contact was via Mexico.

Reasons for Spanish Conquest

The Philippines served as an entry pot for a China trade The conversion of the local population to Roman Catholicism Expansion of Spain’s economic and political dominion in the east Pattern of accommodation Welcomed by the chieftains or Datus without resistance with the exception

of the few Submissive to the demands of the Spaniards Catholicism was embraced by majority of the natives


The guise of friendship and trade was the initial impression of the comingand settlement

How did Spain manage to tame the natives? Taming the natives

The Spaniards came to the Philippines to look for additional sources of spicesthat could help the growing demand of the European community. But the rivalrybetween Spain and Portugal helped developed the interest of Spain to maintainthe land as possible source of resources and to increase the territory possessedby the Spanish empire. The Philippines was a part of the so called “expansionistidea” of the colonizing power to assert their influence in Asia and to control thegrowing spice trade. However, to do this, Spain had to developed pacificationtechniques to subdue the natives and not to alert them.

Techniques Used by Spain

Help develop the country through modern tools and technology Opening of trade to the international market Enhance the competitive advantage of the archipelago because of its

strategic location Instruments of pacification The use of modern weapons against the natives The use of religion represented by the regular missions that helped mold

the natives in the Hispanic image Encomienda system Government officials Divide and rule


Friarocracy

Manner of exploitation The government officials The encomienda system Tribute Forced labor The Bandala Military conscription Institutions of colonial Philippines

Though there were statuses adopted by the early inhabitants, there was no clearindication that the natives had institutions that were responsible in developing andcatering to the needs of the entire population, and this is probably because of theentirely different set-up that worked well for them. However, the rule of Spain inthe Philippines completely changed the institutional structure of the way of life ofpeople as Spain introduced new institutions that will form part of the dailyactivities of people. However, the institutions that Spain claimed to be theirgreatest contribution to the civilization of the natives were also the source ofharassment, oppression and underdevelopment of the people.

Education

Completely controlled by the Friars Obsolete curriculum No academic freedom Most educational institutions were built for boys Education is focused on religion and morality Educational institutions were privately controlled The Church Church and state were inseparably linked Friars were very influential Responsible for the education of the natives Had tremendous influence to the affairs of the state Owners of vast lands Exacted a share from the produce of the natives


Political Institutions (National, Provincial, City, Municipal And Barrio)

Captaincy-general administered by the viceroyalty of Nueva Espana (Mexico) National government Governor-general (Commander-in-chief of the Army

and the Navy and president of the Supreme Court –National government Mayor (judge, inspector of Encomienda, chief of police and tribute collector) Cabeza De barangay Economic Institutions Encomienda System Galleon Trade

Accommodating the Invaders

The coming of the Spaniards was perceived by the natives as a friendly andhelpful act because of the use of religious ideas that had been the cornerstone ofSpain’s entry to Asia. Although the total penetration was delayed and did notmaterialize abruptly due to resistance and suspicion of the few chieftains like LapuLapu, the total entry was immediately embraced without skepticism. The nativeswere led to believe that the settlement was a first step to improving the lives of thepeople through the use of advanced technology from Spain.

The cross or religion was used as a “primary tool” to “physically subdue” and“conquer the mind” of the natives. This technique was effective in quashing andpreventing revolts in the name of religious adherence, until Filipinos who had beeneducated abroad realized that religion was being used as a veil and mask toprotect the interest of the Friars and Spain. The submissiveness and ignorance ofthe majority of the early settlers were enough to give the Spaniards total control ofthe Island politically and economically, however there were natives who weredisgusted the way Spain managed the land; these people were brave enough tochallenge the supremacy and authority of the colonizer. Filipinos had acceptedfirst the ideas and belief of Catholicism but later renounced or altered somequestionable beliefs that had rendered questionable through the very fashion ofthe Friars’ lifestyle and manner of treatment to the supposed “flock of God.” But


nevertheless, the acceptance was overwhelming to challenge the very foundationof Spain’s grip for authority.

Resisting the Rule

Although submission to Spanish authority was seen and marked by the longperiod of colonization, the representative government of Spain to the Philippineswas constantly disrupted and threatened by constant revolts or uprising bydisgusted but courageous natives.

Personal Motives

Religious Motives

The Influence of European Events on Philippine Society

European events were always considered instrumental in influencing the political,economic and intellectual awakening and development of colonial societies.Colonial people were empowered by the social upheavals and industrial revolutionin Europe, and it spread like a wildfire in the far corners of the world including thePhilippines. Though Spain tried to contain the development of her continent fromspreading to her colonies in an effort to maintain the power and loyalty of thepeople, it was a difficult task for an empire that also faced with challenges broughtby the same events. As Spain scrambled to keep colonies from seekingindependence, many of her own people like the liberals wanted Spain to grantfreedom and independence to the colonies and change the status quo of the stateby abolishing the monarchy. The faction that divided the intellectual society of Spainshook the very foundation of the empire, thus creating chaos and political divide.


Social Impact of European Events on the Philippines

The rise of Filipino upper class, the pricipalia The exodus of Filipino intellectuals to study in Europe The rise of the illustrados The arrival of Spanish liberals who despised Spanish rule in the Philippines The awakening of some Filipinos to the reality of freedom The clamor for educational overhaul of obsolete curriculum Schools were opened to accommodate the growing number of students Political impact on Philippine society

Filipino Intellectuals Envisioned a Free Nation

The creation of political organizations and political newspapers Publication of political sentiments, satirical essays critical to the rule of

Spain and the social slump of the Filipino people The clamor for representation in the Spanish Cortes The vision of a free Philippines The shaping of Filipinos’ patriotism and nationalism throng essays and

articles published by the Filipino propagandists Exposing the plight of the Filipinos The opening of consular offices of other countries in Manila Economic impact on Philippine society

The Opening of Philippine Ports to Foreign Traders

The exportation of Filipino products to other parts of the world The collapse of galleon trade due to a new economic ideology i.e. capitalism The rise of Filipino middle class The opening of some important financial institutions like banks Communication and transportation impact on Philippine society


Mail Service between Manila and Cavite Started As Early As 1839

Newspaper began to be circulated and reached other parts of thearchipelago

Arrival of “educated Spaniards” whose point of view had been changed bythe events in Europe

The opening of Suez Canal made travel easier, faster and safer People go from one island to another New developments in Europe reached the Philippine shores Political essays written by the propagandists were read by the Filipinos Events that shaped the revolutionary ideas of the Filipinos

The Execution of the Three Priests

The political, intellectual and economic development in Europe The rise of the illustrados The comparison of European societies, the freedom enjoyed by people in

Europe against the situation of the Filipinos The founding of political organizations The creation of the propaganda movement The clamor for representation and equality The call for freedom and independence The publication of Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo The trial and execution of Dr. Jose Rizal

The Philippine Revolution was the greatest awakening of the Filipino people tothe greatest malady that had plagued the country for three centuries of oppressionand injustice. Though it was not prolific in execution as compared to the Frenchand American Revolution, it gave the Filipinos a sense of identity that had erodedthem for centuries. It catapulted the Filipino nation into the community of nationsand brought the Filipino race into the attention of other sovereign powers like theUnited States. Though the revolution gave us freedom from Spain, theindependence that the Filipinos were looking for did not materialize as the UnitedStates grab the Philippines for its expansionist idea.


Achievements of the Revolution

The end of Spanish rule in the Philippines The founding of the revolutionary republic The creation of the first Philippine Constitution The re-structuring of Philippine political, social and economic aspects with

the help of the Americans

the uses and sources of history

Documents