Output 2

Philippine Culture: Middle Spanish Period

I. INTRODUCTION

“Spanish colonial motives were not, however, strictly commercial. The Spanish at first viewed the
Philippines as a stepping-stone to the riches of the East Indies (Spice Islands), but, even after the Portuguese and
Dutch had foreclosed that possibility, the Spanish still maintained their presence in the archipelago.” 1 The discovery
of the Spaniards of the Philippines was mere unintentional. When the Spanish were sailing to find the Spice Islands,
they come across the Philippines wherein they decided to settle.

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, there was a communication problem. As a result, the
Spaniards had a unique and artistic way of propagating the Catholic faith – through art of beautiful images. They
also taught the Filipinos arts like carving, painting, graphics, etc. “Filipino artisans were taught the Chinese
brushwork technique in painting. Engraving was also introduced.” 2 As a result, the concept of patronage emerged.
Many Filipinos were known because of the skills they have showcased through the arts shared by the Spaniards.
“Since most art produced during the first two centuries of Spanish occupation were for the church, the friars
enforced strict supervision over their production. Until the 19 th century, art was only for the church and religious
use.”3 Maybe this enforcement is the reason behind the firm religiosity of the Filipinos before and now.

Aside from the influence of the Spaniards in religion and art, they also introduced the Filipinos to a
government system wherein the country continues to practice until this day. The Spaniards brought the National and
Local Government wherein it deals with security, economics, education, etc. Many of the culture and tradition of the
Filipinos were greatly influenced by the Spaniards – this is why even in language, they were able to adopt.

Learning the history of the land of your own rebuilds the sense of patriotism and pride.

II. COMMENTARY EVALUATION

IMPORTANT EVENTS

One of the important events that happened during this period was when Lapu-Lapu, “a ruler of Mactan and
is known as the first native of the archipelago to have resisted the Spanish colonization,” 4 led the battle against
Portugese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who, along with several of his men, was killed during the battle.

Conversion of natives to Christianity also happened during the Spanish period. Most of the activities that
were influenced by the Spaniards were religion-related. Up to this day, those activities were still being practiced by
the Filipinos.

“With the opening of the Suez canal in 1869 and the development of the agricultural export economy,
native indios acquired economic wealth and became what was to be called the ‘illustrados,’ meaning enlightened
and educated.”5 These developments abled the Filipino illustrados to send their children to universities in Europe.
Filipino parents until now used to send their children to other town, city or country to study.

PRACTICES AND TRADITIONS

The Spaniards play a huge part on the practices and traditions that the Filipinos have. From the cuisines
they have taught up to the surnames they mandated during the colonization were still being used by the Filipinos and
it brought so much impact to the Philippines.

“When it comes to culture, the Philippines is an outstanding one. Its cultures and traditions are widely
practiced and even patronized by non-Filipinos.”6 However, these culture and tradition were not purely from the
Filipinos; some of them were from different countries who colonized the Philippines like America, China, and
Spain. The country who significantly contributed to the culture and tradition of the Filipinos was the Spain. The
Spanish colonization brought numerous influences and contributions.
 Filipinos’ Surnames – before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, Filipinos did not have surnames.
However, due to a number of similar names, there was a confusion on the identity of who is who. As a result, the
Spaniards “prepared a long list of surnames for the Filipinos to choose from.” 7 The surnames that were given by the
Spaniards for over 400 years ago were still being used by the Filipinos until this day.

Filipino Language – the language of the Spaniards are evidently present in the Filipinos until today. Some
terms or dialects that were influenced by the Spaniards are “Ilocano, Bicolano, Sugbuhanon, Hiligaynon, Visaya,
and many more.”8 Because of the years that the colonization of the Spaniards took place in the country, Filipinos
during that time learned the Spanish language.

Catholicism – the Spaniards brought with them the Catholic religion to the Philippines. “They introduced
Catholicism to the Filipinos which led to some uprising of the natives who did not want the new belief system.” 9
Luckily, the Spaniards were able to convinced majority of the Filipinos to the religion they introduced.

Fiesta Culture – Filipinos are fond of celebrating the feast of the Patron Saints. Fiesta was one of the
religious events of the Catholic Church. “All Filipinos must attend to it or else, they would be labelled as rebels or
traitor.”10 This is in connection to the fondness of the Filipinos to music and food during celebrations.

ISSUES AND CONFLICTS PERTAINING TO TRADITIONS/CULTURE

Due to the persistence of the Spaniards of their own culture and traditions, Filipinos lost a sense
of uniqueness; Filipinos had no choice but to live with the culture and traditions that the Spaniards insist
even though they oppose to it.

III. CONCLUSION

“The overall impact of the cultural changes brought by the Spaniards in the Philippines could be
both beneficial and destructive. On the positive side, the Filipino people have merged into one nation as
the three islands, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao became one in name – the Philippines.” 11 With the help of
the Spanish culture, it helped the Filipinos to develop more.

Incontestably, the Spanish colonization brought so much pain, worries, and battle to the Filipinos;
lives were sacrificed just to attain the freedom and independence against the Spaniards who took over the
Philippines for more than 300 years. What happened has been part of our history and it cannot be erased
nor taken away from us. Nevertheless, the colonization, on the positive side, brought drastic changes to
the culture, tradition as well as beliefs of the Filipinos. Indeed, undeniably and irreversibly, these culture
and tradition will be part of the system and the lives of the Filipinos, for a lifetime.

REFERENCES

1. Britannica. “The Spanish Period”. URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines/The-Spanish-period

2. National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Eloisa May Hernandez. “The Spanish Colonial Tradition in
Philippine Visual Arts” URL: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/the-spanish-colonial-tradition-in-philippine-visual-arts/

3. National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Eloisa May Hernandez. “The Spanish Colonial Tradition in
Philippine Visual Arts” URL: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/the-spanish-colonial-tradition-in-philippine-visual-arts/
4. Slideshare. Chealse Basaca. October 2, 2013. “Philippine History: Spanish Era” URL:
https://www.slideshare.net/chelseabasaca/philippine-history-spanish-era

5. National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Eloisa May Hernandez. “The Spanish Colonial Tradition in
Philippine Visual Arts” URL: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/the-spanish-colonial-tradition-in-philippine-visual-arts/

6. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Spanish Influences in Philippine Culture” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author

7. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Spanish Influences in Philippine Culture” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author

8. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Spanish Influences in Philippine Culture” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author

9. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Spanish Influences in Philippine Culture” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author

10. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Spanish Influences in Philippine Culture” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author

11. Steemit. Juvy Jabian. 2016. “The Spanish Influences in Philippine Culture” URL:
https://steemit.com/philippines/@aizensou/the-influence-of-spanish-colonization-in-the-philippines-featuring-
juvyjabian-as-author