I Love History
Philippines under the Spanish Colonial Period
Philippines civilisation hasn’t been in the lime light until the European expedition led by the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Samar in 1521, the mark of the first sign of [b]Catholicism[/b] arriving in the country. Later came other expeditionist and the most successful to be said was led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi on his return trip to Mexico, to which could be where our monetary unit [b]PESO[/b]came from. The 300+ years of hate-love-hate-love and finally hate relationship between the Spanish government played a major part in the Philippines history. A clash between the Spanish and the American, led the occupation to its end in 1898.
[b]FOOD and NAMES[/b]
More than three centuries under the Spanish influence has relatively left a mark to our society down to this present generation. We have Spanish names/family names (Augusto Juan Diaz, Castillo my maiden name) There are foods that has gained reputation, fancied by visitors from all over the world, wich has their own history right. The Spanish brought with them their cuisines and adopted to Filipino diets. Just to mention a few of the very famous are Adobo, Sisig, Arroz Caldo, LecheFlan, Caldereta.
[b]ARCHITECTURES[/b]
Architectures, roads, plumbings and other structures can be known, which includes sanitation systems. While exploring the cities of Manila, Cebu or Visaya, or maybe even Vigan, among the many places. . . street names, buildings and alleys that are either preserved or reconstructed, resonating with the Spanish era.
I remember a picture taken during the early or mid 70’s which seem to be a barren street in my own hometown showing a Calesa (carriage) which I presumed was still used even during the later times. Which to the present is one of the attractions even to locals, in some part of the tourists spots.
[b]EDUCATION WORDS[/b]
During the 300 plus years of Spanish occupation our language changed. Filipino people were literate before the Spaniards ever arrived, but there are subjects added to their academia, like business and Spanish language. Education flourished. Catholic schools established. Schools exclusive for girls and boys, which I doubt if a low income household can afford to go.
Our words or terminologies, expanded. We were introduced to use their Alphabets. The double LL, the use of the conjunction y, we once had the letter Q, we had the letter F and J added to our alphabet also.
The “del” before a surname was once visible to some families showing which family tree the person belongs to, mostly either rich or with prominent names are seen with “del.”
Slavery can also be told during the Spanish reign, as Filipino patriots fought for their freedom. But discrimination between the rich and the poor still remains.
Going back to education. . .today, through the years Alphabets becoming less and less prominent but words remained to this very days, adapting to our dialects. Just to mention some of the words are Calle which is now kalye, problema is problem, sugar is asukal. The word Como esta, which means “how are you” is Kumusta in our own language. Familya which became pamilya, trabajo which is now trabaho and the rest goes on. Months of the year Enero Pebrero etc, is still used as the norm and so goes with Numbers uno dos tres are still used to some regions. Spanish language as a subject in college/universities was once enjoyed but was taken down to obsolete after the Marcos regime, 1986 or later.
Much is to be said and was told about Philippines history during the Spanish regime. But so many sad stories related to it. There are historical places that should have been preserved, and can be enjoyed by this generation. But because of the long struggles among the folks, the heart breaks, the gruesome sentiments, people become reluctant to keeping horrible memories. So there’s nothing much left, in relation to the long long years of relationship. But thanks to some diligent and enthusiastic government and private sectors, going all through the troubles of researching, remodelling and preserving what has been just a streak of what was left of the history. And preventing this part of our past turn into abysmal ignorance. Philippines is the only country in Asia that has deep link with this part of Europe. But sad to say we can’t say much with our present relations after the collapse of Spanish rule. (except for a few who flew and migrated to some prominent places)
Spanish occupation, could be the most colourful part of Philippine history.
If you can add details please do so.
Philippines civilisation hasn’t been in the lime light until the European expedition led by the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Samar in 1521, the mark of the first sign of [b]Catholicism[/b] arriving in the country. Later came other expeditionist and the most successful to be said was led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi on his return trip to Mexico, to which could be where our monetary unit [b]PESO[/b]came from. The 300+ years of hate-love-hate-love and finally hate relationship between the Spanish government played a major part in the Philippines history. A clash between the Spanish and the American, led the occupation to its end in 1898.
[b]FOOD and NAMES[/b]
More than three centuries under the Spanish influence has relatively left a mark to our society down to this present generation. We have Spanish names/family names (Augusto Juan Diaz, Castillo my maiden name) There are foods that has gained reputation, fancied by visitors from all over the world, wich has their own history right. The Spanish brought with them their cuisines and adopted to Filipino diets. Just to mention a few of the very famous are Adobo, Sisig, Arroz Caldo, LecheFlan, Caldereta.
[b]ARCHITECTURES[/b]
Architectures, roads, plumbings and other structures can be known, which includes sanitation systems. While exploring the cities of Manila, Cebu or Visaya, or maybe even Vigan, among the many places. . . street names, buildings and alleys that are either preserved or reconstructed, resonating with the Spanish era.
I remember a picture taken during the early or mid 70’s which seem to be a barren street in my own hometown showing a Calesa (carriage) which I presumed was still used even during the later times. Which to the present is one of the attractions even to locals, in some part of the tourists spots.
[b]EDUCATION WORDS[/b]
During the 300 plus years of Spanish occupation our language changed. Filipino people were literate before the Spaniards ever arrived, but there are subjects added to their academia, like business and Spanish language. Education flourished. Catholic schools established. Schools exclusive for girls and boys, which I doubt if a low income household can afford to go.
Our words or terminologies, expanded. We were introduced to use their Alphabets. The double LL, the use of the conjunction y, we once had the letter Q, we had the letter F and J added to our alphabet also.
The “del” before a surname was once visible to some families showing which family tree the person belongs to, mostly either rich or with prominent names are seen with “del.”
Slavery can also be told during the Spanish reign, as Filipino patriots fought for their freedom. But discrimination between the rich and the poor still remains.
Going back to education. . .today, through the years Alphabets becoming less and less prominent but words remained to this very days, adapting to our dialects. Just to mention some of the words are Calle which is now kalye, problema is problem, sugar is asukal. The word Como esta, which means “how are you” is Kumusta in our own language. Familya which became pamilya, trabajo which is now trabaho and the rest goes on. Months of the year Enero Pebrero etc, is still used as the norm and so goes with Numbers uno dos tres are still used to some regions. Spanish language as a subject in college/universities was once enjoyed but was taken down to obsolete after the Marcos regime, 1986 or later.
Much is to be said and was told about Philippines history during the Spanish regime. But so many sad stories related to it. There are historical places that should have been preserved, and can be enjoyed by this generation. But because of the long struggles among the folks, the heart breaks, the gruesome sentiments, people become reluctant to keeping horrible memories. So there’s nothing much left, in relation to the long long years of relationship. But thanks to some diligent and enthusiastic government and private sectors, going all through the troubles of researching, remodelling and preserving what has been just a streak of what was left of the history. And preventing this part of our past turn into abysmal ignorance. Philippines is the only country in Asia that has deep link with this part of Europe. But sad to say we can’t say much with our present relations after the collapse of Spanish rule. (except for a few who flew and migrated to some prominent places)
Spanish occupation, could be the most colourful part of Philippine history.
If you can add details please do so.
