333 Years in the Convent
/This was also the year of Spain’s conquest of Mexico, almost three decades after Christopher Columbus had landed in what would be called the Americas. In the sixteenth century, the Philippines would be envisioned as a base for the Spanish conquest of Asia, just as it was beginning to do in Latin America. A recalcitrant Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, was commissioned by the King of Spain to explore a trans-Atlantic and Pacific route to Asia, to rival that of the Portuguese.
These unprecedented events in human history were to be followed in March 1521 by the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Samar and Leyte and his violent and fateful encounter with a native chieftain, Lapu-lapu, on the island of Mactan off Cebu.
An attempt by Magellan to intervene in a local conflict resulted in his death in combat at the hands of Lapulapu’s warriors, but it signaled the beginning of Spanish influence in what would be known as the Philippine Islands. This fatal trip would continue and end in the first circumnavigation of the world captained by Sebastian Elcano and the survivors of Magellan’s original crew, who landed back in Spain in 1522. The Chronicle written by the Italian Antonio de Pigafetta was the first written record of the history and culture of the Filipinos’ predecessors at the time of Magellan’s arrival. The Boxer Codex gives us today the first images of these inhabitants in the sixteenth century.
The Boxer Codex depicts a native couple adorned with gold ornaments
From the perspective of 500 years, what would we consider as the main effects of that first historic encounter between the Philippines and Spain, countries which lie at nearly opposite sides of the globe?
Spanish presence in the Philippines comprises 333 years of Spanish rule, from 1565 (the conquest of Cebu and Manila, with the latter’s designation as the principal seat of the Spanish domain in the archipelago) and 1898 (with the end of the Philippine Revolution and the cession by Spain of the Philippines to the United States). The conquest of the Philippines was led by the Commander Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Fray Andres de Urdaneta, who succeeded in subjugating Manila and laying the foundation of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.
When the Spanish arrived, there had been small potentates established throughout the islands, such as in Manila, Cebu, Butuan, Sulu, and Jolo. These had had connections with larger kingdoms and empires based in Java and Sumatra and trade with China and other Southeast Asian kingdoms. The Philippines had been rich in gold and many local products sought after in the Chinese mainland. But no local power had yet envisioned unifying the islands or establishing a super-power to reign over all the small barangays (or potentates).
Gold ornaments from Surigao illustrate pre-Hispanic artistry from the 13th century
The following may be deemed to be the principal effects of Spanish influence of 333 years:
• the definition of the geographical and political configuration of the Philippines corresponding with the area falling under Spanish rule for 333 years. The roughly triangular shape of the Philippines with around 7,107 islands and 300,000 square kilometers emerged from this period of Spanish rule. This has remained constant through the Philippine Revolution, American domination, Japanese invasion, the independence of the Philippines in 1946, to the present. This was named the Philippine Islands and subsequently, the Philippines, in honor of then-Prince of Asturias (and later King) Philip;
• the conversion of the majority of the archipelago’s inhabitants, to Christianity, with an important Muslim minority (principally in Mindanao) and animists remaining in remote areas. Christianity in the Philippines incorporated beliefs and practices from these earlier religions. The Roman Catholic Church still plays a major role in the Philippines, with Protestant and evangelical sects coming into play with the American entry and at present. This is not surprising since the friar orders, including the Dominicans, Franciscans, Recollects, Augustinians, Capuchins and the Jesuits, played a major role in the evangelization of the Philippines.
San Agustin Church in Intramuros is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• the transformation of Manila into the central Asian node of the Galleon Trade between Mexico and the Philippines (which was the entrepot for products from Asia for export to Latin America and Europe) for 250 years. The Philippines was thus a pioneer in globalization and became a significant regional economic point in this period. Spain established the oldest Asian university, Santo Tomas, in the Philippines in 1611 and introduced the first Asian public school system beginning 1863. Among these was the Jesuit Ateneo Municipal, the Alma Mater of many Filipino heroes, which eventually became a university. Correspondingly, surrounding nations such as China noticed the importance of the Philippines, resulting in significant Chinese migration and intermarriages with Filipinos. Manila was one of the most cosmopolitan cities of Asia in this era.
The entrance to the Ateneo de Manila, circa 1933
• The awakening of nationalism and awareness of the Filipinos as a separate political entity, led by Dr. Jose P. Rizal and fellow members of the Propaganda Movement of intellectuals and activists in Spain and the Katipunan secret society in the Philippines. This movement was inspired by the Constitution of Cadiz and the liberal ferment that shook Spain in the nineteenth century. Philippine youths from the principalia, who were studying in Spain led this movement.
Dr. Jose Rizal, celebrated by singers in the 21st century
Images of Old Manila and the Revolution
The execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30, 1896, triggered the Philippine Revolution, which was led by local nationalists such as Andres Bonifacio as well as patriots from the elite and middle class, such as the Luna brothers, Gregorio del Pilar, and Martin Tinio. Philippine independence from Spain was declared in Kawit, Cavite by General (and later President) Emilio Aguinaldo. The Filipinos sought an alliance with the United States of America, not being aware of the latter’s plan to establish itself among the Western colonial powers.
The first Philippine Constitutional Republic led by President Aguinaldo was established in Malolos in January 1899 following the proclamation of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. The First Philippine Republic was fighting for its survival in a war against the occupying forces of the United States from 1898-1901.
• Though Spanish was the official language of the Philippines for more than three centuries, it did not survive the American occupation and the postwar years. It was replaced by English and the national language Filipino (based on Tagalog). Eight languages and 87 dialects are spoken in the Philippines currently. The various Philippine languages today incorporate many words of Spanish origin in their lexicon. A mixed Spanish-Filipino language called Chavacano has prevailed in Zamboanga City.
• Spanish influence is evident today in law, religion, education, language, family names, architecture, the arts, music, cuisine, and customs, which have been adopted and blended into the present-day Philippine culture. Flora and fauna from Latin America (primarily Mexico) were introduced to the Philippines via the Spanish trade route.
Hispanic Influence in Music and Costume
There is now a movement by the Philippine Government to preserve and maintain heritage sites while heritage groups and the young generation of Filipinos are seeking to revitalize aspects of Fil-Hispanic culture through its built heritage and Fil-Hispanic literature and language.
Intramuros destroyed during the War and reconstructed today
The Philippines and Spain have become closer in the modern era, with many reciprocal visits of their heads of State. The reconstruction of Fort Santiago and Intramuros as well as the survival of many monuments from the Spanish past, including several in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites, have ensured that the shared history of the Philippines and Spain would not be forgotten. It is a coincidence that a King Felipe reigns once more in Spain today. Moreover, 2021 represents the 75th year of emancipation of the Philippines from its last foreign ruler, the United States.
A career diplomat of 35 years, Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. served as Philippine Ambassador to South Africa (2003-2009) and Italy (2011-2014), his last posting before he retired. He is now engaged in writing, traveling and is dedicated to cultural heritage projects.
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