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3. Dominicans
April 27, 1565 Legaspi conquered Cebu after a successful battle against Rajah
Tupas. He founded the first Spanish settlement in the city and named it The
City of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The natives of Cebu were converted into
Christianity.
1569 Legaspi moved to Panay due to shortage of food in Cebu. In the same
year, he conquered Masbate, Ticao, Burias and Bicol province
1570 Legaspi sent his grandson Juan de Salcedo to conquer Mindoro. In the
same year Martin de Goiti led and expedition to Manila and engaged Rajah
Sulayman into a battle. Sulaymans kingdom was engulfed in flames
1571- The second conquest of Manila by Legaspi. He was welcomed by Rajah
Lakandula of Tondo. But, of Bambalito, a chieftain of Pampanga, defied the
forces of Goiti in the Battle of Bankusay (the first battle of Manila Bay
On June 24, 1571Legaspi founded the city of Manila and named it the
Distinguished and Ever Loyal City. He became the first governor and
Adelantado of the Phil. He died of a heart attack in Manila on August 20, 1572.
Spanish Colonial Policy: The divide and rule policy
The Philippines was a crown colony, she belonged to the Spanish crown. From
1565 to 1821, the Philippines was ruled by Spain through Mexico, but after the
independence of Mexico in 1821, the Philippines was directly ruled by Spain.
The Council of the Indies the body which handled all matters pertaining to
Spanish colonies and was under the supervision of the Ministry de Ultramar.
Leyes de Indies set of laws used to govern the Philippines.
A. Political Changes Under Spain
Governor General the chief executive, also known as the Captain General
Powers of the governor general:
1. He is the vice-royal patron- the kings representative in the colony
2. He executes laws from Spain
3. he administers the country
4. He serves the presiding judge of the Royal Audiencia
5. He is the commander in chief of the army
6. He appoints ambassadors and envoy to other countries
7. He has control over churches and clergy
8. He has special power Cumplase the power to suspend the
implementation of the laws from Spain.
Checks to the powers of the Governor General:
1. The Residencia a special court which audits the performance of the outgoing governor general.
2. The Visitador the spy of the Spanish king in the colony
3. The archbishop and the clergy who complaint directly to the king.
Spanish Cortes the legislative body during colonial rule
Royal Audiencia the Supreme Court during Spanish times. In the absence of
the governor general the Royal Audiencia managed the Philippines. it can enact
laws for the colony known as Autos Acordados. These laws were valid as the
laws enacted by Spanish Cortes.
Under this were the two Territorial Audiencias (Vigan and Cebu) where cases
can be appealed. There were special courts such as the military and naval court.
Colonial Policies Implemented:
1. The Encomienda system A piece of territory together with its
inhabitants entrusted to a loyal Spanish colonizer for administration as a
reward for his service. The administrator is called Encomendero.
(2)
Beaterio exclusive colegios for the upper class. Examples are RVM, Sta
Catalina de Sena, Sta Rita, Sta Rosa, Concordia College (1868) and Assumption
College (1892).
(4)
Cultural Changes:
1. Introduction of Latin alphabet
2. First book Doctrina Christiana
3. Famous writers were Fernando Bagongbanta, Thomas Pinpin, Pedro Suarez,
Jose De la Cruz, Gaspar Aquino De Belen
4. The teaching of the Spanish language was opposed by the friars because
once educated the Indio will become a filibustero and having a lingua franca
would mean national unity.
5. Theocentric literature Awit at Korido
6. Theater Comedia and moro-moro (an anti-Muslim drama), passion,
cenaculo, zarzuela at Tibag.
7. Colonial art religious images, bamboo arc dcor, rosaries, parol, palaspas
8. Painting Damian Domingo, Juan Luna, Esteban Villanueva, Faustino
Quilantang, Hilario Soriano etc.
9. Print making and engraving Nicolas Bagay and Thomas Pinpin
10. Sculptor Mariano Madrinan
11. Music and dances new instruments such as harp, organ, guitar and piano
were introduced. Famous composers were Marcelo Adonay, Julian Felipe, and
Julio Nakpil. New dances like Fandango, Rigodon, Jota,etc.
Economic Changes:
1. Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country founded by Jose
Basco Y Vargas with the following aims:
a) to make the colony truly self-sufficient from the annual Mexican
subsidy
b) to plan income generating monopolies
c) to exploit the inland natural resources.
2. Royal Company of the Philippines
Aim-to unite Asia and American commerce (trade monopoly)
3. Infrastructure Development
a) Manila - Dagupan railway
b) street car service horse drawn
4. Telephone in 1890
5. Construction of Public Lighting system and farolas
Local government:
1. alcadias (provinces) - headed by alcalde mayor
2. pueblos (towns) headed by a gobernadorcillo
3. corregimientos (unpacified areas) - under a corregidor, an army officer
4. ayuntamiento (city government) run by a council called Cabildo. This is
composed of the alcalde (mayor), regidores (councillors), alguacil mayor
(chief constable) and escribano (chief constable).
5. other town officials were the chief lieutenant and municipal secretary
The gobernadorcillo was called Capitan and his wife, Capitana. He was elected
annually by all married males of the town.
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