Evangelization
Ferdinand Magellan 1521
Miguel Lopez de Legaspi 1565
Problems
Scattered community
High terrains
Filipinos didnt want to leave their farmlands
Islam and Paganism were already present
Language barrier
Imposition of Christianity
According to Merlinda Bobis (a Filipino-Australian
contemporary writer), the Spaniards methods of
eradication of the polytheistic and pagan beliefs of
Filipinos occurred through language and action.
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
1. Mass Baptism
-Initial conversion of native Filipinos to Christianity
-Many Filipinos associated baptism with their own
indigenous healing rituals
-The Spaniards befriended with the leaders of every
chieftain
*Raja Humabon and Magellan
-Water baptism important to Filipinos
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
2. Reduccion Policies
-Resettlement Policy (designed for a convenient
administration of the colonies)
-Force relocation of small, scattered settlements into
larger one
ItwasalsodesignedtoenableSpaintocollecttaxesfrom
their Christianizedconverts.
-Throughout
Spanishrule,ChristianizedFilipinoswereforcedto
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
2. Reduccion Policies
-Center Church (calendar set the pace and rhythm of
everyday routines)
-Preserved the natives political structure
(intermediaries between Church and Filipino people
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
Christianization Strategies
according to Professor Susan Russell
Iglesia Ni Kristo
Felix Manalo in 1914
Theydividedthearchipelagointodistinct
territories,learnedthevernacularsappropriatetoeachreg
ion,andputdownrootsinthe
ruralPhilippineswheretheyquicklybecamefountsofwisd
omforuneducatedand
unsophisticatedlocalinhabitants.Becausemostsecularc
olonialofficialshadnointention
oflivingsofarfromhomeanylongerthanittooktoturna
handsomeprofit,friarstookon
therolesofthecrown'srepresentativesandinterpretersof
governmentpoliciesinthe countryside.
Hispanicruleleftalegacyofsyncretic,ratherthantotally
destructive,elements
Thecloserelationshipbetweenchurchandstateprovedtobealiabilit
ywhenthe
Philippineswassweptbynationalisticrevoltinthelatenineteenthcen
turyandFilipino
priestsseizedchurchesandproclaimedtheIndependentPhilippineCh
urch(IglesiaFilipina
Independiente).AftertheAmericanoccupation,Protestantmissionarie
scameand
establishedchurchesandhelpedtospreadAmericanculture.