Macapagal, Elsie P.

BSN3-11

1. Looking at the overall picture of the Spanish colonization in the

Philippines, would you say weather or not it had adverse effects on the
Filipinos?

• I can say that the Spanish colonization does not have adverse effects
on the Filipinos. Although there are some changes in the way we live
because the Spaniards have been successful in colonizing the
Filipinos before, this Spanish colonization has also brought us
something that we are benefiting now such as the introduction of
Roman Catholicism to us. Also these had guided our ancestors to
become strong, independent and to value freedom. Although in some
extent they have been remodel the Filipino society and culture it had
benefited us today. Accept it or not we have changed and improve
after the Spanish colonization. There are some practices before that is
not being practice now and if you will look beyond it, it is for the
betterment of the Philippines and the Filipino as well.

2. Explain how the following serve as effective instruments of subjugation

and control in the Philippines

• Roman Catholicism had become an instrument in controlling

filipino people because the ceremonial splendour of the roman
catholic church aroused the admiration of the Filipinos. More
representatives of various religious orders such as the
Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Jesuits came to the
Philippines after Legazpi’ expedition. This had led the Filipinos to
practice the same religion as with the Spaniards, The roman
catholic. And because they practice the same religion they were
able to control and subjugate the Filipinos.
Macapagal, Elsie P.
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• Reduccion Plaza Complex which refers to the resettlement of

inhabitants in Spanish style poblaciones. This has serve as
effective subjugation against the Filipino people because in
Reduccion Plaza Complex, the Spanish had always stressed
“purity” of blood in indicating societal rank. At the top of the social
pyramid were the espanoles peninsulares (born in the Spanish
peninsula) and the espanoles insulares or Filipinos (born in the
colony) and also constituting the majority of the population were the
indios or indios naturals, pertaining to the natives of the Philippines
without Spanish or Chinese ancestry and the Spanish colonizers
believed that the indios could not comprehend more than the basic
knowledge.

3. Identify and explain the weaknesses of the Philippine revolution

• One of the weaknesses of the Philippine revolution is that the

Filipino people lack strategy and cooperation. One good example
is the revolution in 1896 where in the existence of the katipunan
reached the Spanish authorities because Manuel Sityar, the
Spanish lieutenant of the civil guards stationed at pasig, had
reported the questionable activities of the Filipinos. If only they
have a good strategy in doing or planning their meetings and
gatherings they may not have been discovered by the Spaniards.
Also, on august of 1896 father agustin Fernandez, Augustinian
curate of san pedro, makati, wrote to Don Miguel Luengo, the civil
governor of Manila, about the evening gatherings in his parish,
apparently be men plotting against Spaniards. This is an example
of the stupidity of the Filipino revolutionaries if they didn’t do their
gatherings at night they will not be suspected.
Macapagal, Elsie P.
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4. Site the reasons why US was interested in the Philippines

• One of the reasons why US are interested in the Philippine is

because of its geographical location. As what we have discussed
in chapter 3, the Philippines is found in the western pacific ocean,
Taiwan bounds the country on the north, on the west by south
china sea and Vietnam, on the east by pacific ocean, on the south
by the Celebes sea and Indonesia and on the southwest by
Malaysia and Singapore. Because of its central location in the Far
East, the Philippines had been dubbed as the “Crossroads of the
pacific”. Also the Philippines has the longest irregular coastline in
the world. This is longer than the coastline of great Britain and
twice the coastline of the united states. Furthermore, the country
has 61 natural harbors. Another reason is because of the natural
resources that the Philippines possessed.

5. Who would be a better revolutionary leader? Andres Bonifacio or

Emilio Aguinaldo

• In my own perception, I can say that Emilio Aguinaldo had been a

better revolutionary leader because during the rivalry in katipunan
he had beaten a sergeant of the Guardia Civil in a single combat.
He even became more renowned after his successful uprising in
Kawit. Also because of his contribution in Philippine revolution
such as in the battle of Imus and in the early part of November
1896, he liberated the town of Talisay, Batangas, from the Spanish
soldiers. Furthermore, during the Biak na Bato Republic, Aguinaldo
and his officers went into exile but did not end the fight to win
Macapagal, Elsie P.
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independence from spain. On a letter written in Hong Kong dated
February 19, 1898, Mariano Ponce stated that General Aguinaldo
had signed the pact of Biak na bato because under its terms, the
philippino revolutionists could rest and regain their lost strength and
then return to combat with renewed vigor
6. Were the Spaniards successful in promoting Hispanic culture among
the early Filipinos?

• Yes. Because we adopted some of their culture and still being

noticed today. One of which is Christianity, the different surnames
which are somewhat related to Spanish surnames, churches,
fiestas, and some of their music and foods.