LESSON 3 Philippines was a captaincy- general administered by the Spanish King through the

viceroyalty of Nueva España (Mexico). All Spanish possessions were governed by the
Colonization of the Philippines and the Conflicting Views Real y Supremo Consejo de las Indias (Royal Supreme and Council of the Indies)
established in 1524 by Charles V. It was next to the King, the paramount lawmaker and
administrator over-seeing the colonies of the Spanish empire.

Two Powerful Countries in Europe The granting of encomienda made its first appearance during Columbus’ time. Land
discovered did not always prove bountiful as was expected and so, in order to make the
possession pay attractive, the system of parceling out lands to conquerors was instituted.
The colonization in the Philippines started when the two powerful countries – Portugal
The system attracted many adventures from the Mother Country who undertook
and Spain – had cold rivalry in conquering lands to expand their empire and to look
expeditions either for private interest or some governor who later recompense the service
spices as one of the most prized goods which is equivalent like gold.
with a grant of land. Later, grants of encomienda were made not only to individuals who
participated in the conquest of territory, but also to civilians who would settle in the
Discovery of the Philippine Archipelago newly conquered colony.

When Philippines became official colony of Spain, they introduced some policies to
It was Magellan’s expedition that paved way to the discovery of the Philippines during control the people in the archipelago such as Reduccion, Repartiamento and Instruccion.
1521. Ferdinand Magellan was born in Portugal in 1480. In 1517, he decided to move to
Spain to look for an opportunity to offer his service to the Spanish Court. Timely enough,
through the Treaty of Tordesillas, King Charles I (later became King Charles IV) of Reduccion. They built a pueblo or town and forcibly obliged everyone and families to
Spain was convinced about the proposed route plan of Magellan in looking for the Spice move in the town they created. Then Spanish authorities built their outpost encircling the
Island and gave his blessing for a voyage under the Crown of Spain. The King gave him a town for them to monitor all movements confined in the said area. The form of
fleet of five ships called Armada and a rank commander of the expedition under the order government that they introduced to the early Filipinos was called Encomienda. (The word
of Santiago. encomienda came from the word encomendar which means to entrust.)
Repartiamento. System of a forced labor to the natives of the colony. It was similar to a
Polo y servicio or a Tributo (Tribute). The natives were obliged to provide the basic
The Magellan’s Fleet: needs of Spaniards (the conquistadores). Instruccion. The early education of Filipinos
during Spanish period was through religion. It was primarily exclusive for elite Filipinos
to go to formal schools operated by friars from different congregations in the first year of
1. The flagship Trinidad –under Magellan’s command
their operation.

2. San Antonio –commanded by Juan de Cartagena There were six (6) Catholic Congregations who came here in the Philippines.
1. Augustinians
2. Franciscans
3. Concepcion –commanded by Gaspas de Quesada 3. Jesuits
4. Dominicans
5. The Recollects
4. Santiago – commanded by Joăo Serrăo 6. Benedictines

5. Victoria – named after the Church of Sta Maria de la Victoria de Triana, where
Magellan took an oath of allegiance to King Charles V; commanded by Luis Mendoza Colonial Structure of Government

Governor General. The highest ranking official in the Colony appointed by the King of
From among the five ships sent by King Charles I, only three left to continue the mission Spain,
of expedition, the Trinidad, Concepcion, and Victoria. It was the first time for the he also served as the Kings alter ego.
European to sail in Pacific Ocean. Magellan named it Mar Pacifico for its peace and calm Residencia. A special judicial court whose mandate was to investigate the performance of
unlike other oceans that they travelled where the water was extremely rough. On March the
16, 1521, they reached the island of Homonhon at the eastern part of the province of Governor General during the term and before he would replace in the position. The report
Samar. They landed there to gather food and also refresh the crew after their long voyage of
from the Pacific Ocean. the investigation would be directly submitted to the King of Spain.
The Visita. Headed by a visitador general from the Council of Indies in Spain, he would
conduct
Magellan had good relationship to the two kings named Rajah Kulambo and Rajah a surprise visit to any from among the colonies of Spain to personally observe the
Humabon. Aside from the spice island, other missions of Magellan expedition were to conditions
circumnavigate the worlds and to spread Christianity. When they entered the Archipelago in the colony under the leadership of Governor General.
in 1521, their priority was to Christianize all the early Filipinos they would meet. And The Royal Audiencia. The highest court of justice in the colony. It was an institution that
Rajah Humabon was the first native chieftain who embraced Christianity. help
the Governor General in governing the colony by securing the people from those abusive
Spanish Officials.
Many native leaders accepted Spain’s offer of friendship. However, there was one leader Alcadias (Provincial Government). It was headed by the Alcalde Mayor. The position
named Lapu-Lapu (Leader of Mactan) who did not accept the friendship of Magellan. was
This rejection angered Magellan and he devised a plan to subdue the native king. exclusive only for Spanish and Mestizos.
Corregimentos (Uncontrolled Provinces). Headed by designated Army Officers by the
Unfortunately, Magellan did not expect that the people from Mactan were already Governor General. The province they held was not yet totally under their governance,
anticipating the battle and was ready to fight. Caught off-guard and outnumbered, most of there were resistance from some Filipinos. Ayuntamiento (The City Government).
the Spaniards got injured and was forced to retreat. Magellan was killed in the battle. Headed by an Alcalde. It was a former town but when it became the center of trade and
commerce, it turned into a City. Municipal or Pueblo de Indios. The leader was called
Gobernadorcillo - highest political position that the Filipino can have during those times.
Magellan’s Contribution in the World History

The expedition initiated of Ferdinand Magellan was regarded as the greatest of all
expedition made by man. For the first time in history, man has circumnavigated the world
and has proven that the earth was round and not flat. The expedition also proved that the
largest ocean in the world was the Pacific Ocean. This new knowledge in geography
provoked Europeans to explore more territories and lands especially in the East. This
journey also paved way for the conquest of the Philippine archipelago and the conversion
of the Filipinos to Christianity.

LESSON 5

READING IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Spain’s Series of Expedition

Establishment of the Spanish Government in the Philippines

Legaspi’s expedition landed in Cebu island on February 13, 1565. After a diminutive
struggle with the natives, he proceeded to Leyte, then to Camiguin and to Bohol. There
Legaspi made a blood compact with the chieftain, Datu Sikatuna as a symbol of
friendship. On April 27, 1565, Legaspi returned to Cebu; destroyed the town of Rajah
Tupas and established a settlement.
Motives in the Conquest
The hierarchical political set-up of the Philippines during Spanish regime may be seen in
the political institutions established by the colonial power. From 1565 to 1821, the
There were three important motives that European countries like Spain drove to conquer
new
lands. – God, Gold, and Glory. The first motive had something to do with the
proliferation of
Christianity. The second motive was about the acquisition of natural resources and other
economic benefits from the colony. Third and last, they want to prove that they were
more
powerful compared to other countries in the West.