Midterm Assignment 1
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Emmanuelle John J. Cañete
Answer each question. Include your references.
1.
How did Spain establish a centralized government in the Philippines?
- First order of things is the Philippines being discovered by Ferdinand Magellan, upon this he made
landfall in Cebu, and shortly, he was killed. Three disastrous expeditions later, King Philip II sent out
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and he successfully established the first Spanish settlement in Cebu. 6 years or
more prior to this, Manila was founded. By the end of the 16 th century, the Spanish administration has
control over some areas of Luzon up to the northern part of Mindanao. Spanish rule for the first 100 years
was exercised in most areas through a type of tax farming imported from the Americas and known as the
encomienda. But the abusive treatment of the local tribute payers and neglect of religious instruction by
encomenderos (collectors of the tribute), as well as frequent withholding of revenues from the crown,
caused the Spanish to abandon the system by the end of the 17th century.
2. Was the encomienda system good or bad for the Filipinos? Justify your answer.
- The encomienda system is a very bad and brutal treatment of the Filipinos. People were considered as slaves to
work. Filipinos have to pay their taxes on time and if not, their property is seized.
3. What could be considered Spain's greatest contribution politically, economically, and culturally to the
Philippines? Why?
- Politically, it would be the successful unification of people to be under its control. Economically it would be the
shipping trade and trading. And last is culture. That would be the religion Christianity.
4. Why should the administration of church affairs be separate and distinct from that of state affairs?
It Is to avoid misunderstandings, and collisions in beliefs and to avoid being biased.
5. Did the Filipinos participate in the government during the Spanish time? Explain.
- Filipinos aren’t allowed a position in the government because the Spaniards thought that the Filipinos are not up
for the job and are only subjects to be ruled.