Liberty: A Forgotten Life of the Filipino
Cris John Dave G. Ecayan
Abstarct
Prior to Spanish colonization, Filipinos lived autonomously in their respective
democratic barangays or communities.1 They exercised their freedom to think,
speak, and act in accordance with their traditions and communal norms.
However, with the arrival of the Spaniards, this liberty was stripped away.
Filipinos were subject to a form of slavery—reduced to mere tools of colonial
rule, puppets manipulated to serve foreign interests. Although independence
was eventually won, the echoes of this subjection remain. Filipinos, while no
longer under Spanish rule, continue to deal with internal forms of slavery—
bound by systemic inequities, societal expectations, and personal limitations.
This paper seeks to explore this paradoxical relationship with liberty.
To begin, I will examine the life of pre-colonial Filipinos, highlighting their selfgovernance, cultural richness, and freedom. Next, I will analyze the colonial
strategies employed by the Spaniards, which redefined the Filipino identity
and reshaped societal structures. Following this, I will discuss how Filipinos
adapted to and internalized these colonial influences, often to their own
expense. Finally, I will argue that while the chains of colonialism have been
broken, Filipinos remain entangled in new forms of bondage, underscoring the
enduring struggle for true liberty.
1 Rolando M. Gripaldo. Filipino Philosophy: A Western Tradition in an Eastern Setting in The Philosophical
Landscape. Third Edition. Manila: Philippine National Philosophical Research Society, 2007. 10.
Pre-Colonial Autonomy and Freedom
Before the Spaniards arrived, the Philippines was a mosaic of barangays,
each functioning as an independent political entity. Leadership was often
based on merit, wisdom, or community consensus. Trade flourished with
neighboring countries, showcasing a society that was self-sufficient and
culturally sophisticated. Filipinos enjoyed a form of liberty rooted in communal
responsibility and mutual respect. Their traditions, belief systems, and way of
life were reflections of their identity, untainted by foreign domination.
The Spanish Conquest: A Redefinition of Freedom
The Spanish colonization marked the systematic erosion of this autonomy.
Through force, religion, and economic exploitation, the Spaniards introduced
a hierarchical system that prioritized subservience over self-determination.
The encomienda system reduced Filipinos to laborers for Spanish
encomenderos. Christianity was used as both a spiritual and political tool to
pacify resistance and instill a sense of obedience. Education, though
introduced, was designed to produce compliant subjects rather than
independent thinkers.
Internalizing the Chains of Colonialism
Over time, Filipinos adapted to their circumstances, but at great cost. The
colonial experience reshaped their worldview, often leading to the
internalization of subservience. This mindset persisted even after
independence. Modern forms of governance, while ostensibly democratic,
often replicate colonial structures of power and control. Social hierarchies,
economic inequalities, and cultural prejudices continue to echo the colonial
past.
The Paradox of Freedom
Today, the Philippines is free in name but still struggles with the vestiges of its
colonial history. The external chains may have been broken, but internal ones
remain. Corruption, poverty, and a lack of critical engagement with history
perpetuate cycles of dependency and disenfranchisement. Many Filipinos feel
powerless in the face of systemic issues, a condition that mirrors the
subjugation of the colonial era. True liberty remains an elusive ideal—a
forgotten life that Filipinos once knew but now must reclaim.
Conclusion
The life of Filipinos before Spanish colonization was characterized by a
profound sense of autonomy and freedom. The arrival of the Spaniards
disrupted this, introducing a legacy of slavery and subjugation that continues
to shape Filipino society today. Although independence has been achieved,
the struggle for genuine liberty persists. It is a challenge that requires
confronting both historical and contemporary forms of bondage, rekindling the
spirit of self-determination that once defined the Filipino identity. Only by
addressing these issues can the forgotten life of liberty be truly remembered
and restored.