The Hispanization of the Philippines: Spanish Aims and Filipino Responses, 1565-1700

by John Leddy Phelan

After conquest of the Philippine archipelago in the late sixteenth century, Spanish colonizers launched a sweeping social program designed to bring about dramatic religious, political, and economic changes. But the limitations of Spanish colonial resources, together with the reactions of Filipinos themselves, combined to shape the outcome of that effort in unique and unexpected ways, argues John Leddy Phelan. With no wealth in the islands to attract conquistadores, conquest was accomplished largely by missionaries scattered among isolated native villages. Native chieftains served as intermediaries, thus enabling the Filipinos to react selectively to Spanish innovations. The result was a form of hispanization in which the resilient and adaptable Filipinos played a creative part.

Genres: History

218 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Beveridge Award award-winning author of The People and the King: The Comunero Revolution in Colombia, 1781

Reviews

[Doru]

One of the most entertaining books I've read the past trimester. Obviously written from an occidental perspective it nevertheless provides interesting (incomplete) accounts of what occurred during Spanish colonization.

Phelan, the author who wrote this is a Latin-American specialist so much of the point of comparison is between the Philippines and New Spain (Mexico). He documents the differences of "sanguinary" conquest and "peaceful" conquest of Spanish colonial power and how this difference allowed the archipelago to "survive" the shock of colonization.

One thing's certain after finishing this book, it'll give you profound respect to the native's resiliency amidst the bastardization of their culture and traditions. And how unfortunate it is that like every good postcolonial authoritarian developmental state, we take the laws left behind by our colonial masters and continue to perfect them. (ex. Killing the voice of the "Kalinangang Bayan")

[Veronica Sison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay parts: anything supplemented by the Spanish archives. Latin American focus. the Dutch war.
So-so parts: “why is PH not Mexico????”discussion.
Meh part: Anything on indigenous slash Filipino agency.

2.5!!

[Michael Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read that gave a rich and meticulous look at the Spanish Philippines. Despite this, Phelan does seem to gloss over a few things and probably goes a bit too easy on the Spanish encomenderos.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely written and done. A good overview and introduction to the topic.

[naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Osorio

[Quiquillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first 135 years of Spanish rule had already brought a vitally decisive role in molding the country's present identity, which resulted in hybridization of two cultures. The book may have focused only on the period from 1565 until 1700 but this extensive research has enabled me to discover how the natives embraced the Spanish influences by making them their own and indigenous. Though "generally ignored", the effects of the Hispanization of the Philippines are still evidently felt nowadays (e.g. Religion, society, traditions, etc.). However, one has to take into account that although the aim of the colonization was to create a cultural extension of Spain, the Philippines was never shaped according to Latin America and the conquest of the islands began as purely evangelical. (Philip II ordered to make it more pacific so as not to make the same savagery as in the Americas). Due to its far-flung location and geographical appearance, the new territory was the last to be completely incorporated to the Spanish Crown. Since then it was used as a trading post between Europe and Asia, as well as the stronghold of evangelization in the region.
Five centuries have gone by ever since and one may still somehow argue that the country still lacks its own identity. But let us think once again. We aren't Spanish, nor Latinos. Certainly, we can't totally claim being purely Asians. However, as a response to this colonization, we created our own identity called Filipino.
The unbiased approach of the author has made the entire reading bearable by showing the two faces of history and i recommend this book to those who might be interested in the process of Hispanization of the Philippines.

[Argene Clasara · Rating 4 out of 5]

All lovers and students of history should read this important work of John Leddy Phelan on the Spanish Period in the Philippines. However, it is lamentable that some Filipino historians bastardized this important work. The only gap in this work is the discussion on the educational policies of the Spaniards.