Colonial History of the Philippines: Key Events and Figures

3Gs of Colonial History

God, Gold, and Glory driving Spanish colonization.

God

Religious mission to spread Christianity in the Philippines.

Gold

Economic motive for trade and wealth during colonization.

Glory

Desire for national prestige through colonization.

Spanish Missionaries

Spread Christianity, especially in Luzon and Visayas.

Mindanao Resistance

Mindanao's strong opposition to Spanish religious influence.

Philippine Religious Demographics

85% Christian, 10% Muslim, 5% other religions.

Galleon Trade

Trade route between Manila and Acapulco.

Spice Trade

First westward route to Asia for spices.

Intramuros

Walled city serving as Spanish colonial capital.

Spolarium

Painting depicting Filipino suffering under Spanish rule.

Magellan

Portuguese sailor who led first circumnavigation.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

Pigafetta's Account

Document detailing Magellan's voyage, published in 1800.

Maximilianus Transylvanus

Authored a letter on the Moluccas in 1522.

San Antonio

One of five ships in Magellan's expedition.

Victoria

Only ship to complete Magellan's circumnavigation.

Commercial Revolution

Period marked by European expansion and trade growth.

Ferdinand and Isabella

Spanish monarchs who sponsored exploration efforts.

Cultural Interaction

Exchange of cultures due to Asian and European trade.

Defensive Walls

Constructed to protect Intramuros from invasions.

Relics and Idols

Traditions carried from Spanish influence to present.

Navigation Advances

Technological improvements aiding exploratory expeditions.

Oriental Trade

Profitable trade route for luxury goods.

Spanish Colonial Rule

300 years of Spanish governance in the Philippines.

Economic Products

Flow of goods from Asia to Europe.

Forced Labor

Exploitation of Filipinos during Spanish colonization.

Human Rights Violations

Abuses experienced by Filipinos under Spanish rule.

Archipelago of San Lazaro

Name given by Magellan to the Philippines.

International Date Line

Imaginary line that determines calendar dates.

Homonhon

First island Magellan visited in the Philippines.

Enrique

Malay interpreter and slave of Magellan.

Limasawa

Site of the first mass in the Philippines.

Father Pedro de Valderrama

Priest who led the first mass in Limasawa.

Rajah Kolambu

Leader of Limasawa who witnessed the mass.

Easter Sunday Mass

Mass held on March 31, 1521, in Limasawa.

Cebu

Island where Magellan arrived on April 5, 1521.

Rajah Humabon

Leader of Cebu who accepted the Spaniards.

Santo Niño

Image given to Hara Amihan by Magellan.

Battle of Mactan

Conflict where Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521.

Lapu-Lapu

Leader of Mactan who resisted Spanish rule.

Duarte Barbosa

Successor to Magellan after his death.

Alvaro de Saavedra Ceron

Spanish explorer who followed Magellan's expedition.

Saavedra Expedition Goals

To find survivors and lost ships from Magellan's voyage.

Zihuatanejo

Port where Saavedra's expedition departed in 1527.

Guam

First landfall of Saavedra's expedition after storms.

Tidore

Location where Saavedra encountered survivors of Loaisa's expedition.

Villalobos Expedition

Expedition that named the Philippines 'Felipinas.'

Ruy Lopez de Villalobos

Commander of the expedition that reached Mindanao.

Felipinas

Name given to the Philippines in honor of Don Felipe.

Cortes

Spanish conqueror who ordered Saavedra's expedition.

Masao

Alternative site for the first mass in the Philippines.

Baptism of Cebu Natives

Ceremony where Rajah Humabon was baptized.

Coral Reefs

Obstacles that hindered Spanish cannons in battle.

Assassination of Barbosa and Serrao

Executed by Rajah Humabon due to alliance doubts.

King Felipe II

Confirmed the name 'Felipinas' in 1559 decree.

Villalobos

Spanish explorer who named the Philippines.

Portuguese Opposition

Resisted Spanish settlement in neighboring islands.

Malignant Fever

Illness that led to Villalobos' death in 1546.

Sarragan

Island where Villalobos faced severe hardships.

Legazpi Expedition

New expedition to the Philippines in 1565.

Andres de Urdaneta

Priest who survived the Loaisa mission.

Blood Compact

Ceremony of friendship between Legazpi and Sikatuna.

Fuerza de San Pedro

Spanish trading outpost established in Cebu.

Rajah Suliman

Muslim king who allied with Spaniards in Manila.

Juan de Plasencia

Franciscan priest who documented Tagalog customs.

Doctrina Cristiana

First book printed in the Philippines.

Barangay

Tribal gathering led by a dato.

Maharlica

Noble class in pre-colonial Philippine society.

Aliping Namamahay

Commoners who own property and serve a dato.

Aliping Saguiguilid

Slaves serving their masters in households.

Datu

Chief who governed barangays and led in war.

Spanish Colonization

Period marked by Spanish attempts to control Philippines.

Charles I

King who halted colonial expeditions after Villalobos.

Cebu Island

First landing site of Legazpi's expedition.

Gold and Spices

Primary resources sought by Spanish expeditions.

Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de España

Title bestowed upon Manila by King Philip II.

Laguna de Bay

Region where Plasencia began missionary work.

Tayabas

Area where Plasencia founded several towns.

Caste System

Social hierarchy of nobles, commoners, and slaves.

Fisheries

Controlled by chiefs with established limits.