RPH-Lesson+5

Early Spanish Exploration

15th Century: During the Age of Discovery, European powers sought to expand their influence and find undiscovered lands, which included the exploration of new trade routes and territories.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): A significant agreement between Spain and Portugal, this treaty sanctioned Spain's westward expeditions and led to the eventual colonization of the Philippines starting in 1565. It drew an imaginary line dividing the world into Spanish and Portuguese spheres of influence, which shaped the colonial landscape of Southeast Asia.

Filipino Responses to Colonization (Samuel Tan)

Categorization of Filipinos:

• Indios: The term used for Christianized inhabitants of the Philippines, who primarily followed Roman Catholicism after the introduction of Spanish rule.

• Moros: Referring to the Islamized populations, particularly in the southern regions such as Mindanao, who maintained their Islamic faith and resisted colonization.

• Lumads: Indigenous groups who retained their pre-colonial traditions, customs, and governance systems, often located in remote areas of the archipelago.

Juan de Plasencia and Tagalog Customs

Key Contributions:

• Doctrina Christiana (1593): This was the first printed book in the Philippines, serving as a primary text for catechism where Plasencia sought to educate the newly converted Christian population.

• Customs of the Tagalog (1589): In this important historical document, Plasencia not only chronicled early Filipino customs but also provided insights into their socio-political structures, thereby preserving aspects of their culture for future generations.

Observations on Early Society:

• The term "Tagalog" refers to the inhabitants of Manila; governance was led by datus (chiefs) who wielded authority over their community.

• Society was structured into three distinct castes:

  • Maharlica: The noble class that held significant power and land.

  • Aliping Namamahay: Commoners who had more rights and could own property.

  • Aliping sa Guiguilir: Slaves, who were bound to serve their masters and often inherited their status from their parents.

Social Customs and Governance

System of Governance: Plasencia observed various practices related to their governance, which covered:

• Marriage & Family: Included discussions on divorce, inheritance practices, and family lineage which were essential for social structure.

• Community Dispute Resolution: Led by datus, investigations into conflicts often involved an arbiter to ensure fairness and community cohesion.

• Clarity of Relationships: Emphasized the role of social gatherings as vital for maintaining community ties and resolving disputes judicially, showcasing a rich tradition in communal governance.

Religious Practices

• There was a notable lack of dedicated temples specifically for sacrifices; instead, the house of the village chief functioned as a central place of worship.

• The key deity Badhala was associated with creation and was deeply revered.

• Worship extended to natural elements, with rituals honoring the sun and moon, reflecting the importance of nature in their spiritual beliefs.

• Additionally, beliefs concerning the afterlife encompassed concepts like maca (life after death) and casanaan (a place of punishment for wrongdoers), denoting a rich spiritual worldview.

Critique of Plasencia's Perspective

• Plasencia's views may reflect a European lens, which can distort the authentic Filipino cultural expressions. For instance, he used terms like "priests of the devil" when referring to indigenous spiritual leaders, illustrating a critical misunderstanding of local beliefs.

• His work highlights the intersections of indigenous practices with Catholic beliefs that emerged over time, particularly as Spanish missionaries sought to convert the populace.

Concept of the Barangay

Analysis of Term: The concept of "barangay" is often misconceptualized as merely a political unit; it originally meant "boat", indicating a community or a group that traveled together.

• Historian William Henry Scott emphasizes that the political structure should accurately be referred to as "bayan" rather than barangay.

• Plasencia’s terminology has greatly influenced subsequent scholarly work, embedding misconceptions about Filipino political organization and leading to inaccuracies in historical texts.

Historical Implications

• The concept of barangay is deeply ingrained in Philippine history; it is frequently accepted in textbooks, which can perpetuate misunderstandings of the actual structures of pre-colonial societies.

• Understanding Plasencia's writings is essential for contextualizing Filipino pre-colonial systems, prompting the need to revisit primary sources to represent indigenous practices and structures accurately.

Conclusion

• Plasencia’s work represents a crucial piece of the historical puzzle but does not encapsulate the entirety of the rich and diverse Philippine indigenous cultures. It’s essential to engage with a wide range of primary documents and perspectives to foster a more nuanced understanding of Philippine history.

Farewell: Thank you for listening. Let's reconvene next week!