Spanish Colonization Era – Essential Review Notes

Spanish Arrival & Early Colonization

• $1521$ – Ferdinand Magellan lands (Samar, Homonhon → Cebu); killed at Mactan on $27\,Apr\,1521$.
• $1565$ – Miguel Lopez de Legazpi initiates permanent Spanish rule; governs as first Governor-General.
• Spaniards remain for >3 centuries.

Spanish Influence on Philippine Literature

• Roman alphabet replaces Alibata.
• Catechism (Christiana Doctrina) shapes religious writing.
• Spanish lexicon enriches Tagalog & other dialects; ancient oral texts translated.
• Periodicals & songs adopt religious/European motifs (corridos, moro-moros).

Key Early Printed Works (1593 onwards)

• Doctrina Christiana – first catechism books ($1593$).
• Nuestra Señora del Rosario – promotes Rosary devotion.
• Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre – moral guide on four life stages.
• Ang Barlaan at Josaphat – first long Tagalog prose, Christianized Buddha tale.
• Ang Pasyón – verse narrative of Christ’s Passion.
• Urbana at Felisa – epistolary guide to manners.
• Ang mga Dalit kay Maria – hymns for the Virgin Mary.

Language & Grammar References

• Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala – first Tagalog grammar.
• Compendio de la Lengua Tagala – concise grammar.
• Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala – first Spanish-Tagalog dictionary.

Traditional Plays & Performances (Religious/Secular)

• Tibag, Lagaylay – Holy Cross rituals (May).
• Cenáculo, Panunulúyan – Holy Week & Christmas Eve dramas.
• Salubong – Easter dawn rite.
• Carillo – shadow-puppet theatre.
• Zarzuela, Sainete – musical & comic plays.
• Moro-Moro – Christian–Muslim battle drama.
• Karagatan, Duplo – poetic debates at wakes.
• Dung-aw – mourning chant.
• Awit & Korido – long narrative poems of heroism/fantasy.

Motives for Colonization (3 G’s)

• GOD – spread Roman Catholicism; build churches & schools.
• GOLD – acquire spices, bullion; galleon trade; tributes & forced labor.
• GLORY – expand empire; prestige vs. rival powers.

Major Revolts & Resistance

• Tondo Conspiracy $1587\text{–}1588$ – Agustin de Legazpi, Magat Salamat.
• Tamblot Uprising $1621$ – Bohol babaylan vs. Christianization.
• Dagohoy Rebellion $1744\text{–}1829$ – longest revolt ($85$ yrs).
• Diego Silang Revolt $1762\text{–}1763$ – Ilocos autonomy, allied with British.
• GOMBURZA execution $17\,Feb\,1872$ – sparks nationalist awakening.

Reformist Movement (Propaganda)

• José Rizal ($1861\text{–}1896$) – Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo; martyrdom $30\,Dec\,1896$.
• Marcelo H. del Pilar ($1850\text{–}1896$) – La Solidaridad editor (Plaridel).
• Graciano López Jaena ($1856\text{–}1896$) – founder, orator.

Revolutionary Literature & Leaders

• Andres Bonifacio ($1863\text{–}1897$) – Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog; founder KKK.
• Emilio Jacinto ($1875\text{–}1899$) – Kartilya ng Katipunan.
• Apolinario Mabini ($1864\text{–}1903$) – True Decalogue; First Republic Constitution.

Revolutionary Publications ($1896\text{–}1899$)

• El Heraldo de la Revolución – official gazette (Aguinaldo).
• La Independencia – Gen. Antonio Luna.
• La República Filipina – Pedro Paterno.
• La Libertad – Clemente Zulueta.
• Semanario Uliberal & others – rally nationalist sentiment.