Puzzled and frankly bored as to why much of our high school Philippine history material covered battles and wars waged against the Spanish colonizers, I asked my history teacher why so?
Her profound answer was: As foreign invaders, the Spaniards treated Filipinos as second-class citizens in so many, many ways — calling them indios and ladrones, for instance. Thus, the Spaniards clearly distinguished themselves foreign invders to us. In so doing, the freedom-loving Filipinos greatly resented their presence in their pristine native land. And so, we were immersed in the different uprisings from the Tagalogs, Visayans, Ilocanos, Cavitenos, Bulacaneno, and so on, to ward-off or be rid of these arrogant invaders.
It is noteworthy that in so doing, the Spaniards espoused colonial mentality. Later, respect and courtesies were extended to Filipinos in possession of land, wealth, and possessing some Spanish blood as a result of inter-marriages between the Filipinos and Spaniards. Thus, fair complexion alludes to being an elite – moneyed, educated, and a mestizo or mestiza. While other cultures look down on half-bloods, not so in the Philippines. Even now, I am afraid. Despite the proliferation of local skin whitening agents. [smile here]
Returning farther down into history…
Undaunted with their superior arms, armaments, and artillery, the Spaniards made the Philippines (even named us after their incumbent king, Philip II), they stayed for a good 333 years. Only relinquishing their grip on the Philippines, after losing against the Americans in 1898 for US$20 million, under the Treaty of Paris. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty of February 6, 1899, by a margin of only one vote.
During the time of conquests, the whole world was in fact divided amongst the big players. From the continents of Asia, Africa, North and South America, Antarctica, and Australia. The Europeans spearheaded these conquests, as if there weren’t yet any peoples inhabiting those lands. The British, the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Dutch, whoever else held maritime superiority.
Looking now at the results of those conquests, it colored, albeit, and flavored the peoples of the world as such. English became the dominant, if not the second language spoken by the British colonies. Spanish became the primary language in areas of their rule, such as Mexico along with the Latin countries of South America.
Curiously, however, while Spanish was the dominant language during the Spanish rule in the Philippines, it did not flourish further when the Americans came as the latter decided the country would now be using the American system of education. Thus, ushering the dominance of the English language especially in business. Furthermore, while Spanish was still taught in high school, as part of the curriculum, it was unfortunately obliterated completely, sadly not by the American occupiers, but by the Filipino youth crying out for national identity. A strong propaganda carried out by the University of the Philippines’ (UP) students. This is how sadly; the Filipinos lost their Spanish language heritage. In hindsight, an unfortunate outcome in the current trend of job globalization.
Armed with English, Filipinos easily found jobs to relieve themselves of the economy depression brought about by the infamous Marcos regime, 21 years of Martial Law! It was English that saved the day and is still saving the lives of many who seek better opportunities outside the country.
Our focus is, however, the fortuitous preservation of the Filipino language and culture despite enduring three foreign colonizers (Japan for four years, remember?). Looking at the present landscape, the Filipinos have not only become the only Catholic nation in Asia, but the only predominantly English-speaking Asian country. Thanks to the two colonizers? And yet, we remain distinctly Filipinos, neither Spanish, nor Americans, and certainly not Japanese. Who do we owe this fortuitous turn of events that have made the Filipinos the literal personification of the East meeting the West? And how have Filipinos retained even their own regional dialects, however long the occupiers remained? To have their national language to boot: Tagalog? Albeit, this is despite the dominance of both Spanish and English in their particular moments of foreign occupation.
The regional customs, dialects, attires, dances, and other cultural nuances have remained quintessentially Filipino. Neither Spanish nor American.
It is noteworthy that despite the obvious abuses done by the Spanish occupiers, they have not obliterated the language and the culture of the native/indigenous Filipinos. Unlike the fate of the native and/or indigenous Americans, the native Hawaiians, and whoever else out there was occupied by foreigners from other parts of the world. Not many have retained their distinct culture! It became simply who the Filipinos are!
The religious faith of the Spaniards made them more humane, less cruel, and ruthless than their counterparts. And that is indeed fortuitous. It is the reason why we are who we are today, uniquely Filipino. A beautiful blend of the East and the West. In one happy culture, open-minded, tolerant, understanding, and accepting of other cultures. This is why are not suspicious, we do not feel threatened, and intimidated, by foreign visitors. Unless of course, they prove to be unworthy of our trust. Unfortunately, sometimes the realization comes too late. This is why we have to be vigilant in looking after our own welfare because gullibility does not serve us well. Foreign minds have their own agenda and it is to their utmost benefit, not the Filipinos.
Most especially in these times when greed prevails over the scruples of a moral conscience. Who will look after us, if not ourselves?
*****
