Sarah and Serena Philippines Presentation Early History
•The first group to settle in the Philippines were the Negritos, who came across land
bridges about 30,000 years ago.
•The Proto-Malay and Malay groups settled later, and came by water
Spanish Colonization 1521… Ferdinand Magellan lands on Cebu, claims the Philippines for Spain, and is killed one month later by one of the local chiefs (first recorded sighting) 1565… the Spanish settle permanently, and Miguel López de Legazpi, the first royal governor, arrives in Cebu 1571… capital is established at Manila, islands are named the Philippines, in honor of the current king of Spain, Philip II Chinese immigrants began arriving and settling in the islands, lured by the thriving economy. Spain’s main goals in conquering the Philippines were: to establish trade routes and get in on the spice trade in Asia to convert the inhabitants to Christianity As it turned out, there were no profitable spices in the Philippines and no precious metals. Spain was actually losing money by remaining in control of the Philippines, and Spanish wars with other European countries increased the economic strain. 1762… the British capture Manila briefly during the Seven Years’ War with Spain, but Spain regains control and governs the Philippines for another 136 years. 1898… the United States gains control over the Philippines in the Spanish-American War US Rule 1899… President William McKinley appoints the First Philippine Commission (Schurman Commission), which is to assess conditions in the Philippines and make recommendations 1900… the Second Philippine Commission (Taft Commission) is given legislative and some executive powers 1902… the Taft Commission has created a judicial system with a Supreme Court, and written an official legal code to replace out-dated Spanish laws
1902… the Catholic Church is disestablished as state religion 1907… first elections are held 1907… the Federalista and Nacionalista parties have been established 1916… the Jones Act is passed, which states American intent to grant independence to the Philippines once they establish a stable government 1916… all literate males gain the right to vote World War II 1941… the Japanese attack the Philippines 1942… Japanese occupation of Manila begins 1942… Hukbalahap, or the People's Anti-Japanese Army is established and uses guerilla war tactics against the Japanese 1944… MacArthur lands, defeats the Japanese, and re-establishes American control over the Philippines 1946… as planned, the Philippines is established as an independent country and Roxas becomes the first president Post Independence Corruption 1949-1951… the Huk rebellions spread violence across the islands but eventually died down 1973… corrupt administrations are in control of most areas of the economy, establishing monopolies and taking advantage of local farmers 1981… martial law is eliminated in the Philippines 1983… Benigno Aquino, a popular politician, is assassinated, probably by the administration of the current president, Ferdinand Marcos. As a result, Marcos is eventually overthrown and a more democratic administration is established. Spanish Mestizos
•Generally upper and upper-middle class •Seventh largest ethnic group
–Rarely intermarry with other social classes
•1-2% of population •Generally speak Tagalog in the home and English in the public sphere
Chinese Mestizos
•Often from Fujian or Canton provinces •Intermarriages often happened during Spanish colonization
–Men came alone in the 19th century –In the 20th century women and children began to come
•Chinese Mestizos are recognized by pale skin, slanted eyes, or a Chinese surname •Only recently allowed to own land
Americans and American Mestizos
• • • •
Rarely occurred until the American colonization of the Philippines Retired soldiers and teachers began to settle in the Philippines around 1900 Interred and killed by Japanese in WWII
During the American colonial period (1898-1946) around 800,000 Americans were born in the Philippines Population focused in Metro Manila and areas near military bases
•Biracial children often looked down upon
–Teachers blame them for trouble in classrooms –Parents abandon them
•Most often found in Angeles, near a former US military base •Often can find no work but prostitution •Children called multo (ghost) if light-skinned or kulot (curly haired) if dark skinned •Babay na sa (Bye bye to Daddy)
Japanese Mestizos
•Descendants of early traders (12th century) and Japanese Christians who fled religious
persecution from the 17th to the 19th century
•Mestizos tend to be assimilated with mainstream Filipino or Japanese groups •Many were killed or expelled during WWII
–To escape this, many changed their names –Many ethnic Japanese were stranded in the Philippines post WWII
Jewish Mestizos
• • • • • •
First came to the Philippines during the Spanish Inquisition Could not form their own community due to Catholicized laws During American colonization American Jews came over with Thomasites
Jewish refugees from Europe during WWII American Jews were interred in camps after Japanese invasion Destruction after WWII so widespread that many fled the country
“The Official Government Portal for the Republic of the Philippines.” 30 Sept. 2007 30 Sept. “Film Archives.” 30 Sept. 2007 “CIA World Factbook.” 30 Sept. 2007 “Library of Congres.” 30 Sept. 2007 “The Philippines.” 30 Sept. 2007. “Ethnic Groups of the Philippines.” 30 Sept. 2007 Beech, Hannah “The Forgotten Angels” 30 Sept. 2007 “JSTOR: Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 64, no. 4, p 549.” 30 Sept. 2007 “JSTOR American Political Science Review: Vol. 3, No. 1 (p.30).” 30 Sept. 2007 “Kaisa Fact Sheet.” 30 Sept. 2007 “The Former Philippines Through Foreign Eyes.” 30 Sept. 2007