ESPEJON, JOANNE MARIE C.

COLUMN #4, SEAT #4 HIST 17 6:00PM-7:30PM MW

BSA-5 FEBRUARY 27, 2018

THE LAST SPANIARD

As far as I can get from the story, it talks about two kinds of Spaniards or is presenting contrasting ideas
about the Spanish Friars. One who is heroic and serenely giving life for love, who is good, generous and
disciplined. A Spaniard who has legendary qualities and scientific dedication. Another is called “black Spain” or
someone that seized Rizal in his Glorious hour of his life. One who is fanatic and cruel that heads without honor
and honors without brains as the book says. Philippines is mostly composed of Roman Catholic Filipinos,
proudly boasting religious conditions. However, Christianity or the Religion was also mainly used against the
Filipinos themselves as the Spanish crown was given unlimited jurisdiction over church of Indies and the rules
are strained in the Philippines. The culture of the Spaniards is still present in today’s generation but not as
dominant as before that they even tried to change our literature and the language that we speak. History of the
Philippines went through rough and tough roads as it begins and ends with the Friar. Conversion of Filipinos in
their beliefs wasn’t easy as families were grouped in small and scattered units.
This text is a timeline of the history of Philippines under Spanish Colony and it is all laid down in detail in
the book of Dr. Jose Rizal. Despite the difficulty, the colonizers succeeded establishing Catholicism in the
Country. As there are two types of Spanish Friars, the good one and bad one, they were hated and loved
simultaneously. The friars were loved for they have strong beliefs and they advocate commissioned fellowship
of everyone. They were hated due to their unethical behaviors that are in contrast of their religious bond. The
Friars abused their power by enslaving the colonized country and its men. The Spanish friar was said to be the
true explorer and conqueror of the archipelago. They were the crucial elements in the Westernizing of the
Philippine Archipelago, and in spreading the Christian faith in that part of the world. They came to the Philippines
with the intention of establishing Catholicism under the Kings of Spain. Aside from the religious activities, the
friar also had the authority in administration of the colony. What “The friar had won the Philippines for Spain”
means that they were the ones who strengthen Spanish Regime since it is easier spread throughout the country
by spreading Christianity and Catholicism. However, the Spanish Friars were also the fall of Spaniards since it
was because of their abuse of power that made the Filipinos raise revolution against colonizers.
Having “The last Spaniard” as the prologue for “The first Filipino” book written by Ma. Guerero is
somehow confusing to read. The language used by the writer for “the last Spaniard” is not easily understood by
the readers. But going through the text repeatedly and comprehensively, at some point you will be able to get
the rest of the story. In a nutshell, even if Spanish Friars maltreated mostly of our countrymen back then, they
left a great mark by victoriously establishing religious order in our country. Notwithstanding the fact that religion
or the church were not as authoritative as it was before, it is still dominant in our country until now. The Filipinos
in the time of Spanish Colonization undergone a difficult situation that even I couldn’t see myself surviving it.
The Fall of Spanish Regime is a great victory of country that we should acknowledge those who had the guts
and raised revolution for our freedom.