A.

Church or Relegion
1. Christianity
 On Religion With the help of the soldiers, the missionaries easily conquered territories of
the colony and converted the natives to Christianity. The various missionaries who used
their religious influence to facilitate the teaching of Gospel and propagation of Catholic
Christian faith were the Augustinians (1565), the Franciscans (1577), the Jesuits (1581),
the Dominicans (1587), and the Recollects (1606)
 The Filipino conversion to Christianity inevitably meant the adoption of fiesta as a socio-
religious event celebrating the feast day of the patron saint of the Catholic town as an
occasion of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and other blessings.
 The Spaniards introduced western architecture with some modifications to suit the
prevailing conditions. Many Philippine churches show influence of the baroque style,
having massive walls and thick buttress and spiral motifs, ornate sculpture façade and
graceful, curving balustrades.
B. Economic Policies
1.) The Galleon Trade
 Long before the Spaniards came into the Philippines, the Filipinos had been trading with
different countries, by virtue of the doctrine of mercantilism, the Spanish authority closed
trade relations with other countries and allowed only two countries, China and Mexico.
 They were the sole means of communication between Spain and its Philippine colony and
served as an economic lifeline for the Spaniards in Manila. During the heyday of the
galleon trade, Manila became one of the world's great ports, serving as a focus for trade
between China and Europe
 The Galleon Trade was a government monopoly. Only two galleons were used: One
sailed from Acapulco to Manila with some 500,000 pesos worth of goods, spending 120
days at sea; the other sailed from Manila to Acapulco with some 250,000 pesos worth of
goods spending 90 days at sea
2.) Obras Pias
 The early history of the Philippine banking system was closely intertwined with the
Catholic Church. Endowed with large funds from the legacies of the wealthy faithful, the
religious foundations called Obras Pias or Pious Works started in the 16th century to
become the precursors of lending institutions in the country.
 Obras Pias was a charitable foundation during the Spanish period. The word itself means
works of piety in Spanish. The Church directed a share of personal fortunes to its
charities such as the Obras Pias. Donors had specified that the funds are to be used for
charitable, religious and educational purposes.
C. Political or Government
1.) The Tobacco Monopoly
 The Tobacco Monopoly refers to the 1782 economic program of Spanish Governor
General Jose V. Basco, in which tobacco production in the Philippines was under total
control of the government. Some pueblos were designated as tobacco districts, like Ilocos
and Cagayan, and tobacco planting became compulsory to the point that some crops were
abandoned. Brought in the country from Mexico, this became the Philippines' (under
Spanish colonial rule) most important industry in the 18th century. It took effect through
a royal decree signed by King Carlos III of Spain.
 It increase the revenues of the government through the cultivation of tobacco became a
profitable venture that leads to Mexico to be independent. The tobacco monopoly brought
a considerable profit but the situation of Philippines didn’t changed. Instead, I brought so
much problem and hardness in life of every Filipinos.
2.) Encomienda System
 The encomienda was the right extended by the King upon a Spaniard who had helped to
facilitate the settlement of the territory. By implication, it was a public office and the
person was preferred to as encomiendero, a holder of encomienda and empowered to
collect taxes from the people under his jurisdiction. In return, under the laws of the
Indies, he was obliged to protect and defend the people under him against aggression and
danger and helped to convert the natives to Catholicism. The Encomienderos abused their
right by way of forcing the natives to pay tribute beyond what the law prescribed.
 The encomienda system (in theory) was a feudal-like system where Spaniards would
offer protection and education to the native populations in exchange for labor and
money/gifts. In reality, the encomienda system was a horrible abuse of power and
essentially slavery.
D. Abuses to Filipinos
1.) Tribute
 One of the laws promulgated by the Indies promulgated by the Spanish crown was to
require conquered inhabitants to pay tribute in recognition of the Spanish sovereignty.
For so many years, the Filipinos paid tribute amounting to eight reales or one peso. In
1589, it was increased to ten reales and to twelve in 1851, but finally, abolished in 1884
and was replaced with a personal cedula tax.
 The abusive nature of this policy is evidenced by the fact that Filipinos who joined the
revolts later on cite the exploitative nature of tribute collection as a chief cause. In
Apayao, for example, they constructed tribute as a monster that could kill people. The
understanding is borne by the fact that the Ilokanos who entered the Apayao territory
related that they were scared of the tribute that has killed several of them.
2.) Bandala
 The Bandala System was a system implemented by Spanish authorities in the
Philippines that required native Filipino farmers to sell their goods to the government.
 The farmers were not in favor of this system and were not even offered fair market prices
for their crops.
3.) Polo y Servicio
 Polo- the dehumanizing labor where the Spanish government required all male healthy
and physically able between ages 16- 60 to render service for forty days. Polistas- the
natives who rendered forces labor. They were not paid daily wages and food ration
during their working days. Falla- a fee given to Spaniards to become exepted in rendering
labor force.
 Laborers were not paid and were not given any rice ration. The policy became insensitive
to the need of the communities so that it was still enforced in time of planting or harvest
seasons. In the end, polo y servicio became a forced labot that contributed to famine
experiences and the destruction of communities.

References
The philippines under spanish colonial regime (slideshare.net)

What Was the Bandala System? (reference.com)