"Have you ever wondered what our country would be like if the Spaniards
never came to the Philippines?
Good afternoon! Today, we’ll uncover one of the most important chapters in
our history — the Spanish Period. It began in 1565 and lasted for over 300
years. This era changed the way Filipinos lived, spoke, believed, and even
fought.
Spain brought with them religion, education, architecture, and a new system
of government. But along with these came colonization, forced labor, and a
loss of independence.
As we explore the Spanish Period, let us look at how this long colonial rule
shaped the Filipino identity — and how it awakened the desire for freedom.
Slide 3
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was the first Spanish Governor-General in the
Philippines. He led the start of Spanish colonization in 1565. During his time,
literature began to grow, especially religious writings and teachings brought
by Spanish missionaries. The Spaniards ruled the Philippines for more than
300 years, and during those centuries, many things changed in the lives of
Filipinos — their religion, government, education, language, and culture
were heavily influenced by Spanish ways. Some traditions and practices we
have today came from that long period of Spanish rule.
Slide 4
Now, let's move on to how Spanish influences Philippine literature.
The first Filipino alphabet, Baybayin (often called Alibata), was a pre-
colonial script used to write native languages. When the Spaniards
arrived in the 16th century, they introduced the Roman alphabet to
spread Christianity and simplify communication. It was easier to learn
and better suited for printing, so Baybayin gradually disappeared.
Today, the Roman alphabet remains the standard writing system in the
Philippines.
The teaching of the Christian Doctrine during Spanish colonization
became the foundation of Filipino religious practices. Spanish
missionaries used texts like the Doctrina Christiana to teach prayers,
values, and Catholic beliefs. These teachings shaped daily life,
traditions, and ceremonies, making Christianity deeply rooted in
Filipino culture.
During the Spanish colonization, the Spanish language became the
main language of literature, influencing how Filipinos wrote and
expressed ideas.
Many Spanish words became part of local languages, enriching Filipino
vocabulary.
European stories, songs, and traditions—such as corridos (narrative
poems) and moro-moros (religious dramas)—were introduced and
blended with native culture, becoming part of Filipino literary
traditions.
At the same time, ancient Filipino oral literature was collected and
translated into Tagalog and other dialects, helping preserve local
stories.
To support religious and educational goals, the Spanish also printed
grammar books in native languages like Tagalog, Ilocano, and Visayan.
As a result, periodicals and publications during this time often had a
religious tone, reflecting the influence of the Church in both education
and literature.
During the Spanish period, Filipino houses evolved from native
bahay kubo (nipa huts) to more permanent and structured homes
influenced by Spanish architecture. These homes were designed to
suit the tropical climate and social changes brought by
colonization.
The Casa Comunidad de Tayabas is a historic Spanish-era building
located in Tayabas, Quezon. Built in the 1830s, it served as the
town hall during the Spanish colonial period. Made of stone and
wood, it is an example of “bahay na bato” architecture. The building
was used for official functions, meetings, and even court trials. Today,
it stands as a cultural and historical landmark, reflecting the
political and architectural heritage of the Spanish period in the
Philippines.
The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, located in Cebu City and built
between 1675 and 1700, is one of the oldest houses in the
Philippines. Made of coral stones and hardwood, it blends Spanish
and Chinese architectural styles, featuring Capiz windows, antique
furniture, and religious artifacts. Originally owned by Chinese merchant
Don Juan Yap and his wife Doña Maria Florido, it later became the
home of the Yap-Sandiego family.
The Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral House, also known as
Balay Negrense, is a heritage house in Silay City, Negros
Occidental, built in the late 1890s by sugar baron Victor Gaston. It
features Spanish-Filipino architecture with stone and wood design,
capiz windows, and antique furniture. Restored in the 1990s, it became
Negros Occidental’s first museum, showcasing the lifestyle of a
wealthy sugarcane family during the Spanish era.
OUTRO
To sum up, the Spanish period greatly shaped the Philippines’
culture, religion, language, architecture, and literature. Through
more than 300 years of colonization, the Spaniards introduced
lasting influences—from Christianity and the Roman alphabet to
grand ancestral houses and rich literary traditions. While it was a
time of colonization, it also laid the foundations for the country’s
national identity and cultural heritage that continue to be seen and
felt today.
