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PHILIPPINES
IN A
SPANISH COLONY
Spanish Control - Almost
half a century after Magellan's death, the Spanish returned to the
Philippines with the intention of establishing a colony. In the first
half of their occupation (which is not as well documented as the second
half), the Spanish managed to defend the Philippines from the Dutch and
various Chinese warlords. In the second half of their occupation, much
discontent grew as to how the Spanish ran the colony and treated its
people. Revolution was the outcome. Rizal tried a more peaceful
approach but for Bonifacio, armed revolution was the only option. As
the revolution progressed, a revolutionary government was formed with
Aguinaldo as president. After an agreement with Spain, Aguinaldo left
in exile to Hong Kong but returned along with American forces in the
Spanish-American War and proclaimed independence from Spain.
The first
Europeans to visit (1521) the Philippines were those
in the Spanish expedition around the world led by the Portuguese
explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Other Spanish expeditions followed,
including one from New Spain (Mexico) under López de Villalobos,
who in 1542 named the islands for the infante Philip, later Philip II.
The conquest of
the Filipinos by
Spain did not begin
in earnest until 1564, when another expedition from New Spain,
commanded by Miguel López de Legaspi, arrived. Spanish
leadership was soon established over many small independent communities
that previously had known no central rule. By 1571, when López
de Legaspi established the Spanish city of Manila on the site of a Moro
town he had conquered the year before, the Spanish foothold in the
Philippines was secure, despite the opposition of the Portuguese, who
were eager to maintain their monopoly on the trade of East Asia.
Early Spanish Rule
February 13, 1565: Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and his men arrive in the
Philippines.
February 15, 1565: King Philip II of Spain appoints Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi as the first governor-general of the Philippines which is to be
administered as a territory of Mexico (then referred to as New Spain).
May 8, 1565: The natives of Cebu submit to Spanish rule under Legazpi
and Cebu becomes the capital of the Philippines.
1568: The Portuguese, who believe that under the Treaty of Tordesillas,
the Philippines falls under Portuguese jurisdiction, attack Cebu and
blockade the port.
1570: The Portuguese launch a second attack on the Philippines but are
unsuccessful.
May 1570: Legazpi sends an expedition to Manila which befriends the
ruler of Manila, Rajah Soliman.
May/June 1570: War breaks out between the Spanish and Rajah Soliman as
a result of either a misunderstanding or due to an attempt to impose
Spanish sovereignty on the Manila natives. Soliman's warriors are
defeated and Maynilad (Manila) is burnt to the ground and occupied by
the Spanish.
June 24, 1571: Legazpi selects Manila as the capital of the colony
because of the natural harbour and rich lands surrounding the city that
could supply it with produce.
November 1574: The Chinese pirate Limahong attacks Manila and attempts
to invade the city but is unsuccessful.
December 1574: Limahong launches a second attack on Manila but is again
unsuccessful. Limahong leaves Manila for Pangasinan. Following
Limahong's defeat, Rajah Soliman and Lakandula lead a short revolt
against the Spanish in towns north of Manila after some of their lands
are given away to Spanish officials.
March 23, 1575: A Spanish-Filipino force leaves for Pangasinan where
Limahong has established his own kingdom. In the following months,
Limahong's Chinese fleet is destroyed by fire. His fort is attacked and
damaged by fire but holds out giving Limahong time to build new boats
and repair some of the breaches in his fort.
August 4, 1575: Limahong sets sail for China and departs the fort via a
secret channel that his men had dug. The Spanish are taken by surprise
by this development and drive wooden stakes into the riverbed where
they expect Limahong to pass through. As Limahong arrives at the stakes
the Spanish subject his fleet to a blinding fire. Despite this, the
Chinese remove enough stakes to allow Limahong to escape.
1580: Philip II of Spain becomes Philip I of Portugal (not officially
recognised until 1581), ultimately ending the dispute between Spain and
Portugal over the Philippines. In the same year, forced labour is
imposed on Filipino males aged 16 to 60.
1585: In Pampanga, a revolt is planned against the Spanish who learn of
the revolt before it even takes place. The leaders of the planned
revolt are executed.
1589: A revolt breaks out in the Ilocos and Cagayan areas over abuses
of tax collectors and unfair taxes. The Spanish forces pacify the
rebels and grant them pardon. The tax system is overhauled.
1600: The galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico begins.
1600 - 1617: The Dutch attempt to seize the Philippines but are
defeated by the Spanish navy.
1603: The Chinese revolt against injustices under the Spanish who
suppress the revolt brutally.
1621: A revolt breaks out in Bohol lead by Tamblot, a priest of the
native religion. The revolt is followed by other revolts in Leyte,
Panay and Samar against collection of tributes.
January 1, 1622: The revolt in Bohol lead by Tamblot is crushed.
1639: The Chinese revolt against Spanish rule. The revolt is brutally
suppressed.
1646: The Spanish navy repulses five separate Dutch attempts to enter
and capture Manila throughout the year.
June 1, 1649: A revolt breaks out in Samar lead by Juan Ponce Sumuroy
in protest of native Warays being sent to the shipyards of Cavite under
the imposed forced labour.
June 1650: Sumuroy is defeated, captured and executed which ends the
revolt in Samar.
1662: The Chinese revolt against Spanish rule. The revolt is brutally
suppressed.
1686: The Chinese revolt against Spanish rule. The revolt is brutally
suppressed.
1744 - 1829: Bohol remains outside of Spanish control following one of
the most successful revolts against Spanish authority led by Francisco
Dagohoy. None of the Spanish governor-generals serving in office
throughout the revolt are able to suppress it. Dagohoy dies two years
before the end of the revolt and thousands of survivors are granted
pardon after the revolt is over.
1745 - 1746: A revolt breaks out in Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite and
Laguna after greedy Spanish friars seize land from the Filipino
natives. In retaliation, churches are looted are burnt to the ground.
The Spanish authorities investigate the case which even reaches the
king of Spain who orders the friars to return the lands. The friars
successfully appeal and no land is returned to the Filipino landowners.
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