GEC 9: The Life and Works of Rizal
Chapter: 5 Week: 6
Chapter 5
The Nineteenth Century Philippine Economy, Society, and the Chinese Meztizos
Objectives:
At the end of the rating period, students should be able to:
1. Explain the important role of the Chinese meztizos and their ranks
within the changing Philippine economy and society; and
2. Discuss the interplay of several factors that contributed to the changing
landscape of Philippine society and economy.
Discussion:
The Changing Landscape of Philippine Economy and Society
Many scholars consider the nineteenth century as an era of profound change
in the Philippines. During this period, vast economic, political, social, and cultural
currents were felt. Change, however had iits initial ripples in the previous century. By
the late eighteenth century, the monarchy in Spain experienced a dynastic shift from the
Habsburgs to the Bourbons. Under the new leadership, Spain recalibrated colonial
policies that would have an effect on the Philippines. With the goal of invigorating the
profitability of the colonies like the Philippines. Bourbon policies and reforms were
carried out. The first governor-general to the Philippines under the Bourbon mandate
was Jose de Basco y Vargas who arrived in the Philippines in 1778.
By the time Basco arrived, the Galleon Trade, the main economic institution
existing in the Philippines, was already a losing enterprise. As Spain sought ways to
salvage the dwindling economy of the empire. As many imperial powers in Europe and
the West were undergoing industrialization, an increased demand for raw materials
presented an opportunity to look into the agricultural potential of the Philippines Thus, it
was viewed that the transformation of the economy towards being export oriented,
harnessing the agricultural products that could be yielded from the archipelago, was the
way to go
To better facilitate the envisioned reorientation of the economy, Basco
established the Royal Philippine Company in 1785 to finance agricultural projects and
manage the new trade being established between the Philippines and Spain (and
Europe) as well as other Asian markets. These changes, however, were met with
lukewarm reception. Resistance also came from various sectors like the Catholic
Church that was not receptive of the labor realignments entailed by the planned
reforms, and traders that were still holding on the Galleon Trade. It also did not help that
the Royal Philippine Company was fraught with issues of mismanagement and
corruption. As Basco pushed for the reforms, he lifted a ban on Chinese merchants that
reinvigorated internal trade; initialized the development of cash crop farms; relaxed
certain policies that allowed the gradual opening of Manila to foreign markets; and
established the Tobacco Monopoly to maximize the production of this export good.
Global events continued to affect the Philippines at the beginning of the
nineteenth century. By 1810, the Mexican War of Independence rattled the Spanish
empire, as it would eventually lead to the loss of the precious Latin American colonies.
With this came the eventual end of the Galleon Trade which became a concern in the
Philippines. As the Philippine economy hung in the balance, policies were recalibrated
and with the eventual closing of the Royal Philippine Company, Manila was opened to
world trade by 1834. As a result, foreign merchants and traders came and eventually
resided in Manila and took over the role of financing and facilitating the burgeoning
agricultural cash crop, export-oriented, economy. Some of the major investments came
from British and American traders that set up merchant houses in Manila.
The rapid development of the economy began to flow in the Philippines through
cash crops. By the first half of the nineteenth century, majority of the exports of the
Philippines came from cash crops like tobacco, sugar, cotton, indigo, abaca, and coffee.
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GEC 9: The Life and Works of Rizal
Chapter: 5 Week: 6
The importance of land became more evident as cash crops became the major
source of revenue in the colony. As the provinces shifted to cultivating cash crops, land
ownership and management began to be a concern. The farmers felt the pressure of
the economy while the hacenderos grabbed the opportunity. For example, when a small
landowner needed capital and money, he would engage in a pact de retroventa, an
agreement of sale guaranteeing that he could buy the land back at the same price at
which it was sold. However, it became difficult to buy back land given the continuously
increasing demand of the economy and the renewal of the sale, which further buried the
farmers to indebtedness. Eventually, they would forfeit the land and would be forced to
become tenant farmers, or kasama. Aside from this mode, land acquisition also came in
the forms of land grabbing. As the growing economy required better management of
lands, inquilinos emerged, renting land to sublet it to smaller farmers. These factors
would bring change to the social stratification in the country side that, as the next
chapter will show did not continue without tensions and contestations.
The Chinese and Chinese Mestizos
The sectors that greatly benefited from the changing economy were the
Chinese and the Chinese mestizos. Since pre colonial times, the natives of the
Philippines had trade relations with the Chinese. During the height of the Galleon Trade,
it was also Chinese products that comprised most the goods being traded. The influx of
Chinese settlements in the Philippines made the Spaniards suspicious of the Chinese.
These feelings led to stringent state policies towards the sangley ranging from higher
taxes, the restriction of movement with the establishment of the Chinese enclave (the
Parian), to actual policies of expulsion.
The Chinese. However, proved to be “necessary outsiders” in Philippine
colonial economy and society. Although the Spaniards were wary of the Chinese, they
realized the importance that the latter played in sustaining the economy. From the
goods loaded on the galleons to the development of retail trade, the Chinese enlivened
the economy. Eventually and gradually, they became integrated into colonial society,
giving rise to intermarriages with indios that gave birth to Chinese mestizos. The
Chinese mestizos assumed an important role in the economy all throughout the Spanish
colonial period. They influenced the changing economy in the nineteenth century b
purchasing land accumulating wealth and influence.
Impact on Life in the Colony
The economic development, as mentioned, precipitated social, political, and
cultural developments as well. For example, the new economy demanded a more
literate population to address the rising need for a more professionalized workforce to
man the trading activities in Manila and other centers. This demand compelled the
issuance of the colonial government order in 1836 that required all tons to set up
primary schools to teach the population how to read and write. It eventually led to the
passage of an education. Eventually, the nineteenth century also gave birth to many
schools that addressed the growing demand for more professionals. Schools like
Ateneo Municipal were established during this time. The complex nature of the
developing economy also allowed the government to intensify bureaucratization and to
streamline colonial governance.
As Manila became a trading center, it became a viable destination for people
seeking better opportunities or those wanting to escape the worsening conditions in the
farmlands. The increased rate of internal migration raised several concerns. One,
people flocked the centers of trade like Manila. Overcrowding implied issues in living
quarters, sanitation and public health, and increase in criminality. Two, the continuous
movement of people make tax collection extra difficult. In order to migrate these
concerns, one measure implemented was the 1849 decree of Governor-General
Narciso Claveria that urged the people in the colony to adopt surnames. With the
catalogo de appellidos drawn up, the colonial surnames. To people and forbade
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GEC 9: The Life and Works of Rizal
Chapter: 5 Week: 6
changing names at will. Together with more policies like the registration and possession
of a cedula personal bearing one’s name and residence, the colonial government
sought to have a better surveillance mechanism. To help carry out policies better, the
guardian civil eventually established. As the new economy afforded the colonial state
new opportunities it also prompted the state to be more regulatory and to assert its
authority.
Renegotiating Social Stratification
The Philippine society felt the impact of the developing economy. As a result, social
relations underwent redefinitions and the changing dynamics brought about a
renegotiation of social stratification. With the growing relevance of the mestizo
population, new lines were drawn with the following social strata:
Peninsular - Pure-blooded Spaniards born in the Iberian Peninsula (i.e,
Spain)
Insular – Pure-blooded Spaniards born in the Philippines
Mestizo – Born of mixed parentage, as mestizo can be other is a native; or
Chinese Mestizo – one parent is Chinese, the other is a native
Principalia – Wealthy pure-blooded native supposedly descended from the
Kadatoan class
Indio – Pure-blooded native of the Philippines
Chino infiel – Bob- Catholic pure-blooded Chinese
As the Spaniards lost economic power in the nineteenth century, they asserted
dominance by virtue of their race. This issue brought complications with the rising
principalia and mestizo population who realized their indispensable position in society
as movers and facilitators of the economy. The renegotiation continued throughout the
century as the mestizos and the principalia elite eventually demanded social recognition
that the pure-blooded Spaniards had consistently denied them.
These wealthy mestizos and members of the principlia continued to amass
economic and cultural capital. They also availed themselves of the opportunity to obtain
higher degrees of education not only in the Philippines but also in Europe. These
activities augmented their relevance in society as it was from these ranks that
articulations of nationalism would emerge.
Evaluation:
SUMMATIVE TEST (Prelim Period)
A. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Direction: Read each question carefully. Choose the best
answer for each question.
1. What is the main goal of legislators like Claro M. Recto why they pushed the
Rizal Bill into a Rizal Law?
A. This set to seeds the nationalism in every Filipinos especially the youth.
B. This is to honor the heroic achievements of Dr. Jose Rizal.
C. This is for the re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which
our heroes lived and died.
D. This is for us to pay tribute to all the heroes we have as they saved our
country from all the invasion and tyranny happened on different era.
2. Who gave Rizal the title “Tagalog Christ” in 1907?
A. Felipe Salvador C. Miguel de Unamuno
B. Apolinario Dela Cruz D. Emilio Aguinaldo
3. Which church in the Philippines declared Jose Rizal as a Saint?
A. Roman Catholic Church C. United Churches of the Philippines
B. Protestant Church D. Philippine Independent Church
4. Who was the founder of Adarnista or the Iglesiang Pilipina in La Union?
A. Felipe Salvador C. Miguel de Unamuno
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GEC 9: The Life and Works of Rizal
Chapter: 5 Week: 6
B. Candida Balantac D. Apolinario Dela Cruz
5. The following are the primarily beliefs of Adarnista about Jose Rizal. Which one
does not belong?
A. Rizal is a god of the Filipino people.
B. Rizal is true god and a true man.
C. Rizal was truly a heroic figure to everyone.
D. Rizal was not executed as has been mentioned by historians.
6. What is the difference between Catholic Church and the Adarnista?
A. They are both Christians.
B. They both praise the Lord Jesus Christ.
C. They both have the seven sacraments.
D. Only the Catholics praise Jesus Christ.
7. In what section of RA 1425 stated that “It shall be obligatory on all schools,
colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies
of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography?”
A. Section 1 C. Section 3
B. Section 2 D. Section 4
8. This statement, “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the
curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private” can be found
in what section of RA 1425?
A. Section 1 C. Section 3
B. Section 2 D. Section 4
9. Of the following steps down below, which comes first?
1. Consolidation of Version from the House
2. Transmittal of the Final Version to Malacañan
3. Voting on Second Reading
4. Committee Hearings
A. 3, 4, 1, 2 C. 1, 2, 3, 4
B. 4, 3, 1, 2 D. 4, 3, 2, 1
10. Which novel did Rizal wrote first?
A. Sa aking mga Kabata C. Noli Me Tangere
B. Ang Kababaihan ng Malolos D. El Filibusterismo
B. ESSAY. Direction: Read each question carefully. Write your best answer for
each question on the space provided.
11-15. State the difference between State and Nation. (5pts)
16-20. What is the impact to the Filipino people of the groups venerating Rizal?
How it affects the people? (5pts)
21-25. Does the Social Stratification before really help the life of Rizal?
Prove your answer. (5pts)
References:
a. RhodalynWani-Obias [Link]., The Life and Works of Jose Rizal, C&E Publishing
Inc. 2018
b. Jose Rizal: First Global Filipino Hero, Ruben D. Maranan, PhD., C&E Publishing
Inc. 2015
Prepared by: Noted:
OSCAR H. FALCON AMIEL A. BRACINO
Instructor Program Chairperson of GEC Department
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1st Semester AY 2020-2021
