GOD,GOLD and GLORY

The 3Gs of Colonial History

The time the Philippines is under Imperial Spain its discovery is propelled by “God, Gold and Glory”.

The first aim is to colonize the Philippines and have part in the spice trade where Portugal was on the peak of this business. The second goal was to use Philippines as a good medium in trading with other neighboring countries like Japan and China and also to spread the Christianity in other more developed civilizations. The last goal was to Christianize all the inhabitants of the Philippines.

GOD 

The Power of Faith

WITNESS A painting of the First Mass at Limasawa by Carlos V. Francisco

Spanish missionaries and friars were able to spread Christianity in Luzon and Visayas but Mindanao was very resistant during that time.

STONE CHURCH First European stone church in the Philippines

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Friars became people with high political positions and social classes were implemented. 

The ornately carved wooden doors depict the statues of St. Agustin at San Agustin church

One God in three divine persons

ICON- Unknown Artist, National Museum Collection

Aside from the Catholic faith the the Spaniards influenced, there are certain things and customs that were carried up to this generation. One of those traditions is the belief in relics, idols and images of the saints.

FRIARS RULE The church serves as the political backbone of Spanish colonial rule, when Church and State were regarded as one 

Today, The Philippines is approximately 85 percent Christian (mostly Roman Catholic), 10 percent Muslim, and 5 percent 'other' religions, including the Taoist-Buddhist religious beliefs of Chinese and the 'indigenous' animistic beliefs of some peoples in upland areas that resisted 300 years of Spanish colonial rule.

GOLD 

Trade Under Colonialism

The Inclusion of Asian trade to that of Europe led not only to the flow of economic products and the wealth of Asia to European societies but also to the dynamic interaction of cultures.

The tremendous profits European trade brought to nation states particularly Portugal and Spain, intensified European rivalries for the fabled source of Oriental products

On March 16, 1521 the European ships reached the Philippines and soon after the Spice Islands, effectively establishing the first westward spice trade route to Asia.

SPICE Philippines is one of the country's rich in spices. 

Making the food more palatable to the most discriminating medieval tastes triggered the search for spices of all sorts: pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger which were indigenous to the East.

TRADE Philippines is rich in native products that still exist at present

ART Filipinos are rich in skills even before the Europeans came.

TE DEUM! Port of Manila is the staging point for the Galleon trade

Paete woodcarvers stood out during the 19th century for products they produced. Along with these Filipinos are wealthy of native products produced all over the country,

 The Spaniards closed the ports of Manila to all countries except Mexico. Thus, the Manila–Acapulco Trade, better known as the "Galleon Trade" was born. And because the Spaniards were so engrossed in making profits from the Galleon Trade, they hardly had any time to further exploit our natural resources.

GLORY

 Trace of Colonization

GLIMPSE OF COLONIAL PAST Intramuros canyons that served as defense both during world war I and world war II.   

    Construction of the defensive walls was started by the Spanish colonial government in the late 16th century to protect the city from foreign invasions. Intramuros served as the capital of the Spanish East Indies the center of commerce, education, government, and religion in Spain's most distant imperial possession.

ON DUTY Rayadillo cad guard in Intramuros wearing a historical uniform reminiscent of the 

guardia civil attire prevalent during the Spanish regime.

VISIT TO 19th CENTURY depiction of Spanish Colonization.

 Spolarium-Juan Luna, National Museum

One of the most popular painitings in the Philippines is the masterpiece Spolarium by Juan Luna. It depicts the 19^th century horror experience by Filipinos. It emphasized the violation of Human Rights, Forced Labor and how the Spaniards terrorize Filipinos in their own land.

One of our National heroes expressed his patriotism by painting one such masterpiece to enlighten the Filipinos out of oppression.

REFORMIST Peaceful revolution for Independence.

    National hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, is one of the great reformist that initiates revolution versus the Spanish Government. He's advocacy of liberty through peaceful means rather than by violent revolution makes him Asia's first modern non-violent proponent of freedom. Rizal was active when the power of other European nations was growing in Asia, mostly motivated by trade, some for the purpose of bringing Western forms of government and education to Asian peoples.

 Spaniards create a big impact and influenced our country after long years of depriving freedom to Filipino people. And history tells how Filipinos could fight for themselves and how they should fight for the Independence fought by our heroes.