The Spanish and American influences on Filipino culture

Stephen Acabado provided great insight about the pericolonialism archaeology of highland agricultural systems in Ifugao, Philippines. Acabado reveals the idea that material symbols, language, as well as other artificial differences, are results of colonialism and history, instead of variances in geographic and ecological adaptation (Acabado, 2016). Due to the Spanish conquest in the northern Philippines, there was an influx of indigenous people moving into the mountain ranges in order to steer clear of and resist direct colonization (Acabado, 2016; pg 1). The rice terraces in the mountain ranges can be understood as responses to the social and political pressures that arose due to the arrival of the Spanish in the northern Philippines highlands (Acabado, 2016).

When looking at the effects of direct conquest, America’s colonization of Baguio, a city located in the Benguet Mountains, is a prime example of firsthand colonization. In Baguio Between Two Wars, Erlyn Alcantara proposes the chief reason for conquest in this region is due to the propinquity to the Benguet gold mine (Alcantara, 2000). Additionally, the climate of the Baguio is another driving factor for the American conquest because the mountains are substantially cooler compared to the lowlands (Alcantara, 2000; pg 210). As previously stated, Americans conquered Baguio due to the gold and mineral resources in Benguet that was vastly unexplored (Alcantara, 2000; pg 207). The Igorot miners were shocked to discover the machinery Americans used to extract large quantities of gold. Something that really stood out to me was the fact that business plans are not indigenous. To put into perspective, “The Igorots, after all, mined only enough to trade for their immediate needs, did not accumulate any surplus, and kept the gold more securely in the earth than in their homes” (Alcantara, 2000; pg 214). Although colonial hill stations provided Americans a sense of connection and feelings of familiarity and comfort, it equally brought the opposite effect to the indigenous population.

Before arriving in the Philippines, I was extremely worried that communication with locals would be a major challenge because I do not speak Tagalog.  However, I am shocked to discover that this has not been a problem for me, even when traveling outside of Manila to Banaue, Baguio, and San Juan. The Americans had a tremendous influence on the language being spoken as well as taught in schools. English is so common here that even a leading department agent for the U.S. Embassy stated that Tagalog is a second language to Filipino people while English is their native language. This is an example of how even from a Westerns perspective, English is a dominant language and everyone should know English because of the opportunities and benefits that come with it. He also mentioned that America sought to teach Filipinos how to read and speak English merely for the goodwill of the people. This is extremely problematic because in reality, America is stripping Filipino people of their language and culture and replacing it with Western methods and ideals. All while Americans believe that they are doing a good deed by giving Filipinos a gift.  

During the time I have been in the Philippines, I have witnessed both Spanish and American influences that even to this day still exist. The Spanish and Americans had several motivations to colonize the Philippines, such as foreign trade, land ownership, natural resources, and sovereignty. The American and Spanish influence on Filipino culture is seen in churches, beauty products such as skin bleaching and hair lightening and straightening, entertainment, fast food restaurants, shopping malls, and media/advertising. For instance, when I went to the drugstore, I noticed that there was skin lightening lotion and face lightening foundation makeup for sale.  The Spanish and Americans introduced the idea of skin hierarchies in the Philippines. This idea indicates that labor and race go hand in hand. Dark skin is related to lower class citizens who had to work outside, whereas light skin is affiliated with upper class citizens often because they are Mestizos or they are wealthy enough to work indoors away from the scorching sun.

Question: How do Filipinos feel about their education system and the Weste
rn influences that are pushed among their culture? Do they believe that America was oppressing their people or do they perceive it as a goodwill and gift of enlightenment for the people?

 References: 

Acabado, S. (2016). The Archaeology of Pericolonialism: Responses of the         “Unconquered” to Spanish Conquest and Colonialism in Ifugao, Philippines.             International Journal Of Historical Archaeology.

Alcantara, E. (2000). Baguio Between Two Wars: The Creation and Destruction of a     Summer Capital.