1. 1. In consulting an online dictionary, it says that civilized is having highly developed society and culture and
showing evidence of moral and intellectual advancement, humane, ethical and reasonable… In my own
understanding, without formal knowledge of being civilized, it is like the way the latter explained - it is
about advancement of one society and letting go of old ways. However, being civilized has a more
something to understand about. In a more formal explanation, Rebecca Aylward in her essay ‘What Does
It Mean to be Civilized’ described well to what the term refers to. She said that to be civilized is to have
some level of refinement, education, morals and patients. There is marked by progress in the arts and
sciences and developed people out of primitive state. She also concluded that a civilized society protects
its inhabitants. The society establishes rules, regulations, order, education, refinement, some sort of
government and customs which make the area safe, comforting and dependable and allowing the
civilization to function and protect its people. Through this explanation, I disagree with the interpretation
of other historians that prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the early Filipinos are not civilized. Evidences
prove my disagreement. According to Philippine History, the country during pre colonial time has already
established its government system or the leadership way, justice is defined, religion or way of praising is
fully exercised, developing different industries which made the population make a living, women rule was
well defined and highly enjoyed, though not formal but education was given attention, simple but rhetoric
literature has its own ways and developed expression of arts. These mean that Filipinos are civilized
enough in their own ways through maximizing their resources and capabilities to establish and preserve
good governance, culture and values.
2. On the arrival of Spaniards to the Philippines, there were institutional and social changes made.
Summarizing its benefits into two subjects: a.) the defined roles of the Church and the State
(Government) as the authorities in managing, controlling and overseeing the country and its overall scope
– people, culture, economy, education, justice etc. and b.) the role of establishing a business as it
contributes to the country’s economy and gives opportunities to other Filipinos. These changes affected
Filipinos in different ways. Filipinos experienced systematic way of government in the presence of
divisions and hierarchical authorities however, Filipinos became submissive to the government and the
church. Resources became very limited for them as Spaniards were very strict and greedy. Discrimination
was rampant particularly to women who became very dependent to their husband and the privilege of
owning and selling properties was removed. Social status was very discriminating as well as Spaniards
themselves were very dominating.
Moreover, in religion aspect, the religious belief was developed as Christianity was introduced to
the Filipinos. Government system was developed as well into a more hierarchical division through
‘remapping of the Philippines settlement patterns’ – cabaceras, poblaciones, barangay or barrios and
sitios. Also, different taxes and tributes are implemented as to give recognition of Filipinos loyalty to the
King of Spain. Although there are bad sides, Spaniards helped Filipinos to develop different industry
particularly agriculture through establishing kind of business. They also helped the country developed its
infrastructures like churches, roads, bridges, ships, etc. Education also was given attention as they gave
opportunities to the children and those who had money and talent were given chance to become lawyers,
physicians and teachers. And due to confusion, Filipinos were given the chance to create their name with
surnames. These contributions of Spaniards to us are until today used in different parts of the country in
different aspects of society despite of a more traumatic effects of it. However, at the end, in a way, it
uplifted Filipinos civilization.