The Indomitable Filipino Spirit

The Philippines is a country rich with culture. The early Filipinos had their own beliefs and opinion even before the Spaniards came. They had their own clothing (kanggan and bahag for men and baro and saya for women) and built their houses from wood, bamboo, and nipa palm. (Agoncillo, 1990) They also believed in "Bathala" who was supposed to be the supreme being and in "anitos" whom they offered food and prayers so they could gain their favors.

When the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in the 15th century, the lives of Filipinos would never be the same again. The almost 4 centuries of Spaniard colonization had greatly changed the country and its people. Some of those who could afford had developed their wooden houses to "bahay na bato" with a wide azotea. Their precolonial mode of dressing also gradually changed. The kanggan and bahag were transformed into barong tagalog and trousers, respectively. The baro and saya for women eventually developed into mestiza dress. (Agoncillo, 1990)

One of the motives of the Spaniards for colonizing the Philippines was to spread Christianity. Many of those who believed in "anitos" had been baptized and converted as Christians. With the conversion of the Filipinos, fiestas honoring the saints were introduced. From January to December, there were fiestas all over the lowland Christianized Philippines. (Agoncillo, 1990)

The Spaniards had definitely transformed the Filipinos' old way of living. They had not only contributed to the  physical transformation of the Philippines but also to its social, cultural, and economical changes. Their influence went beyond the usage of Hispanic names and the conversion from Paganism to Christianity. They left a whole culture behind them. Nonetheless, the Filipino spirit never wavered despite everything they went through under the Spaniards' rule. They fought for freedom and never gave up until they got it. The Filipinos never let anything defeat their spirit. This is still evident even today, 6 centuries since the Spaniard colonization.

The life and struggles of Filipinos during the Spanish period was portrayed in the movie "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon." NCCA's "The Philippines At the Turn of the Century" exhibit also painted a vivid picture of the situation of Filipinos during the Spanish regime. Meanwhile, CCP's "Cordillera Beauties: A Reorientation"exhibit showed both the beauty of women and the country's own culture that has survived for many years.

Watching  "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon" has helped me to understand how Filipinos lived during the Spanish era. I realized how how hard it was to be a Filipino under the domination of another country. It was like traveling time backwards. I was able to see how they actually lived - from their houses to the transportation available to them to their status in the society led by Spaniards. More importantly, I realized how much the Philippines has changed now that we are in the 21st century.

Agriculture, even before and after the Spanish colonization, has always been the main source of livelihood of the Filipinos, owing to the fact that the country is gifted with natural resources. The country was abundant with rice, coconuts, sugar canes, cotton, fruits, and vegetables. Aside from agriculture, Filipinos also had poultry, fishing, stock-raising, mining, and weaving industries. (Agoncillo, 1990)

Nowadays, many Filipinos struggle to survive their daily life. Although the mentioned industries still exist up to this day, Filipinos knew that they needed to adjust to the demands of modern times. Although modernization opened many job opportunities to people, it is still hard for them to support their families these days because the cost of living is higher now. This is why they created new ways to earn a living so they can provide the needs of their families. They either apply for a job or create their own business. Even though they are faced with many obstacles, Filipinos don't let it dampen their spirit. Instead of being defeated by unfortunate circumstances, they stand up and put up a fight.

Filipinos are born fighters. They fight to be free. They fight to survive. They fight to live. They do not surrender in times of difficulties. They shine brighter in darkness. And this has always been the way they are.

Because Filipinos don't give up. They never did; and they never will.

To clean is to earn. A street sweeper takes her job seriously in order to feed her family.

Give your heart to anything you do. A fruit vendor intently focuses to perfectly peel the santol he sells.

The day is still young. A teenage boy looks optimistic as he goes around Intramuros to look for passengers.

Too many thoughts, not enough buyers. A woman stares at an empty space while waiting for someone to buy the rosaries she sells.

Believe me. A woman tries her best to convince passersby to buy candles from her.

Longing for customers. A lady vendor stands in the center of the plaza to sell paper bags.

This is for you. A woman sells sampaguita near Quiapo Church despite her old age.

Will the odds be in my favor today? A fortune teller lays her card in hopes of attracting customers.

This is what I do best. A maintenance guy fixes the tank for the water under the bridge.

If the price is right. A kutsero stops for a passenger that wants to go around the park through riding in his kalesa.

Source:

Agoncillo, Teodoro A. (1990). History of the Filipino People (8th ed).