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T

he middle class in Hispanic Philippines was composed of three major groups: the
Spanish mestizos, the Chinese mestizos, and the principalia. Mestizos were from
mixed marriages of Filipinos with the Spanish or the Chinese . The principalia were

known to be those whose lineages were under the former datus, who became the cabeza de
barangays and gobernadorcillos. Despite their native ancestries, they were also known to exude
certain privileges over their lesser natives.
The Spanish rule focused on a centralized government. Being on the lowest rung of the
hierarchy of power, those who were elected cabeza de barangay or gobernadorcillo were in
charge of the trivial duties for their respective barangays and pueblos. As intermediaries
between the Spanish officials and the natives, they were in charge of harnessing manpower for
the military and forced labor. Additionally, they were coordinators alongside parish priests during
religious festivities. They also collected taxes. Their duties granted them and their family
members exemptions from the forced labor imposed upon everyone else.
Being a part of nobility, the principalia had certain titles affixed when they being
addressed to, such as "Don" or "Donya". They had special positions in seating arrangements
during Holy Masses. Moreover, they wore certain articles of clothing that signified their slightly
higher position in the society. The prinicipalia lived in well-furnished homes as well. Their
affluence extended to the economic level; they owned more or less several tracts of land . They
also engaged in the Galleon Trade.
The rise of the middle class began with the spread of liberal ideals . The opening of the
ports of Manila to world trade in 1834 (and mainly by the Suez Canal in 1869) paved the way for
new philosophies to circulate among our countrymen. Notable among these ideals where those
from the French Revolution and the sentiments of philosopher Jean Jacques Rosseau . Liberal
thinking was also supported by Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre . His reign during
1873-1874 accommodated more aspirations from the natives, albeit short-lived.
Educational reforms were a great contributing factor to the improvement among the
principalia. In an attempt to raise the living standards of the natives and expedite the spread of

Christianity, compulsory yet free primary education was given to the poor . There were also
establishments of colleges for natives who wanted to pursue higher education; for the freedom
to choose a better profession, such as civil service . Those who graduated from primary school
were also exempted from forced labor. However, it should be noted that despite these reforms,
racial prejudice and discrimination were rampant against the natives who attended classes.
They were usually the objects of humiliation by the friars who taught them, as well as their
Spanish classmates. Spanish blood remained to be considered superior.
Besides primary and higher education, there were middleclass-men who managed to
rise higher above their situation. The economic affluence of the families from the middle class
enabled them to send their children abroad, for the purpose of furthering their studies and to
practice their respective professions. Thus, this increased their immersion to liberal thinking .
Subsequently, they came to be known as the Ilustrados, a class of educated elites. Granted with
a greater sense of freedom in a foreign country, they were able to express their opinions and
assertions better verbally. One such assertion is the assimilation of Philippines as a Spanish
province, elevating Filipino natives to be equals of the Spaniards under the law.
The emergence of the Ilustrado subclass among the principalia contributed greatly to the
influx of the spirit of nationalism among Filipino natives. Several of their works, such as Rizal's
famous Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, aroused the national consciousness among the
natives. Despite the looming sense of increased oppression, nationalist movements were soon
created in his wake.

References:
Asianjournalusa.com,. (2009). ASIAN JOURNAL a San Diego original. The 1st Asian Journal in
Ca,USA. A Filipino American weekly. Online | Digital | Print Editions.. Retrieved 22 February
2015, from http://asianjournalusa.com/an-unauthorized-history-of-the-philippines-p8282-113.htm
Asj.upd.edu.ph,. (2015). Retrieved 22 February 2015, from
http://asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ-15-1977/majul-ilustrados-principales-filipinonation.pdf
Slideshare.net,. (2015). Nationalism. Retrieved 22 February 2015, from
http://www.slideshare.net/corpuz/nationalism-24889075
Sspxasia.com,. (2015). Liberalism in the Philippines. Retrieved 22 February 2015, from
http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2002/Jan-Mar/Liberalism_in_the_Philippines.htm
The Kahimyang Project,. (2015). The Suez Canal opened paved way for direct relations with
Spain November 17, 1869. Retrieved 22 February 2015, from
http://kahimyang.info/kauswagan/articles/756/today-in-philippine-history-november-17-1869-thesuez-canal-in-egypt-opened-paving-way-for-the-philippines-direct-commercial-relations-withspain

In Hispanic Philippines:
Rise of the Filipino Middle Class

Submitted by:
Quizon, Maria Reena I.
2012-01404
Submitted to:
Maam Ma. Angustia Veluz
Philippine Institutions 100
February 28, 2015

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