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The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 1

Abstract

This research paper tackles the influence of the Spanish and American culture on Filipino women.
The start of the cultural mixing is said here it also describes what a Filipino woman was before the
colonialization of the two countries that colonialized the Philippines. How pre-colonial women
were independent and what is their standing in society back then in pre-colonial times is discussed
in this research. The colonialization of Spain and America in the Philippines is also tackled. The
changes that these two different countries passed on to Filipinos and how it affected Filipino
women in the way they act, present themselves and how others perceived them. In Spanish colonial
times, religion is tackled and what impact it gave to the minds of Filipinos and what and how much
pressure it gave to a woman back then. In American times, discussions about freedom from the
Spaniards is elaborated, what changes happened to a Filipino woman, how it changed them from
what Spaniards painted a woman to be.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 2

The Influence of Spanish and American Culture on Filipino Women's Values and Personality on

this Day and Age

"Women's liberation is the liberation of the feminine in the man and the masculine in the

woman." (Kent). A quote from a nun and a famous pop art artist from the 20th century. This

paper does not only discuss the complimenting and contradicting effects of what these different

cultures did to the Philippines, this also discusses what should we do or how we should manage

the effects these different cultures gave us, and how we should fight the discrimination of

Filipino to Filipinas.

The equality of men and women today has been a debate on who has greater position in

society, who gets more respect and who is more dominant. The development of women to what

they are now goes down in history starting in the pre-hispanic era to the Spanish colonialization

to the American colonialization. Views on women vary from the different timelines, women may

be perceived as gentle or aggressive in these different periods. The suppressing of freedom has

been a problem back then for Filipino women, being portrayed as someone who should stay at

home and entertain guests to being shamed if done something against the law, but pushing

towards history women were able to remove the pressure of what society has given them to be

and how they should look and act. Feminism is something that blossomed in the past because of

the repressed thought of freedom of women of having to have the same rights as men. Not being

too aggressive in being equal to what men had then instantly but slowly fighting and removing

the shackles that the Spanish had given them in their time in colonializing the Philippines.

Spanish and American Culture have influenced Filipino women values and personality. Filipinos

have changed its culture from pre-colonial times up to now. Pre-colonial women in the Philippines

were considered to be strong-willed and sometimes had bigger task than men. They were
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 3

considered as equal to their gender counterpart. In that time being a woman who's strong and

independent wasn’t controversial as to now and even in the colonial times. The Hispanic era, where

the stereotypical image of a woman was established. Modest, self-effacing and submissive, these

are some traits that created a woman in the Hispanic era, these made women look and feel frail.

Pointing out the different traits of what the pre-colonial, Hispanic, and American era

pictured women to be gave ideas on what a Filipinas is now in modern times. Each of the era had

a great impact on what Filipinas are now. Having to be independent back then made Filipinas be

independent as well, as for the Hispanic era, a time where Catholicism was introduced made

women in the Philippines become careful on what they do and say. In the America era, the most

liberating era, Filipinos were freed from the Spanish and their strict image of what a woman should

be was subdued which gave Filipinas freedom.

The Influences of these different cultures has strike a question on who had a better way in

portraying a woman. The comparison of these different cultures gives us an idea on what are some

traits that Filipino women still carries until now, the mannerisms, the values etc... The topic also

stirs when did the cultural mixing began, how it impacted Filipinos and what are the effects of

these portrayal of women then made what a Filipina is now.

The different cultures that colonialized the Philippines had become something that is a part

of what makes a Filipino. Researching about this makes us see what are some qualities that

Filipinos have been detached from and what is still alive and is still practiced. Not only do we see

the cultural differences the pre-colonial, Hispanic and the American era had but we get to know

the roots of what our culture was and what makes it now briefly.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 4

In the pre-colonial or pre-Hispanic era people were simple. Everything was basic,

education was simple, agriculture was okay the people then were spread out in different places and

they were called Barangay. Religion was never really a concern then agriculture was number one

priority because of food.

Women in the Philippines before colonialization was given importance and they too gave

themselves importance. Trying to level with men was nothing because the women then had their

own important place in society. They could even hold high characters in communities like healers,

priestesses, and they could even handle leadership roles and fight as warriors. As part of the line

for the heir and heiresses of a Datu, his daughter could be one of the choices. (Saldua, 2012). The

treatment of men and women were equal in pre-colonial times.

Women had the right to inherit property and they also had important parts

in business and trading. They would weave, do pottery and make jewelries to be

used for exchanging in the market, in other tribes and other foreign traders like the

Chinese. They controlled the operations of transactions because their husbands

were not allowed to barter unless their wives approved. (Saldua, 2012).

Women had important rolls in society in pre-colonial times. The Babaylan or the healer

was usually a woman and when an occasion arises that a man would take this role he needs to dress

up as a woman. (Saldua, 2012). Women were adored in pre-colonial times because of their

wiseness. The fact that a man is obligated to dress up as a woman in able to substitute a Babaylan

just indicates how much they worship or respect a woman then.

Discrimination in this era was non-existing, men and women were equal. "Filipino Women

had the power to decide for themselves, they controlled how they lived. They enjoyed equal status
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 5

with men, were known for their wisdom and knowledge, and enjoyed the privileges of human

rights." (Saldua, 2012). This era had women make their own decisions without consultation with

men, they were their own boss. Women had free will they were able to do anything they want,

where and when.

Women's profession then had the same weight as men had. The job that women had is

either more important or has the same level as the other gender. Women had rolls in the Philippines

like, "healers, priestesses, and they could even handle leadership roles and fight as warriors."

(Saldua 2012). These are called Babaylans.

Women had dreams and experienced life-altering events that led them to become

babaylans of their specific communities. The traditional path in babaylan formation

was to be called by a mystical source or to inherit the role from an elder babaylan.

The sacred call would come in a dream or the person would experience a life-

threatening illness, be healed by prayers and then experience a change of

consciousness. (Marianita, 2006, p.55)

The role of women in a household can be sometimes be greater than the man in it when it

comes to business, other than being a healer or being involved in business, the pre-colonial woman

were also politicians.

The role of women in the political field, especially leadership role is a

disputable subject for those who say, this was based merely on legends. Remember

the legend of Queen Maniwantiwan, the wife of Datu Marikudo whose consent had

to be secured before he could sell his lands to the Bornean immigrants led by Datu

Puti. Another queen who is reported to have ruled Cotabato in the seventh century
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 6

was Queen Sima. The practice of primogeniture with regard to inheritance

regardless of sex allowed women to succeed their fathers as rulers of tribes. The

most famous of the women leaders of pre-Spanish society was Princess Urduja of

Pangasinan. She was supposed to be a beautiful Amazon, courageous and

intelligent, possessing knowledge of languages and culture of Old Asia.

(Titgemeyer, 1997)

These are just examples of what the women did in pre-colonial times. Women weren't

restricted from aiming high in the political career. Pre-colonial women are possible to have the

same rank of a man, even the highest rank can be attained by a woman with no questions, it is just

accepted naturally. The respect and the way women were honored then is unimaginable compared

today.

Discrimination did not exist in this era, equality reigned. Unjust treatments to woman

which is done in modern days didn't happen. Men looked at women the same way they see

themselves. Women had free will inside their family, they had the same choices and decisions as

men. Restricting woman of their free will was never existing in this time. Woman act the way they

want and the men respect. Disrespecting woman back then was considered dishonorable for a man.

Women were able to choose whatever they want. Women had the power to control

themselves and everything that is around them because they have freedom to do so. In marriage

women could divorce men if they choose to

In the event of divorce caused by childlessness, infidelity, failure to fulfill

obligations towards family, etc. the dowry had to be returned by the bride´s family

if she was at fault. However, if the husband was at fault, he lost any right of its
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 7

return. The children were divided equally between the two regardless of sex. The

conjugally-acquired property was also divided equally. (Titgemeyer, 1997)

Divorce as an example of what a woman can do in pre-colonial times proves how much

power a woman has in herself and in a family. This type of practice is done in a divorce because

it makes each party becomes equal. "This way, she possessed equal rights with regard to divorce

according to law and custom." (Titgemeyer, 1997).

To summarize the pre-colonial era of the Philippines everybody had equal right. Whether

you’re a boy or a girl you can be whatever you want and you can do whatever you want to do.

Women could inherit and lead a land, they could choose what they want to do inside their family.

Divorce was an option if the family she’s in is dysfunctional. Freedom prevailed at that time.

Everybody was more accepting and tolerant.

The Spanish era has change the part of women in society. When the Spaniards came to the

Philippines to colonialize they destroyed the glorious traditions and the equality of man and

woman. During this time men where dominant, they could attend school and have a chance to

study higher education, just an example on how much the Spaniards took from women.

The Spaniards separated the roles of men and women in society. Men were brought up to

be successors of their family while women weren’t. This type of judgement even inside the family

is kind of depressing because knowing that your own family sees value in their children that men

has more to offer to them than women. The Discrimination on gender in this era is sickening, this

is the time where women stereotypes have been made.

The stereotype of being a lady and acting like a lady was made in this era. Women were

posed to be like “Maria Clara”. Maria Clara is a fictional character in the book Noli Me Tangere
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 8

written by Jose Rizal, she is the paramour of the lead character. The book described her as

beautiful, charming, graceful and reserved. Her description is the ideal type of woman in Spanish

colonial times. These characteristics of Maria Clara were to be adapted by a woman in those times.

It limited the abilities of what woman can do, the choice to be tough and independent were removed

because of the Spaniards culture.

Women were seen to be lower than men in this time. “Women were no longer allowed to

hold high positions and participate in political activities.” (Saldua, 2012). The freedom of woman

in expressing what they want to do and what they want to say has been taken away. The way that

they snatched these rights that a woman has just because of their cultural practices was appalling

especially for those who were brought up to be free and be whatever they want.

In the colonialization of the Spaniards they brought their religion too and implemented it

on Filipinos. Religion was a factor that the Spaniards controlled and took over of. The religion that

the Spaniards introduced to Filipinos is Christianity. Christianity, a religion based on Jesus’s

teaching when he lived in the holy land.

Introduction to Christianity has changed many things in the Philippines. The Natives were

forced to abandon paganism and were thought to worship the Catholic church instead. Instead of

having the basic politics that the pre-colonialized Filipinos had, the Spanish implemented their

government.

Spain introduced the Centralized form of government. It was divided into two units:

The Central government and the Local government. The King entrusted the colony

to the governor-general, who had the highest position in the government. The Royal

Audiencia was the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The Residencia and the
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 9

Visitador were the special courts that investigated on the conduct of the governor-

general and other high-ranking Spanish officials. The Local Government was

responsible for the following: the provinces, cities, towns and barrios.

(Anonymous)

Another way of saying this is that social classes were implemented by the Spaniards.

Equality among fellow Filipinos has change. Friars had a high place in society in this era because

of Christianity. The disruption of equality among genders had the most effect on women. Women

were supposed to be perceived as someone demure and gentle. Again, the Maria Clara image was

ideal at that time. Weak women were seen to be the ideal women if you were to generalize all the

characteristics given.

“During the Spanish era, the role of women was reduced to housekeeping and childrearing

as this was stereotypical at that time. In effect, women were viewed to be reserved, shy, and

submissive to men.” (Peralta, 2015). The Introduction of Catholicism changed the moral values of

women. Filipino women then in the pre-colonial era was independent and respected by men,

because of Catholicism women were forced to change because of the conservative church.

Women’s freedom became shackled because of religion.

the Spanish also established a tradition of subordinating women, which is

manifested in women's generally submissive attitudes and in a double standard of

sexual conduct. The woman's role as family treasurer, along with a woman's

maintenance of a generally submissive demeanor, has changed little, but the double

standard of sexual morality is being challenged. (Dolan, 1991)


The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 10

Spaniards made an image of what a woman should do in this era, taking away the freedom

they had in pre-colonial times. What a woman should offer to society in this time is very limited

and the way a woman should act inside her family is limited also. Not being able to express what

she really feels is stressful. Women’s freedom was suppressed by the Spaniards because it was

unnatural for them to have women be glorified and have the same power as men and that triggered

them to act by using religion to correct it. It may not be correct in other people’s eye but it is right

for the Spaniards because it’s their norm.

The judgements of people upon Filipinas became critical in a way that a woman shouldn’t

be so expressive. A woman should be reserved, A woman shouldn’t act foolish specially when in

front of men. They should respect men and care for their families and do most of all the household

chores. Families preferred men to be born rather than women. Virginity became something very

important to Filipinos because of Christianity.

U.S. President William McKinley sent several commissions to the Philippines even

as the U.S. Army fought the Filipinos. William Howard Taft, president of the

Philippine Commission, began installing American control on September 1, 1900.

A year later, he became the first governor-general of the Philippines. Between 1901

and 1913, American officials, controlling executive, legislative, and judicial

offices, rebuilt the islands' government from the village to the national level. An

elected lower house, the Philippine Assembly, soon participated in national affairs.

Both the judicial system and the civil service, modeled after American counterparts,

replaced the Spanish system. (Melendy, n.d.)


The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 11

The Americans fought off the Spaniards and totally replace the system with theirs. Another

culture has set in the Philippines, almost everything that the Spaniards build have been demolished

in replace of the judicial system and the civil service of the Americans. Filipinos are again to adapt

a different culture.

In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain, ultimately resulting in what is

called the Treaty of Paris, in which the Spanish agreed to give up the islands of the

Philippines in exchange for $20,000,000. The Philippines had been ruled by the

Spanish for nearly ____ years. During first years, there were some conflicts

between the U.S. and The Philippines. But during World War I, they came together

and the Filipinos fought alongside the Americans. After WWI ended, the U.S.

continued to rule over the Philippines, and gradually their relationship became

much more friendly. (Balinski, 2015).

The start of the colonialization of the Americans had begun, Spaniards were taken out with

the help of Filipinos fighting side by side with the Americans. In the end of the war The United

States ruled the Philippines in a more nicer way than the Spaniards.

“Religious freedom was guaranteed, and government support of the Catholic church as the

state religion ended.” (Melendy, n.d.). Christianity was existing in the Spanish colonial period but

when the Americans came Filipinos were free to choose whatever religion they wanted,

Protestantism was a religion introduced by the Americans. Again, because of the freedom the

Americans gave in terms of religion Filipinos could move away from Christianity if they wanted

to.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 12

On the other hand, America in return also adopted Roman Catholic Christianity

after the American invasion in the Philippines on July 4, 1946. At the same time,

missionaries of the Jehovah's Witnesses arrived in the Philippine during the

American Occupation (1898-1945). For this reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses Religion

was also adopted in the Philippines. (Anoymous, 2009)

These are some examples of different religions that came in the American period. Having

these religions and not making it of such a big deal to the Americans translates on how much

Filipinos were freed from the strict Christian rules they used to follow. Filipino women became

more expressive because the weight of Christianity bestowed upon them got lifted away because

of the religious freedom given by the Americans.

A great influence given by the Americans to the Philippines is the emancipation of women,

from politics to social involvement to the society. “Filipino women were no longer secluded within

the narrow confines of the home. They were given freedom to go out and associate with men, and

to attend social parties even without chaperons. They were allowed to work. To engage in business

to attend political meetings. Participate in active sports.” (Badilles, 2013). Based on what women

can do now in the American period, women were almost back to what they had in the pre-colonial

era. Women were free again and regained the ability to choose what they want to do.

One of the greatest contributions of America to the Philippines is education. Primary and

high schools were built in communities, urban and provinces. Public education was introduced to

the Philippines by Americans. With public education being given, knowledge was more attainable

to women. The Language used in universities, colleges and schools was English. This explains
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 13

why Filipinos are good in understanding and speaking in English because it was the language used

in education.

“Co-education was established and boys and girls studied together in same schools. The

phenomenal growth of education was shown by the unprecedented increase in the number of

schools, teachers and students.” (Anonymous, 2013). Women were now allowed to study because

of co-ed being installed in the education system. Filipino Women were also allowed to take higher

education, “the women were given freedom to acquire the opportunities of higher education and

to practice any profession which had formerly been reserved only for the men.” (Java, 2011).

Filipino women were able to keep up with a thing that only a man can have, which is education.

Almost every major can be achieved by a woman now. Law, medicine, chemistry, pharmacy,

dentistry, journalism, business, engineering and even aviation, professions that weren’t attainable

in the Spanish colonial period is now possible because of the education given by the Americans to

the Philippines.

Women started to become more active in politics, women suffrage became a topic in the

constitution that the Americans has brought.

According to the Constitution, suffrage would be granted if at least 300,000

qualified women should vote affirmatively in a plebiscite to be held within two

years after the adoption of the Constitution. In conformity with this constitutional

provision, the plebiscite was held on April 30, 1937. In this plebiscite 447,725

women voted in favor of suffrage and only 44, 307 against it. (Java, 2011)

Filipino women became able to vote because of unity with each other and taking from the

education that they had. Education does really enter in the politics scene that women had in this
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 14

time. Again, the involvement of women in politics became more noticeable. Women were

nominated for positions in the government.

In the general election of December 14, 1937, twenty-four (24) women were elected

to municipal and provincial offices and one woman to the city council. Miss

Carmen Planas, first woman councilor of Manila. Mrs. Elisa R. Ochoa of Agusan,

was elected to the House of Representative in the national election of November

11, 1941. She was the first Filipino woman to become a member of the Congress

of the Philippines. (Java, 2011)

These are some women who were amazing in that time because of being able to be

nominated. Coming from the cruel Spanish colonial period women were still able to turn things

around thanks to the Americans influence in the Philippines, from religious freedom to free

education, women were able to pick themselves up because of the fresh start the American gave

them.

The effects and the influence of the Spanish and American colonialization in the

Philippines made Filipino women what they are now. The influences given to them by these two

countries developed overtime, some were removed, changed and improved. These improvements

are what we can see now in and outside a Filipino woman.

Filipino women, because of the colonialization of these two cultures has evolved through

time and because of what we’ve known Filipino women to be now. In the past, in the Spanish

period, Filipino women were housewives, stereotyped to be passive aggressive and weak.

Education was held back to women, but even with all those boundaries held up by the different

colonies Filipino women were still able to stand up during difficulties and helped in shaping the
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 15

nation. Through the years women has been active in every aspect of society and still growing

because of their belief in themselves.

Today, it is not surprising to see a Filipino woman walking down the street confident in

expressing herself. She may be a government employee, a person who own her own business and

the head of it. Women now are free to do anything and can be who they want to be. Career set

aside, women can also have a family that is taken care of by her and being a single mother now is

not a controversy anymore compared back. Filipino women are seen today conquering every field

there is in society and tackling every problem she faces with confidence and belief in herself. She

defies everything that the people around her says she cannot do. She aspires to be someone in this

society dominated by men and inspires other women to do the same thing.

Controversies and discrimination against women still exists even with the freedom that

women have. This thinking came from the influence of the Spanish and the church.

Find proof an influential man has had affairs with and children from different

women; or molested a woman; or abused a woman, and most Filipinos will label it

“normal, boys will be boys.” Spin a negative rumor about a well-known Filipina,

and our society will jump to believe it more than they believe in Jesus Christ. Call

her “immoral” and she is immediately stripped of all her achievements and

humanity. (Zabala, 2017)

Even with the pressure still held against women, because of the freedom given to them they

can now stand up with what they think is right and they can now own their opinion. Filipino women

are now more confident in what they have to say because no one will make a great deal out of it.

Some will criticize but fellow women will stand up for it and justify it.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 16

A Filipino woman is now liberated, in modern times, and can adopt to any situation.

Filipino women are liberated in a way she can speak and stand up for herself. Different feminist

groups blossomed in the past decade because of trying to break the stereotype given that a woman

is a less version of a man and should be set aside in important happenings. Copying the Americans

in having the women have rights in, for example voting, made Filipino women become active

feminist.

“Activists since the 1980’s aspired to replace Maria Clara, Sisa and Juli as role models.

They upheld women revolutionaries against Spain, and political activists who fought against the

Marcos regime.” (Roces & Edwards, 2010). Feminists rejected the images of these figures in the

Spanish Colonial period because it suppresses what a Filipino woman and how much potential

they have. Filipino women aren’t decorations in a household that serves and always try to look

presentable. Filipino women are strong and independent. Feminists even included victims of

domestic abuse, partner of infidelity, trafficking, prostitution and abuse.

Today’s Filipino women are still passionate and still has a soft spot for her family, because

of the Spaniards, Filipino women still retained the nurturing, caring and tender qualities that the

Spanish or the Christian church labeled them with. Filipino women still having the strength and

the traits that her ancestors had become strong, and independent. Having the Americans colonialize

the Philippines gave Filipino women the right to speak her mind again just like what the pre-

colonialized women had. With all the different cultures that Filipino women have experienced

through time, she made all of the unfortunate conception of her as a strength in forming feminism,

she fought of the strict rules given to her by the Spanish and took the colonialization of the

Americans as an advantage to fight off the pressure.


The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 17

References
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asia/Philippines/sub5_6c/entry-3876.html

(n.d.). Retrieved from Green Wood: http://gem.greenwood.com/wse/wsePrint.jsp?id=id626

Balinski, R. (2015, February 18). Retrieved from Prepare to Serve :


http://preparetoserve.com/blog/americas-influence-in-the-philippines/

Melendy, H. B. (n.d.). Retrieved from Every Culture: http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Du-


Ha/Filipino-Americans.html

Renato Constantino, L. R. (1975). A History of the Philippines: From the Spanish Colonization
to the Second World War. New York : Monthly Review Press.

Rodriguez, F. (1, September 2015). Retrieved from Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/move-


ph/issues/gender-issues/86032-women-empowerment-leaders-ph

Titgemeyer, L. S. (1997). Status of Women. La Mujer Indigena - The Native Woman. Retrieved
from Univie: https://www.univie.ac.at/ksa/apsis/aufi/wstat/mujer.htm

Villariba, M. G. (2006). Babaylan Women. Women in Action, pp. 55-60.


The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 18

Appendices

Summary

The research aims to determine the influences of the Spanish and American culture on
Filipino values and personality on this day and age.

Questions

1. When did the cultural mixing began?


2. What makes a Filipina then?
3. How did the different cultures impact Filipino women?
4. What are the changes that happened to Filipino women?
5. What is the biggest influence given to the Philippines that changed Filipino women?

The respondents of the research consisted of the interviewer, Lovely Marice T. Amarillo
and the interviewee, Luzviminda R. Tanglao.

The interview served as an opinion of what a modern Filipino woman thinks of how the
Filipino culture changed through these two different countries that colonialized us. This
interview sought out what a woman thinks of gender equality and how she feels about it. It states
the benefits and advantages of what these two cultures gave to Filipinos. An opinion about the
younger Filipino women has been stated here too, what she thinks about her and how different it
is from when the interviewee was young. Comparison of what women were back then versus
now is also described in a way how the interviewee sees it.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 19

Interview transcript

Interviewer: Lovely Marice T. Amarillo

Interviewee: Luzviminda R. Tanglao

(Start of Interview)

Interviewer: As a modern woman in the Philippines what do you feel among equality among
genders?

Interviewee: The equality among genders has always been a controversial topic through the
years. Sometimes it’s a raging topic, sometimes it becomes unnoticeable.

Interviewer: What else can you add to that ma’am?

Interviewee: I just tend to shrug it off, I know that sometimes it’s unfair, I mean mostly, but I
seem to be okay with it and not go into the crowd of “hardcore” feminists. You know what, I’m
not really okay with it but I guess I’m just not into the women’s right propaganda but I know to
myself that it’s unfair.

Interviewer: Wow. That’s a very honest question. Can I ask you the second one?

Interviewee: Thank you. Yes, go ahead.

Interviewer: What are some traits that you think you acquired from these 2 cultures, the Spanish
and American cultures?

Interviewee: Traits from the Spanish and Americans?

Interviewer: Yes.

Interviewee: I guess I’ve acquired some of the language from the Spanish. I know that the
Filipino language has taken a lot from the Spanish.

Interviewer: What else?

Interviewee: Well, from the Spanish, religion is one, I am a Catholic. The way I dress myself I
think is conservative, the Catholic church must’ve influence me because “vulgar” clothing is too
much for them and now also for me.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 20

Interviewer: What about the American culture? What are things that you’ve gotten from them

Interviewee: The language, English, we’re speaking it now.

Interviewer: What else?

Interviewee: The clothes as well, jeans, t-shirts, polos. They all came from America, right?

Interviewer: Yes.

Interviewee: I also eat at fast food chains, where the popular ones came from them.

Interviewer: Okay. The third question, what are the benefits of these?

Interviewee: These?

Interviewer: The influences.

Interviewee: Oh, the more the merrier, right?

Interviewer: I guess.

Interviewee: Religion is a big thing for me, I go to church every Sunday and thanks to the
Spanish they introduced us God or the church. The English language also makes us bilingual.
When you go to a different country you can use it. It is the universal language.

Interviewer: Those are some good points. Can I go for the fourth question?

Interviewee: Sure.

Interviewer: What are your views on younger Filipino women nowadays?

Interviewee: I guess they are more expressive?

Interviewer: I guess so.

Interviewee: The youth today is again, more expressive. They aren’t shy in expressing
themselves. Some people sees it as vulgar but I don’t really care, because it’s a different age
now.

Interviewer: For the last question, compared to your days back then growing up, how much have
Filipino women changed now? In terms of physical traits and values.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 21

Interviewee: Back then we had curfews, we weren’t allowed to go out whenever we want to. My
parent would lock the door if I didn’t go straight home from school. We respected our parents.
Kids nowadays they don’t. We also dressed differently compared to now, clothes were more
modest back then. There are good modest clothes still today, but some.

Interviewer: Again, very honest.

Interviewee: Thank you.

Interviewer: Thank you for your time and input in this research, your opinions are appreciated.

Interviewee: You’re welcome, and thank you also.


The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 22

Interviewer with the Interviewee


The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 23

Outline

1. Introduction
Thesis statement: Spanish and American culture have influenced Filipino women's values and
personality
2. Before colonialization of the Philippines women were important
2.1. Women had rolls in society in pre-colonial times.
2.1.1. Women had the same jobs men had
2.1.2. Women were sometimes even greater than men in some professions
2.2. Discrimination wasn't displayed in this era
2.2.1. Women had the freedom to choose whatever they want
2.2.2. Men are equal to their opposite sex in this time
3. The Spanish era changed the part of women in society
3.1. Spaniards separated the roles of men and women
3.1.1. Women were posed to be as "Maria Claras"
3.1.2. Women were displayed to be lower than men.
3.2. Catholicism was introduced to Filipinos by the Spaniards
3.2.1. Introduction of religion changed the moral values of women
3.2.2. Judgements of people upon Filipinas became critical
4. American colonialism freed Filipinos from the strict culture of Spaniards
4.1. Americans freed Filipinos from religion & gave education
4.1.1. Being more expressive has been accepted because the pressure of religion was pulled off
4.1.2. With public education being given, knowledge was more attainable to women.
5. The contradiction of these 2 produced something which are Filipinos
5.1. The adaption of Filipina women upon these 2 cultures produced something controversial
5.1.1 Filipinas now are liberated and can almost adopt into any situation
5.1.2. Filipinas still retained the image that they are known for which is the Maria Clara image
6. Conclusion
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 24

Conclusion

From the analysis of data, the findings were as follows:

1. The cultural mixing began when the Spaniards arrived. They introduced the Church,
pushed paganism and changed the views of Filipinos in life.
2. Then a Filipina was charming, graceful and reserved, particularly in Spanish times. In the
American era women were strong-willed, feminism bloomed in this era.
3. Filipinos now are liberated coming from the culture of the Americans fighting for rights
and equality and also respectful of themselves taking from the Spanish colonialization.
4. Women were forced to change because of the pressure of these 2 cultures gave,
especially in the Spanish era. Women became conservative, not because they want to, but
because the law says so, and the law then was the church. In the American colonialization
because women were freed from the shackles that the Spanish kept them in women
became more empowered and fought for other rights that men had.
5. The biggest influence ever given by a foreign country to the Philippines that impacted
Filipino women is the religion Catholicism. Religion changed the way how everyone
viewed life and each other. Women changed their looks to obey the law, the church.
People became more conservative because of this influence. Up to now Religion is still a
big deal, thanks to the Spaniards who introduced this to Filipinos.
The Influence of Spanish and American Culture 25

Researcher’s background

Lovely Marice T. Amarillo

Student at Mapua University

Majoring in BS Industrial Design

Lives in Pasig City

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