When the Spanish come to Zamboanga
In the early 1500’s the Spanish came to the Philippines for the first time. Magellon arrived first in Cebu and brought Catholic religion to the Philippines. The Philippines still very much Catholic today because of Spaniards. Magellon conquored Cebu, until he had been killed by Lapu Lapu. But, by the end of 1500’s, in 1596, the Spanish arrived in Zamboanga, where I live today. Am I the last Spaniard in Zamboanga? Probably now, I guess theres other Spaniards too here.
Spanish Gallion de Zamboanga
Spanish presence in Zamboanga is first recorded at La Caldera in November 1596. La Caldera is 20 Km Northeast from my place in Zamboanga City. Caldera was the base of the Spanish battles against the Moros of Cotabato, and Caldera was under supervision from Captain Juan Pacho. Original Spanish settlement in Mindanao happen at Cotabato, they build a fort in Tampacan, Cotabato. But, very difficult fighting in Cotabato, the Spaniards are in difficulty with Moros.
La Caldera, though, very secure for Spaniards, so orders were sent to Tampacan – burn the fort and go to Tampacan to fortify Spanish position there in Zamboanga. This is how Zamboanga came to be Spanish stronghold in Mindanao.
Just two years from taking charge of La Caldera, Captain Pacho is killed though, on an expedition to Jolo, Sulu. Even 511 years ago, Sulu is a very dangerous place! Me, Carlin, I take no expeditions to Sulu, I have no Galleon, and no soldiers! Even Captain Pacho, he had 20 soldiers with him for expedition to Jolo, but all were killed. They went to Jolo to make barter mission to get wax. Why they need wax? I know not, but they want wax.
Next comes Captain Villagra to Command La Caldera. Captain Villagra does not last long time, though. His men just worry enjoyment (many Filipinas visiting fort?), and they eat all their food. Also, Moros from Jolo are very bold now, because when they defeated Pacho, they already have no fear to Spanish. So, before endind of 1598, La Caldera is burned and abandoned, just as Tamapcan. Spaniards move around Zamboanga area many places. Finally, they build grand fortress, Fuerza de San Jose. We study more Fuerza de San Jose Grand Fortress later article, if you readers enjoying this Spanish History of the Zamboanga area.
I just am so happy that the Zamboangenyos of today still welcoming me, a 21st Century Spaniard to the Zamboanga area. I love the place!
hello carlin
a very informative article you have here with some history of zamboange and the spanish.i still have much to lear of that area as i am mostly familiar with davao and manila area.
thanks for the info my friend!!!
salamat carlin
Hola Carlin,
Buenos diaz muchacho,great article, and I love history, all history so keep them coming.
)
Yes, Zamboanga welcome you, but I am sure they keeping there eye on the “New” Spaniard in Zamboanga….so watch out for crowds with bolo’s….hehe..lol.
Adios amigo,
Danny
Hi Carlin, now that we know how the portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan wound up in the Philippines, how then does a half-irish, half-spaniard like you got to Zamboanga?
Hola Carlin,
Interesting history. I enjoyed your article as Im somewhat of a history buff.
There is one thing that I’ve always wondered about. How come the Philippines isnt a spanish speaking nation?
You look at all the other countries that spain has dominated, and they all speak spanish…Mexico, Chile, Columbia just to name a few.
Hi Carlin,
You know, there is a debate going on in Spain at the moment about the treaty between Spain and Germany, in with Spain sold to Germany about 11.000 islands of the INDIAS ORIENTALES, but a misteke was made, and about 20 of these islands were not included in the treaty, sothey are still of spanish soveranity.
It seems that spanish governament is not interested in the administration of these islas, it would be too expensive for them. May be I can negociate the selling or rent of this islas to me. I would proclaime the kindom of don QUIJOTE in the Pacific and I will develope this islas as a holiday paradise, I know how to do it.
If you are interested in helping me in this enterprise I wiil recompensate you, appoiting you as GOBERNADOR of one of this islas.
The same offer is made to any LIB readers who are interested in thies venture.
Jus kidding!
Have a nice day all of you.
Hehe, my first entrance in the Philippines was in Zamboanga…my first experience with the immigration who tried to make me pay for my cellphone, the Hey Joe and practically the only whiteface around…and spending newyear in the ricefields…Nice place really, friendly people. I visited the fort overthere too ofcourse. Thanks for the history update! By the way, the flags on the ships in your picture more look like Dutch to me…is that for a reason? (I’m Dutch hehe
Hi Carlin – Oops… I mean “Hola amigo.” In all seriousness (not joking), do you feel that as a Spaniard you are well accepted in Zamboanga? What about in the Philippines in general? I mean, are there still Colonial negative feelings toward Spaniards from the Filipino people? Do you feel that, or hear people say such negative things in your daily life?
Hi Toting,
We are speaking of the 16th,17th. and 18th.century,can you tell me a place in the world , that deed not have some sort of social descrimination? even today in some countries have it,defacto,I have seen it in India last January,even in USA, deed not stop untill,the 1960´s¡¡¡ .Even the Spanish population were subgets of the king,and the same in the rest of countries of europa.
By low,proclaimed bY the REYES CATOLICOS the natives OF WEST INDIAS,AND THE EAST INDIAS, have the same writes as the spanierds, not allways thies laws were implemented by the civil and militay comanders on the spot.
But some thin that spaniars can be very proud of ,is that we normaly married the natives,can you understand that? it makes a lot of diference,think for a minute about it.
I love the Filipinas and the Filipinos.
have a nice day.
My wife is from Davao, and her language shares much with the spoken Spanish language. So not all has been forgotten, and replaced by English……i2f….John
Nice painting of the sailing vessels, however this is not a Spanish Galleon, but a Dutch Vessel (refer to the Dutch Flags: Orange/White/Blue). I like the Old Maritime Sailing Paintings very much.
John
Hey Carlin,
I was an exchange student who stayed in Cotabato City and really loved it…that is until I went to Zamboanga! I loved it and would return in a heartbeat if I could. The food, people, and atmosphere was more than I expected..lucky man you are!
Hola Carlin, yo soy la filipina ensenando Ingles a los trabajadores de campo de Mexico y Guatemala. Tambien, yo ensenando espanol a los estudiantes de americanos en las clases secundarias. Como esta? Wow, what are you doing in Zamboanga. I went to Zamboanga long time ago (1992) attending a national librarian conference sent by my university as one of the reps. It is a beautiful city… I wish I could live there but too scared for my white husband and mixed race daughter…she is a mutt actually…my husband is Irish,Czech,and French while I am of Filipino and Spanish heritage – my great grandfather is one of the spaniards who impregnated the local women…es muy embarazado…LOL…the good thing probably is i look mestiza..ha..ha..ha..my daughter is always mistaken as Latina here in the US…dad lost his genes being white, right?
anyway, is the place that sells imported mechandise like soaps, malongs,etc stil there? I love the white rabbit candies that you can eat the wrapper but I heard these are made in China…no lead contents on them?
thanks for the history lesson… i took spanish in college and now I am able to use in teaching. Tenga un buen dia amigo…hasta la vista!!!!
tu amiga, terry
Hola Ron: Happy you enjoying my artical.
hola Danny: Buenos diaz, amigo. Thank you like article. Muchas gracias. I watch out every bolo in Zambo!
Hola roy: what I can say. Spicy women of Zamboanga luring me here. Spicy bonita senorita, latin city from Asia – how I can stay away?
Hola Hudson: I not knowing why no more speaking Spanish here. Why you think?
Hi Carlin and Hudson,
The Filipinos stopped speaking spanish because of the grassroot education that the Americans implemented on the Philippines during the American regime. My great grand parents from my mom side spoke and wrote spanish but the new American educational system completely obliterated the Spanish language as it was the lingua franca of the new generation. Another reason why the Filipinos readily gave up the spanish language because the spanish era was not kind to the native Filipinos called indios at that time. If you are an indio, no education for you. A caste system was in order at that time. Insulares, Pinensulares,Pure spanish, half spanish, chinese then the native. Inter-marriage was completely frown upon to say it lightly.
Discrimation and racial inequality was also very rampant during the spanish era. The American treated the Filipinos as subject but they were kind and the discrimination were subtle.
All of the above are forgiven now. Spain does not require Filipinos visa to go to Spain and vice versa. Spain is a major trading partner of the Philippines. Jose Rizal (Philippines national hero- Spanish-Filipino-Chinese mix) was confered a Doctorate degree honoris causa post humostly by a spanish university. Rizal has a park in madrid or a bust in a Madrid park. Carlin is in Zamboanga enjoying the city and people. El Filibusterismo and Noli me tangere were Rizal bestsellers(fiction); Better read the books Carlin and you will know more about Las Islas Filipinas. Its fiction but based on truth.
Tener cuidado,
Toting
Tonio, brother: Hola, amigo. Gobernador? Yes, I proclaim island full of spicy food and women! We are party all night! LIB pays double fare!
Hi Carlin,
Enjoyed your article,interesting.
Apparently there was a lot of Spanish spoken in PI when it was a Spanish colony.Spanish was gradually replaced by english when PI became an American colony.
regards Chas.
Hi Dimitri – They probably are Dutch, the little boat seems to have the flag of South Holland on its stern… Maybe this is a picture of Dutch ships attacking Zamboanga? Not really sure if there was a battle there, but I do know the Dutch tried to attack Manila
Hola Dimitri: I no choosing picture, Bob is editor, he caring for picture.
Hola chasdv: Caramba! Americanos!
Hola Jong: I think so such battle.
Hi John – Actually, that has already been discussed in the comments. As Carlin pointed out, that is me who did the photo. I am sorry that it wasn’t Spanish. Probably still got the point across, though. I agree, it’s a nice painting!
Hi Antonio Marqués Sans,
If you read and understand my reply to Carlin, that I wrote, I said during the Spanish Era that it is from the PAST. I bet Spain learned so much from all their history and that is why Spain is DIVERSE (Lots of immigrants) Isabel Preyler is Filipina as an example and she is very famous in Spain, that tells me, spaniards are open and accepting to other cultures NOW!! Carlin is in Zamboanga that means present spaniards does not care about skin color.
When humanity progresses thru time we mature and understand more about diversity. I did not intend to disparage the spaniards. I was just stating a possibility by basing it in history why Filipinos readily stop speaking spanish. I also said americans treated the Philippines better but not as equal but as subject or property and again this is during the PAST (American Era). You are right, there will always be discrimination but I do not condone this and I will hope the world will open up and embrace DIVERSITY!!
If you read the last paragraph. I wrote:”All of the above are forgiven now.” I really believe that this is the case as Spain and the Philippines has a very strong diplomatic relationship.
Hasta el siguiente
Toting
P.S. Carlin, Por favor fije más cuadros de Zamboanga. I actually wanted to visit the place.
Hola mi amigo Wade: I never went Cotabato yet. Maybe I go soon. When you visit Zambo, I guide you the city.
hola, terry. en primer lugar quisiera felicitarle por su esfuerzo para mejorar su dominio del castellano, aun le falta un poco más de practica, pero lo importante es que usted siga esforzando. con paciencia, ganas de aprender y determinación, sera capaz de triunfar en todo lo que hace! se ve que usted es una persona que da lo mejor de si en todo lo que hace. enhorabuena!
un abrazo,
el aventurero
how come a visa is not required for Filipinos so they can come to Spain? As far as I know, a schengen visa is obligatory so a Filipino can come to Spain. But a Spanish citizen can go to the Phils. for X number of days without visa. I am not sure if i am badly informed on this one… i better check it to the Phil. Embassy here for my future vacation to the Phils….
Hola adventurero – Sorry, I not Filipino Immigration lawyer. I cannot answer question.
yes, paisano, i know. i was actually wondering if toting can provide me additional info. thanks anyway. have a good day!
Hi adventurero,
The no visa requirement for former spanish colonies in not in effect anymore, when spain join the European union, this mandate cease to exist. Used to be that way
. It is easier though to get spanish visa, than US visa. Majority of filipinos prefer to travel to the U.S. so they can work. Surprisingly spanish language barrier did not hinder Filipinos to seek greener pasture in Spain. I’ve heard that Chinatown in Spain are populated by Filipinos.
Hasta Pronto !
Toting
hola el adventurero, como estas?
yo no puedo contestarlo porque estoy muy ocupada-tabajar mucho y vacacion grande con mi familia – hoy es el verano y mas cosas haciendo.
donde vives ahorita y de donde eres? yo vivo ahorita en syracuse, nueva york y trabajando en la escuela-ensenando los trabajadores de mexico y guatemalas. ensenado ingles para los hombres trabanjando acqui en los campos de lecherias. y tu? digame y adios amigo-necesitas ir a la iglesia -hoy es el domingo. Tenga un buen dia!!! Terry