History of STS (Spanish Regime)

• Education under Spanish colonial rule

  • Spaniards established schools, hospitals and started scientific research
  • Primary education was highly religious in nature
  • Higher education was pursued for the priesthood or for clerical positions in the colonial administration
  • Technical/vocational schools were established by the Spaniards only during the latter part of the nineteenth century
• Filipino students who went to Europe for advanced studies

  • Jose Rizal - Medicine in Ophthalmology (Spain and Germany)
  • Graciano Apacible - Medicine (Madrid)
  • Antonio Luna - Pharmacy (Madrid)
  • Jose Alejandrino - Engineering (Belgium)
• Reduccion


  1. Barangays were organized into fewer but larger more compact towns within the area of church bells

  2. Cabezas de barangay was appointed

  3. Gobernadorcillo or Capitan Municipal was elected

  4. Cabezas de barangay - lowest level of local government

  5. Tribute tax was imposed and collected

  6. Compulsory labor services were enforced on native Filipinos

  7. Compulsory sale of local products to the government was implemented
• Agriculture during Spanish colonial rule

  • 1887 - Manila School of Agriculture was created by royal decree but it was able to open only in July 1889
  • First 2 centuries - very little development in Philippine agriculture and industry
  • Dependence of the Spanish colonizers on the profits from the Galleon or Manila-Acapulco trade, which lasted from 1565 to 1813
• Local industries that flourished in Manila


  • Weaving
  • Embroidery
  • Hat-making
  • Carriage manufacture
  • Rope making
  • Cigar and cigarette making