The Founding of Manila

• -          Legazpi was happy to hear from Goiti. He informed his men that the King of Spain appointed him as governor and captain-general of the islands, which was equivalent to governor-general. He was, therefore, the first governor-general of the Philippines

  -          At this time, however, food became scarce in Panay. Father Diego de Herrera, an Augustinian friar, suggested that they settle in Luzon instead. So Legazpi decided to leave for Luzon on April 20, with Manila as the object of his expedition
• -          Rajah Sulayman, upon realizing the fire power of the enemy, ordered his people to burn their houses and to retreat to the interior

  -          At the same time, he gathered a force of fierce warriors from the barangays of Pampanga and Bulacan, and fought the enemy in the Battle of Bangkusay in Tondo. He and the warriors were defeated
• -          The Filipinos were defeated and Legazpi took over Manila in 1571

  -          Legazpi began laying the foundation of a new Manila was in ruins so he ordered his men to build new houses. A church was also constructed for the missionaries, while a big house was built as the governor’s official residence
• -          June 24, 1571, Legazpi made Manila the capital of the Philippines. King Philip II later called Manila, “Distinguished and Every Loyal City"

  -          A city government or ayuntamiento was organized. He appointed two alcaldes or magistrates, an alguacil mayor or chief constable, twelve regidores or legislative council members, and one escribano or court clerk
• -          With the founding of Manila as the capital of the Philippines, the foundation of the Spanish colonial empire in Asia had been laid

  -          With Sulayman defeated and his uncle, Lakan Dula, cooperating with the Spaniards, Legazpi thought of sending expeditions to other parts of Luzon

  -          He sent his grandson to town on the south of Manila, while he sent Goiti to explore central Luzon, as far as Pangasinan
• -          Salcedo conquered Taytay, Cainta and other towns of what is now Rizal province. Then in 1572, he went to Northern Luzon and defeated the Filipinos in Zambales, Pangasinan and the Ilocos region
• -          Form the Ilocos,  Salcedo proceeded to the northeastern coast of Luzon, marched along the Pacific coast of what is now Quezon Province, sailed to Polilo Island, back to the shore of Luzon, and from there returned to Manila over trails, hills, and mountains

  -          Tragedy greeted him in Manila, for he was informed that his grandfather, Legazpi, has died of August 20, 1572
• Why the Philippines was Easily Conquered

  ·         The natives lacked unity and centralized form of government. Although the barangays already functioned units of governance, each one existed independently of the other, and the powers that each Datu enjoyed were confined only to his own barangay

  ·         No higher institution united the barangays and the Spaniards took advantage of this situation
• Why the Philippines was Easily Conquered

  ·         They used the barangays that were friendly to them in order to subdue the barangays that were not

  ·         The Spaniards have superior fire power and knowledge in combat/war