Rise of the Chinese Mestizo

• Economic Influence

  • The growth of commercial agriculture led to a new class of wealthy and influential Chinese-Filipino mestizos who owned haciendas producing sugar, coffee, and hemp.

  • These mestizos played a significant role in the economy and politics, forming a new middle class that included Spanish and Chinese mestizos.
• Social Impact

  • The ilustrados, part of this middle class, were well-respected but often seen as rebels by Spanish friars.

  • Their economic success allowed them to send their sons to Europe for higher education, where they became involved in reform and independence movements, often turning to radicalism under leaders like Rizal.