Socialization of the Spanish Era in the Philippines

The trade was very prosperous and attracted many merchants to Manila, especially the Chinese. However, initially it neglected the development of the colony's local industries which affected the Indios, since agriculture was their main source of income. In addition, the building and operation of galleons put too much burden on the colonists' annual polo y servicio.[clarification needed]

ECONOMY

The women wore this kind of fashion even when the Spanish Regime was finally overthrown and was replaced by the First Philippine Republic. Today, this type of clothing is now called as the ‘’’Maria Clara’’’ dress, named after the character of Maria Clara from Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere whom became a symbol of the traditional Filipino woman, which known as being modest, elegant and conservative.

Spanish Era: New Spain (1521 – 1799)

Manila-Acapulco galleon trade

Plaza Mexico, Intramuros - The Manila-Acapulco Galleon

The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was the main source of income for the colony during its early years. Service was inaugurated in 1565 and continued into the early 19th century. The Galleon trade brought silver from New Spain, which was used to purchase Asian goods such as silk from China, spices from the Moluccas, lacquerware from Japan and Philippine cotton textiles.[13] These goods were then exported to New Spain and ultimately Europe by way of Manila. Thus, the Philippines earned its income through the trade of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon.

When the Spaniards came and settled in the country, the fashion changed drastically as the Spanish culture influenced the succeeding centuries of Philippine History. The Spanish dissolved the kingdoms and united the country, resulting in a mixture of cultures from different ethnic groups and Spanish culture. Throughout the 16th century up to the 18th century, women wore a hispanicized version of the Baro’t saya, composed of a bodice - called a camisa, often made in pineapple fiber or muslin - and a floor length skirt, while the men wore the Barong Tagalog, a collared and buttoned lace shirt or a suit.

Spanish Era: Spanish East Indies (1800- 1899)

By the 19th century, due to the continuing influence of the Western culture and due to the rising economy and globalization and exposure from the European fashion scene, the women's clothing began to have a change, women's clothing has now full wide skirts that usually have long train rather than the simple floor length skirts, a bodice called ‘’camisa’’ which means blouse in English and a panuelo, a big square cloth folded triangularly and worn in the Philippines like a great ruffle or collar. The attire is composed of four pieces, namely the camisa, the saya, the pañuelo (a scarf, also spelled panuelo) and the tapis. The camisa is a collarless chemise whose hem is at the waist, and is made from flimsy, translucent fabrics such as pineapple fiber and jusi. The sleeves of the camisa are similar to the so-called "angel wings", or shaped like bells that have cuffs.

The pañuelo is a stiff covering for the neck, which acts as an accent piece because of embellishments added to it. The purpose of the pañuelo is related to modesty, used to cover the low-necked camisa'. The saya is a skirt shaped like a bubble with a length that begins from the waist reaching the floor. These are usually comprised either of single or double sheets, called "panels" or dos panos (lit. "two panels/layers"); some examples are made out of seven gores or siete cuchillos (lit. "seven knives"). The tapis is a knee-length over-skirt that hugs the hips. Tapis designs may be plain, and is usually made of opaque fabrics such as muslin and the madras cloth, and also is used for the purposes of modesty as it keeps the lower torso from showing due to the thinness of the saya. Also, when going to the church or attending mass, the women usually wore a veil above their heads, similar to other Catholic countries at that time. The men also continued to wear but a more intricate version Barong Tagalog, a collarless shirt originated from the ethnic cloth called ‘’canga’’. Throughout the centuries the Barong Tagalog has evolved. Buttons and collars were added, as well as intricate designs on its pina fabric and laces. Underneath the transparent Barong Tagalog is the ‘’Camisa de Chino’’ a type of shirt, usually in white that said to have been originated from the Chinese.

Socialization of the Spanish Era in the Philippines