• discuss the various methods of colonization and pacification used by the Spaniards on the native population

• analyze how the different methods of Spanish colonization of the native population are interrelated

• relate Christianization to the reduccion policy

Because the barangays were scattered and far from each other, there was a need to put them together in one place in order to make them accessible to the Spaniards. Through this, colonization and Christianity could be spread easier and in an orderly manner. Fr. Juan de Plasencia proposed the idea of establishing the reduccion which was approved by all the religious orders. On April 27, 1534, King Philip II of Spain ordered Governor-General Luis Perez Dasmariñas to carry out the reduccion. The religious orders were assigned places to lead and supervise.

1. Augustinians – the Tagalog provinces, Pampanga, Ilocos, Cebu, and Panay

2. Dominicans – the whole provinces of Cagayan and Pangasinan

3. Franciscans – the whole Bicol Region

4. Jesuits – Samar, Bohol, Leyte, and some parts of Mindanao

Reduccion is derived from the Spanish word “reducir” which means “to control” or “to conquer.” The reduccion was arranged in such a way that the plaza became the center of the community. The church, convent of the missionaries, municipal hall, and stone houses of the principalia formed a square since they were located at the sides. The church became the center of all the activities in the reduccion from a person’s birth until death.

The Spanish soldiers were not allowed to live with the native peoples in the reduccion. This was because of the bad behavior that was shown by the soldiers which caused harm to the native peoples. Except for the clergy, no other Spaniard stayed with the native peoples. They had to stay either in Manila or Cebu to concentrate on the small forces of the islands.  Ordinary Filipino families lived outside the center of the community. The arrangement was introduced to the native peoples including the blocks and streets. The reduccion was structured in such a way that the native peoples could easily go to the church at the tolling of the bells (bajo de campanas).

Not all the places in the Philippines were placed under the reduccion. The mountainous areas of the country were difficult to reach; thus, most of the indigenous peoples who lived in the mountains were not indoctrinated on the Christian faith.

Spread of Christianity

The reduccion was the first step of the Spaniards in their aim to spread Christianity. As part of this pursuit, the missionaries lured the native peoples through various ceremonies and practices such as church songs, extravagant processions with images of saints garbed in colorful and expensive clothing, the Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo, lighting of candles, praying the rosary, wearing of medals and scapulars, staging of senakulo—a play about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and the tolling of the church bells. Some of the celebrations that became important to the native peoples were the Semana Santa or Holy Week, Corpus Christi, and the town fiesta which commemorates the feast day of their patron saint.

After their baptism, the native peoples were given Christian names based on the names of their town’s patron saints. This practice helped the Spaniards during census and collection of tributes.

The missionaries taught the rudiments and teachings of the Christian faith. The children were taught verses, songs, and prayers. They also attended mass every day. After lunch, the children returned for their religious lessons until 5 o’clock in the afternoon that was followed by a procession after their lessons.