Do the Filipinos Still Resent the Spaniards?

Question

I was told by a Filipino woman (who now lives in the U.S.) that when she grew up in the Philippines, she absolutely hated Spain. She said this attitude persists.

Is this GENERALLY true?

Answer 1

Spain/Spaniards is always a part of the Filipino heritage, they are hard to forget since Filipinos adopted a lot of the Spanish culture (attitudes, foods, religion, some of their features especially for mestizo/ mestiza & so much more).
Just try to read the Phil's history & it will answer your Q.
You can't blame them why some of the Filipinos are still resent when it comes to Spain. It reminds them how those Spaniards colonized the Phils. a long long time ago.

Answer 2

Not in general but Filipino Muslims especially in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi Islands resisted Spanish, American, Japanese and even the Philippine Government. Till this day some of these Muslims especially the older generation has grudges especially on Americans. In fact it is still told in their oral stories and folk songs. They are a proud people who have defied odds and still survived and maintained their culture. Muslim men, women and children where killed and massacred when the Americans tried to colonize the islands.

Currently Americans in military exercises with Filipino soldiers in Sulu and Tawi Tawi Islands are having medical missions, building roads and infrastructure as a way of appeasing and building trust among the Muslim residents. In a way, this is how America is "apologizing" or paying for its sins that it has done in the islands over a 100 years ago.

For further reading, check these Wiki websites-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_American_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_the_Philippine-American_War

As for Spain, their Prime Minister came to the Philippines around mid 1990's and publicly apologized for Spanish atrocities in the Philippines. This was done during a formal dinner that was hosted by then President Ramos in the Malacañang Palace. After that event, it was followed by a historic visit by the Spanish King and Queen. They toured Manila and Cebu, the two major Spanish settlements in Philippines.

I hope you guys do read your history books. It is a shame you forget the past. We should respect our monuments (some of which are being vandalized) and learn from mistakes.

Philippines was Americas war in Asia and not Vietnam. Vietnam only got more attention because it was more documented than the Philippine-American War. Probably if TV and modern technology was invented in 1900, the Philippine-American war would have taught Americans to avoid the Vietnam war. Unfortunately some people and politicians do not learn and the result is the Iraq war.

Answer 3

Agreed! no longer even 5% Spaniard, its more beneficial like none. in undemanding words 2-3% of all Filipinos have Spaniard blood. Filipinos are acceptable, they ought to not be claiming ancestory that they do no longer have. Its like this in each of the Asian countries, the lighter you're the more beneficial useful.

Answer 4

maybe during her time and that was like ages ago..:)
the generation now don't care much. whatever happened before has been a part of history. i think the resentment and anger of most filipinos are on the japanese due to the comfort women but then again, we've got different opinions.

Answer 5

Yes, I think that Filipinos should be hating their former colonizers more than they do right now. Practically every negative trait the common Filipino possesses today orginated from the teachings and practices of the Spaniards.

1. Colonial mentality
2. Crab mentality
3. Institutionalized graft and corruption
4. Elitism
5. Laziness
6. Fatalism
7. Excessive levels of religiousness
8. Excessive levels of superstition

If you noticed, the Philippines economically, socially and politically more closely resembles Central American countries (i.e., El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala) than their own ASEAN neighbors. Also notice how the Philippines is the most impoverished nation in the SE Asian region.

Answer 6

I resent Spain for not having adopted the Philippines.

Answer 7

my forefathers are SPANIARDS too, i love my family without them i didnt exist, iowe them what i am now... I could hate what they have done to some Filipinos but let's place it THAT TIME IS A BRUTAL WORLD... American's do even worst to the red indians, Roman's enslave europe.... past is past... we have to move on and learn from our ancestor's mistakes. we know its wrong, are you going to do the same mistakes again? To some people who has housemaids, think about this question " Are you treating your housemaid similar to what spanish treat our ancestors?"

Anyway, I love spain because compare to england, they have a nice weather...

Answer 8

Definitely not.

Growing up, I was not aware of any resentment towards Spain. Our parents even spoke the local version of Spanish (Chavacano).

Answer 9

that opinion is for close minded people. we were lucky we got discovered and was converted to christianity. hate is such a strong word and we can't hate the country Spain for what happened in the pastl. filipinos are loving people and we love our country but we don't love those who use our country for their own selfish motives. have a great day!

Answer 10

Many Filipinos are of Spanish descent. So no is the answer to your question.