ROYAL LAND GRANTS IN COLONIAL PHILIPPINES (1571-1626): IMPLICATIONS FOR THE

FORMATION OF THE SOCIAL ELITE

Nicholas P. Cushner and John A. Larkin

Nicholas P. Cushner

holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of London. He is the author of seven scholarly books, two contemporary novels and over 50 articles and book reviews. Dr. Cushner is a Fulbright Scholar and has traveled extensively to lecture on historical topics, literature and society and the effects of culture on business. He has been a professor at SUNY Empire State College for over 21 years.

John A. LarkinEducation: PhD, New York University, 1966Field(s): AsiaHub(s): Culture & SocietyPublication(s):Sugar and the Origins of Modern Philippine Society (University of California Press, 1993; Philippine edition, New Day Publishers, 2001)

TIME FRAME

This particular article takes to consideration several documents which are dated from 1571-1626. In this particular years are part of the Early Spanish period in the Philippine history.

SUMMARY

Importance of the documents found in the Lilly Library collection on the Philippines (the copy of the Royal Land Grants made by the colonial government between 1572-1626) It reveals in detail a mechanism used to

reward Spaniards and natives for services rendered for the crown.

It verifies the special role of Pampangans in Spanish colonial affairs.

It demonstrates how a new set of determinants for class differentiation or ranking, based on land ownership.

SUMMARY

The grants changed the notion of land ownership in the Philippines.

One of the major incentives for the reconquest of Spain from the Moors was the promise of land to the captains and commanders of the Christian army.

SUMMARY

Terms used in the size of the grant: Estancia para ganado mayor (5000 pasos

square) Estancia para ganado menor (3000

pasos) Caballera (64 acres) Cabalita (32 acres) Pedazo (irregular dimension)

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SIGNIFICANT POINTS RAISED IN THE ARTICLE

The idea of ownership of land resided in one person, the king, or that land could be owned in fee simple, were totally new concepts diametrically opposed to the traditional practice of Filipinos.

Although the land granted by the governors was supposed to have been vacant, early grants took no account of swidden farming. Many of these grants could have reduced native farming.

SIGNIFICANT POINTS RAISED IN THE ARTICLE

It is clearfrom the geographical distribution that royal grants affected primarily, the Manila area, principally Tondo, Cavite, and Pampanga. The rest of Philippines, atleast untouch for 50 years of Spanish rule.

RELEVANCE/IMPORTANCE TO OUR SUBJECT

This particular article talk of how people (of Spanish descent or not) have occupied and took ownership of the land of Philippines.

We could trace how the oligarch families of the Philippines started with this particular research.

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