History of the Filipino obligations:
I. Pre – Colonial Period
a) Bayanihan (Community Cooperation) — The spirit of bayanihan was
a strong obligation among early Filipinos. It referred to the duty of
helping neighbors, especially in physically demanding tasks like
moving a house, harvesting crops, or building communal structures.
This obligation showed the communal lifestyle and strong sense of
unity.
b) Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude) — Even before colonization,
Filipinos already valued reciprocity and loyalty. When someone
helped you or your family, you were morally obligated to repay the
favor—not necessarily immediately, but in time, and sometimes
even through generations. It was a deeply rooted social obligation.
II. Spanish Colonization
a) Tributo (Tribute or Tax Payment) — Filipinos were obligated to pay
tributes or taxes to the Spanish colonial government. These came in
the form of money, goods (like rice or tobacco), or labor. Failure to
pay could result in punishment or forced labor. This obligation
supported the colonial administration and the Church.
b) Polo y Servicio (Forced Labor) — Male Filipinos aged 16 to 60 were
required to render 40 days of forced labor per year (later reduced to
15 days). They were made to work on public projects such as roads,
bridges, churches, or shipbuilding for the Spanish. This was a heavy
burden and a symbol of colonial exploitation.
III. American Period
a) Civic Participation through Education — The introduction of a public
school system was not merely an educational reform but a political
strategy. Filipinos were obliged to engage in education as a means
of political socialization. Learning English, understanding democratic
values, and being exposed to American ideals were seen as
essential duties in preparing Filipinos for eventual self-governance.
Education became a tool for both empowerment and control,
shaping future leaders under an American-influenced political
culture.
b) Compliance with Colonial Legal and Political Structures — Filipinos
were also expected to recognize and participate in American-
established institutions, including paying taxes, following new laws,
and respecting American-appointed officials. This obligation
reflected a broader expectation to integrate into the colonial
political framework. While the Americans promoted a more
participatory form of governance, real power still resided with
colonial authorities, and Filipino compliance was essential in
maintaining the stability of the regime.
IV. Japanese Period
a) Allegiance to the “New Order” — Filipinos were obliged to show
loyalty to the Japanese-sponsored regime and embrace the
propaganda of “Asia for Asians.” This meant cooperating with the
Philippine Executive Commission and later the Japanese-controlled
Republic. Public displays of support—such as saluting the Japanese
flag, learning the Japanese language, and participating in state-
sponsored activities—were forms of political obligation imposed to
foster submission and weaken resistance.
b) Support for Wartime Mobilization — Amid total war, Filipinos had a
duty to contribute to Japan’s war effort. This included forced labor,
surrendering resources like rice and livestock, and even joining
neighborhood associations (tonarigumi) for surveillance and civil
defense. These obligations were framed as patriotic duties under
Japanese control, but in practice, they were exploitative
mechanisms to suppress dissent and extract resources from the
occupied population.
