Shipbuilding.
One of the most important industries in the Philippines during this period was shipbuilding. We would naturally expect this industry to be developed among the Filipinos, for they belong to a seafaring race that for centuries had been pushing their way northward and taking possession of the islands of this part of the Pacific; furthermore, once settled in this country, they had abundant supply of good timber for building purposes.[1] Morga described the various kinds of ships and boats used by the Filipinos.[2] There seems to be no doubt that the Filipinos have forgotten much of what they knew about shipbuilding.[3]
The Spaniards took advantage of the abundance of materials in this country, and engaged in shipbuilding on a large scale. Shipyards were established at various places,[4] and to them the Filipinos were compelled to go and work. To the honor and glory of Spain, some of the largest ships in the world at that time were built in the Philippines.[5]
When the role played by the Filipinos in the history of Spanish achievement in the Philippines comes to be finally written, their share, in the form of service, direct—and indirect—and suffering of different kinds, will occupy a considerable part of the account.[6] First of all, the many lives sacrificed in connection with the building of ships should be considered.[7] Then, the effect on the industries of the country was disastrous.[8] Besides, very frequently the laborers were not paid their wages.[9] And worse than the physical cruelties practiced on them, the Filipinos were not only helping the King in the extension of his empire, but also those who actually abused them[10] to get rich. It is not strange, therefore, that we should find good intentioned persons, among them the early religious men—who wrote to the King and prayed for redress.[11] In this connection, it is of interest to add that the Filipinos who served as seamen in the galleons suffered as much as their brethren who built the ships.[12]
It is clear now why it is that the shipbuilding industry caused many revolts.[13] An interesting effect of the hardships suffered by the Filipinos was the migration of many of them to New Spain, and their settlement there.[14]