Essay About Friars In The Philippines

As we all know during the Spanish rule, friars or some missionaries played a big role in our country’s economic, cultural, political and social aspects. Spaniards and friars used an instrument in spreading Christianity in the Philippines. They used art in explaining the ideas and concepts regarding Catholicism to the Filipino people through the use of beautiful and attractive images such as the images of saints and Holy Family. Spanish friars also introduced new art forms to the Filipinos like painting, carving and sculpture. During this period, friars became the carrier and the new patron of the arts. Arts were mainly produced for the Church and religious purposes only. Painting was introduced by the Spanish friars in the Philippines. At

The Dominicans particularly published the first printed book in our country which entitled La Doctrina Christiana en la Lengua Española y Tagala (The Christian Doctrine in the Spanish and Tagalog Language). The religious orders owned printing presses and printed mostly prayer books and in the 18th century, copper etching also became more popular. It was also the friars who introduced to us the different joyous festivities and rituals that are being celebrated in our country which are primarily centered on the church. Also, these celebrations served as binding mechanism in introducing new culture to the Filipinos as well as to manifest their own expression and feelings towards the rituals and activities. Some of these are processions, parades, fiestas and the like. On the other hand, usually these festivities are followed by dining, drinking and merry-making. During these feasts, Spanish culinary specialties like "paella" which is a dish consisting of a mixture of rice, chicken and shellfish, "arroz valenciana" a glutinous rice and chicken cooked in coconut milk, and "lengua" a sauteed ox-tongue usually with mushroom sauce and some other Spanish dishes became part of our local cuisine and also became the favorite food of