Pre-Colonial Philippines- The Kingdom of Tondo (Manila)

This is the 7th article on my blog series about the Philippines in connection with the celebration of Filipino American History Month this October

Lakandula- the Rajah/Lakan of the Kingdom of Tondo, Manila, 10th Century AD

The Kingdom of Tondo, also known as the "Bayan ng Tondo," was a significant political entity in the pre-colonial Philippines, located in what is now Manila. It emerged around the 10th century AD and was one of several city-states that comprised the ancient Tagalog settlement known as the "Bayan ng Maynila."

A Thriving Trade Hub

Tondo's strategic location along the Pasig River made it a hub of maritime trade in pre-colonial times. It had extensive networks with neighboring polities and distant empires, facilitating the exchange of goods such as gold, spices, and ceramics. This trade connected the Philippines to the Srivijaya Empire of Southeast Asia and the Ming Dynasty of China.

Cultural Influences

The Laguna Copperplate Inscription, the Philippines' oldest extant locally produced written document, dating back to 900 AD, suggests that Tondo was culturally influenced by the Hindu and Buddhist cultures of maritime Southeast Asia. The writing system used on the copperplate is the Old Kawi, while the language used is a variety of Old Malay, with numerous loanwords from Sanskrit and a few non-Malay vocabulary elements.

Social Structure and Governance

The Kingdom of Tondo was ruled by a Lakan or Rajah, a paramount chief revered for his wisdom and leadership. Alongside him were noble Datus, brave warriors, and hardworking commoners. The people of Tondo were primarily Tagalog, but they also had significant cultural and linguistic influences from other groups, including the Kapampangan and Chinese.

Decline and Legacy

The Kingdom of Tondo's influence began to wane with the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The Spanish conquest of the Pasig River Delta, culminating in the Battle of Bangkusay in 1571, marked a turning point. The Spanish established control over the region, and Tondo was eventually absorbed into the Spanish Empire.

Despite its eventual demise, the Kingdom of Tondo left a lasting legacy on the Philippines. It was a major center of trade and cultural exchange, and its history provides valuable insights into the pre-colonial period of the country. The area of Tondo continues to be a significant part of Manila, and its rich history is still celebrated today.

Lastly: Did you know that Spain almost sold Basilan to France during the reign of Napoleon III? In the mid-19th century, France was looking to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, and Basilan, an island in the southern Philippines, caught their eye.

Negotiations were held, and Spain, facing financial difficulties, considered selling the strategic island to the French.

However, the deal never pushed through, as local resistance and political complications made it too risky. Imagine how different the history of Basilan—and the Philippines—could have been if it had fallen under French control!

Note: I have received numerous positive comments from several non-Filipino readers of my blog. They informed me they learned a lot about the Philippines and encourage me to continue writings about Philippine history, culture and traditions and current news about the Philippines. I promised I will do it to the best of my ability. Thank you all for your encouraging comments.