BRIDGING THE GAP
The plaza as a historical and cultural space
Prior to the colonization of the country by the Spaniards,there were already many thriving communities in the island of Panay. These communities or barangays were generally situated along river banks or the seacoasts and were linear in character; meaning, the houses were in a line. There were also thriving communities that were nuclear or concentrated in one area but they were few.
Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, in order for them to facilitate the colonization of the land and to bring the natives closer to Catholicism, they introduced the so-called plaza complex. They required the inhabitants, near and far, to put up their houses around an open space they called the plaza. The plaza complex consisted of an open space, usually rectangular or square in shape, a chapel or church, a convent, a municipio or tribunal, a market place, a cemetery, and the residences around it. This physical set-up enabled the Spaniards to effectively manage and control the natives and to bring them closer to Catholicism. It also served them well in terms of census-taking and collecting of taxes from the natives, as well as conscripting them to render forced labor. It further made a distinction between loyal subjects of Spain and those considered as enemies because they refused to put up their residence close to the plaza. They were, therefore, labeled as bandidos, ladrones, monteses, mondos and insurectos. Punishments like flogging and executions of the enemy of the state and the church were also held in the plaza at that time for all the people to see as a lesson for everybody.
The choice of the Spaniards for the plaza was based on the number of inhabitants in the area, its accessibility, and its strategic location for defense. Thus, in many cases, these open spaces were located along the mouths of rivers and along the seashores which also served since colonial times as tabuan or trading centers.
Other than its political function, the plaza served well the religious component of the Spanish colonization of the country. It served as the place of conversion and worship. It became the center of the life of the people because their life cycle revolved around the plaza. Their baptism, confirmation, confession, religious requirements, marriage, anointing of the sick, and burial were all done in the plaza complex. It must be pointed out that in the early years of the Spanish administration of the Philippines, the cemeteries were also near the plaza.
Still, on the religious function of the plaza was the fact that it became the center of various activities of the people. Patronal fiestas were introduced by the Spanish priests to attract people to gather in the plaza. Furthermore, the holy week celebration, Christmas celebration, passion singing, religious processions and, later, the Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan added more religious fervor and piety to the parishioners and visitors alike of the town or barangay.
On the cultural side during the Spanish period, stage plays, like the comedia, moro-moro, later the zarzuela were later held in the plaza that provided color and entertainment to the people.
During the American period up to the more recent times, the plaza as a religious space continued to dominate. But, yet, certain changes in the function of the plaza can be observed. Agro-industrial exhibition became a favorite feature as well as a variety of cultural programs. There were the colorful muse contests, dance and sports competitions, as well as rides and special shows. Political rallies started to be a feature in the string of activities held in the plaza. In more recent times, plazas have begun to serve as bazaars, specializing on ukay-ukay and borloloys, reminding people of Baclaran and Divisoria.
The plaza as a public space, indeed, is a very important legacy for us Filipinos. It is a religious and cultural landmark serving as a silent witness to our eventful history. It is reflective of our rich culture as a people, influenced by early foreign traders and by the Spanish and American rulers. It is, therefore, imperative that the plaza be taken cared of; if needed, rehabilitated, restored, improved, kept clean and preserved. Its use must be regulated, preferably to religious and cultural activities only. We owe it to ourselves and to our forefathers to do so.