SSC 201

Pre- Colonial Life and Culture
Social Classes of people in The Philippines

Topic
Topic 1: What are the Social Classes in The
Philippines
Topic 2: The 8 facts of Social Classes in

Philippines
Background
During Pre-Hispanic times Filipinos can be divided according

to these classes: The noble class called the Maginoo; the
freeman class called the Timawa; the warrior class called the
Maharlika; and the indentured class called the Alipin.
Maginoo
Role in the community
The Maginoo are the royal blooded such

as the Datu, which is the leader of the
barangay consisting of 100-500 persons.
The nobility of the Datu will be passed
down to the eldest son or a relative if
he has none. They are addressed as
Ginoo while Dayang for the women of
equivalent. Panginoon was reserved for
the most powerful who owns many
slaves and owned extensive
properties.
Timawa
Timawa is made up of the commoners of a

community. They are given the privilege to
acquire property, have any job, pick their own
wives, and also have a slave. In return, they were
expected to pay taxes and the only class obligated
to do so. It was said that Timawa are the
illegitimate children of a Datu to another
commoner or slave.
Maharlika
Maharlika are well respected warriors of the

barangay. They have the same rights as the
Timawa but doesn’t pay taxes. Instead, they
provide protection to the community and they
prepare their own weapons at their own expense.
They can move to another barangay if they
choose to but will need to pay a certain amount
to the current Datu. The Maharlika would be
honored through a feast before leaving the
community.
Two types of Alipin
1. Aliping Namamahay
2. Aliping Saguigilid
Aliping Namamahay
Aliping Namamahay have their own

quarters inside the property of their
master, has the right to choose their
husband or wife, can own property, and
being paid for their service.
Aliping Saguiguilid
Aliping Saguiguilid on the other hand,

have no home thus lives with their master,
can be sold by their masters, serves
without getting paid, and cannot marry
without the permission of their master.
8 facts of Social Classes in the
Philippines during Pre-colonial
The Concept in the Pre-Colonial People
According to William Henry Scott 1994, the four types of social organization in the island
prior to the coming of the spaniard:
1. • Classless society
• Warrior Societies
• Petty Plutoracies
• Principalities
The rest of the PH Society was divided into three classes:
2.
• The Nobles
• The Freemen
• The Dependents
The nobles consisting of chiefs and their families enjoyed great political and social rights in the
barangays.
3. a. They have great influence

b. Higher Position
c. If ever they have constitution before, it was taken care of the Chiefs.
In Tagaalog Region, they usually carried the tittle of gat or lakan.
4.
Gat - Maginoo (Nobles)
Dayang- Women partner of the nobles.
Maharlika- Freemen while Timawa by the Bisayans.
Occupying the lowest stratum were depedents called Alipin
5. by the tagalog, Olipun by the Bisayans, and adipon by the

iloconos.
Among the Ancient Tagalogs, two kind of depenedents existed.
6. Aliping Namamahay - essentially serfs rather than slaves.

Aliping Sagigilid- the real dependents of slaves.
Among the Ancient Bisayans, the dependents were three kinds:
7.
• The tumataban- worked by summoned.
• The Tumarampuk- worked one day.
• The Ayuey- worked 3 days.
A dependent could emancipate himself/herself and become free through:

a. Purchase
8. b. Marriage
C. Voluntarily action of the lord to liberate his slave.
Conclusion
As listed, inequality and struggle of social classes in the Philippines goes beyond
Spanish colonization. Class struggle happens when there is a tension in the society
because of different groups of class. Maginoo have the power among the classes and can
only passed down to their family and blood, which leaves no chance for other class to
rule. It is a struggle as the way the community works are based on the rules that the
noble makes. The Alipin are the lowest of all and the ones who receive most unjust
treatment. This conflict can still be seen in today’s social classes in the Philippines, Rich,
Upper middle, Middle, Lower middle, and Poor which is based on their monthly income.
Presented by: Cris-an Yriarte Manangkila
BEED-III

SSC 201

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SSC 201

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Pre- Colonial Life and Culture

Social Classes of people in The Philippines

Topic 2: The 8 facts of Social Classes in

During Pre-Hispanic times Filipinos can be divided according

The Maginoo are the royal blooded such

Timawa is made up of the commoners of a

Maharlika are well respected warriors of the

Role in the community

Aliping Namamahay have their own

Role in the community

Aliping Saguiguilid on the other hand,

The rest of the PH Society was divided into three classes:

3. a. They have great influence

In Tagaalog Region, they usually carried the tittle of gat or lakan.

5. by the tagalog, Olipun by the Bisayans, and adipon by the

Among the Ancient Tagalogs, two kind of depenedents existed.

6. Aliping Namamahay - essentially serfs rather than slaves.

A dependent could emancipate himself/herself and become free through:

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