This podcast is dedicated to my great-great-grandfather, an escrimador; my grandfather, a boloman; the jungle of the Cordilleras that sheltered my parents during World War II; my uncles who gave their lives there; and the family who flourished amidst its challenges.
We will discuss the three-century resistance of the Igorot people in the Cordilleras to Spanish colonization. The source details the Spanish motivations, primarily gold mining, and the various military expeditions undertaken. The text highlights the Igorots' successful resistance strategies, utilizing their knowledge of the terrain and fierce warrior culture. Furthermore, it discusses the long-term consequences of this resistance, including the Igorots' designation as a national minority group and the lasting impact on their culture and relationship with lowland Filipinos. Finally, the piece explores the Spanish perspective on their inability to fully subdue the Igorots.