1. Nicholas P. Cushner
and John A. Larkin

2. holds a Ph.D. in History from the
University of London. He is the
author of seven scholarly books, two
contemporary novels and over 50
articles and book reviews. Dr.
Cushner is a Fulbright Scholar and
has traveled extensively to lecture
on historical topics, literature and
society and the effects of culture on
business. He has been a professor at
SUNY Empire State College for over
21 years.

3. Education: PhD, New York
University, 1966
Field(s): Asia
Hub(s): Culture & Society
Publication(s):
Sugar and the Origins of Modern
Philippine Society (University of
California Press, 1993; Philippine
edition, New Day Publishers,
2001)

4.  This particular article takes to consideration
several documents which are dated from 1571-
1626. In this particular years are part of the
Early Spanish period in the Philippine history.

5. Importance of the documents found in the Lilly
Library collection on the Philippines (the copy of the
Royal Land Grants made by the colonial government
between 1572-1626)
 It reveals in detail a mechanism used to reward
Spaniards and natives for services rendered for
the crown.
 It verifies the special role of Pampangans in
Spanish colonial affairs.
 It demonstrates how a new set of determinants for
class differentiation or ranking, based on land
ownership.

6. Thegrants changed the notion of land
ownership in the Philippines.
One of the major incentives for the reconquest of
Spain from the Moors was the promise of land to
the captains and commanders of the Christian
army.

7. Terms used in the size of the grant:
 Estancia para ganado mayor (5000 pasos
square)
 Estancia para ganado menor (3000 pasos)
 Caballera (64 acres)
 Cabalita (32 acres)
 Pedazo (irregular dimension)

14.  The idea of ownership of land resided in one
person, the king, or that land could be owned
in fee simple, were totally new concepts
diametrically opposed to the traditional
practice of Filipinos.
 Although the land granted by the governors
was supposed to have been vacant, early grants
took no account of swidden farming. Many of
these grants could have reduced native
farming.

15.  It is clearfrom the geographical distribution
that royal grants affected primarily, the Manila
area, principally Tondo, Cavite, and
Pampanga. The rest of Philippines, atleast
untouch for 50 years of Spanish rule.

16.  This particular article talk of how people (of
Spanish descent or not) have occupied and
took ownership of the land of Philippines.
 We could trace how the oligarch families of the
Philippines started with this particular
research.