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Filipino mestizo is a term used in the Philippines , to designate Filipino s of mixed Austronesian (indigenous) and foreign (primarily European ) ancestry. The term " Mestizo ", which comes from the Spanish word for mixed race, originally referred to Filipinos of part Austronesian and Spanish ancestry. However the use of the term eventually extended over time to include all native Filipinos who posses other foreign ancestries. "Filipino mestizo" refer to specific minor communities of mixed ancestry whose origins stem from the mixture of Spanish, Mexican, White American and Chinese ancestry, occurring from the Spanish Colonization Of The Philippines up to contemporary intermarriages. As a result, a small number of present-day Filipinos carry European, East Asian , Asian Indian , Arab , Nahuatl and African ancestry. According to recent genetic study, 3.6% of all Filipinos possess European ancestry from either Spanish or American colonization, although the official amount of European origin among them was not specified. (It is interesting to note, however, that data gathered in the 1818 census suggests that 60% of all the inhabitants of Luzon possess foreign ancestry.Jagor, Fëdor, et al. (1870). ''The Former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes'' .) These specific Filipinos would all be mestizo, since 1) the European contribution was made in the recent human history of the archipelago 2) it was not a generalised phenomenon in the overall population, and 3) the community resulting from the admixture became recognisably independent in ethnic identity, social standing, cultural practices, and linguistic heritage. HISTORY During the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines , the term "Mestizo" referred only to those of mixed indigenous Filipino people with Spanish ancestry. The term soon became generic and Synonym ous for people of mixed ancestries. The term has since been freely used to refer to all Filipinos of mixed ancestry, irrespective of racial combination or ratio, but typically including an , indicates that 3.6% of the population have European ancestry. An early 19th century census, however, suggests that 60% of all the inhabitants of Luzon , where Manila is situated, possess either partial or full foreign ancestry. Some historians suggest that this number might have reflected on the number of offspring of both Filipino and Spanish intermarriage, as well as those who are illegitimate childrens of Spanish soldiers and priest in the Philippines during the colonization. Modern day Filipino mestizos include Filipinos of Spanish or Mexican origin, American or British mestizos, as well as Chinese mestizos, Japanese mestizos and others. Those of a mixture of Austronesian with another East Asia n ancestry may also be commonly referred to as "Chinito/a" (diminutive of ''Chino/a''; Chinese), though this would more correctly be applied only to those mestizos of Chinese descent. Other terms denoting Chinese mestizos, include the dated Sangley and the more contemporary "Tsinoy". Mestizo ascendancy Upon the retreat of Spain at the end of colonial occupation, mestizos were able to position themselves at top of the Social Structure which the Spanish had previously established and dominated. As a result, mestizos held the greatest governing influence in the country, almost absolute control of commerce and industry. (See also Principalía .) Spanish mestizos for the most part constitute a large number of the upper and middle classes, and rarely intermingle with those outside their socio-economic and ethnic class. Some are also found amongs the lower class. Chinese mestizos also form part of both the upper and middle classes. Some are business people and also involved in the running of the country. Some are also in the entertainment industry. TYPES OF FILIPINO MESTIZOS See Also: Ethnic groups in the Philippines Overseas Filipino Spanish or Mexican mestizo See Also: Filipinos of Spanish descent Filipinos of Mexican descent Spanish and Mexican mestizos (in or Indigenous Mexicans . Their features are distinguished by their Southern Europe an or Latin America n appearance and physique, possessing aquiline nose structures, light to dark wavy hair, generally lighter skinned peoples with olive to light brown complexions. A small number of those with predominantly European ancestry are in fact indistinguishable from pure-blooded Spaniards. Filipinos of Spanish or Mexican origin living in the Philippines usually speak their Filipino regional dialects including Spanish and English as their primary languages. Some, particularly those of the older generation, have preserved Spanish as the main spoken language of the home. Most are found among the upper and middle classes of Philippine society, and rarely intermingle with those outside their social and ethnic classes. Some are also found in the lower class. Some Spanish mestizos are found either in politics or working as high-ranking executives of commerce and industry. Some can also be found in sports and entertainment industry. Chinese mestizo See Also: Chinese Filipino Chinese mestizos (in Tagalog, ''mestisong Intsik'' or ''Tsinoy''): a combination of Austronesian and Chinese. They are distinguished physically by their oriental features who possess more pronounced epicanthic eye folds, higher cheekbones, light yellowish and brownish skinned colour, resembling much like East Asian s (example Chinese and Vietnamese in appearance). A small number of Chinese mestizos also possess Spanish ancestries and as such resemble American mestizos (Amerasians), particularly those whose Filipino parent is part-Caucasian. Their offspring would however still be considered as Chinese mestizos. Some Chinese mestizos living in the Philippines are business people. They form part of both the upper, middle and lower classes. Some are also in the entertainment industry. Their primary languages are English, Lan-nang-oe , and Filipino. They number over 1 million and are found throughout the islands. Chinese-Spanish mestizo See Also: Eurasian (mixed ancestry) Chinese Filipino ’ during the Spanish colonial period, they now tend to identify as Filipinos of either Chinese and Spanish descent. They form part of the upper and middle classes. Japanese mestizo See Also: Eurasian (mixed ancestry) Filipinos of Japanese descent or Okinawan . Many are descendants of Japanese Catholics that fled Japan 300 years ago and are members of the lower class. Because of discrimination encountered, some fled to the mountains after World War II while many others changed their names in the attempts to assimilate. Many were also killed (c. 10,000 Japanese mestizos and Japanese) while other were deported following World War II as an act of retaliation. Their sense of Japaneseness may take on extremes, some have completely lost their Japanese identity while others have “returned” to Japan , the land of their forebears. There is also a number of contemporary Japanese mestizos, not associated with the history of the earlier established ones, born either in the Philippines or Japan. These latter are the resultant of unions between Filipinos and recent Japanese immigrants to the Philippines or Japanese and immigrant Filipino workers in Japan. Most Japanese mestizos speak tribal languages and Tagalog. There are believed to be between 100,000 and 200,000 Japanese mestizos in the country, but no accurate figure is currently available. Significant numbers reside in Davao , Laguna , Pampanga and Baguio . They may also be known as ''Japinos'', although this term is considered derogatory by many. American mestizo See Also: Amerasian Afro-Asian Mulatto Filipinos of American descent Filipino American |
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