CARA y CRUZ: The relentless search for the true face of the Pilipino

A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES OPEN UNIVERSITY by: Ma.Carmencita "Picky" Mella

As a Pilipino coin collector, I would like to analyze the evolution of money and its socio-political effects during the Spanish Galleon Trade period to the Revolutionary Era in the Philippines.
INTRODUCTION:

Karakrus as played by youngsters
photo source: flickr

In English, Cara y Cruz means heads and tails of a coin. But the literal translation of these words according to Wikipedia is face and cross. In the Pilipino context, Cara y Cruz or Kara-Krus is a very famous game among the street children gambling over their collected alms.  Whatever context we get these words from; both meanings usher us into a historical quest of uncovering our identity as Pilipinos.  Both meanings boil down to the same object of scrutiny- the coins and its faces.

The history of money mirrors the story of humanity. There is much to be learned about a nation’s history by examining its mintage. The contents imply about the country’s concerns, allegiance and heritage during that time period thus establishing the identity of the people.

What were the symbols and images in our coins that would tell us the state of our country during those times? Did the money contribute to either the rise or fall of the colonizers?

SPANISH CURRENCY AND THE ROLE OF THE GALLEON TRADE:

"PILONCITOS"
source: BSP.gov.ph

 According to The Story of Money by BSP , when Magellan came to the Philippine shores in 1521,The Pilipinos were already bartering from the nearby countries. The very first symbolic coin they used was a nugget called “piloncitos”.

"MACUQUINA"
source: macuquina.com

Spain maintained trade relations to the bartering countries. It made Manila the center of business in Asia not until they closed all the ports to other countries except Mexico. This was the advent of the Galleon trade also known as the Manila-Acapulco trade. Spanish and Mexican odd-shaped coins called “macuquinas” or hilis kalamay as the natives called it, ruled the stage of business.

"BARILLA"
source: BSP guidenotes

"DOS MUNDOS OR PILLAR DOLLAR"
source: BSP guidenotes

Barilla, a rough brass coin was first struck in the Philippines in 1728. The other side of the coin was blank.  It has the inscription “Barilla Año de 1728” with images of the coat-of-arms of the city of Manila.

From 1732 to 1772, the Spanish “dos Mundos” or pillar dollar was the foremost currency of the world. The pure silver coin had the design of two crowned globes between the Pillars of Hercules. These are symbols of Philip V and Ferdinand VI which establishes the reign of Spain over the land.    (The Story of Money, The Spanish period, 2010 available at http://www.bsp.gov.ph/about/facilities_money.asp)

'COUNTERSTAMPED MONEY"
source: BSP guidenotes

The Museo ng Bangko Sentral numistic compilation also mentioned that the newly-established Latin American countries struck new varieties of coins with inscriptions “Libertad” (Liberty) and they circulated the Philippines after 1810. The colonizers managed to remove the traces by overstriking the sources with new inscriptions “Habilitado Por el Rey N.S.D. Fern VII (Rehabilitated by the King our Lord Don Ferdinand VII) with the image of the coat-of-arms of Spain. On the other side was an overstrike of the name “Manila and 1828”.  Another countermark was in a small round depression at the middle with the image of a crown of pearls with cross with inscriptions of F7 as initials of King Ferdinand VII. (Borrowed with permission, BSP guidenotes, Museo ng Bangko Sentral).

"PAPER CURRENCY
WITH COAT-OF- ARMS

"PAPER CURRENCY
WITH ISABELA'S FACE"

Inspite of the counterstamping, the money from these countries continued to circulate making the natives aware of their new found liberty from Spain. With the Spanish fearing the natives’ consciousness, Spain established Casa de Moneda de Manila. The institution minted coins that bore the face of Queen Isabela II (1861-1868) and later King Alfonso XII (1880-1885) along with new paper currencies that bore the same.  Spain was then trying to project that with the images of the monarchs on the money, they were still in control and reigning over the land.

"COIN WITH INSCRIPTION:
ISLAS FILIPINAS"
source:BSP guidenotes

"MINTED COINS BY CASA DE
 MONEDA DE MANILA
source: BSP guidenotes

To standardize the currency, six million silver pesos were especially struck in Madrid in 1897 particularly to be used in the Philippines. The image bore the profile of Alfonso XIII with the opposite side marked with “Islas Filipinas”. This inscription was Spain’s gesture of seemingly giving recognition to the country.
 ( IJsselstein,2005. Spanish-Philippines coins available at http://www.bohol.ph/article110.html)

Meanwhile, the Philippine revolt had begun by this time. With the Spanish-American war, Gen. Aguinaldo joined alliance with the U.S. The country gained victorious resistance in the provinces except Manila. Gen. Aguinaldo declared independence in June but the Spanish regime became official after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898.     Philippine Revolution. (2012, February 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philippine_Revolution&oldid=475995345

THE REVOLUTIONARY CURRENCY:

"TWO PESO COINS AND 5 PESO BILL"
source: BSP guidenotes 

Almost at the end of 1898, issuance of paper notes was approved by the Malolos Congress with the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100.  They also issued 2 different designs of 2 centavo coins. It bore the images of the 3 stars that symbolized Luzon,Visayas Mindanao, and a sun with 8 rays that symbolized the 8 provinces that joined the revolution. It had the inscriptions “Republica Filipina 1899” that clearly defined the state of the country as not under the rule of a monarch but the supreme power rests in the hands of the citizens. (Borrowed with permission, BSP guidenotes, Museo ng Bangko Sentral).

The use of these coins was very brief because of the capture of Aguinaldo in 1901 during the Philippine-American war. But the fact that the currency was issued proved that the country was self-sufficient, in control and functioning. It showed that the state had begun regaining its identity and sovereign authority.

CONCLUSION:

For more than 350 years of Spanish reign, the native Pilipinos have never transacted, used and seen money as something they would identify with in terms of their own heritage. All those years, the CARA (face) they see on money bore a history that was not even theirs. They did not carry images and inscriptions that were relevant to their identity and way of life.  The length of time those Spanish and Latin American currencies were used was enough to say that the effects of the money that circulated did not produce self-respect and pride as Pilipinos. Instead, they brought confusion, disunity, and the mentality of dependence and colonialism which were manifested by the lifestyle of the natives,  the selfish attitude of Pilipino elite during the wars and even the movement of the reformers who wanted to be like the Spaniards.    (Samuel K.Tan. A History in the Philippines, Chapter V, Colonialism and Traditions)

These were the CRUZ, the other side of the coin that serve as the metaphor of the cross that burdened the Pilipinos in that era. Samuel Tan described it as “centuries of repression and exploitation”. The weight of this cross still has its effects until today. The only difference is that our today can be met with a CARA of a Filipino who now reflects a face of dignity, freedom and pride for his own country.

"ME" during my visit to BSP

Sources:
Mella,Ma.Carmencita.(February2012) Personal Account.Visit to Museo ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Samuel K Tan. A Philippine History. Colonialism and Traditions Chapter V.  

BSP guidenotes, Museo ng Bangko Sentral

Philippine Revolution. (2012, February 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philippine_Revolution&oldid=475995345

IJsselstein,2005. Spanish-Philippines coins available at http://www.bohol.ph/article110.html
The Story of Money, The Spanish period, 2010 available at http://www.bsp.gov.ph/about/facilities_money.asp
Photo credits:
BSP Numistic Images photocopied and scanned with permission from BSP Museum curator 

Macuquina. available at http://www.macuquina.com/

Cara y Cruz available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/10749526@N03/3250184630/in/photostream/