This depends on whether you are talking about the Spanish
imperialism that made the Philippines a Spanish colony for roughly 400 years or whether
you are talking about the US imperialism that made the Philippines a US colony for a bit
less than 50 years.
Spanish imperialism largely shaped
modern Filipino culture. Filipinos typically have Spanish surnames (as I do, being of
Filipino descent). They are typically Roman Catholic. There are many words in the
Tagalog language that are Spanish. In addition, the Spanish created a system in which
power was held in the Philippines by a few mostly Spanish families known as the
"illustrados." Spanish imperialism, then, created a system of rule by a few elites and
an overall culture that was influenced greatly by Spanish
ways.
US imperialism had less of an impact, being so much
shorter. The same families pretty much stayed in power and many of them continue to be
important today. Most Filipinos speak a good deal of English because of the American
legacy. There is a mixed attitude towards the US that is generally positive, but which
did lead to a movement that forced the US to abandon its military bases in the
Philippines.
In short, imperialism has pretty much made the
Philippines what it is today both culturally and politically.
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