The native people of the Philippines1 were not always called
Filipinos. The term Filipino originally referred to a Spaniard born or residing in the Philippines. Other
Philippine inhabitants were called Indios2 as were those indigenous to other Spanish colonies in
Latin America and Mexico. For over 300 years, the Spaniards never called the native people Filipinos, as a constant reminder of inequality. It was not until after Philippine independence from Spain, gained in the Spanish
American War3 of 1898, that indigenous indivduals were called Filipinos.
1named for King Philip II of Spain.
2A descriptor, not a slur.
3The first real overseas war fought by the U.S. to eventually gain
control of a part of Asia.