Pila Historical Society Foundation Inc.
Méritos y Servicios
As in Spain, the first five villas in the Philippines in the 16th and early 17th centuries, Cebú, Libón, Vigan, Arévalo and Pila were apparently selected because of two common denominators. They possessed extensive territory, influence and population at the time of the Conquest and they exhibited “méritos y servicios,” which in the colony consisted mainly in extending hospitality to the conquistadors, for whom the villa would be erected. The singular grant of a villa became an integral part of the process of coloniza-tion, which fostered the policy of attraction and recompense for cooperation with the Spaniards. The gentility and nobility of customs and traditions of the inhabitants of a locality, which further reflected its eminence and influence, enhanced its chances of being singled out as a villa.
The conquistadors allowed some degree of initial resistance, which was inevitable. But probably due to its fierce hostility towards the white men, Sulayman’s Maynila was bypassed as a villa. On the other hand, the neglect was compensated for with the elegant title “Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de Manila” (“The Distinguished and Ever Loyal City of Manila”).
The conquistadors allowed some degree of initial resistance, which was inevitable. But probably due to its fierce hostility towards the white men, Sulayman’s Maynila was bypassed as a villa. On the other hand, the neglect was compensated for with the elegant title “Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de Manila” (“The Distinguished and Ever Loyal City of Manila”).