Los Chinos Macanistas: The Cantonese Chinese in the Philippines, 1778-1898

This paper explored the emergence and development of the macanista or Cantonese community in the Philippines from the late eighteenth century to the end of the Spanish regime. It aims (1) to examine how the Spanish colonial state viewed the Chinese community in general, and the Chinese dialect groups like the Cantonese in particular; (2) to provide a historical overview of Cantonese immigration to and settlement in the Philippines; and (3) to describe the economic contributions of Cantonese laboring classes in Manila and in the provinces. The paper intends to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the economic and socio-cultural differences within the Chinese community in the Spanish Philippines.