Catholic baptism saved the Chinese from being deported

Despite numerous massacres committed by the Spanish authorities such as those in [1603](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangley_Rebellion_(1603)) and [1662](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangley_Massacre_(1662)), the influx of Chinese migrants (sometimes known as *Sangleys*) in the Philippines was still tolerated due to their immense wealth in trade. The colonial government and Catholic friar orders profited significantly from trade licenses and *”the advantages of the licenses that they pay, and in order not to disturb the trade with China.”*

However, the movement of Chinese migrants within the colony was so heavily restricted that without a permit or trade license, they have no choice but to either stay in segregated ghettos of [Binondo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binondo) or [Parian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pari%C3%A1n_(Manila)) and pay heavy taxes, or alternatively, convert to Christianity as a loophole to alleviate the burdens imposed on them.

According to historian [Onofre D. Corpuz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onofre_Corpuz) in *The Roots of the Filipino Nation*:

>*”The non-Christians were therefore prohibited from residing in the native pueblos. Those found in any village were to be sent immediately to the Parian; anyone found living among the natives was subject to 200 lashes and four years service in the Cavite naval base.*

>*Chinese who had converted to Christianity and were married to Filipino wives were naturally allowed residence in their wives’ villages. In addition, the Christians were monitored by the friars in the doctrinas; if found unsatisfactory, the married ones were to be sent to the Christian Chinese villages of Santa Cruz and Binondo outside of Manila; if single, to the Parian.*

>*The Christian Chinese were allowed by the Recopilacion to engage in trade. They were exempt from the tribute for a period of ten years after the date of their conversion. These advantages were enough to attact a number to convert to Christianity, although for a long time their custom of wearing pigtails was an obstacle.”*

In one instance in 1755 where Governor-General [Pedro Manuel de Arandia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Manuel_de_Arand%C3%ADa_Santisteban) tried to deport the Chinese to take over their wholesale and retail business, the Chinese planned to mass convert themselves to Christianity. To quote Corpuz again:

> *”On the day fixed for their departure, 515 Sangley traders escape repatriation by becoming Christians in a mass baptism”*

However, this policy toward the Chinese unintentionally led to successive generations that are now Filipino-Chinese or [*Tsinoys*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Filipinos) in becoming devoted Christians, whether Catholic or otherwise. This is evident in prominent Filipino-Chinese figures from clergymen like Cardinals [Jaime Sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Sin) and [Luis Antonio Tagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Antonio_Tagle), to devout laypeople like President [Corazon Aquino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corazon_Aquino) and famous singer [Jose Mari Chan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Mari_Chan), whose song [*Christmas In Our Hearts*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVVdNWX_5Go) is so popular in the Philippines that all Filipinos, [even Muslim Filipinos, know how to sing it](https://www.facebook.com/LanaoDelNorte/videos/jose-mari-chan/840953839892838/), particularly during [the country’s long Christmas season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_the_Philippines) from September to December, aptly called the “*Ber Months*”.

P.S. I posted this on r/Philippines at one point but it didn’t tract attention there unfortunately.

History really had people doing emergency character customization just to stay in the game

And The. We ask Why there IS so many bad cristians around, when everyone IS either forced to convert Just to stay with their lands or to not die And Then there IS this type of case.