Uncolonized Philippines

I started a similar thread before about many countries avoiding colonization (https://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/showthread.php?t=62384) but I want to focus on the Philippines. The POD isn't specific. It's just the Spanish never being able to establish or expand or consolidate their power there maybe due to less military success, failed follow-up expeditions after Magellan's death, stronger Islamic presence, etc.

Without Spanish colonization, a loose confederation of city-states develops bound together only by European cartographers as they label the lands which these city-states inhabit, the Philippine Islands, a mere name the Spanish use to refer to the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The city-states are able to absorb foreign influence from a diverse set of different countries but become immune to colonization or exploitation from it because all the foreign power and influence on the archipelago only serve to counter and balance each other out.

Luzon becomes the hub of Sino-Japanese influence in the archipelago, Cebu is the center of everything European as the Spanish make it into a protectorate and everything west and south of that is strongly Islamic. So the following are the possible city-states;

Appari - Originally a Japanese trading settlement, it evolved into a nominally independent city state run by merchant circles but it pays tribute to the Shogun of Japan. Its population consists mostly of ethnic Japanese and Japanese-Malay mixed race. It is also the lesser of two naval powers of Luzon but the bulk of its navy consists of lightly-armed to unarmed merchant ships.

Manila - Known as the Venice of the East for the similar set of canals that runs through the city, Manila is home to a hybrid Sino-Islamic Malay culture and is ruled by a Datu who is elected by the Maharlika aristocracy. It pays tribute to the Son of Heaven and is the site of the archipelago's only Confucian Academy. The large Chinese population that resides there serve as the city's upper class. The merchants and administrators are all Chinese and the interbreeding between the Chinese and Malay upper classes eventually produced a large portion of ethnic Chinese Maharlika families. Also, a large portion of the inner city is constructed in Chinese architecture. It is the dominant naval power of the archipelago, owning a sizable fleet of powerful warships made from a mixture of Chinese, Korean and European designs. Possessing monopolies on several spices, the Datu finds himself at near constant confrontation with European fleets, sometimes succeeding in keeping the monopoly and sometimes having to give it up to avoid annihilation.

Baguio - Known as the Mountain Kingdom, it is the most secluded of the major city-states. It hides in the cold mountainous regions of Luzon and is headed by a monarchical Datu. The Datu of Baguio has managed to secure the allegiance of the surrounding Ifugao tribes, consolidating his hold over the mountains and forests of his domain. Unwanted visitors will often find a poison-dart lodged in their necks if they dare intrude into the mountain kingdom. Paying tribute to no one, Baguio is fairly prosperous and is even rumored to be the location of the fabled Gold Tree, a great tree that produces Gold fruits. This legend makes the city attractive to Treasure seekers who most often disappear and are rumored to have been cannibalized by the Ifugao.

Cebu - The Christianized Kingdom of Cebu is the center of European influence in the archipelago. It pays tribute to the King of Spain and is home to a number of Spanish built harbors that serve as both Spanish naval bases and trading ports for other mostly European (Portuguese, Dutch and British) merchant ships. It is known for its grand European style streets and avenues. Its ruler is the devoutly Roman Catholic King of Cebu whose belongs to the House of Los Negros. Originally just another aristocratic Malay clan, they converted to Christianity in the 16th Century to win Spanish favor and eventually be enthroned as the Kings of Cebu. In the city's main avenue, lies the gigantic Cathedral of St. Lazarus which serves as the center of Roman Catholic power in the city. Jesuits are very influential in Cebu as they control most of the educational institutions and are always present as advisors to the King in the royal court. The city also serves as the base of the mostly unsuccessful missions the Church launches to convert the Pagans and the Muslims that litter the rest of the archipelago. It is also home to the University of St, Thomas, the country's only Christian, Western-style university. Cebu also owns the northern half of the island of Palawan sharing the other half with Sulu.

Bohol - A smaller Visayan state ruled by the Rajah of Bohol. It is seen as Cebu's main competitor for supremacy in the Visayas. The two states are always in a state of hostility, fighting naval and land battles in and around each other's borders. In one instance, Cebuano troops came very close to entering the city itself, leading the Rajah to construct massive stone walls that made the city known as the "Fortress City". The Boholanos later try to counter the Cebuano's Spanish alliance by signing treaties with the British and Dutch but never get as much support as the Cebuanos did from the Spanish. Bohol's main cultural influence comes from India for it is home to a large Indian population that is similar to the Chinese in Manila. Also, Hinduism has a significant following in Bohol.

Sulu - Being the greatest land power of the archipelago and the naval power second only to Manila, the Sultan of Sulu enjoys a strong political and religious hegemony over the whole of the southern island of Mindanao. Collecting tribute from every other Sultan and Rajah on the island, claiming descent from the Hashemites and declaring himself Caliph of the Malays, the Sultan's power is unmatched by any other in the archipelago. He has claimed ownership of the island of Sabah, establishing several settlements to reinforce his claim. Sulu's expansionism has sometimes caused it conflict with neighboring foreign Sultanates such as Malacca and Johor. It is also the greatest bastion of true Islamic Malay culture in the archipelago as it has not been affected by foreign influence.The Sultanate is recognized and respected internationally as assured by the Sultan's emissaries after returning from the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal courts. Sulu also owns the southern half of the island of Palawan sharing the other half with Cebu.

Maguindanao
- The second most powerful sultanate in Mindanao after Sulu. It pays tribute to the Sultanate of Sulu and is one of its closest allies. It is a moderate land power with a particularly large area of northern Mindanao under its control. But is known more for its world class pineapple plantations than for its military prowess, for that, it is called "Pineapple Haven".

Remember, this isn't a TL, just an exploration of this alternate Philippines. So, please post your comments and thoughts. :)
 
Baguio was pretty isolated (even though it's only 25 miles southeast of my hometown in the lowlands) until 1901. The only way it would prosper is if it has contact with others like the Pangasinan people (in the southwest), Kapampangan people's in the Luzon Kingdom (south), or the coastal Ilocanos (to the west).

Interesting TL though. :)

they did? really? do you have any information on that?
http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Aparri:Cagayan.htm
http://lguaparri.org/history/index.htm
http://www.philippine-history.org/
 
Sound very interesting keep it up!:D

Baguio was pretty isolated (even though it's only 25 miles southeast of my hometown in the lowlands) until 1901. The only way it would prosper is if it has contact with others like the Pangasinan people (in the southwest), Kapampangan people's in the Luzon Kingdom (south), or the coastal Ilocanos (to the west).

Interesting TL though. :)


http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Aparri:Cagayan.htm
http://lguaparri.org/history/index.htm
http://www.philippine-history.org/

Thanks! :) I'll consider adding more city-states with the peoples you mentioned.
 
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