ABSTRACT:
Reduccion System was a resettlement policy employed by the Spaniards which was designed for a convenient administration of the colonies. It was a forced relocation imposed by the colonizers to create land based communities. These new settlements include the Master Plan of consolidating the school, church, plaza and municipal hall in its surrounding area. During the pre-colonial period, Gubat communities were part of Asiatic and Austronesian tradition of sa-ilud, sa-raya were barangays were located along rivers, coastal areas, and other water systems. The Spanish authorities enticed the natives to live near the churches or within hearing distance of church bells (in Spanish: bajo de la campana). Looking back, Christianity was introduced based on the Filipino natives' familiarity in animist belief. The faces of the anito and diwata were changed to that of the great saints. The horrifying creatures, such as aswang and kapre were transformed to devils in Christian faith. Fiestas and festivals, then as native ritual feasting, were celebrated in honor of the town's patron saint. Some natives remained firm, not obeying this Spanish imposition. Such were called vagamundos - people living from one town to another so that they'll be "excused" from paying tribute.
The most prominent feature of Spanish cities was the plaza, a central area for town activities such as the fiesta, and where government buildings, the church, a market area and other infrastructures were located. Residential areas lay around the plaza. During the conquista, the first task of colonization was the reduction, or relocation of the indigenous population into settlements surrounding the plaza.
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