During over 300 years of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, Spanish authorities successfully destroyed written records and documents that would prove the existence of governance under the small kingdoms and sultanates they conquered. Two important sources that remain are the Laguna Copperplate Inscription from 990 AD, the earliest known written document found in the country, and the Boxer Codex, a 1595 document with illustrations by a Chinese author describing pre-colonial Philippine inhabitants. Europeans like the Tartaro people arrived before the Spanish, as did traders from China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asian kingdoms who introduced new technologies, crops, and cultural practices to the Philippines through economic and cultural exchanges.

1. During the more than 300 years of Spain's colonization,
Spanish authorities in the Philippine had successfully cleared
through burning or burying written records and other
documentaries that would establish proof of governance on
the various existing small kingdoms and sultanates they
subdued.

3. Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI)
 Discovered in Laguna on 1989
 Created on year 990AD

4. Boxer Codex
Written on 1595, Illustrated by a Chinese
Pre-colonial Inhabitants in the Philippines

5. The Spaniards aren't the first Europeans to
arrive in Philippines
 The Tartaro people are Ethnic Groups that came from Asia and Europe.

6. Chinese in the Philippines
 Started during the T'ang Dynasty(617-907)AD
 The Peak of Trade was during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1664)AD
 They reached different parts of the country using a JUNK.
 Trades include Gold, Silk, Porcelains, Gongs, Umbrella, etc..
 Trading per area only lasts for about 5 days.

7. Hindus in the Philippines
 Relations started around 800AD
 The Relationship was based purely on commerce.
 Early Trades include Images that are made from Brass, Gold and Clay.

8. Japanese in the Philippines
 Trade started during the 12th Century AD
 Trades include Gold and Pearls.
 Introduced Pottery, Fish breeding and Duck breeding to the Filipinos.

9. Malay in the Philippines
 Arrived during 200BC in their Balangays
 Introduced Irrigation, forging and manufacturing of metal tools, art of weaving etc .

10. Early Trades

11. Economic and Cultural
Exchanges

12. Chinese Influence

14. Hindu Influence

15. Japanese Influence

16. Malayan Influence