Final answer:
The social hierarchy during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines placed Spaniards at the top, with significant changes including the introduction of Christianity, exploitation of natives and Africans, and the eventual struggle for independence from Spain, leading to the ceding of the Philippines to the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social changes in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period were significant, shaped by Spain's vision of a colonial society and influenced by both patriarchy and hierarchy. The Spanish saw themselves atop the social pyramid, with native peoples, including revered figures like Lapulapu, and Africans beneath them. The rigid class structure, introduction of Christianity, and exploitation for economic gains through encomiendas were defining factors of the social restructuring. The loss of Spanish territories in the late 19th century, including the Philippines, marked the decline of the Spanish empire's stability and wealth, while uprisings and the spirit of independence, amplified by leaders like Emilio Aguinaldo, further shaped societal transitions until the eventual ceding of the Philippines to the United States after the Spanish-American War.