In 1542 to 1877, the word “Filipino” referred to a Spaniard living in the Philippines---the rest of the natives were called, “Indios.”

In 1878, José Rizal, for the first time, used the word Filipino to refer to the native population in the country.

“As long as the Filipino people have not enough spirit to proclaim, brow held high, and breast bared, their right to a free society, and to maintain it with their sacrifices, with their very blood; as long as we see our country men privately ashamed , hearing the cries of their revolted, and protesting in conscience but silent in public, or joining the oppressor in mocking the oppressed; as long as we see them wrapping themselves up in their selfishness and praising the most iniquitous acts with forced smiles, begging with their eyes for a share of the booty, why give them freedom?” - El Filibusterismo" ...