Are you looking for the meaning of 'maharlika'? I was surprised to find out that this word in currently on top of the searches, together with 'maharlika country', and even classified by Google Trends as 'volcanic'. What brought about this interest? What surprises me even more is that is a Filipino word. Does 'maharlika' exist in any other language? Some Asian dialect maybe? Although the term is fairly common in Philippine society, it is not often used. First encountered in school in history books, it is now widely used as a name for buildings and roads. Malacanang Palace, the Philippine president's official residence, has a Maharlika Hall for official functions,
and one of the longest highways in the country is called the Maharlika Highway. But what does 'maharlika' really mean?

From what I remember from school (which was ages ago), 'maharlika' is the term used to describe the the privileged and respected members of early Philippine society before the Spanish arrived to conquer us in the early 16th century. Village chieftains, leaders and the early nobility were called 'maharlikas'. They occupied the position of honor and privilege in the islands and villages. However, when the Spanish arrived and conquered the islands, they gradually lost this position and the privilege that went with it. Some of them were even turned into wards and servants. As a result, the maharlikas led the first revolts against the Spanish. Respected and feared for their skill and leadership, they fought the conquerors for many years. However, they eventually succumbed to their better-equipped foes.

It is because of all these that the word 'maharlika' is now synonymous with honorable, courageous and noble. (The above is what I remember from my grade school and high school history lessons. Correct me if I am wrong, please.)

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Maharlika: what is a maharlika? Maharlika country?

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