how did spain establish itself in the philippines

Spain established itself in the Philippines primarily through the expedition and conquest led by Miguel López de Legazpi in 1565. Legazpi arrived from Mexico (then New Spain) and established the first permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu. Over the following years, the Spanish extended their control by defeating local Muslim rulers and establishing Manila as the capital in 1571. Spain used military force, alliances with some local chieftains, and missionary efforts to spread Christianity, solidifying Spanish authority over the archipelago. The colony was administered as part of the Spanish East Indies, initially under New Spain, and served both economic and religious goals for Spain, despite being a financial burden. The Spanish rule profoundly altered the social, political, and economic structures of the islands for over 300 years.