Mexico City to Manila – The Forzados System Did you know Mexico ruled the Philippines from 1565 to 1821 under Spain’s Viceroyalty of New Spain? Mexico City called the shots, sending over 35,000 Mexicans—soldiers, sailors, even prisoners—via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon. That’s 1 in every 40 people by the 1700s! They brought Nahuatl words like 'tiangge' and built Zamboanga’s Fort Pilar. When Mexico gained independence, Spain feared rebellion and erased Mexican-Filipinos from history. #mexicanphili