This category includes people who belong to Principalía of Colonial Philippines, and their descendants.
The Principalía or noble class was the ruling and usually educated upper class in the towns of colonial Philippines, composed of the gobernadorcillo (who had functions similar to a town mayor), and the cabezas de barangay (chiefs of the barangays) who governed the districts. The distinction or status of being part of the principalía was a hereditary right. However, it could also be acquired, as attested by the royal decree of 20 December 1863 (signed in the name of Queen Isabel II of Spain by the Minister of the Colonies, José de la Concha).
This distinguished upper class was exempted from tribute (tax) to the Spanish crown during the colonial period. It was the true aristocracy and the true nobility of colonial Philippines, which could be roughly comparable to the patrician class of ancient Rome. The principales (members of the principalía) traced their origin from the pre‑colonial royal and noble class of Datu of the established kingdoms, rajahnates, confederacies, and principalities, as well as the lordships of the smaller ancient social units (barangays) in Visayas, Luzon, and Mindanao. The members of this class enjoyed exclusive privileges: only the members of the principalía were allowed to vote, be elected to public office, and be addressed by the title: Don or Doña.
(Cf. wikipedia:en:Principalía)
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