Ok one thing straight up: the peoples in the Philippines DID mine their own metals and even traded and wore their own gold and silver jewelry. This goes back to pre-hispanic times.
As far as steel is concerned, there are iron mines in the PI, but the technology may have been brought over in pre-hispanic times from traders and contacts from Brunei, as well as China and perhaps even some Arab traders.
I will have to have more time to get some sources together if needed.
I admit that some of these claims irritate me, but I am glad you are asking questions instead of assuming. I respect that and bow in your presence.