1 Readings in Philippine History

Republic of the Philippines

BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Main Campus
C.P.G. North Avenue, Tagbilaran City

GE 4
(Readings in Philippine History)

Ann Margarit P. Bersano

2 Readings in Philippine History

Course Title: Readings in Philippine History

Number of Units: 3
Course Description:
This course analyzes Philippine history from multiple perspectives through the lens of
selected primary sources coming from various disciplines and of different points of view,
identifies biases and examines the evidences presented in the document.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Evaluate primary sources for their credibility, authenticity, and provenance.
2. Analyze the context, content, and perspective of different kinds of primary sources.
3. Determine the contribution of different kinds of primary sources in understanding
Philippine history.
4. Develop critical and analytical skills with exposure to primary sources.
5. Demonstrate the ability to use primary sources to argue in favour or against a particular
issue.
6. Effectively communicate, using various techniques and genres, their historical analysis of
a particular event or issue that could help others understand the chosen topic.
7. Propose recommendations/solutions to present-day problems bases on their understanding
of root causes and their anticipation of future scenarios.
8. Display the ability to work in a team and contribute to a group project.
9. Manifest interests in local history and concern in promoting and preserving our country’s
national patrimony and cultural heritage.

Course Outline

UNIT 1 – UNDERSTANDING UNIT 2 – ANALYZING PRIMARY

PERSPECTIVE SOURCES
1. Learning History 8. The First cry of the Revolution
2. Magellan’s Voyage Around the (August 1896)
World 9. The Tejeros Assembly
3. Customs of the Tagalogs 10. The Rizal Retraction
4. The Kartilya of the the Katipunan UNIT 3 – PHILLIPINE GOVERNANCE
5. The Act of Proclamation of AND REVENUE RESOURCES
Independence of the Filipino (Acta 11. The Philippine Constitution
de la Proclamacion de la 12. Agrarian Reform
Indendencia del Pueblo Filipino) 13. Taxation
6. Speech of President Corazon C. UNIT 4 – EXPLORING HISTORY
Aquino Before the Joint Session of 14. Historical Sites and Landmarks
the United States Congress, Recognized by the National
September 18, 1986 Historical Commission of the
7. Political Caricature during the Philippines
American Period 15. Local and Oral history, Indigenous
Practices, Religious Rites and
Rituals
3 Readings in Philippine History

Lesson 1 Learning History

Introduction
When people think of history, most of them think of dates, names, and places. They
think that history is simply the chronological events that occurred in the distant past. They fail
to acknowledge that history is more than just knowing and memorizing facts.
This module introduces history as a discipline and as a narrative. It presents the
definition of history, which transcends the common definition of history as the study of the
past. This module also assesses the value of historical evidences and differentiates primary
sources from secondary sources. Ultimately, this module also explains the importance of
history to Filipinos.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of history;
2. To examine critically the value of historical evidences and sources;
3. Identify the differences between a primary source and a secondary source; and
4. Explain the significance of history in people’s lives.

What is History?
History is the study of the human past. The story of the past came from the records
previous people and civilization left behind. It is the “study of the beliefs, practices, and
institutions of human beings” (Torres, 2018). It is a relevant study that looks into the
development of a country’s culture, practices and traditions through the passage of time. It is
the narrative of the struggle of a nation from colonization, wars, revolutions, calamities,
among others.
History originated from the Latin word historia, which means a narrative or account
of the past events (Alpha History, n.d.). It refers to the account or stories of the past told by a
person or group of people through written documents and other historical evidences. Because
there are many stories, which is contradicting and conflicting, history is subjected to revisions
and reinterpretations. Each generation looks at history using their own perspectives. with the
different ideas about the past, historians are using various approaches and methods to uncover
the truth about the narratives from the past.
As a discipline, history existed for more than 2,000 years. History evolved and
through time, some stories became clearer while others remain a mystery. It is up to the future
generation to dig deeper and bridge the gap to let people understand more what happened
during those periods.
4 Readings in Philippine History

Historical Sources
A historian asks questions about the past and seeks answers through primary,
secondary archeological, and numerous other resources. Knowledge about the past entails
studying the relics and traces left by people, civilizations, and societies. Primary sources are
those materials or documents written or taken from the time period concerned (Candelaria &
Alporha, 2018).. These are the “raw materials” of history, which are accounts of people or
groups who were present during that period or event. These include eyewitness accounts,
diaries, letters, government documents, photographs, graphs, and others (Torres, 2018).

Figure 1. Emilio Aguinaldo’s Manifesto in

response to Generl Otis’ Proclamation in 1898
(Image Source: Welch Dakota Papers)

The material or articles written based on primary sources are called secondary
sources. According to Gottschalk as cited by Torres (2018), secondary sources refer to “the
testimony of anyone who is not an eyewitness – that is of one who was not present at the
event of which he tells.”

Figure 1. Teodoro Agoncillo’s History

of the Filipino People
(Image Source: Lopez Museum)
5 Readings in Philippine History

Both primary and secondary sources are useful in writing and learning history. To
understand better history, historians and students need to examine thoroughly historical
sources. One cannot simply rely on a single source to make sense about a historical event.
That is why historians seek corroborations and accumulate details to produce a historical
truth. It is in the process of scrutinizing sources that technical skill of a historian matters. To
avoid deception and come up with a truthful narrative, historians conduct external and internal
criticisms of the sources, especially primary sources. External criticism is “the practice of
verifying the authenticity of evidence by examining its physical characteristics; consistency
with the historical characteristics of the time when it was produced; and the materials used for
the evidence” (Candelaria & Alporha, 2018). The historian will examine documents for its
quality, authorship, the date, language used, among others.
After historians verified the authenticity of certain documents, they are confronted
with another important concern – that is to examine the credibility of the document. This is
when historians use internal criticism. Internal criticism is the evaluation of accuracy and
truth worthiness of the evidence or document (Candelaria & Alporha, 2018). Documents must
be criticized for factuality of documents or materials through their context, agenda behind its
creation, the knowledge it conveys, its purposes, and others.
It is important to validate historical sources because it can lead to false conclusion,
prejudices, and errors. Historians must know how to sort materials and examine their
relevance to a particular event to avoid deception and propagation of lies. The task of the
historians is to organize the past to inform the people about important lessons of the past that
has meaning to the present and the future.

Why study History?

People live in the present. But, it does not mean that people will no longer give
importance to the past. An examination of the past can inform greatly how people and
societies came to be who they are now. Looking back to the past will help the present
generation understand the roots of institutions, ideas, views, and problems.
According to the American Historical Association, studying history is essential
because of the following (Stearns, 1998):
1. History helps us understand people and societies;
2. History helps us understand change and how the society we live came to be;
3. History gives new perspective on human life and society;
4. History provides a terrain for moral contemplation;
5. History provides identity; and
6. Studying history is essential for good citizenship.
6 Readings in Philippine History

Activity and Assessment:

Activity1
Using the examples of a primary source discussed in this module, identify a primary source
that can be used in writing the history of your life. Discuss why it qualifies as a primary
source in 150-200 words?
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Activity 2
Answer the following: 0
I. KNOWLEDGE. (1 point each). Write T if the statement is correct and F if it is not.
1. Only primary sources may be used in writing history.
2. Internal criticism is done by looking at a source’s quality of paper, language, among
others.
3. The historians are the only source of history.
4. History is the study of the past.
5. External criticism is done by examining the physical characteristics of a source.

II. COMPREHENSION AND ANALYSIS. (5 points each)

1. What is history? How is your understanding of history different from what it is explained
in this module?
2. How will you discriminate between contradicting reports of a single event from different
sources?
3. In your own words, explain the importance of history in your life.

References
Alpha Histroy (n.d.). What is History? Retrieved from https://alphahistory.com/what-is-
history/.
Candelaria, J. P. & Alporha, V. C. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Quezon City: Rex
Bookstore, Inc.
Stearns, P. (1998.). Why Study History? In American Historical Association. Retrieved from
https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-
archives/historical-archives/why-study-history-(1998).
Torres, J. V. (2018). Batis: Sources in Philippine History. Quezon City: C & E Publishing,
Inc.

Lesson 2 Magellan’s Voyage around the World

Introduction
7 Readings in Philippine History

The Philippines became a colony of Spain for more than three centuries. The first
contact of the Spanish to the natives of the Philippines was through the expedition headed by
Ferdinand Magellan that landed in the Philippine in 1521. Even if Magellan was killed in the
Battle of Mactan, his voyage was later known as the world's first circumnavigation. His
expedition was documented by Antonio Pigafetta, whose travelogue became a crucial primary
source in the pre-colonial Philippines study.
This module will analyze the content, context, and perspective of Pigafetta’s
travelogue that reveals his observation and general impression of the Filipinos and their
culture. It will give a glimpse of the Magellan-Elcano expedition and experience. Through the
study of Pigafetta's journal, its importance to the study of Philippine history will be
ascertained.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Analyze the content, context, and perspective of the document;
2. Discuss the Magellan-Elcano expedition and experience based on the journal; and
3. Explain the importance of Pigafetta’s account on the study of Philippine history.

Historical Context
During the Age of Discovery and Exploration, countries in Europe competed to
expand their power and territory by conquering distant lands to control the essential resources
that were not found in their countries. Through the Crusades, the Europeans discovered
products that were not available in Europe. Examples of these are porcelain, silk, herbs,
incense, spices, and other oriental products that became popular in Europe but are only found
in the Far East. With the desire to monopolize the supply and distribution of these lucrative
commodities, European powers competed in exploring the oceans to look for a way to the
East, especially the famous Spice Islands.
In the fifteenth century, Spain and Portugal was a bitter rival in exploration. Owing to
the marriage of Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, Spain rise as a
world power. They hoped to gain an advantage over Portugal. Spain's goal is to expand
Catholicism and gain a commercial advantage over Portugal (Open Stax College, n.d.). After
Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas, the Spanish monarchs later supported the plan
of Ferdinand Magellan to go the East by sailing westward, a proposal that Portugal refused to
finance.
In the search for fame and fortune, the Portuguese, Ferdinand Magellan led fleets of
five ships, with 270 men, left Spain in 1519. Magellan aimed to find an alternative route to
the Far East to maintain the spice trade and reach Mollucas or the Spice Islands (The Manila
Times, 2015). En route, Magellan discovered the route now known as the Strait of Magellan
(it took 38 days for them to cross that straight until they come to the Pacific Ocean). Crossing
the Pacific Ocean (which was called by Magellan as Mar Pacifico, which means calm or
tranquil ocean. It took them 99 days to cross the Pacific Ocean), the voyage of Magellan
landed in the Philippines, where he was eventually killed (by Lapu-lapu’s men). After the
Battle of Mactan and the massacre of Magellan's men in Cebu, the remaining men returned to
8 Readings in Philippine History

Spain under the command of Juan Sebastian Elcano. With only 17 survivors on board,
Victoria arrived in Spain on September 7, 1522. One of the survivors was the chronicler of
Magellan, Antonio Pigafetta. He kept a journal that documented what we now know about the
first encounter of the Spaniards and the Filipinos (Torres, 2018).
Who is Antonio Pigafetta?
Antonio Pigafetta (1491-c.1534) was a Venetian scholar and explorer who joined the
voyage undertaken by Magellan. After getting the approval of the Spanish sovereign, he left
Barcelona and went to Seville. He was admitted as one of the sobresalientes
(supernumeraries), or men coming from prominent families who will join the trip for the love
of adventure and military service advancement. After the challenges that the Spanish fleet
faced from Spain, landing in many islands, including the Philippines, Pigafetta was among
those survivors on board Victoria that returned to Spain (Torres, 2018).
Upon arriving in Seville, Pigafetta gave his handwritten account of his observations
and what transpired to them during the expedition. Pigafetta kept a detailed journal of their
journey. Upon returning to Italy, he heeded his associates' advice to write a formal account of
Magellan's expedition and have it published. Unfortunately, after he finished his accounts, no
one wanted to finance its printing.
The original journal of Pigafetta did not survive time. The one that is handed down is
the copies of the manuscript that were never printed. Although there were other primary
sources about Magellan's voyage, Pigafetta's account is the longest and the most detailed. It
accounted for the five ships' individual fates, with only Victoria surviving and returning to
Spain. It detailed the not only the challenges they faced along the way, but it also included
maps, glossaries or native words, and geographic information and descriptions of flora and
fauna of the various places they visited (Torres, 2018).
The document of Pigafetta revealed several insights about the character of the
Philippines during the pre-colonial period. Locating Pigafetta's accounts in its writing context
gives an idea of the dominant frame of European exploration in the 15 th and 16th centuries,
which can be observed from the writer's perspective. Readers and students of history must
bear in mind that Pigafetta's account is written from his perspective and was a product of the
context of its production (Candelaria & Alporha, 2018)
Ꙭ WATCH: Bringing home the Pigafetta manuscripts by Rappler at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REHPX4iSxFY.

Self-Study Questions:
1. What is the significance of Pigafetta's manuscripts to Philippine history?
9 Readings in Philippine History

Figure 3. The title page of Magellan’s Voyage Around the World by Pigafetta
(Image Source: Archive.org)

A Brief Summary of Magellan’s Voyage Around the World

By Antonio Pigafetta
In Pigafetta’s account, their fleet landed in the isle of Zamal, now Samar, but
Magellan decided to land in another uninhabited island for greater security where they can
rest for a few days. Pigafetta recounted that nine men came to them after two days showing
eagerness to see Magellan. Realizing that they were reasonable, Magellan welcomes them
with food, drinks, and gifts. The people in return gave them rice (umai), cocoanuts (coconuts),
and other food supplies. Pigafetta detailed amazement and fascination with the palm tree that
bores fruits called cocoanuts, described by Pigafetta as: "…as large as the head or thereabouts.
Its outside husk is green and thicker than two fingers."
Pigafetta mentioned in his account that the people became very familiar with them.
The people told them many things, their names, including the near islands. Their island is
called Zuluan. As the people became friendly to them, they willingly showed the different
islands to the Spaniards. They went to Humunu Island (Homonhon), where they found two
springs of the clearest water, called "Watering-place of good Signs."
After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king's brother, who was also a king
of another island. The king was described as the finest looking man he saw in this place. He
was also adorned with silk and gold accessories like a golden dagger, which he carries with
him in a polished wooden sheath. This king is named Raia Colambu, king of Zuluan and
Calagan (Butuan and Caragua), and the first king was Raia Siaui (Siagu). On the last day of
March, an Easter Sunday, a mass was celebrated by the shore. The two kings participated in
the mass. Pigafetta wrote:
10 Readings in Philippine History

“…when the offertory of the mass came, the two kings, went to kiss the cross
as we did. When the body of our Lord was elevated, they remained on their
knees and worshipped Him with clasped hands.”
After the mass, Magellan ordered the cross be brought, with nails and crown in place.
Magellan explained that the cross, the nail, and the crown were the signs of his emperor and
that he was ordered to plant it in the places that he will reach.
Later, Magellan and his men decided to move and look for islands to acquire more
supplies and provisions. On April 7, they entered the port of Zubu (Cebu). After making
friends with their king, Magellan spoke before his people about peace and God. Pigafetta
reported the people were pleased with Magellan's speech. On the 14 th of April, people
gathered with the king and other principal men of the islands. After Magellan convinced them
to become Christians, the King of Cebu was baptized. Pigafetta wrote:
“…The captain led the king by the hand to the platform while speaking these
good words to baptize him. He told the king that he would be called Don
Carlo, after his sovereign the emperor; the prince, Don Fernando, after the
emperor's brother; the king of Mazaua, Johanni; a chief, Fernando, after our
chief, that is to say, the captain; the Moro, Christoforo; and then the others,
now one name, and now another."
After dinner, the queen was baptized with forty women. She was shown a lovely
wooden child Jesus, and across. She asked the Spaniards to give her the image of the child
Jesus to keep in place of her idols. The king of Cebu, who was newly-baptized, swore his
faithfulness to Magellan.
On the 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from Matan's island (Mactan), went to see
him ask for a boat full of men to help him fight the chief named Cilapulapu (Lapulapu).
According to Zula, Cilapulapu refused to obey the king of Spain. In response, Magellan
offered three boats and said he would go to Mactan himself to fight the said chief. It was the
infamous Battle of Mactan, which was recounted by Pigatfetta writing:
“When they saw us, they charged down upon us with exceeding loud cries,
two divisions on our flanks and other two on our front. When the captain saw
that, he formed us into two divisions, and thus did we begin to fight. The
musketeers and crossbowmen shot only passed through the shields made of
thin wood and the arms [of the bearers]. The captain cried to them, "Cease
firing! Cease firing! But his order was not all heeded. When the natives saw
that we were shooting our muskets to no purpose, crying out, they [were]
determined to stand firm, but they [and] redoubled their shouts. When our
muskets were discharged, the natives would never stand still but leaped
hither, covering themselves with their shields. They shot so many arrows at
us and hurled so many bamboo spears (some of them tipped with iron) at the
captain-general, besides pointed stakes hardened with fire, stones, and mud,
that we could scarcely defend ourselves."
After Magellan died in battle, his remaining men returned to Cebu, where the King of
Cebu and one of Magellan's slave and interpreter betrayed them. The natives had slain all of
11 Readings in Philippine History

the men who went ashore. The other men who were in the fleet departed and left Cebu. They
continued their journey around the world.
Ꙭ WATCH: First European Description of the Philippine (1521) by Voices of the Past at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnIRVJ4kuZc.

Self-Study Questions:
1. How did Pigafetta describe the natives?
2. How did Pigafetta describe the Battle of Mactan?

The relevance of Pigafetta's chronicle

Pigafetta’s chronicle contributed immensely to European historiography as it
preserved and popularized the achievements of the Magellan-Elcano expedition. If Pigafetta
did not survive the journey, we would have very little knowledge of Magellan's numerous
contributions in the fields of geography, navigation, history, and other related areas. First,
credit must be given to Magellan's expedition for proving that the earth is not flat but an
oblate sphere. Moreover, they demolished the myth that there is boiling water at the Equator.
Second, Magellan and his men completed the first circumnavigation of the world. Third, they
confirmed that the Portuguese route is not the only way to the Spice Islands. They proved the
theory that one can go to the east by sailing west. Fourth, they brought to the Europeans'
attention that on the other side of the American continent exists a large body of water named
the Pacific Ocean (Mar Pacifico). All these discoveries altered the European map of the world
and resulted in the inclusion of new territories in their view. The account of Pigafetta also
enriched Philippine historiography because it contains essential details about the conditions of
the Visayan Islands in the 16th century. During that time, some prominent leaders, their
economic activities, social and cultural, and religious beliefs were identified.
Moreover, local textbook writers use this book as their historical information about the
beginning of Christianity in the Philippines. The accounts about the First Mass in the
Philippines, the conversion of Rajah Humabon and his wife, and the Sto's image story. Niño
was mostly taken from Pigafetta’s book. Finally, Pigafetta has numerous accounts about the
reaction of the Filipinos when they met the Spaniards. Some Filipinos were quickly
befriended by the Spaniards, while others refused to interact and trade with them. Lapu-Lapu
is the most prominent Filipino character in Pigafetta's narrative. He was the first Filipino who
led the resistance movement against Spanish rule and successfully thwarted the Spaniards'
first attempt to control the Philippines (Torres, 2018).
ADDITIONAL READING: Read the summary of Antonio Pigafetta’s account
translated by Lord Stanley of Alderley retrieved from
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_First_Voyage_Round_the_World/Pigafetta
%27s_Account_of_Magellan%27s_Voyage.

You can also read “The First Voyage round the world, by Magellan” at
https://archive.org/details/firstvoyageround00piga/page/n27/mode/2up.
12 Readings in Philippine History

Activity and Assessment:

Activity1
In a pair or a group of 3-4, write a critique of Pigafettas’s chronicle on Magellan’s first
voyage around the world. Write your critique in a 300-word essay with at least 2 paragraphs.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Answer the following:
I. KNOWLEDGE. (2 points each). Give a short description of the following
personalities in relation to their role in history.
1. Antonio Pigafetta
2. Ferdinand Magellan
3. King Humabon
4. Lapu-lapu
5. Elcano

II. COMPREHENSION AND ANALYSIS. (5 points each)

1. Do you think Pigafetta’s account is a credible primary source about the pre-colonial
Philippines? Why or why not?
2. Based on Pigafetta’s account, how do you think the Spaniard perceive the native
Filipinos?

References
Candelaria, J. P. & Alporha, V. C. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Quezon City: Rex
Bookstore, Inc.
Open Stax College. (n.d.). Portuguese Exploration and Spanish Conquest. Retrieved from
http://pressbooks-dev.oer.hawaii.edu/ushistory/chapter/portuguese-exploration-and-spanish-
conquest/

The Manila Times. (2015). Magellan’s voyage and the era of global trade. Retrieved from
from https://www.manilatimes.net/2015/11/02/opinion/columnists/magellans-voyage-
and-the-eraof-global-trade/226993/

Torres, J. V. (2018). Batis: Sources in Philippine History. Quezon City:C & E Publishing, Inc.
Voices of the Past. (2020, April 25). First European Description of the Philippine (1521).
[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnIRVJ4kuZc.