Readings in Philippine History

Week 1 : Introduction to History

What is History?
-Derived from the Greek word iotopia (Historia) means Learning or Inquiry
-The past of mankind
-Sum total of what happened in the past every;
-event
-action
-thought that a human being has done
-The acts of analyzing and writing about the past
-Chronological record of significant events
-Study of past events

Edward Hallett Carr – English

historian, diplomat, journalist, and
international relations theorist

 Continuous process of interaction between the historian and his

facts, an unending dialogue between the present and the past
 History means interpretation
 History is what the historian makes

Zeus Salazar – A Filipino historian and proponent of Pantayong

Pananaw, a self-reflective view in the study of Philippine history

 Saysay (narrative of salaysay)

 Saysay (relevance or importance)
 Salaysay na may Saysay para sa Sinasalaysayang grupo ng
tao
 Relevant stories/narrative of the people
 Peter Stearns – was a chair of the Department of History at Carnegie
Mellon University. In addition, he founded and edited the Journal of Social
History.

 History helps us understand people and societies

 History helps us understand change and how society we live in came
to be
 History contributes to moral understanding
 History provides identity
 Studying history is essential for good citizenship

Historical Reconstruction
 Some events from the past have been removed by historians through investigation
 Historians rely on surviving records

Historical Method

Definition of Historiography
 Historiography is the art of writing.
- Cortez. R.M. (1991) History and State of the Discipline of History or Historiography

 Refers to the theory and history of historical writing.

- Sebastioan, R. Philippine Historiography: Issues and Trends

 The imaginative reconstruction of the past from the data

derived by that historical method.
Teodoro Agoncillo
  Father of Filipino Nationalist Historiography
 He wrote about the historical conditions of the Philippines by analyzing the state of the masses

Philippine Historiography
Issues

JOSE RIZAL
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
Sa Aking mga Kababata

 Not written by Rizal

 Language not appropriate for the period

1896 PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

Traditional historians: Philippine Revolution of 1896 spread like
wild fire to the provinces surrounding Manila.

 The majority of Pampangueños remained loyal to Spain.

 Pangasinan did not rise up in arms at all.
 Through definition, it states that history is all the things such as discoveries, the collection, and
interpretation of one's past. May it be the events, a person, a biography, or even the smallest but impactful
details in the past. To be brief, history is not just a mere story that can be formulated by some short time
and faulty investigations with very weak facts. It is being studied carefully so it will be reliable because
histories can never be rewritten to suit one's desires or expectations. No matter how hurtful or miserable
that story is, the truth should be the only thing that is present. Now, I believe that history is very important
to us as it signifies our identity without any biases and unfairness from someone who is tasked to write the
history and also the reason why there are specific programs that one can take for college that are mainly to
study the history and our past. There are historians and archaeologists and many more for a reason. We
need to know our history because it is our story from the past. It will lead us to understand why we are here
and what we are today. We can understand how people or events from the past made a huge impact to the
lives of many today just like how our national heroes became brave to stand for the whole country where
they didn't just saved the people during their time but also save us from misery, the present people. We
wouldn't know the things that are significant to our identity if we are not to study our history.
And another thing is that we always say how experience is the best teacher. History is the list of
events that we have experienced from the past up to the future histories that are being created today as
we live our lives. Through looking back on our history, we know all the events; bad decisions, wrong
choices, and communications and such helps us to know better and contributes to our basis today. We
must know not to repeat a history if that history caused damage to a lot of people. It happened before and
through the studied history, we know why it happened. Therefore, we should also know not to let it happen
again. Never forget, never again.

Week 2 : Sources of History

 You can’t write history without sources.
 Last lesson we discussed about the definition of history, and we differentiated historiography from
historical method.
 Now, we have to understand that neither of the two is possible without using sources of history.
 Historical sources are our view of the past
 solving a big puzzle, writing history is not an easy job since there are a lot sources available already
 Historians should choose and examine carefully the sources that they will use.

“The historian, however, has to use many materials that are not in the books. Where these are
archeological, epigraphical, or numismatical materials, he has depended largely on museums. Where there
are official records, he may have to search for them in archives, courthouses, government libraries, etc.
Where there are private papers not available in official collections, he may have to hunt among the papers
of business houses, the muniment rooms of ancient castles, the prized possessions of autograph collectors,
the records of parish churches, etc. Having some subject in mind, with more or less definite delimitation of
the persons, areas, times, and functions (i.e. the economic, political, intellectual, diplomatic or other
occupational aspects) involved, he looks for materials that may have some bearing upon those persons in
that area at the time they have function in that fashion. These materials are his sources. The more precise
his delimitation of persons, area, time and function, the more relevant his sources are likely to be.” -
Understanding History by Gottschalk

2 Types of Sources in History

a. Coins g. Maps

Primary Source - is a document that was written or an object which was created, in the time
period in which you are working. They offer a direct insight into what happened. These are materials
directly involved in the event or topic being studied. It doesn’t need to be an original one, but its
content should not be changed.

b. Letters h. Material evidence of pre-historic past like cave drawings, ancient

writing etc.
c. Diary i. Newspapers
d. Manuscript j. Film footage
e. Photographs k. Official records like marriage contract, transcript, birth certificate
etc.
f. Sketches and drawings l. Many more

The treasures above can be found in what you call repositories of sources, and these are:
a. Archives e. Private Hands (e.g. family) /Collectors
b. Libraries f. Research Institutions
c. Museums g. Others
d. Historical Societies
Secondary Sources are sometimes created from the primary sources, or an interpretation
of it. These are one or more steps removed from time or event being studied. According to Gottschalk,
this is the testimony of anyone who is not an eyewitness—that is of one who was not present at the
event of which he tells.

Examples of secondary sources are:

a. Books (textbooks) e. Criticisms
b. Articles f. Scholarly journals
c. Magazines g. Others…
d. Encyclopedias

Is it enough to have sources to begin writing history?

Well, unfortunately, you still have lots of things to do with the sources (that you have) before you can start
writing them; because we cannot just simply assume that everything from the sources are true and
reliable.
Now, please remember these set of questions in dealing with sources:
a. What type of source is it?
b. Who created the source?
c. Which goal was the source created? (Did the creator want to tell the truth or influence others thru a
propaganda?)
d. What is the context (prevailing values, religion, political situation etc.) in which source was created?
e. Has the author been trained in the right field?
f. Where and when was the source published?
g. Which sources has the author used and how critical has he been?
How do historians choose the source to use in writing a narrative of the
past?
A. External Criticism- this guarantees the authenticity of the source by examining its physical
characteristic (e.g. handwriting, words used)-consistent of course to the time it was produced and the
materials used (e.g. type of paper or ink).
B. Internal Criticism- answers the credibility of the source. It examines the content as to its
truthfulness and factuality. It checks also all the possible agenda, propaganda and the purpose of those who
wrote or produced them.

 This two are important to ensure that historians are not deceived by the sources and it would really
construct a true narration of the past.

If history is a study of past events, then what is Pre-History?

 let’s also understand that History is also a period in time where there is already a presence of
written records.
 when we say Pre-history, that is a term that covers human experiences prior to human records or
documentation. Please see photos of prehistoric ages (Upper left- Ice age; Right, Stone Age; Lower
left, Bronze Age)

Week 3 : First Voyage

Around the World
The First Voyage Around The World by Antonio Pigafetta - gave us an account of the
experiences of around 270 people who joined the expedition. It contains an accurate and detailed
description of everything they saw in their travels.
- The book was written by Antonio Pigafetta on board in one of the 5 ships that was first to
circumnavigate the world during a Spanish expedition that was led by the Portuguese
explorer, Ferdinand Magellan.
- After his death during the voyage, it was led by Juan Sebastián Elcano.
- The expedition started in 1519 and ended in Spain in 1522

Historical Concept of the Document

Map of the
Voyage of
Ferdinand
Magellan
  It is historically proper to say that Ferdinand Magellan came to the
Philippines in 1521 instead of saying that he discovered Philippines.

 What happened is actually a revelation to the Spaniards that there are other existing
countries including the Philippines.

 At the end of the voyage, Antonio Pigafetta, the author of the book, was on board the Victoria;
this was the only ship that was able to return to Spain.

Ferdinand Magellan First Circumnavigation of the Earth

Who were the Pre-colonial Filipinos?

 When we say, ”pre-colonial Filipinos”, we are referring

to the Filipinos who were living in the Philippines
before or upon the arrival of the Spaniards.
 They may also be referred to as “natives” or the “early
Filipinos”.
 Pigafetta wrote that throughout the expedition, had the
service of a translator named Enrique who was from
Sumatra (present day Indonesia) and was a slave of
Ferdinand Magellan.
 They arrived in Zamal (Samar at present).
 The island was called Humunu (now Homonhon)
 Magellan and his men called it Acquada da li buoni Segnialli (“the Watering-place of Good Signs”).
 There are many islands in that district, and therefore they called them the Archipelago of San
Lazaro, as they were seen on the Sunday of St. Lazarus

o On April 1, 1521, according to Pigafetta, the first

mass in the Philippines was held in Mazaua
(Limasawa)

 It was attended by Magellan, Raia Colambu (Rajah

Kolambu), Raia Siaui (Rajah Siagu), Spanish voyagers, and the
local islanders
 o On April 15, 1521, a mass was held in Zubu with Raia Humabon and 800 natives were
baptized into Christianity.
o Rajah Humabon later baptized as Don Carlos, (died April 27, 1521)
 Cited as the reason for why Magellan fought in the Battle of Mactan, as
the latter wanted to earn the trust of Humabon by helping him
subdue his opponent Lapulapu, the datu of Mactan.

 Pigafetta showed the queen an image of our Lady, a very beautiful wooden
child Jesus, and a cross.
 She asked for the little child Jesus to keep in place of her idols (for example,
bul-ul o mga bagay na ginagamit sa mga tradisyunal na ritwal at ito ay karaniwang
pares ang mga estatwa – isang lalaki at isang baba na nakatayo o nakatalungko)
and this image of child Jesus is now known as the Sto. Niño found in Cebu.

 Pigafetta wrote:

o At midnight, on April 28, sixty of Magellan’s men set out armed with corselets and helmets,
Christian king, prince, some of the chief men, 20 or 30 balanghais to attack Mactan.
o He said, the local islanders had lances of bamboo and stakes hardened with fire.
o They shot the captain through the right leg with a poisoned arrow, knocked his helmet off his head
twice. That was the end of Ferdinand Magellan.

Contribution of the document in the grand narrative of Philippine history

 This document, The First voyage Around the World, elaborated the lifestyle back then and it
described what the local islanders wore, what they ate, how they communicated, and how they
lived
 A blood compact, an ancient ritual to validate an agreement or friendship, was described by
Antonio Pigafetta during their stopover in Palawan (after the death of Magellan).
 It was made between the crew of the expedition and a datu of Palawan as
a symbol of peaceful intentions.
 The datu made a small cut on his chest using a knife borrowed from the expedition.
The datu then dipped a finger on the blood and touched it to the tip of his tongue
and on his forehead.
 The crew of the expedition did the same to seal the compact.
Pigafetta's journal is the only known document about Lapu-Lapu's life. The first defender of our
sovereignty.
It is one of the best sources today of the customs and usages of the Filipinos in the early 16th
century due to the daily notes Pigafetta took and details about the expedition that he wrote about.

Relevance of the Document : First Voyage Around The World

 The book served as an evidence that the world
is round and not flat.
 Magellan proved that there was a way to the
east by continuously sailing west.
 In this voyage, Magellan discovered the
vastness of a body of water which he later on
named Pacific Ocean.
 We also find out how the first Filipinos fought
against an invader and delayed the Spanish
occupation by about 40 years.

Remember
- Lapu-lapu did not personally kill Magellan
- Magellan did not discover the Philippines.
- The Battle of Mactan delayed the Spanish occupation by 40 years.
Week 4 : Customs of the Tagalogs
 Juan De Plasencia - a Spanish Friar for the Franciscan order who was in the
Philippines for most of his missionary life.
 He died in Liliw, Laguna in 1590.
 He came together with the first batch of Franciscan missionaries in the
Philippines.
 He wrote a number of books designed primarily
 to promote the understanding of both the Spanish language among the
natives, and the local languages among the missionaries,
 to facilitate the task of spreading Christianity.
 He noted that social status is established in some places but not all.
 The unit of Government is the barangay. Yes, the same term that we use today.
 It came from Malay word “balangay” meaning boat
 We call the leaders as Datu where we pay our “buwis”
 Tax system is existing even before! Although the natives mostly use goods to
pay.
 Before MARRIAGE is permitted, dowries are required.
 Dowry are gifts given to the women’s family as a bribe to ask for her
hand in marriage.
 Dowries are given by the men to the women's parents.
 If the parents are LIVING, they enjoy the use of it.
 If the wife, at the time of her marriage, has neither father, mother, nor
grandparents (DEAD), she enjoys her dowry.
 Unmarried women can own no property, in land or dowry, for the result
of all their labors goes to their parents.
 On DIVORCE
 divorce before the birth of children, if the wife left the husband for the
purpose of marrying another, all her dowry and an equal additional
amount fell to the husband.
 but if she left him, and did not marry another, the dowry was returned.
FUN FACT!
 In the history of Printing in the Philippines, the first book ever printed
in is authored by Fray Juan De Placencia.

 It is entitled Doctrina Cristiana (Christian Doctrine).

 Fray Placencia said that the natives were barefooted but adorned with
lots of gold in their bodies.

Relation of the Worship of the Tagalogs,

Their Gods, and Their Burials and
Superstitions
 Religious beliefs. Remember that the early Filipinos have no knowledge about Christianity.
Fr Placensia noted these early religious practices of the Filipinos.

 He saw that there are no temples consecrated to the performing of sacrifices, like the adoration of their
idols, or any practice of idolatry.
 But they have the name SIMBAHAN, which means a temple or place of adoration which is always
temporary.
 There are festivals called Pandot or Worship.
o This is celebrated in the large house of the chief.
o They would create a temporary shed called “sibi” for the purpose of sheltering the people who
would assemble.
o This worship is described by the tagalogs as “Nagaanitos.”
 They have many idols, but they have the BATHALA who signify “all powerful,” or “maker of all things.”
 They also worshiped the sun, which they called TALA and even the stars.
 They worship the moon, especially when it was new, at which time they held great festivities , adoring it
and welcoming it with all the singing and dancing.
 They had another idol called Dian masalanta, who was the patron of lovers and of generation.
 Other idols were called Lacapati and Idianale who were the patrons of agriculture and of those wanting
to have a husband.
 “Their manner of offering sacrifice was to proclaim a
feast. They also offer to the devil what they had to eat.
This was done in front of the idol, which they anoint
with fragrant perfumes, such as musk and civet, or gum
of the storax-tree and other odoriferous woods, and
praise it in poetic songs sung by the officiating priest,
male or female, who is called catolonan.” (Blair and
Robertson)
 There was a belief in the existence of aswang, tiyanak, tikbalang
mangkukulam and more.
 Soon it was used by the Spaniards to discipline Filipinos and make them
stay in their homes at night.
o You don’t want to follow curfew, then let aswang eat you!
 Fr. Plalencia said that Christianity tried its best to debunk these beliefs
 The church in a way tolerated these because it was helpful in controlling the natives.
 They offer reverence to water-lizards which they call buaya, or crocodiles.
 Fearful of these creatures, they will give these animals a portion of what they carried in their boats, by
throwing it into the water, or placing it upon the bank.
 It is believed that such doing will prevent the buaya from harming them.

Superstitious Beliefs