historical data that the Historian can

Readings in Philippine History make use in writing history.

Chapter 1 – Intro to History
Etymology
History (from the Greek word Historie or
Importance of the study of History Historia which means “learning, inquiry and or
The study of History is important because it investigation”) is a branch of the Social Sciences that
provides us with the capacity to analyze previous deals with the systematic study of significant past, a
events and phenomena which therefore will provide branch of knowledge that records and explains past
us with proper basis on how to view the present and events and which concerns people and human
the future. This being the case history will provide is nature.
with a strong basis for providing answers for problems
that pervades at present.
• Historie/Historia (Greek word)
❖ Learning, Inquiry, and or Investigation
our historical view will provide us with the
manner by which we view the present and how we
• History
prepare for the future.
❖ is a branch of the Social Sciences that
According to E. Kent Rogers, we study History deals with the systematic study of
because “to know more about the roots of our ‘significant past’.
current culture”. This being the case history will ❖ a branch of knowledge that records
provide us with the basis by which we can and explains past events and which
understand better different cultural institutions and concerns people and human nature.
constructs. ❖ History as a discipline follows a
methodology in order to establish
Second, “to learn about human nature by and be able to validate facts and
looking at trends that repeat through history” and evidence.
“learn about mistakes of those who have gone ❖ Is a western concept which failed to
before us”. History deals with analysis therefore, by account unrecorded or unwritten
studying different trends that happened before this sources of history like oral traditions in
could provide us with a clear analysis of causes of
the case of the Philippines.
events that happened. If the result of the event is
negative, then we could navigate another path to
o “Significant Past”
seek for a better situation. On the other hand, if the
➢ it entails that only past events which
result of the events is positive then we can
recommend repeating it to get the same result. has affected the political, cultural,
Either way by analyzing historical facts we can use social and economic aspects of the
the result in decision making or future planning society or of the lives of the people,
are considered part of history.
History is a western concept while
kasaysayan is a Filipino concept. • Historiography
❖ refers to the study of history itself.
• Archaeology
❖ Historiography analyzes who is the
❖ is a scientific study of material remains
history writer, the motives of the writer,
of past human life and activities.
Archaeologists usually excavates the the sources of the writer, theories
earth in search of artifacts. Through applied and other historical methods
investigations of artifacts such as ❖ It also analyzes the context when the
pottery, weapons, jewelry etc., the history was written.
historian can draw important analysis
and interpretation from them and Other info:
make a description of the lives and
culture of the people that owned the • It does not follow that everything that
artifacts. happened in the past is considered part of
Philippine History
• Anthropology • The definition of history only covers those
❖ Another field of the social sciences which are “recorded” or “written” events
that provides relevant input to History
• History centers on the study of people and
is Anthropology.
the society. Which is why, the people are
❖ is the study of human beings and their
considered as the focal point in the study of
ancestors through time and space
history
and in relation to physical character,
environmental and social relations,
and culture Elements Of History
❖ The cultural analysis of ancestors of 1. The Historian 3. Period
man will also provide for sources of 2. Place 4. Sources

Readings in Philippine History

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 • The Historian ❖ It does not preclude the fact that a
❖ This refers to the person writing the historian uses also unwritten sources
history such as oral accounts and traditions.

• Place Sources of History

❖ The location where the history was
written Historians study the sources that the past has
left behind. No statement about the past can carry
• Period conviction unless it can be supported by reference
❖ Refers to the context of the time to the historical sources, the evidence upon which
when the history was written. historians base their ideas and interpretations.
Historians inevitably spend a lot of time reading each
• Sources other’s writings, but the real historical work is done –
❖ Refers to the basis of claims or analysis and the real enjoyment is to be had – in studying the
of the historian such as documents, sources, the actual ‘stuff’ of history
written or oral accounts
• Historical evidences
Nature of History as an Academic Discipline ❖ are important proof of the truthfulness
of the past.
• History has no subject matter of its own
❖ The subject matter of history covers all Sources are classified mainly into:
the persons and all events that have 1. Primary Sources
happened in the past. 2. Secondary Sources
❖ It is actually very broad since it does 3. Tertiary Sources
cover everything that has happened
in the society including all aspects • Primary Sources
from political, economic social, ❖ provides direct or firsthand evidence
culture etc. about an event, object, person, or
work of art.
❖ These are the evidence by
• History synthesizes knowledge from other eyewitnesses or created by people
fields who experienced the said event or
❖ Since it covers all phenomena, History phenomena.
as a branch of the Social Sciences ❖ The historian’s responsibility is to
analyzes the relations of different organize the primary sources into a
events, their cause and effects using coherent account to become
also the knowledge used in other secondary source.
fields of the Social Sciences such as ❖ is direct source of historical
Anthropology, Sociology Economics information dating from the period in
etc. question
• History illuminates’ pieces of the past.
❖ History provides for explanations of Primary Source examples:
things that happened in the past. 1. legal documents
❖ By looking at relationships of different 2. eyewitness accounts
events and phenomena, it provides 3. results of experiments
explanations for seemingly 4. statistical data
unexplainable gaps. 5. pieces of creative writing
6. audio and video recordings
• History is constantly changing 7. speeches
❖ Since claims to historical facts are 8. art objects
based on personal accounts, 9. Interviews
documents and artifacts, a historian 10. surveys
makes an analysis based only on 11. fieldwork
available sources of data. 12. email
❖ The historian cannot conclude 13. blogs
something which is baseless. 14. newsgroups
❖ When new data are discovered,
previous historical accounts can be • Secondary Sources
changed. ❖ are interpretations of history They
describe, discuss, interpret, comment
• History sheds light to truth upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize,
❖ Since a historian constantly write and process primary sources.
about previous phenomena using ❖ These are the products of people or
historical sources as basis, all claims writers who were not part of the
therefore support only the truth base event or phenomena.
on the data available.

Readings in Philippine History

Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
 Secondary Source example: a. Authorship.
1. articles - The name of the author
2. movies of the document usually
3. audio recording provides credence in the
4. or any other source of media establishment of validity
that interprets history of a certain document
- The author’s name in itself
• Tertiary Sources can provided for the test
❖ contain information that has been of authenticity.
compiled from primary and - In cases of anonymous
secondary sources. writings when the exact
name of the author is not
Tertiary Sources Examples: known then the office
1. almanacs that holds the record
2. chronologies should also be taken into
3. dictionaries and consideration
4. encyclopedias
5. directories b. Date and place of publication
6. guidebook - The date of the
7. indexes document including the
8. abstracts time and place of
9. manuals publication should be
10. textbooks. properly analyzed to
establish its authenticity
Types of historical sources - Modern day documents
and publication have
1. Archival Material their date and place of
2. Government Documents publication usually
3. Serials printed at the back of the
4. Books title page.
5. Visual and Audio Materials - historian should look for
dates mentioned within
Historical Criticism the manuscript or cross
The historian’s role in writing history, to check with other records.
reiterate, is to provide meanings to facts that he Sometimes an analysis of
gathered from primary sources (facts from the language used, or
manuscripts, documents) or those that have been the date of birth and
gathered by archaeologists or anthropologists death of the author can
(artifacts). also be used as basis for
the establishment of its
He can only make conclusions and generalizations true date.
based on them. It is therefore his duty to check on
the authenticity of the sources that are presented c. Textual errors
to him to be used as basis in writing history. - The historian should
always be in the lookout
Sources must undergo doubting and therefore for errors in the text of
should be critically tested for validity. There are two documents and
kinds of criticisms that a historian can use in the manuscripts.
process; these are External and Internal Criticisms - There are two kinds of
errors in documents
• External Criticism unintentional or
❖ covers the physical examinations of intentional.
sources like documents, manuscripts, i. Unintentional errors
books, pamphlets, maps, inscriptions are mistakes that are
and monuments. caused by typist or
❖ In original documents it includes scribes usually in
looking at the paper and ink used spelling, omitted
whether it is within the same circa as words or phrases
the content of the work. ii. Intentional errors are
❖ it’s more difficult to establish the often made when
authenticity of manuscripts and there is an effort to
records rather than document simply modify or supplement
because the printed document existing records or
have already been authenticated original manuscript for
by the writer. personal intention or
interest of the record
keeper or editor.
Readings in Philippine History
Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
 d. Meanings of words used
- The meaning of words
used usually changes
from generation to
generation, therefore the
historian must interpret
the words used based on
the time when the
document was made.
- There are instances when
words mean differently in
different places. In this
case, the historian must
take into consideration
the place and culture
when the document was
made. He must be very
careful in understanding
the terms, if not any
misinterpretation will lead
to historical
misunderstandings.

• Internal Criticism
❖ Positive criticism refers to
understanding of both literal and
real meaning of words
❖ A historian therefore must be able to
analyze and interpret the contents of
documents in their real meaning.
Document contains the idea of the
person who wrote or made the
evidence; therefore they should be
understood within that context.
❖ Historians should refrain from making
their own conclusions so as not to
convey their own interpretation
rather than the true meaning of the
content.
❖ One important characteristic that a
historian should possess is the
capacity to doubt all documents
and facts when these are not yet
subjected to authentication
❖ The historian should question the
motive of the writer and question the
accuracy of the document
❖ the historian should verify if the writer
of the document has a first had
information or had experience the
phenomena he wrote and how long
the time elapsed between the
occurrence of the event and the
time the document was written. In
cases of contradicting records, the
historian should corroborate the
facts from other claims or
documents. The truthfulness or
veracity of the document should be
established

Readings in Philippine History

Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
 the commoner like you?” Restricting historical
Readings in Philippine History evidence as exclusively written is also discrimination
Chapter 2 – Issues and Problems in against other social classes who were not recorded
Philippine Historiography in paper. Does the absence of written documents
about them mean that they are people of no
history or past? Did they even exist?
Issues and Problems in Philippine Historiography

from the very word “history”, Filipino historians

Philippine Historiography has undergone
noticed it being gender-biased towards male; how
several changes since the precolonial period until
the term is heavily influenced by patriarchy.
present. Alongside with these changes, sprung the
“HIStory”... how about “HERstory”. This lends to the
different issues and problems in which it has
fact why much of historical writings are dedicated
affected our appreciation of Philippine history itself.
to great men, powerful and dominant male
leaders.
A. Correcting the errors of published historical
work
• History
- Since most of the primary sources were
- is a western concept introduced by our
written in foreign language, errors in
colonizers, particularly by the Spaniards.
translation have happened and have
• Historia (Greek Word)
affected much the writing of history.
- which means “knowledge acquired
There was therefore the need to correct
through inquiry or investigation”. it existed
errors in publication.
for 2,400 years
- became known as the account of the
B. Filling the gaps in Philippine History
pat of a group of people through written
- There were very few anthropologists and
documents and historical evidence.
archaeologist in the Philippines hence
- It is a must for traditional historians that
there are still gaps in some account or
unless a written document can prove a
parts of the Philippine history.
certain historical event, then it cannot be
considered as a historical fact.
C. Reinterpretation of historical facts & events
i. Historical Revisionism
• Kasaysayan
- is a practice in writing history in which
- The Pantayong Pananaw definition of
historians reinterpret views of causes and
kasaysayan is “salaysay na
effects, decisions, explanations and
nagsalaysay ng mga bagay na may
evidence.
saysay para sa sinasalysayang grupo
o salinlahi”. The definition gives
D. Rewriting History in the Filipino point of view
emphasis to the root of kasaysayan
- The biggest problem that was raised is
which is “saysay” which means
the fact that writers were foreigners
significant.
therefore Philippine history was mostly
- it seeks to address some of the issues
written in a foreigner’s point of view and
as regards the western concept of
not on the point of view of the Filipinos.
history and suit the paradigm of such
discipline in the Filipino context and
History as a western concept and Kasaysayan as a
culture.
Filipino concept
- is not only bound by written
documents but as well as oral
History and kasaysayan are always equated
traditions like communal songs,
the same. It is founded on the idea that both are
legends, epics and the like as
studies of the past. However, for radical Filipino
mentioned earlier were the prevalent
historians, the two concepts are not synonymous.
modes on how the ancient Filipinos
and most of the indigenous people
At a larger part, Philippine history was originally
who still exist up this day use as a
written and documented by foreign historians, in
mode of narrating their past and story
fact even at present most primary chronicles are
mostly written in Spanish and English. This being the
• “People’s History” / “History from Below”
case, modern day Filipino historian have put a lot of
- is a type of historical narrative which
question on how Philippine history was written.
attempts to account for historical
events from the perspective of
Another point posed by Filipino historians as to the
common people rather than leaders
exclusivity of the methodology of “history” is that
- There is an emphasis on
“History accounts only recorded past.. that means it
disenfranchised, the oppressed, the
is only for those who can write, those who are
poor, the nonconformists, and
educated. So, this begs the question, how about
otherwise marginal groups. Unlike the
the “history” of those who cannot write or are
concept of “history” which values the
uneducated? The question now is “how about the
philosophy of “history from above”.
story of ordinary farmers, fishermen, old folk,
peasant families and indigenous people or even

Readings in Philippine History

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 Bipartite View vis-à-vis Tripartite View of Philippine Zeus Salazar’s Pantayong Pananaw and other
History Pananaw Pangkasaysayan

• Bipartite View of Philippine History Filipino historians have occurred and tried to
- the Spaniards made us believe that write Philippine History in the Filipino point of View.
there was no civilization in One of these writers was Professor Zeus A. Salazar of
Philippines. They made us think that the University of the Philippines who saw the
early Filipino people were barbaric relevance of the Filipino point of view in historical
and uneducated. They have interpretation. To introduce indigenization, he
assimilated upon the Filipinos that it introduced the concept of “Pantayong Pananaw”
was them who brought civilization (from us, for us). Generally, this means that Philippine
and progress to us. History is better written in the point of view of the
- It made us think that we owe our Filipinos.
civilization to the Spaniards. As a
metaphor to this view, the • Pantayong Pananaw
Katipuneros illustrated this view as - Philippine history should be written
“dilim-liwanag”. Dilim means and taught in Filipino or
darkness and liwanag means light. ethnolinguistic language in the
Philippines because it is only through
Philippine History can be only viewed into two our own language that we are able
epochs: to understand, appreciate and be
1. Pre-Hispanic period able to connect to our own history.
2. Hispanic period Each culture is different, and
language serve as the channel for
• Pre-Hispanic period the uniqueness of one’s culture.
- characterized as the time prior to the Through the guiding philosophy of
coming of the Spaniards where the Pantayong Pananaw, Philippine
condition of the Philippines is seen of historiography will be seen from point
uncivilized society and barbaric of view of Filipinos and addressed
people directly to the Filipinos.
• Hispanic period - Filipino writer – Filipino Language –
- characterized as time of the coming Filipinos
of the Spaniards seen as the advent
of civilizing influences from them. • Pangkaming Pananaw
- Historical perspective in which
• Tripartite View of Philippine History Philippine history is written by Filipinos
- The educated Filipinos during the in foreign language and intended for
Spanish era, known as the ilustrados to be read by foreigners to
cannot accept the bipartite view of understand our history in our point of
Philippine history presented by the view
Spaniards. Filipino writer – Foreign Language -
- They come up with research on Foreigners
Philippine national history to confront
with colonialist ideologies. The • Pangkayong Pananaw
beginning of the research took - Historical perspective in which
place in the period of the Philippine history is written by
Propaganda Movement which foreigner in a foreign language as
preceded the Philippine revolution. well but it is meant to be addressed or
- The Katipuneros adopted this directed to Filipinos as audience.
historical framework and used - Foreign Writer – Foreign Language –
“liwanag-dilim-liwanag” as a Filipinos
metaphor. The pre-colonial being
“liwanag” since it was a great of • Pansilang Pananaw
civilization and identity for the - Historical perspective in which
Filipinos. The colonial period being Philippine history is written by
“dilim” since it was an epoch of foreigners in a foreign language as
abuse of power and loss of Filipino well and is intended to be read and
identity. understood by their fellow foreigners
- Lastly, the post-colonial period being - Foreign writer – Foreign Language –
“liwanag” again since the end of Foreigners
colonial regime is a mark of the
restoration of Filipino liberty.

Readings in Philippine History

Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
 Pigafetta’s Account
Readings in Philippine History • Importance: Pigafetta’s account is the most
Chapter 3 – CONTENT & CONTEXTUAL important source about the first
ANALYSIS of “First Voyage Around the circumnavigation of the globe, despite some
fabulous or exaggerated details.
World by Magellan” by Antonio Pigafetta
• Daily Notes: He took daily notes during the
Antonio Pigafetta – Key Facts: voyage, even noting his surprise at losing a
• Birth and Death: Born around 1490 in Vicenza, day when they returned to Spain, which was
Italy, and died in 1534 in the same city. due to traveling westward.

• Other Names: Also known as Antonio • Descriptions of Animals: His account

Lombardo or Francisco Antonio Pigafetta. included descriptions of animals he
encountered, such as:
Background: o Sharks
• Early Life: He was a knight linked to the Order o Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)
of Rhodes, a Catholic military order. o Pink Spoonbill (Ajaja ajaja)
o Phyllium orthoptera (an insect that
• Trip to Spain: In 1519, Pigafetta went to Spain looks like a leaf, which he believed
with Monsignor Francisco Chiericato and was a living, flying leaf).
offered his services to King Carlos V of Spain. o Pigafetta captured a Phyllium
orthoptera near Borneo and kept it in
Famous Expedition a box, believing it was a "living leaf."
• Friendship with Magellan: Pigafetta became
friends with Ferdinand Magellan and joined Ethnographic Observations
him on his famous expedition to find a • Ethnography: His report is rich in
westward route to the Moluccas (Spice ethnographic details, describing the cultures,
Islands). customs, and peoples he encountered
during the voyage.
• Role in the Expedition: He sailed alongside
Magellan and Juan Sebastián Elcano in 1519. • Language Skills: He acted as an interpreter
during the expedition and even learned two
• Battle in Cebu: Pigafetta was wounded in the Indonesian dialects.
Battle of Cebu (Philippines) where Magellan
died. Cultural Influence
• Western Literary Influence: Pigafetta’s work
• Ships: became an instant classic and was
o Left Seville: Pigafetta left on the ship referenced by notable Western writers such
Trinidad. as:
o Returned to Spain: After Magellan's o William Shakespeare
death, Pigafetta and 17 other o Michel de Montaigne
survivors returned to Spain aboard o Giambattista Vico
the ship Victoria, reaching Sanlúcar • These writers used Pigafetta’s work to
de Barrameda on September 6, 1522. interpret the New World.

Return to Italy Historical Value

• In 1523, Pigafetta traveled by land through Precolonial Philippines: Pigafetta’s travelogue is one
France and eventually returned to Italy. of the most important primary sources for studying
the precolonial Philippines, offering detailed
Writing descriptions of the culture, language, and
• Famous Work: He wrote about his journey in geography before Spanish colonization.
Italian, with the title "Relazioni in torno al
primo viaggio di circumnavigazione" Ladrones Islands:
(Account of the First Voyage Around the Arrival: Pigafetta’s account describes their arrival at
World). what he called the Ladrones Islands (now the
Marianas Islands).
• Posthumous Publication: His account was
published after his death in 1536. Description of Inhabitants: He noted that the people
there had no weapons but used sticks with fish bones
Significance: at the end. Despite their poverty, they were skilled
• Antonio Pigafetta's writings provide one of and known for their thievery. This led Pigafetta to
the earliest detailed accounts of the first name the islands "Ladrones," which means “thieves.”
circumnavigation of the world.
Isle of Zamal:
Current Name: Pigafetta reported reaching the Isle
of Zamal, now known as Samar.

Readings in Philippine History

Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
Magellan’s Decision: For safety reasons, Magellan cross, known as Magellan’s Cross, is still
chose to land on an uninhabited island nearby to preserved today.
rest and secure the fleet.
Arrival at Cebu:
Interactions with Local People: • April 7: With the help of Raia Calambu,
March 18: Nine locals approached the fleet with joy, Magellan and his crew reached the port of
and Magellan welcomed them with food, drinks, zubu (Cebu). The king of Cebu demanded
and gifts, recognizing them as reasonable and tribute, which Magellan refused.
friendly.
• April 8: Magellan’s men met with the king of
Descriptions of Local Life: Cebu and other leaders. The king offered a
Palm Trees: Pigafetta was fascinated by the palm bit of his blood and asked Magellan to do the
trees bearing fruits called cochos and wine. same.

Friendly Locals: He described the people as “very • April 14: Magellan encouraged the king to
familiar and friendly,” who gladly showed them convert to Christianity, burning idols and
various islands and shared their names. worshiping the cross. The king of Cebu was
baptized, and within eight days, all the
Humunu Island (Homonhon): island’s inhabitants had also been baptized.
Discovery: On Humunu Island, Pigafetta referred to a
place they found as the “Watering Place of Good Events Leading to Battle:
Signs” due to discovering the first signs of gold. • Queen’s Gift: During a Mass, Magellan gave
the queen an image of the Infant Jesus
Naming: They named this island and a nearby one made by Pigafetta. (Sto. Nino)
the Archipelago of St. Lazarus.
• April 26: Zula, a leader from the island of
Encounter with Balangay: Mactan, requested Magellan’s help to fight
March 25: Pigafetta saw two balanghai (balangay), the chief Silapulapu (Lapulapu). Magellan
large boats full of people, in Mazzava/Mazaus. sent three boats and led a force of 49 men
against the 1,500 Mactan islanders.
Local Leaders: They met a local leader, whom
Pigafetta referred to as the king, and established a • Battle and Death: Magellan died in the
close relationship with Magellan, exchanging gifts. battle, struck by a poison arrow in his right leg.
Despite offers of help from the king of Cebu,
Gold Mines and Local Kings: Magellan refused to withdraw to witness the
Introduction to Other Kings: Magellan was fight. The Mactan chief refused to return
introduced to the king’s brother, another ruler, who Magellan’s body, keeping it as a trophy of
showed them abundant gold mines. their victory.

Gold in Structures: Pigafetta noted that the king’s Betrayal and Aftermath:
house and parts of their ship were adorned with • New Leadership: After Magellan’s death, the
gold. crew elected Duarte Barbosa as the new
• Kings: captain.
o Raia Calambu: King of Zuluan and
Calagan (modern-day Butuan and • Betrayal: Pigafetta reported that Magellan’s
Caraga). slave and interpreter, Henry, betrayed them
o Raia Siagu: The first king, also known by informing the king of Cebu about their
as Siagu. plans. Henry and the king conspired against
the remaining crew.
First Mass in the Philippines:
• March 31 (Easter Sunday): Magellan ordered • Ambush: The king invited the crew to a
a Mass to be held by the shore. The local king gathering under false pretenses. Pigafetta,
and another ruler attended the Mass, who was recovering from his wounds, stayed
bringing two dead pigs as offerings. aboard the ship while 24 men went to the
gathering. All but the interpreter and Juan
• Local Reactions: Pigafetta noted that the Serrano were killed.
kings participated in the Mass by kissing the
cross and kneeling during the elevation of • Serrano’s Plea: Serrano tried to negotiate for
the body of Christ, though they did not make ransom but was abandoned by the fleet. The
offerings. This event marked the first Mass in survivors left Cebu and continued their
the Philippines. journey around the world.

• Magellan’s Cross: Magellan explained to the Pigafetta’s detailed account provides critical
kings that the cross was a sign from his insights into the early encounters between
emperor and would indicate to other Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the
Spaniards that they had been there. This Philippines, the complex interactions during the first

Readings in Philippine History

Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
circumnavigation of the globe, and the eventual 2. Comparison of Points of View:
betrayal and challenges faced by Magellan’s crew. o European Perspective: Pigafetta’s
account reflects European
Context Analysis: viewpoints, emphasizing discoveries
1. Historical Context: and encounters from a colonial
o Time and Place: Pigafetta’s account perspective.
was written during the early 16th
century, after the expedition o Indigenous Perspective: From a
completed its circumnavigation in Filipino viewpoint, the idea that the
1522. The context includes the Age of Spaniards “discovered” the
Exploration, a period marked by Philippines is contested, as
European expeditions and civilizations and cultures were already
colonization. established long before European
arrival.
o Situation: The world was being
mapped for the first time, and 3. Identification of Biases:
European powers were competing to o European Bias: Pigafetta’s account is
claim new territories and resources. influenced by European attitudes of
Pigafetta’s account offers a superiority and the desire to portray
European perspective on the newly the journey as a significant discovery.
discovered regions.
o Exaggerations: Some descriptions
2. Author’s Background: may be embellished to highlight the
o Pigafetta’s Role: An Italian traveler grandeur of the expedition and the
and chronicler who accompanied perceived exoticness of the places
Ferdinand Magellan on his voyage. encountered.
His background as a knight and
interpreter gave him insight into both 4. Evaluation of Evidence:
European and local cultures. o Pigafetta’s Observations: While
Pigafetta’s observations are
o Intent: Pigafetta aimed to document valuable, they need to be cross-
the journey and experiences of the referenced with other historical
expedition. His account serves to sources and archaeological
provide a detailed narrative of the evidence to get a fuller picture.
first circumnavigation of the globe.
o Cultural Context: Understanding that
o Authority: As an eyewitness, Pigafetta Pigafetta’s account comes from a
had direct knowledge of the events, foreign perspective helps in
though his account includes some interpreting the narrative with an
exaggerated details. awareness of possible biases and
inaccuracies.
3. Source Relevance and Meaning Today:
o Historical Value: Pigafetta’s writings
are crucial for understanding the
early European exploration of the
Philippines and the broader context
of global exploration.

o Contemporary Significance: His

account offers insights into the first
encounters between Europeans and
Filipinos and remains a key primary
source for historians studying the
period.

Content Analysis:
1. Main Argument or Thesis:
o Pigafetta’s Account: The main focus is
on documenting the expedition's
journey, interactions with indigenous
peoples, and significant events such
as the first Mass in the Philippines and
the Battle of Mactan.

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 • Alcalde-Mayor: Local officials who often
Readings in Philippine History misunderstood the differences between
Chapter 4 – CONTENT & CONTEXTUAL aliping namamahay and aliping sa
ANALYSIS of “Customs of the Tagalogs” guiguilir, leading to legal abuses.

by Juan de Plasencia • Maharlica: The noble class that remained

free unless altered by marriage to a slave.
Important Terms: • Ransom: The ability of a slave to buy their
• Datos/datu: A chief or leader of a freedom, usually costing at least five taels
barangay. of gold.
• Barangay: A tribal gathering or • Gold Tael: A unit of currency used in gold,
community, initially a family unit, and the important in transactions like ransoms or
name of the boat in which they traveled. payments during childbearing.
• Maharlica: The noble class, who were • Inheritance: The process by which
free-born and exempt from taxes, but property, slaves, or servants were passed
obligated to serve the dato in wars and down within families or barangays, often
various tasks. affecting the freedom status of
individuals.
• Alipin: The slave class in Tagalog society.
They were further divided into two sub- • Arbiter - A fair and just individual
classes: appointed to resolve disputes, sometimes
from outside the barangay.
• Tingues: Mountain ridges where the land
was commonly owned by the barangay • Aliping sa Guiguilir - Household slaves,
and not individually divided. typically more dependent on their
masters.
• Ganta: A unit of measurement for rice or
grains, commonly used during that • Aliping Namamahay - Semi-independent
period to indicate amounts paid in commoners or slaves who have more
tribute. autonomy than household slaves.

• Commoners: The middle caste, who were • Usury - The practice of charging
neither nobles nor slaves and had fewer excessive interest on loans, leading to
privileges than the maharlica but more debt slavery.
freedom than slaves.
• Inheritance - The legal process by which
• Spoils of War: Goods or resources property and wealth are passed down to
acquired after a successful military heirs.
campaign, which were divided among
the nobles and their dato. • Dowry - Property or money brought by a
bride to her husband upon marriage,
• Feast (Pre-War): A gathering held by the essential in marriage arrangements.
dato before going to war, meant to
honor and prepare the maharlica for • Legitimate Children - Offspring born to
battle. legally married parents, entitled to inherit
equally.
• Fisheries: Areas controlled by chiefs for
fishing, where only the chief’s barangay • Natural Children - Children born out of
could fish freely. wedlock or to free unmarried women,
with limited inheritance rights.
• Aliping Namamahay: Commoners who
lived independently, served their masters • Inaasaava - A term referring to children
with their labor, and had property rights. born to free unmarried women.
They could not be sold.
• Divorce - The legal dissolution of a
• Aliping Sa Guiguilir: Household slaves marriage, with specific implications for
who lived with their master, worked his dowries and inheritance.
lands, and could be sold. They could,
however, earn portions of the harvest as • Culprits - Individuals who have
a reward. committed offenses subject to penalties,
including fines or slavery.
• Debt Slavery: A system where individuals
could be enslaved due to unpaid debts • Death of Spouse - The customs
but had the opportunity to ransom surrounding dowries and inheritances
themselves. upon the death of a husband or wife.

• Tael: A unit of weight for gold, used in

transactions like ransoms for freedom.

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 • Marriage Arrangements - Contracts • Tigbalaang: The term for phantoms in
established by parents for the marriages Tagalog belief.
of their children, including fines for
breaking arrangements. • Patianac: A belief that women who die in
childbirth suffer punishment and can be
• Slavery by Debt - A system where heard lamenting at night.
individuals become slaves due to unpaid
debts, often affecting their children. • Mangagauay: Witches who pretended to
heal the sick and could induce maladies
• Ceremonial Arbitration - The process of through charms.
resolving disputes among parties, often
involving communal drinking. • Manyisalat: Similar to mangagauay, these
witches could manipulate love and
• Partiality - Favoritism shown by parents in relationships.
inheritance distribution, often resulting in
extra gifts to specific children. • Mancocolam: A witch known for producing
fire through unclean practices.
Relation of the Worship of the Tagalogs, Their Gods,
and Their Burials and Superstitions • Hocloban: A more powerful witch capable
of causing death with a mere gesture. by
• Simbahan: A term meaning temple or place simply saluting or raising the hand, they killed
of adoration, used by Tagalogs to describe whom they chose.
their worship sites, often large houses used for
festivals. • Osuang: A sorcerer known for flying and
committing violent acts.
• Pandot: A festival or worship celebration held
by the Tagalogs. • Mangatagayoma: Practitioners who created
charms for love.
• Badhala: A principal deity worshiped by the
Tagalogs, representing the "all-powerful" • Pangatahojan: A soothsayer who predicted
creator. the future.

• Nagaanitos: The term for the worship rituals • Sonat: A spiritual leader who assisted in dying,
performed by the Tagalogs. predicting the fate of souls

• Catolonan: The officiating priest, male or Governance and Leadership

female, responsible for conducting rituals • The Tagalogs were governed by
and sacrifices. chiefs known as datos.

• Datos acted as leaders and captains

• Idols (Lic-ha): Various shapes and forms of
idols worshiped by the Tagalogs, in wars.
representing different deities or spirits. 1. They were obeyed and
revered by the people.
• Dian Masalanta: The idol regarded as the
patron of lovers and generation. • Offenses against datos, especially
involving their wives and children,
• Lacapati and Idianale: Idols worshiped as were severely punished.
patrons of agriculture and husbandry.

• Auguries: Omens or signs interpreted by the Scope of Authority

Tagalogs, influencing their decisions and • Each dato governed a small number
actions. of people, ranging from less than
thirty houses to up to one hundred
• Sacrifice: The act of offering food, animals,
houses.
and other items to idols during worship.
• The barangay was the name for these
• Mourning: The practice of grieving for the tribal groups.
dead, which lasted four days before burial.
Barangay Origin
• Burial Practices: Methods of interring the • The word "barangay" is linked to the
deceased, which included placing the body Malay nations, from whom the
in a boat and guarding it with a slave. Tagalogs are believed to have
descended.
• Maca: A term for the afterlife, akin to
"paradise," where the just and virtuous are • A barangay originally referred to a
believed to go. boat.

• Casanaan: A place of punishment or hell • The leader of this boat was a dato,
where the wicked are sent after death. and the barangay initially
represented a family group consisting
• Vibit: The Tagalog term for ghosts. of parents, children, relations, and
slaves.
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 Barangays and Communities new chief then distributed the land to his
• In each town, there were many barangay members.
barangays.
Changes Under Spanish Rule
• Due to frequent wars, barangays
• After the arrival of the Spaniards, the system
often did not settle far from each
of dividing the land among the barangay
other.
members changed, and it was no longer
• Barangays were independent of done as before.
each other, but they maintained
Fisheries and Market Privileges
relationships and alliances.
• Chiefs in some villages-controlled fisheries
• During wars, barangays supported
and sections of rivers for markets.
each other by offering mutual aid.
• Only those belonging to the chief's barangay
or village could fish or trade in these markets
Social Classes and Castes
without paying for the privilege.
• There were three castes among the
Tagalogs: • Outsiders had to pay to use these resources.
- nobles (maharlica)
- commoners Aliping Namamahay (Commoners)
- slaves
• Aliping Namamahay were commoners who
were married and served their masters (who
Nobles (Maharlica)
could be either a dato or not).
• The maharlica were free-born nobles.
• They worked their master's lands, giving up
• They were exempt from taxes and tributes to
half of their cultivated lands as agreed upon
the dato.
initially.
• In exchange for their freedom, they were
• They accompanied their master on trips
required to accompany the dato to war at
beyond the island and rowed for him.
their own expense.
• Independence: Namamahay lived in their
• The dato offered a feast before the war and
own houses and were lords of their own
divided the spoils afterward.
property and gold.
• The maharlica assisted the dato in various
• Their children inherited their property, and
tasks:
both parents and children could not be sold
o Rowing his boat when summoned.
into slavery.
o Helping to build his house (in
exchange for food). • If a master’s son relocated to another village,
o Clearing his land for cultivation (and the aliping namamahay would stay in their
also had to be fed). original village and continue to serve locally.

Aliping Sa Guiguilir (Household Slaves)

Land Ownership and Division
• Lands were divided among the members of • Aliping Sa Guiguilir were slaves who lived
the barangay, especially the irrigated with their master and worked both in his
portions, so each member knew their portion house and on his cultivated lands.
of land.
• They could be sold, unlike the aliping
• No individual from another barangay could namamahay.
cultivate the land unless through purchase or
inheritance. • Masters sometimes rewarded these slaves
with a portion of the harvest if they profited
• The mountain-ridge lands (tingues) were from the slave’s labor, encouraging loyalty.
owned communally by the entire barangay.
• Slaves born in their master's house were rarely
• During the rice harvest, any individual from a sold, as they were often treated more
barangay could clear land and sow crops, leniently compared to war captives or those
and no one could force them to leave once raised in the harvest fields.
they started cultivating it.
Debt Slavery and Ransom
Exceptions in Villages
• Debtors who could not repay their loans were
• Some villages, like Pila de la Laguna, had sometimes transferred to another person,
specific customs where the nobles effectively turning them into slaves (aliping sa
(maharlica) were required to pay a tribute of guiguilir).
100 gantas of rice annually to the dato.
• This process was not the debtor’s natural
• This was because the land had previously state but was imposed on them due to their
belonged to another chief, who sold the land financial struggles.
for gold to the new chief upon his arrival. The

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 • Slaves could ransom themselves by offering • If a free woman had children with a slave (not
gold beyond what they owed their master, her husband), all the children were free.
transitioning from guiguilir to namamahay
Marriage Between Maharlica and Slave
(commoner) status.
• In cases where a maharlica married a slave
• The price of ransom was typically no less than
(either namamahay or sa guiguilir), the
five taels of gold but could be higher
children were divided:
depending on the agreement.
o The first, third, and fifth child
• If a slave paid ten taels or more, they
belonged to the father.
became completely free.
o The second, fourth, and sixth child
Ransom Ceremony
belonged to the mother.
• The process of ransom was accompanied by
• If the father was free, all children belonging
an amusing ceremony:
to him were free, and vice versa if he was a
o Division of belongings: All the slave’s slave.
possessions, including trinkets, pots,
• If the mother was free, her children were free,
and jars, were divided among others.
and vice versa if she was a slave.
o If there was an odd item, such as an
• If there was only one child, that child would
extra jar, it would be broken.
be half free and half slave.
o If a piece of cloth was left over, it
• The gender of the child was not a factor in
would be torn in half as part of the
the division, but it was based on their order of
ritual.
birth.
Difference Between Aliping Namamahay and
• Those children who became slaves would
Aliping Sa Guiguilir
adopt the status of their parent’s servitude,
• It is important to distinguish between aliping either as namamahay or sa guiguilir.
namamahay (commoners) and aliping sa
Division of Children
guiguilir (household slaves).
• The exact age or time for dividing the
• Misunderstanding this distinction caused
children was not strictly set; it varied
many to be wrongly classified as slaves.
depending on individual circumstances.
• Some abused this confusion, especially the
• Aliping sa guiguilir could be sold, but aliping
alcaldes-mayor (local officials), by taking
namamahay and their children could not be
children of aliping namamahay and treating
sold or transferred.
them as aliping sa guiguilir, which was illegal.
• Aliping namamahay could only be
• When an aliping namamahay appealed to
transferred within the barangay by
justice, they were often misclassified as slaves
inheritance, provided they remained in the
without proper investigation, and sometimes
same village.
even sold into slavery.
Movement and Fines
• The alcaldes-mayor were urged to correctly
identify which class the person belonged to • Maharlicas (nobles) were restricted from
before issuing legal documents. moving from one village or barangay to
another after marriage unless they paid a
Maharlica and Slavery
fine in gold. The fine varied based on the
• Those who were maharlicas (nobles) by both customs of the barangay, ranging from one
their father’s and mother’s lineage remained to three taels of gold and a banquet.
maharlicas forever unless their status
• Failure to pay this fine could lead to war
changed due to marriage.
between barangays, demonstrating the
• If a maharlica had children with a slave, the importance of maintaining order and loyalty
child and mother became free. within communities.

• If a maharlica had a child with another’s • This rule applied equally to both men and
slave, the mother’s master was paid half a women, with children born to couples from
gold tael for the risks during her pregnancy, different barangays being divided between
as well as her reduced ability to work. the two barangays.

• In such cases, half of the child was free, Authority of the Chiefs
belonging to the father, who was responsible
• Chiefs (datos) were originally more
for the child's support. If the father did not
authoritative, but over time, people
provide for the child, the child was
preferred weaker leaders who would not
considered a full slave.
impose strict commands. This led to a decline
in the power of chiefs, who became more

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 passive and spiritless, lacking the authority to • Children of slaves received only a share if no
enforce discipline. legitimate heirs existed, and even then, only
a portion of the estate.
Legal Proceedings
• Adopted children were common and
• Judicial decisions made by a dato had to
received double what was paid for their
take place in the presence of his barangay.
adoption in inheritance.
If any party felt wronged, an arbiter from
another village or barangay could be Dowry Practices
appointed.
• Dowries were given by men to the families of
• Arbitrators were sometimes respected the women they married. These dowries were
community members, even if they were not enjoyed by the woman’s parents until their
datos, and were chosen for their fairness and death, at which point the dowry would be
adherence to customs. divided equally among the children.

• In disputes between two chiefs, arbitrators • Unmarried women could not own property,
were also appointed to avoid conflict or war as all their labor and earnings belonged to
between barangays. Drinking was a their parents.
common part of this ceremonial arbitration
• In cases of divorce, if the wife left the
process.
husband to marry someone else, she
Punishments forfeited her dowry. However, if she left
without remarrying, the dowry was returned.
• Insulting the daughter or wife of a chief, or
If the husband initiated the divorce, he lost
practicing witchcraft, were among the
half the dowry.
crimes punishable by death.
Death of Spouse and Dowries
• For other offenses, the penalty was often
fines in gold. Failure to pay the fine resulted • Upon the death of a wife without children,
in enslavement until the debt was repaid, the parents sometimes returned half of the
with the debtor’s children also being dowry to the husband. Likewise, the relatives
enslaved if the debt remained unpaid. of a deceased husband might return half of
the dowry to the wife’s family.
• Slaves created through debt could either be
aliping sa guiguilir (household slaves) or Marriage Arrangements
aliping namamahay (semi-independent
• Parents often arranged marriages for their
commoners), depending on their form of
children, with dowries agreed upon and
service.
stipulated in contracts.
Usury and Slavery by Debt
• Fines were imposed if the marriage
• Usury (charging excessive interest) was arrangements were broken, and these fines
widespread and a major issue for the people, varied depending on the village and the
preventing many from achieving baptism or financial status of the parties involved.
confession in the Christian faith.
Worship Practices and Sacrifices
• Borrowers could easily fall into slavery due to
unpayable debts. Upon a father's death, his
• The Tagalog worship practices were
children were expected to repay the debt. If conducted in large communal gatherings
they failed, the debt would double. rather than in designated temples. These
gatherings, known as pandot, often took
• Reform was suggested to address the
place in the houses of chiefs, which were
excessive usury and prevent people from
transformed into temporary places of
becoming lifelong slaves.
worship. The sibi, or shelters, protected
Inheritance and Dowries worshippers from the elements, while
ceremonial items such as lamps and drums
• Legitimate children inherited equally from created an atmosphere conducive to
their parents, except in cases of partiality, celebration and reverence.
where parents might leave an additional • The primary deity mentioned, Badhala,
amount (e.g., gold or jewels) to a specific embodies omnipotence and is
child. representative of their belief in a creator god.
The Tagalogs held the sun, moon, and stars in
• Natural children (born to free unmarried high esteem, associating their worship with
women or inaasava) received only a third of natural beauty and the cycles of life. The
the inheritance, while legitimate children significance of celestial bodies was reflected
received the majority. in their knowledge of constellations like Tala
(the morning star) and the Pleiades, which
• If no legitimate heirs existed, the inheritance were integrated into their agricultural
passed to the closest relatives. practices and cultural festivals.

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 Idols and Offerings respect for ancestors. The elaborate burial
• Various idols were integral to their spiritual life, methods for chiefs, including the use of living
with Dian Masalanta serving as the patroness slaves as sacrifices, highlight the importance
of lovers and fertility. Rituals often involved of status and the belief in a continuous
offerings of food, livestock, and even blood connection to the deceased.
sacrifices to appease these idols and seek
their favor. The rituals, which included • The text also mentions beliefs regarding the
anointing idols with fragrant substances and afterlife, with terms like maca (paradise) and
engaging in poetic praise, created a sense casanaan (hell) outlining their moral
of community and collective devotion framework. The conviction that virtuous
among the Tagalogs. individuals would be rewarded and
wrongdoers punished reflects a nascent
• The act of offering was not merely ritualistic ethical system intertwined with their spiritual
but served practical purposes, such as practices.
praying for successful harvests, healing the
sick, and ensuring safe voyages. The
elaborate feasts following sacrifices
emphasized social cohesion and the cultural
significance of these practices, often
extending over several days, especially for
events of high social standing.

Divination and Superstitions

• The Tagalogs exhibited a profound reliance

on omens and superstitions, interpreting
everyday occurrences as signals from the
spiritual realm. For instance, encountering a
serpent or hearing certain birds could
influence decisions about continuing a
journey. This belief system underscored their
connection to nature and their attempts to
navigate the uncertainties of life through
divination.

• Additionally, the categorization of time was

less structured compared to Western
conventions, relying instead on lunar cycles
and agricultural seasons. This cyclical
understanding of time reinforced their
connection to the land and its rhythms.

Shamanistic Roles and Witchcraft

• The text delineates various priestly roles and

the diverse practices associated with them.
The catolonan served as the primary religious
figure, with considerable influence within the
community. However, the mention of witches
and practitioners of sorcery—like the
mangagauay and mancocolam—highlights
the darker aspects of their spiritual beliefs.
These individuals wielded power to heal or
harm, reflecting the complexities of their
belief systems where the supernatural could
be both a source of protection and a
potential threat.

• The portrayal of the hocloban, capable of

causing death merely through gestures, and
other malevolent figures like silagan and
magtatangal illustrates a rich tapestry of
folklore and fear, serving both as cautionary
tales and as reflections of societal values.

Burial Practices and Afterlife Beliefs

• Burial customs reveal the Tagalogs’ views on

life, death, and the afterlife. The practice of
burying the dead near their homes, often
with ceremonial honors, signifies a deep
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 Declaration of Philippine Independence
Readings in Philippine History
• June 12, 1898:
Chapter 5 – Philippine Revolution and
Philippine Independence o Kawit, Cavite: Site of the declaration
of independence from Spanish rule.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE o Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista: The one

who penned and read the
Renewal of the Revolution declaration of independence.

• Aguinaldo in Hong Kong: o Marcha Nacional Filipina: National

march composed by Julian Felipe,
o Rounseville Wildman: American played during the independence
consul general who helped ceremony.
Aguinaldo procure arms, but never
returned the second half of the Contents of the Declaration of Independence:
payment.
• Pact of Biak-na-Bato: Agreement between
o 117,000 pesos: Amount paid by the Spanish and Filipino revolutionaries,
Aguinaldo for weapons; only 50,000 which temporarily ended hostilities in
pesos worth was delivered. exchange for Aguinaldo’s exile.

• May 19, 1898: • Spanish-American War: The conflict between

Spain and the United States that led to a shift
o US Cruiser McCulloch: Ship on which in colonization over the Philippines.
Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines
from exile. Meaning of the Philippine Flag:

o Commodore Dewey: Commander of • White triangle: Symbolizes the Katipunan, the

the American naval fleet who aided revolutionary society.
Aguinaldo by providing captured
• Three stars: Represent the principal islands of
Spanish arms.
the Philippines—Luzon, Mindanao, and
o Cavite: Province where Aguinaldo set Panay.
up his headquarters and resumed the
• Sun: Represents progress and civilization.
revolution.
• Eight rays: Represent the provinces that
• End of May 1898:
revolted first—Manila, Cavite, Bulacan,
o 12,000 troops: The size of Aguinaldo's Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna,
army by the end of May. Batangas.

• May 24, 1898: Relevance:

o Dictatorial Government: Temporary • Philippine Independence: The declaration

government established by serves as proof of the Filipino people’s desire
Aguinaldo to guide the transition to a for freedom.
republic.
• Colors of the Flag: Blue, Red, and White were
• May 28, 1898: chosen to show gratitude to the United States
for its support.
o Battle of Alapan: First victory of Filipino
forces against the Spaniards in Imus, Terms and Definitions
where the Filipino flag was first raised.
• Biak-na-Bato: The site where the peace
• Philippine Flag: agreement between the Filipino
revolutionaries and the Spanish colonial
o Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, government was signed.
Lorenza Agoncillo, Delfina Herbosa
de Natividad: The three women who • Exile to Hong Kong: The agreement that led
sewed the first Philippine flag in Hong to Aguinaldo and other revolutionary leaders
Kong. temporarily leaving the Philippines in
exchange for monetary compensation.
• Republican Government: A system of
government in which the people hold • Battle of Manila Bay: A major naval battle
sovereign power, either directly or through during the Spanish-American War, which
elected representatives. resulted in the defeat of the Spanish fleet by
the American navy.

• Commodore Dewey: The American naval

officer who played a key role in defeating
the Spanish fleet in the Philippines.

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 • Katipunan: The revolutionary society that Bonifacio as the supreme leader of
played a central role in fighting for Philippine the revolution.
independence from Spain. o Magdalo Faction: Led by Baldomero
Aguinaldo, they favored Emilio
• Republican Government: A form of
Aguinaldo as the leader due to his
government where the powers are vested in
military successes.
the people, either directly or through elected
Bonifacio-Aguinaldo Rivalry:
representatives.
• As the revolution progressed, a rivalry
• Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista: The author of between Bonifacio and Aguinaldo grew.
the Philippine Declaration of Independence • Magdiwang troops, led by Bonifacio, did not
and one of the signatories. assist Magdalo forces in battle, and vice
versa.
• Julian Felipe: Composer of the Marcha
Nacional Filipina, the country’s national Tejeros Convention (March 22, 1897):
anthem at the time of independence. • A meeting held to unite the Katipunan
factions in Cavite and create a
• Marcela Agoncillo: The principal seamstress
Revolutionary Government.
of the first official Philippine flag.
o Jacinto Lumberas opened the
PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION session, and Bonifacio reluctantly
Causes of the Revolution: chaired the election.
• Abuses of Spanish Officials: Widespread o Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as
corruption and mistreatment of Filipinos by President, even though he was
Spanish authorities. absent, fighting at Pasong Santol.
• Failure to Grant Reforms: Spain’s refusal to o Andres Bonifacio was elected
listen to the demands of Filipinos for reforms Secretary of Interior, but Daniel Tirona
and rights. objected, saying the position should
• Persecution of the Oppressed: Filipinos who go to a lawyer like Jose del Rosario.
sought justice or change were punished or • Bonifacio's Reaction:
silenced by the government. o Feeling insulted and disrespected,
• Racial Prejudice and Discrimination: Spanish Bonifacio declared the election null
colonizers looked down on Filipinos and and void and walked out of the
treated them as inferior. assembly.
• Desire for Independence: Filipinos wanted to o Bonifacio defied the new
regain the freedom their ancestors had Revolutionary Government, accusing
before Spanish colonization. Aguinaldo’s supporters of spreading
rumors that led to his loss.
First Battle of the Revolution:
• Battle of San Juan del Monte (August 30, Terms and Definitions:
1896): • Katipunan: A secret revolutionary society
o The first major battle, also known as founded by Andres Bonifacio aimed at
the Battle of Pinaglabanan, was led fighting for Philippine independence from
by Andres Bonifacio. Spain.
o Bonifacio attacked the Spanish • Martial Law: The imposition of military rule in
garrison with less than 1,000 men. an area, typically in response to widespread
• Spread of the Revolution: unrest or rebellion.
o The revolution quickly spread to the • Magdiwang: The faction of the Katipunan
provinces of Manila, Laguna, loyal to Bonifacio, led by Mariano Alvarez.
Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, • Magdalo: The faction of the Katipunan that
Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. supported Emilio Aguinaldo as leader due to
o Governor-General Ramon Blanco his battlefield victories, led by Baldomero
placed these provinces under Martial Aguinaldo.
Law to suppress the uprising. • Battle of San Juan del Monte: The first battle
of the revolution, also called the Battle of
The Rise of Aguinaldo: Pinaglabanan.
• Emilio Aguinaldo: Leader of the Magdalo • Battle of Imus: One of Aguinaldo’s first
faction of the Katipunan who brought significant victories over the Spanish forces.
significant victories in Cavite. • Battle of Binakayan: The greatest victory of
o Aguinaldo joined the Katipunan in Filipino forces, led by Aguinaldo, which
1894 and adopted the name inspired other provinces to join the revolution.
Magdalo. • Tejeros Convention: A meeting to resolve
o He won crucial battles like the Battle leadership issues between the Katipunan
of Imus and the Battle of Binakayan, factions and establish a formal revolutionary
earning a reputation as a brilliant government.
military leader. • Daniel Tirona: A member of the Magdalo
• Magdiwang vs. Magdalo Factions: faction who challenged Bonifacio’s election
o Magdiwang Faction: Led by Mariano as Secretary of Interior at the Tejeros
Alvarez, they supported Andres Convention.
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Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam
Readings in Philippine History
Prepared by: Armand Louie Agliam