Readings in Philippine

History
DR. ALVIN C. URMAZA
 Learning History
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To understand the meaning of history as an academic discipline and to be
familiar with the underlying philosophy and methodology of the
discipline.
• To examine and assess critically the value of historical evidences and
sources.
• To appreciate the importance of history in the social and national life of
the Philippines.
 Meanings and Relevance of History
• To make sense of history, it is necessary to first understand what it is all
about. Many people think that history is merely lists of names, dates, places,
and “important” events. However, History or the study of history is more
than just knowing and memorizing facts. It is a historian’s duty to draw
insights from the ideas and realities that have shaped the lives of men and
women and the society. And in understanding these ideas, a historian (or, in
fact, a student of history) can comprehend how situations happened, identify
their elements, and think of how these situations can solve today’s
predicaments, and help them plan for the future. The study of history,
therefore, is the study of the beliefs and desires, practices, and institutions of
human beings.
 WHY STUDY HISTORY?
• An examination of the past can tell us a great deal about how we came to
be who we are. It means looking at the roots of modern institutions, ideas,
values, and problems. Looking at the past teaches us to see the world
through different eyes-appreciating the diversity of human perceptions,
beliefs, and cultures. Different and/or new perspectives will enable us to
analyze critically the present contexts of our society and beings.
 THE DEFINITION AND SUBJECT
MATTER
• History was derived from the Greek word historia which means
“knowledge acquired through inquiry or investigation”. History as a
disciplined existed for around 2, 400 years and is as old as mathematics
and philosophy. This term was then adapted to classical Latin where it
acquired new definition. Historia became known as the account of the
past of a person or a group of people through written documents and
historical evidences. That meaning stuck until the early parts of the
twentieth century. History became an important discipline.
 THE DEFINITION AND SUBJECT
MATTER
• It became the historian’s duty to write about the lives of important
individuals like monarchs, heroes, saints, and nobilities. History was also
focused on writing wars, revolutions, and other important breakthroughs.
It is thus important to ask: What counts as history? Traditional historians
lived with the mantra “no document, no history”. It means that unless a
written document can prove a certain historical event, then it cannot be
considered as a historical fact.
 THE DEFINITION AND SUBJECT
MATTER
• But as any other academic disciplines, history progressed and opened up
to the possibility of valid historical sources, which were not limited to
written documents, like government records, chroniclers’ accounts, or
personal letters. Giving premium to written documents essentially
invalidates the history of other civilizations that do not keep written
records. Some were keener on passing their history by word of mouth.
Others got their historical documents burned or destroyed in the events of
war or colonization.
 THE DEFINITION AND SUBJECT
MATTER
• Restricting historical evidence as exclusively written is also
discrimination against other social classes who were not recorded in
paper. Nobilities, monarchs, the elite, and even the middle class would
have their birth, education, marriage, and death as matters of government
and historical record. But what of peasant families or indigenous groups
who were not given much thought about being registered to government
records? Does the absence of written documents about them mean they
were people of no history or past? Did they even exist?
 THE DEFINITION AND SUBJECT
MATTER
• This loophole was recognized by historians who started using other kinds
of historical sources, which may not be in written form but were Justas
valid. A few examples are oral traditions in forms of epics and songs,
artifacts, architecture, and memory. History thus became more inclusive
and started collaborating with other disciplines as its auxiliary disciplines.
 Other Definitions of History:

• History is defined as a documented record of man and his society.(Gray,

1956, pp.1-3).
• As a field of study, history is a study of man and his achievements from
the beginning of written records to the present.
 Other Definitions of History:
• As a literary form of history is an effective presentation of the unfolding
events. But as a type of literature history falls under non-fiction work.
• History comes from social history which defines it as a record of events
showing the evolution of man and his society from the earliest and from
the age of barbarism to what he is today.
 Reflect on this:

• Ang kasaysayan ay
SALAYSAY ng may
SAYSAY sa
SINASALAYSAYANG
SALINLAHI. –Zeus
Salazar
“Pantayong Pananaw” (Salazar, 1974)
 Understanding History
Why don’t we learn from history?
• (An excerpt from Lidell Hart, 1971)What is the objective of history? One
would simply answer, quite simply - “truth”. It is a word and an idea that
has gone out of fashion.
• The object might be more cautiously expressed thus: to find out what
happened while trying to find out why it happened. It seeks the casual
relations between events.
 Understanding History
• History has limitations as a guiding signpost; although it can show us the
right direction, it does not give detailed information about the road
conditions. But its negative value as a warning sign is more definite.
History can show us what to avoid, even if it does not teach us what to do
- by showing the most common mistakes that mankind is apt to make and
tore peat.
 Understanding History
• A second object lies in the practical value of history. The knowledge
gained from the study of true history is the best of all education for
practical life. The study of history embraces every aspect of life. It lays
the foundation of education by showing how mankind repeats its errors
and what those errors are.
 Importance and Uses of History
• A second object lies in the practical value of history. The knowledge
gained from the study of true history is the best of all education for
practical life. The study of history embraces every aspect of life. It lays
the foundation of education by showing how mankind repeats its errors
and what those errors are.
 Importance and Uses of History
• Given are the uses of history as summarized by Foray and
Salevouris(1988). Some of these are interestingly explained by B.H.
Lidedell Hart(1971).
A. History provides a source of personal and social identity.
B. History helps us understand the problems of the present.
C. History–good history–corrects misleading analogies and “lessons”
of the past
 Importance and Uses of History
• D. History can help one develop tolerance and open-mindedness.
• E. History helps us better understand all human behaviors and all aspects
of the human condition.
• F. History provides the basic background for many disciplines.
• G. History can be a source of entertainment.
• H. History, when studied, can teach many critical skills.
 SELF ASSESSMENT 1
• Below is a definition of history by Zeus A. Salazar (1999). Examine it
carefully then answer the questions following the definition.
• “Ang KASAYSAYAN ay SALAYSAY hinggil sa nakaraan o nakalipas na
may SAYSAY – kahulugan, katuturan, at kabuluhan – sa SARILING
LIPUNAN at KULTURA o kabuuang kinabibilangan. Ito ay iniuulat gamit
ang mga konsepto at kategorya ng sariling kultura.”
 SELF ASSESSMENT 1
• A. What does the author mean or imply by “Ang kasaysayan ay salaysay… na
may saysay sa sariling lipunan at kultura”?
_________________________________________________________________
• B. The statement. “Ito (referring to kasaysayan) ay iniuulat gamit ang mga
konsepto at kategorya ng sariling kultura, implies who should write a people’s
history. What issues would emerge from (1) a history of people written and
interpreted by an “outsider” (a foreign historian); and, (2) a history of people
analyzed and presented by an “insider” (a local historian)?
 SELF ASSESSMENT 1
• B.1 History written by an outsider
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
• B.2 History written by an insider
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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 SELF ASSESSMENT 2
• As a student of history, reading a historical account is not simply like
reading novel or a comic book. A learner should also know how to
distinguish which of those sentences or paragraphs that make up the
narrative are facts or opinions. Although a historian attempts to present a
history free from biases, it cannot be avoided the personal opinions or
interpretations of people, places, or events are integrated in a particular
historical account.
 SELF ASSESSMENT 2
• Below are excerpts from books and newspapers. Label each passage either
as FACT (F) or OPINION (O). If a passage combines fact and opinion,
write (FO) and underline that part of the passage that you think is an
opinion or judgement.
________ 1. “His” [Apolinario Mabini] writings, his behavior throughout
his
life, short as it was, demonstrated extraordinary moral integrity, intense and
uncompromising patriotism.” – Roxas-Lim (200)
 SELF ASSESSMENT 2
________2. “Swimmer Miguel Molina finished fourth in the 400 – meter
individual medley…, while the men’s trap shooters missed the bronze by
seven birds…” – Tempo Sports News, Bancod, December 4, 2006
________3. “President Marcos, an unscrupulous politician, craftily planned
KBL strategy before, during, and after the elections, if need be to steal the
results in his favor. No effort was spared in the use of “guns, goons, and
gold” to intimidate or entice voters to support the Marcos-Tolentino ticket.’
– Zaide (1999)
 SELF ASSESSMENT 2
• ________ 4. “anyone who has visited Jolo can immediately see that
beyond the town looms a dominating peak, Mt. Tumatangis, a place held
sacred by the Tausugs as the burial grounds of its sultans. The busy pier is
called the “Chinese Pier”,” obviously used in the early times by Chinese
trading vessels.” – Patanne (1996)
 SELF ASSESSMENT 2
• _______ 5. “Yay Panlilio [was] a pre-war newspaperwoman. As early as
April 1942, she began serving as G-2 agent in Manila for the USAFFE
headquarters. [A military citation to her credit reads]: “Through her
untiring efforts and selflessness…in supplying…information concerning
Japanese… activities… many American lives were saved.” – Baclagon
(1968)
 PROJECT
• Biography Presentation
Objective: To research and create a multimedia presentation that explores
the life, contributions, and impact of a notable figure from Philippine
history.
Duration: Minimum of 5 minutes video presentation.
 PROJECT
Steps:
Figure Selection:
• Choose a notable figure from Philippine history whose life and contributions interest you.
• Ensure the figure's historical significance and impact on society.
Research:
• Gather relevant readings, articles, books, and academic sources about the chosen figure.
• Compile information about their early life, achievements, contributions, and historical context.
• Understand the cultural, political, and societal factors that shaped the figure's life.
 PROJECT
Content Organization:
• Organize the gathered information into key sections, such as early life,
achievements, challenges, legacy, and impact.
• Determine the main narrative arc of the presentation.
Media Collection:
• Collect images, photographs, maps, and other visual materials that relate to the
figure's life and the historical context.
• Identify videos or audio clips that can enhance the presentation.
 PROJECT
Presentation Creation:
• Choose a platform for creating multimedia presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides,
Keynote).
• Design visually appealing slides with a coherent layout, fonts, and colors.
• Incorporate text-based content, images, videos, and other multimedia elements.
Narration and Script:
• Write a script that guides the presentation, providing an engaging narrative.
• Balance textual information with narration for each slide.
• Ensure the script is well-structured and coherent.
 PROJECT
• Narration Recording:
• Record the narration using appropriate software or tools.
• Focus on delivering information clearly, concisely, and with enthusiasm.
• Ensure audio quality is clear and free of background noise.
• Presentation Enhancement:
• Add slide transitions, animations, and effects to enhance the visual appeal of the
presentation.
• Time the slides to match the narration.
 Criteria for Judging: Biography
Presentation
• Content Accuracy and Depth (25 points):
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the chosen notable figure's life and
contributions.
• Presents accurate historical information with appropriate context.
• Includes key milestones, achievements, challenges, and impact on Philippine history.
• Research and Sources (20 points):
• Utilizes a variety of reliable and credible sources, including books, articles, and academic
references.
• Properly cites sources and provides a bibliography or references section.
 Criteria for Judging: Biography
Presentation
• Narration and Script (20 points):
• Delivers a clear and engaging narrative that follows a logical structure.
• Presents information coherently and concisely, maintaining the audience's interest.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and confident delivery during the narration.
• Visual Design and Multimedia Integration (15 points):
• Designs visually appealing slides with consistent layout, fonts, colors, and images.
• Effectively integrates multimedia elements (images, videos, maps) to enhance understanding
and engagement.
• Utilizes appropriate slide transitions and animations to enhance the presentation.
 Criteria for Judging: Biography
Presentation
• Narration Quality (10 points):
• Records clear and well-articulated narration, free from distractions or background
noise.
• Maintains an engaging tone and pace throughout the presentation.
• Impact and Legacy (10 points):
• Highlights the figure's lasting impact on Philippine history and society.
• Discusses the legacy and influence of the figure's contributions over time.