Hist 1

Readings in the Philippine History

Module I

: Knowing Philippine History

Lesson I – Learning History/understanding history
Overview: To make sense of history, it is necessary to first understand what it is all about. Many people
think that history is merely list of names, dates, places and important events. However, history or the study
of history is more than just knowing and memorizing facts. History becomes an active factor in the study
of Philippine society. It is also include a tool into the development of Philippine culture through time
especially with the influences of the colonial period that would eventually shape the present Philippine
identity.
Module 1 discusses the different meaning of history from the different well known people around
the world. This module allows the students in expressing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through the
activities provided in this module. This lesson is intended for Midyear Class. After studying and
scrutinizing this module please submit your answers on the assessment in our LMS group. The deadline
of submission will be on July 17, 2021 at exactly 4:30 in the afternoon.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the topic, you are able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of history
2. Explain the significance of history
3. Discuss how the history came about

Pre – Assessment

Lesson Opening:
As a historical being, man responds to the situation placed before him and thus his acts are based on his thoughts.
The society uncovers the pattern of the history. To illustrate, in the struggle of dauntless Filipinos to regain lost rights and
freedom during the Spanish era, the propagandists and revolutionaries responded to colonial oppression by resisting. The
challenge was posed by the colonial subjugations of the Filipinos generally characterized by injustice and corruption. The
response was defiance to the prevailing rule. 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.

1
 Guiding Questions:
1. What is history?
2. How is your understanding of history different from what is explained in this lesson?
3. What does a historian do?
4. How did the word “history” came about? Discuss its etymology and evolution

Discussion/Lesson Proper:
Class, the English word history is derived from the Greek noun “istoria”, meaning learning. As used by the Greek
philosopher Aristotle, history meant a systematic account of a set of natural phenomena, whether or not chronological
factoring was a factor in the account. In the course of time, however, the equivalent latin word ‘scientia” (English “science”)
came to be used more regularly to designate non-chronological systematic accounts of natural phenomena, and the word
history was reserved usually for accounts of phenomena esp. Human affairs) in chronological order.

By this most common definition, the word history now means, “the past of mankind”. In its broadest sense,
history is the study of past events. It generally presents the known past. What is unknown is yet to be retrieved. The recording
and analysis of experiences of a society comprise the totality of a people’s history.

The study of history therefore, is the study of the beliefs and desires, practices and institutions of human
beings. With this definition, history becomes an active factor in the study of Philippine society. It also includes a look into
the development of Philippine culture through time especially with the influences of the colonial period that would
eventually shape the present Philippine identity. Why study history? 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 institution, 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 culture.

There are some motivational forces found in the society affecting the actions of people involved in the
situation. A case in point is the early form of trading among the native inhabitants called “barter”. Alliances of people,
communities as well as nations are also rooted in the idea of interchange.

One of the most prominent thinkers of the 19 century was George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a German
th

idealist philosopher. Hegel conceived the subject matter of philosophy to be reality as a whole. This reality he referred to
as the absolute spirit. Hegel’s role of historical man follows a principle which he called “Weltgeist” or “world spirit”, which
embodies ideals like patriotism, heroism and unity. Applying this in history there were guerilla fighters in World War II
who were guided by their sense of duty and responsibility to lead the people during the warfare. The situation was the
Japanese invasion. The continuation of their thoughts like patriotism and heroism resulted to their historical acts in the battle
that were fought against the Japanese forces during the war era. In understanding history, another theory to be considered
is “economic theory” of Karl Marx, another German philosopher. He asserts that the prevailing economic system determines
the form of societal organization and the political and intellectual history of the epoch, which thus attribute actions and
events in history to economic motives. The struggle to maintain life is the most enduring motivation for any human activity.

To cite an instance, the intensification of interisland contacts and the increasing specialization in
craftsmanship by early dwellers were brought about by economic considerations. Centuries of trade and personal relations
with Southeast Asian neighbors led to the enrichment of Filipino life and culture. As more dwellers traded with foreign
merchants, influences in the field of commerce, science, religion, language and the arts became more evident so they were
transmitted to other members of the society. Another example is the Spanish colonial era. It has been said that the three
primary motives for vast exploration of lad were for God, Gold, and Glory but the main incentive was for economic reasons.
Colonies are important sources of raw-materials and opportunities for investment. Spain was at the height of its power in
the 16 century sine it exercised political and economic control in its several colonies.
th

The communist manifesto written by Marx which contains the statements of principles of the Communist
League, embodies the materialist concept of history or historical materialism. The manifesto states that the history of society
is a history of struggle between the ruling class and the oppressed masses. This is based on the theory of scientific social
evolution of Marx, wherein, he stated that when society was still primitive, there was social equilibrium but with the
2
introduction of new ideas and tools of doing things, man became greatly concerned with material wealth. Tis led to class
struggle between the workers (proletariat) and the capitalist (bourgeoisie). From these premises, Marx concluded that the
capitalist class would be overthrown by the working class through revolution and replaced by a classless society.

Philippine history is a people’s history, as defined by Renato Constantino history is “the recorded struggle
of people for even increasing freedom and for newer and higher realization of the human person.” It is not about the story
of man as the individual, but man as the associated man. Man interacts with nature and with other men, thus consciously
changing his own perspective and to some extent, the system of environment.

History is not merely the work of heroes and great men as elucidated by Constantino in his book, “The
Philippines : A past Revisited.” He pointed out that the masses of individuals, as well as the social forces generated by
collective lives and struggles have to be included. Men must struggle together to survive the exigencies of natural or social
forces intervening their development. The associated man as part of the society though their collective lives make history.
Without a society history is highly improbable.

Constantino further mentioned that history is not necessarily presenting a long, unbroken chain of events.
It illustrates movement of people and ideas over time and space. They may even be in conflict with one another. It is now
the task of the historian to weave particular events into a total view so that these experiences can be summed up and analyzed.

Post – Assessment

Generalization/Summary:
1. The study of history can serve as a guide to present and the succeeding generations in facing
the challenges of the times
2. By projecting the people’s aspirations, a people’s history will enable us to grasp the direction
of the country’s development and identify the factors that impede real progress.

Note: Generate your own generalization at least two

1.
2.

Feedback:
What difficulty that I encounter in using this module?
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

References:
Books:
1. Batis: Sources of Philippine History, By Jose Victor Torres, 2018, C&E Publishing Inc.
2. Philippine History: By Maria Christine N. Halili, Published and distributed by Rex bookstore