Module 4

Title: Customs of Tagalog

PROCESS QUESTIONS:
Did Plasencia made biases in writing the account? How did he view these customs that are
completely strange of him? Is his account a credible source of our history?

Spanish Franciscan Order friar Juan de Plasencia lived in Spain. On July 2, 1577, the first
group of Franciscan missionaries entered the Islands, and he was one of them. He spent the majority of
his life as a missionary in the Philippines, where he established a number of towns in Luzon and wrote
various theological and linguistic works, including the Doctrina Cristiana (Christian Doctrine), the
country's first book to be printed.

Give a concise explanation/discussion on the following items.

1. What is the physical nature of the document (letter, report, etc.)? What are the major
premises presented about the Tagalog in Luzon?

The Customs of the Tagalogs by Juan de Plasencia has a written report as its physical form.
The King of Spain gave him the assignment to observe and record the way of life of the Tagalog locals.
The main tenets of this written report include the colonial people's political structure, social strata,
customs, traditions, and superstitious beliefs during the time.

2. What was the author's main argument? What was he trying to say about the customs of the
Tagalog?

The main argument focuses on Juan de Plasencia's observations of the traditions of Tagalogs

before Spanish occupation. We could see that if we were to look at it. Prior to colonization, Filipinos
were highly civilized and had has a strong political structure and a diverse culture.
3. What do you know about the author like his nationality, occupation, and/or position? Does
any of these, matter? Why?
First off, the author, Juan de Plasencia, was a Spanish Franciscan friar who first arrived in the
Philippines on July 2, 1578. He was not a native Tagalog speaker. He worked as a missionary primarily
in the Philippines. He established a number of municipalities in Luzon, authored a number of
theological and linguistic works, most notably the first book printed in the Philippines, the Doctrina
Cristiana (Christian Doctrine). As a result of these, it is irrelevant. His qualities provide credence to
him as a person and a historian. He spent the majority of his time in spreading the gospel as a
missionary in the Philippines. As time passes, he and his other partner. Due to their tireless efforts,
preachers have established and colonized enormous communities across several provinces, service and
work.
4. What was the author's purpose of writing the document?
The author's goal is to document the native customs and traditions that the King of Spain
requested him to undertake based on, perhaps, his observations and judgments. Notably, de Plasencia
published the first book on the catechism, the Doctrina Cristiana. The first book allegedly printed in the
Philippines. During the Age of Discovery, colonizers regularly took such actions to demonstrate their
superiority over the colonized and the legitimacy of their alleged obligations and contributions to
humanity.
5. What is the important connection of the document to your recognition and appreciation of
the Tagalog customs?

The significance of Tagalog customs lies in their integration of various civilizations that have
arrived on our shores and are anchored in our own original Filipino culture. Culture always emphasize
the value of understanding one's own culture, not just for reasons of national pride but also to
acknowledge that our culture is what makes us who we are both pertinent and gorgeous. It can also
serve as a key inspiration and source of ideas for resolving contemporary issues. Only when Filipinos
start investigating will we discover what we require to go from within.

EVALUATION:
Essay: Explain the important concepts of the following:

1. Political Organization of the Tagalogs

About 19,550,000 Filipinos speak Tagalog as their mother tongue, which is the largest cultural
and linguistic group in the Philippines. It is the foundation of the national language and is taught in all
schools as an Austronesian language. Most Tagalogs work as farmers, and the main cash crops are
sugarcane and coconuts. Due to the significance of Manila, Tagalog urban areas now lead in trade,
finance, manufacturing, professions, and clerical and service activities. For more than 500 years, the
Tagalog has served as a bridge between Chinese, Spanish, and American cultures, influencing the
modernization and Westernization of the Philippines. They have also opposed foreign economic and
political hegemony, spearheading anti-Spanish propaganda in the 19th century and led military
uprisings against both Spain and the US from 1896 to 1902.

2. Economic Organization of the Tagalogs

Since obtaining independence, the Tagalog people's economic structure has considerably
changed, with several categories for land use. While a mixed zone of sugarcane, coconuts, and terraced
rice may be found to the south and east, the provinces of Cavite and Batangas are largely highland dry-
farming and fruit-producing areas. In many fields, mechanization has replaced people, and industrial
arts have been a component of trading networks. The development of the suki—a self-referential term
for the relationship between a seller and an everyday customer—linked trade to Manila and its
international port, Bayan. Chinese living abroad have contributed significantly to commerce and
financial institutions. The gender gap in employment is wide, with males typically holding
professions in the fields of medical, law, education, and politics while women are frequently in control
of the household budget and company operations. There are several types of land tenure, but the
majority of Tagalogs settled on other people's land and worked it as tenants or hired laborers. Legal
boundaries have developed over time, with laws splitting up significant holdings in the early 20th
century.

3. Cultural Practices and Traditions of the Tagalogs

The spirit of bayanihan, which is present at funerals and other ceremonies, is ingrained in
Tagalog culture. Friends, neighbors, and members of the deceased's close family help with various
activities, build nipa houses, and offer financial support. In an effort to aid those in need, friends and
relatives who volunteer for Bayanihan are given free meals and snacks. Literature, theater, and dance in
the Tagalog language are produced in a variety of artistic genres, including balatong dalit, hilaw,
kutang-kutang, bulay, indullanin, kumintang, salampati, tagulaylay, subli, barimbawi, and tagayan.
Women also work at manufacturing lace, which is used to adorn undergarments, clothing, and
handkerchiefs, as well as embroidery, sewing, darning, knitting , and crocheting.
Module 5
Title: The Political Cartoons
PROCESS QUESTIONS:
Analysis of the given selected Political Caricatures during the American Period. Identify
the symbols in a cartoon; think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand
for. Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make through
exaggeration. Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear? After you’ve
studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is. What
two situations does the cartoon compare? Once you understand the main analogy,
decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clearly to you. If you can,
think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize. Does the irony help
the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?
American history professor and published author Alfred William McCoy is the author
of the book Political Caricatures of the American Era. The book Philippine Cartoons is a
collection of 377 editorial cartoons and caricatures drawn by Filipino artists between 1900
and 1941, when the Philippines was under American rule. The caricatures portrayed cultural
perceptions regarding Americans as well as shifting mores and historical trends. They
emphasized the escalating corruption, unfair pay, and racial discrimination in the Philippines.
Each caricature in McCoy's book has a thorough backstory that tells readers about the
upheaval that the Filipino people went through while living under American rule. The book
offers a window into Philippine society and political realities while expressing anti-American
sentiments and criticizing the ruling class. Studying political cartoons from the American era
has demonstrated how crucial it is to address political and social concerns in order to
comprehend the state of the nation and promote civil discourse.

Activity:

Essay. Answer the following questions:

1. What issue is this political cartoon about?

The man in the photo exhibited a quality of worthiness in that he appreciated
those homeless people without asking for anything in return. He also showed a love for giving
and sharing his blessings with street children.

2. What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?

Because it is a contemporary issue in our nation, the cartoonists chose this
theme. In reality, it is already happening, as many Filipinos show their affection and
compassion for the neighborhood by supporting the "Community Pantry."

3. What other opinion can you imagine another person having on this issue?
They don't care about what's going on around them, as you can tell from the
family behind the main character in the picture.

4. Did you find this cartoon persuasive? Why or why not?

Yes, this problem is a big issue that requires us to commit to helping, sharing,
and caring for the county's living resources since it acts as a wake-up call to everyone that
helping others is more than just a responsibility. However, we must lend a hand voluntarily
rather than through coercion.

5. What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon
more persuasive?
 We can help our leaders comprehend the significance and worth of giving
and sharing blessings by bringing up this important topic with them. And to demonstrate to
them the value that people who love people, like Filipinos, can contribute, in addition to those
who work in public service.

Evaluation:

Caricature Objectives/People that Meaning of each Important Clues Political or

Title you see symbol Social Issues
(objects/people) presented
- a crying lady runs - the mother and The Manila’s - shows the real
The together with her child child was chased and constant urban state of our
Corruption wants to enslave by problem. society, including
of a City the people riding in the political
the chariots. corruption, the ,
- suggests that they mistreatment and
- people in chariots are perilous the
individuals that hurting someone 
wants to hurt in terms of social
everyone. issues.
- a man wearing a formal - it indicates that the - life of provinces - shows that
Distant clothes, hat and having a man is rich and let’s vs. City where people are not all
Provinces big stomach. say he’s the boss people have in the same
- they are the differences circumstances in
- farmers who are workers who estates in life the province,
struggling due to the improves their boss's which is why the
extreme heat of the sun farm rich enjoy life
while the poor let
them down, and
it's still a
common societal
problem today.
Even in politics,
those wealthy
families merely
seek the
politicians' favor.

- Two men running while - with this, it’s very - As a pervasive - colonialism

Colonial toting sacks of cash. understandable state that had - nationalist
Condition they’re the thieves permeated every - affects the
who got the money aspect of their economy and
- a poor thin man and - this man is the social structure, also the class
pulled by thieves with a victim which got colonization. relations.
rope robbed by thieves
people

- relationship
Uncle Sam - people wearing formal - the clothes they are between the - it is evident in
and Little clothes wearing signifies that federalist and the the caricature that
Juan these people are nationalist even at those
likely to be rich or of times, gaining the
high class. side of highly
influenced people
- a man with a pointed nose - the man was a (represented by
 wearing a top hat representation of the Uncle Sam)
US government, by especially during
which in the election will put
caricature he was you at a huge
deemed as “Uncle advantage.
Sam.”

Module 6
Title: Works of Juan Luna and Fernando Amorsolo

Evaluation:
Explore: Compare Famous Paintings of Luna and Amorsolo

The teacher will allow students to be actively engaged as they walk throughout the classroom.
Write your ideas and respond to the ideas portrayed in the paintings.

JUAN LUNA
Title of the Painting Elements/Principles Meaning/Message
1. SPOLIARIUM Juan Luna finished his well-known The purpose of Juan Luna's
oil painting The Spoliarium in Spolarium is to draw attention to
Rome in 1884. The painting's the human injustice that the
formal elements include lines, light, Philippines endured under Spanish
shape, and time. The painting rule. Equality in our social, moral,
adheres to the design ideals of unity and political existence is central to
and proportion. Spoliarium.

2. THE PARISIAN LIFE An oil on canvas impressionist The title of the artwork "The
painting. The painting's elements Parisian Life" translates to "inside
includes line, color, texture, tone a cafe" and is also known as
and form. he Philippine archipelago interior d'un Cafi. According to a
is represented by figures and shapes common interpretation of the
that have been filled with tone and painting, the woman seated on the
color or repeated to create pattern. sofa is a flirt and a prostitute. As
opposed to Luna's own personal
experience with his wife, who had
an extramarital affair. Another
explanation states that the woman
is the Philippine Archipelago's
reflection.

FERNANDO AMORSOLO
Title of the Painting Elements/Principles Meaning/Message
1. ERRATUM FOR “ It was a 51x76 inch oil on canvas. This painting depicts a rural
ANTIPOLO FIESTA” On the canvas, Amorsolo employed Antipolo scene with a crowd of
oil paint. To highlight the theme people enjoying a fiesta. It
represented in his artwork, he chose symbolizes the abundant harvest of
 vivid and dark colors. Amorsolo the Antipolo Filipino celebration,
used various brushes to apply paint where Filipinos brought and
to the canvas and add fine details. gathered a variety of dishes.
When it comes to the colors
employed in various components of
the entire artwork, there is perfect
harmony. Amorsolo made the
people in the middle the focal point
of the painting by emphasizing
them with rich and bright colors.

2.PALAY MAIDEN A rounded face, not the oval shape Amorsolo attempts to describe the
(DALAGANG BUKID) that is frequently seen in drawings features of the face in this painting,
in magazines and newspapers. The including the eyes, nose, and skin
nose should have a hard, firmly tone, but does not do it in a way
defined, blunt shape. Consequently, that reflects the Western
the ideal Filipina beauty shouldn't conception of beauty. Essentially,
always have a white complexion or this message is about the ideal
the dark brown hue of the Filipina beauty.
traditional Malayan; rather, she
should have clear skin or fresh
coloring, like we frequently see in
blushing girls.