GNED 04 REVIEWER

Learning History and Understanding sources

‘The course “Readings in Philippine History” intends to transcend mere memorization by

exposing students to the use and appreciation of primary sources, allowing them to not just

study but to participate in the writing of history as they develop historiographical skills.’

‘Recognize the peculiar character of historical writing as founded on the principle of

selection which lends its inherent subjectivity and biases.’

‘A History of’ subjective disposition of the writer/researcher. In a way, it properly avoids

the claim.

‘The History of’ which sounds both over-presumptive of the completeness of data and

information and declarative of the objectivity of historical presentation.

Historians intend to be objective in their presentation of the facts and findings about the past,

many still are not able to avoid lacing up researches with personal biases and even

prejudices. The result has been the usual publication of so called ‘A History of’ and ‘the

history of’.
Historiography is the history of history, that is, how a certain history was written, who

wrote it, what was the context of publication, what method was used, and what were the

sources.

Readings in Philippine History therefore aims to obtain not just historical knowledge but

more practically historiographical skills.

Historiographical bases:

 Primary Sources first-hand evidences related to the time or event being

investigated. These are considered as undeniable, yet, arguable, parts of the

past

 Secondary sources significant materials that deepen and expand

understanding of the past, yet they are debatable as they are most often than

not, laced with subjectivity

 ‘past is past, it cannot be repeated’

Velarde Murillo-Bagay- (Mother of Philippine maps) as primary source in the Philippines’s

claim for territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Laguna Copperplate- a pre-colonial artifact discovered by Anton Postma understood to

be a record or a contract of debt by early inhabitants of our land.

 Theories of History

Cyclical theory- history is a repetition of events where patterns are seen to pervade in all

phases.

Linear theory- events in history proceed in a straight direction one after another.

linear progressive- history getting better

linear decline- history was better in the past but worsens as time passes by.

linear static- history goes on with no progress at all.

Providential theory- history as participated in by the Divine; all events in the past are due

to God’s intervention (St Augustine)

Economic history- history is determined by forces of labor and man’s continuous material

activity. (Karl Marx)

Commerce History- history is determined by the constant exchanges in trade and

commerce. (Fernand Braudel)

History as people’s struggle- History is no less than a people’s fight for identity, idealism,

and liberation. (Renato Constantino)

Challenge response theory-history is determined by people’s ability to react and act upon

the demands of time. (Arnold Toynbee)

 Approaches in history

Paleography- study of old scripts (documents) in order to read and determine where and

when they were written.

Diplomatic history- focuses on rules and policies and views them as driving force in the

continuity of change in history.

Political history-includes facts, dates, events, names of rulers, battles, court intrigues.

Philology- study of ancient texts, languages, & literature.

Numismatics- scientific study of money and varied forms- coins, medals, medallions,

tokens

Social history- views history via developing inter-human trends; collection of data to form

trends.

Oral History- accounting of history done through word of mouth from one generation to

another.

Universal History- views on history as one coherent unit

“Prehistory or the period prior to the writing of history however is ably studied through

archaeology”

Archaeology- scientific study of historic or prehistoric people.

Personalities and their contribution to archaeology and

Philippine prehistory

Dr Antonio de Morga (Succesos delas islas Filipinas)- accounts of early archaeology that

describe ancient artifacts recovered by farmers in Luzon;

Dr Jose Rizal - noted to have found ground and polished stone tools during his exile in

Dapitan Zamboanga

Feodor Jagor- German traveler also noted having encountered a priest in Naga,

Camarines Sur who collected artifacts from ancient graveyards.

Alfred Marche- a Frenchman who in 1881 did excavation in the Island of Marinduque and

other sites in Luzon. His collections are now at the Musee de’l homme in Paris.

Carl Guthe- in 1922 to 1925 did a major archaeological exploration where Chinese

ceramics were unearthed from Palawan thereby establishing proofs of early Philipinnes-China

trade relations. Collections are now at the University of Michigan

Henry Otley Beyer- considered as the father of Philippine archaeology, discovered in

1926 metal artifacts in Novaliches. He disclosed the prime importance of Palawan in the

search for early man in the Philippines.

Robert Fox and Alfredo Evangelista- discovered the Tabon Man, a Pleistocene human

fossil with stone tools and implements. Carbon -14 revealed the fossil to be 22,000 to 24,000

years old.

Marcelino Maceda- from the University of Cebu in 1964 found limestone burial jars in

Bukidnon.

Indications of Archaeological discoveries

Animal and plant fossils- indications of vegetation and wild life; presence of humans

hunting and consuming of plant variety

Tools, ornaments, implements- indications of human craftsmanship, creativity, warfare,

survival activities, social status, and agricultural activities

Human fossils- indications of early habitation and possible civilization

Caves- prehistoric planning for adaptation and habitation

Chinese ceramics and jewelry- indications of early systematic trade and active and even

lavish economic activity and aesthetic inclination

Burial jars- indications of early religious practices, belief in after life, and animism

Unhistorically-grounded entries in our history books

Maragtas story and the Maragtas Code- alledged as the oldest known written body of

laws in the Philippines. Soon found out as a mere book written by Pedro Monteclaro where

no clear sources were indicated

Code of Kalantiao- said to be an ancient law promulgated in 1433 by Datu Bendara

Kalantiaw and part of the so called Pavon manuscript . Later on this was declared a hoax by

Henry Scott because of the non-existence of author of Pavon manuscript (Fr Jose maria

Pavon), non-existence of king in Spain between 1833-1874, and certain edicts that were

contradicting to Filipino characters.

Princess Urduja- a story of a brave warrior princess and an inspiration for women in the

country. Later on declared untrue and only an illusory character of Ibn Batuta
 (2)Theories on the Origin of Filipinos

Wave of Migration theory by Otley Beyer- inhabitants came in through various means in

different periods

a. The ‘Dawn Man’- 250,000 years ago.

b. Negritos- came between 25,000 to 30,000 years ago.

c. Indonesians- 5,000 to 6,000 years ago

d. Malays- introduced the Iron age culture in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Core Population theory- dismisses the wave of migration theory because

 the Dawn man has no evidence,

 southeast asian people shared many customs and traditions without any ethnic group

racially or culturally dominant. ( Indonesians, Malays, and others, no race stood

culturally dominant)

 It is believed that the westerners are the ones who divided the Asian inhabitants

into ethnic groups.

 The movements of people were erratic rather than in sequential waves.

‘Filipino’. The term easily represents collective citizenry but clearly denotes colonial roots

and invites debates that border on nationalism.

PERSPECTIVES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY: ON CONTENT AND CONTEXT

Content pertains to no less than the data or settings presented by the source/s.

Context relates to the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or

idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.

Four important contents of Pigafetta’s Account

1. His fleet’s landing on March 17, 1521 up to his death on April 27,1521 in the hands of

Lapu lapu’s men;

2. the introduction of Christianity and conversion of natives and several leaders;

3. insights on the character of our land, its rich resources and its people in the precolonial

period; and

4. conflicts and complications in the idea of tribute, friendship, alliance.

“Pigafetta’s rich and detailed chronicles have been widely cited by historians and have

contributed immensely to European historiography as it preserved and popularized the

achievements of Magellan.”

Relevance of the Pigafetta’s Account

(If he did not survive)

 Credit must be given to Magellan’s expedition for proving that the earth is not flat

but an oblate sphere.

 Magellan and his men completed what is claimed as the first circumnavigation

(‘circum’ to move around) of the world.

 They confirmed that the Portuguese route is not the only way to the Spice Islands and

that there is a route to the east by sailing west

 They brought to the attention of the Europeans that on the other side of the American

continent exists a large body of water which Magellan himself named as Pacific

Ocean (Mar Pacifico).

Enriched Philippine historiography

 It contains important details on the condition of the visayan islands in the 16th

century.

 It identified the religious, social, and cultural practices

 It became the basis for other writers in the accounting of the beginnings of

Christianity.

 It recorded the reactions and actions of the early natives when they met the

Spaniards.

 It provides a fertile source of data in valuing and even devaluing Lapu-lapu as a

national hero.
Spanish and Christian mission- provide a kind of motivation to the Spanish Royalty to

justify its failed expedition and convince both the King and the Pope.

European perspectives- exaggerated descriptions of the physical features and actions of

the natives, objects, places,

Other Accounts

 Maximilianus Transylvanus’ De Moluccis Insulis- written and released a year after

the arrival of the Victoria (the last ship that made it back to Spain).

 Francisco Albo’s Journal- Victoria’s pilot recording of the location of the expedition

on certain dates.

 Peter Martyr d’ Anghiera’s account of Spanish Exploration of the New World-

written between 1511-1530 which was divided into “decades”.

Pigafetta’s background

 Born around 1490 in Venice Italy.

 Studied astronomy, geography, and cartography

 Part of the expedition as sobresalientes (supernumenaries)

 Among of the 18 survivors on board the Victoria who made it back to Seville, Spain

Five ships- Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Santiago, and Victoria.

 CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS

Fray Juan de Plasencia

 Real name was Joan de Portocarrero.

 Plasencia died in Liliw, Laguna in 1590

 Spanish priest who was part of the first batch of Franciscan missionaries to be

sent in the Philippines in 1578

 A primary source as he himself was an eye witness to everything he had

written.

 Defender of the native population, looking after the poor, ill, or neglected, and

standing up for their rights on numerous occasions.

 He wrote the very first printed book in the Philippines - Doctrina Christiana

en Lengua Espanola y Tagala (Christian Doctrine in Spanish and Tagalog

Language)

Plasencia’s Relacion de las Costumbres de los Tagalogs (Customs of the Tagalogs)

written in 1589.

gobernadorcillos- position leaders

Friars had a free-hand:

 Supervising local elections

 Collection of taxes
  Education of the youth

 Civic duties such as land registrar and labor and product mediator

 Preparation of reports to colonial superiors

Other primary sources

 Miguel de Loarca’s Relacion de las Islas Filipinas- an account of an

encomendero of the way of life in the western Visayan region in 1582

 Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos delas Islas Filipinas- an account of one of the first

Spanish governors during the latter part of the 16th century. Annotated by no less

than Dr Jose Rizal.

 Fr Pedro Chirino, S.J.’s Relacion de las Islas Filipinas,1604

 Fr Juan Delgado, S.J.’s Historia General, 1751

 Fr Francisco Colin, S.J.’s Labor Evangelica, 1663

 Fr Francisco Ignacio Alcina, S.J.’s Historia natural del sitio, fertilidad y calidad de las

Islas e Indios de Bisayas, 1668

"Filipinos could not only learn Christian doctrine, but also reading and writing, and

some arts and crafts, so they would become after, not only good Christians but also

useful citizens", an initiative that was approved by Domingo de Salazar, the first Bishop of

the See of Manila (1512–1594).

 Social classification and movements among the Tagalogs

Datos- the chief who governed the people

Barangay- a family averaging to 100 persons

3 castes:

 Maharlica or the free born Nobles- beneficiary of Dato’s favors

 Aliping namamahay or the commoners- married individuals who serve

either a Dato or a maharlica with half of their cultivated land or as agreed upon in the

beginning.

 Aliping sa guiguilir or the slaves- they serve in their master’s house and in

the land they cultivate.

Religious practices and beliefs of the Tagalogs

 Simbahan- temple or place of Adoration; venue for the practice of idolatry

 Catolonan (officiating priest)

 Pandot- a worship or festival celebrated which often led to a larger worship

assembly called Nagaanitos

 Bathala- primarily worshipped idol who is seen as “all powerful” or “maker of all

things”

 Sun, moon, and star (Tala, morning star) were worshipped mainly due to their

beauty and occasional appearance but had no knowledge of planets.

 Lic-ha- various idols with different shapes

 Brave dead man worship for protection

 Dian Masalanta - patron of Lovers and of Generation

 Lacapati and Idianale - patrons of cultivated Lands and of even Little Goats (the

Pleiades)

 Mapolon (change of seasons)

 Balatic (greater Bear)

 Buaya- water lizards revered out of fear

 Tigmamanuguin ( a singing bird in the tree)

 Divination of weapons for effectivity and luck

 No established division of years, months, and days

 Offerings and sacrifices (for personal reasons) Lasted for 30 days if it involved

people of rank

Distinctions among the “priests of the devil”

 Catalonan- held ordinarily by people of rank

 Mangangauay- witches pretending to heal the sick

 Manyisalat- witches capable of casting spell on lovers and philanderers

 Mancocolam- believed to emit fire at night

 Hocloban- witch more powerful than mangangauay who simply wields his arm to kill

whoever he wants (Catanduanes)

 Silagan – witch also found in Catanduanes

 Magtatangal- night creature who shows at night headless and without entrails.

 Osuang- equivalent to a sorcerer who can fly and eats flesh.(Visayas)

 Mangagayoma- maker of charms for lover out of herbs, stones, and woods
 Sonat- a preacher who assisted the dying and predicted the salvation or condemnation

of the soul.

 Pangatahojan- soothsayer or predictor of the future

 Bayoguin- a homosexual; a man whose nature is inclined toward that of a woman.

On burying the dead

 Burial manners differed among classes.

 Ordinarily the dead was buried beside his house but if it is a person of rank, the

body was placed in a small house or porch built specially for the dead.

 Mourning lasted for four days after which the body will be laid on a boat as its coffin

with pairs of animals serving as rowers.

 If the dead was a warrior, a living slave was tied beneath the corpse until he dies

 Days of mourning were accompanied by singing, eating, and drinking.

On the belief in life after death

 Maca – believed to be the paradise or village of rest where only the just, the valiant,

and virtuous would go.

 Casanaan- a place of punishment, grief, and affliction where Sitan the demon dwells

 Bathala – the maker of all things who governed and alone dwells from above
 On fabled creatures

 Tigbalaang- a deceptive ghost or phantom

 Patianac- lamenting mother who dies at childbirth

“May the honor and glory be to God our Lord, that among the Tagalogs not a trace of this is

left; and that those who are now marrying do not even know what it is, thanks to the

preaching of the holy gospel, which has banished it.”

-Plasencia closed out his account of the customs of the Tagalog with a prayer

Relacion de las Costumbres de los Tagalog was written by a religious whose prime

motivation and drive was to report on the developments in what was entrusted to him which is

the conversion of the natives.