READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

(HIST100)

• HISTORY- derived from the word “historia” which means inquiry or knowledge acquired from
investigation.

VARIOUS HISTORIAN PROVIDED DEFINITION OF HISTORY

1. BURCKHARDT: history is a record of what one age finds worthy of note in another.
2. HENRY JOHNSON: history in its broadest sense is everything that ever happened.
3. V.S. SMITH: the value and interest of history depends largely on the degree in which the
present is illuminated by the past.
4. JAVAHARAL, NEHRU: the story of man’s struggle through the ages against nature and the
elements, against wild beast and the jungle and some of his own kind who have tried to
keep him down and to exploit him for their own benefit.

11 NATURES OF HISTORY

1. History is the study of the present, in the light of the past.

➢ To understand how society has come to its present form, there is a need to know its
past.
➢ “We couldn’t really understand what is happening now unless we will go back in the
past.”
2. History is the study of man.
➢ Deals with man’s struggles through ages.
3. History is concerned with man in time.
➢ It deals with a series of events that happens and each event happens at a given
point of time.
4. History is concerned with man in space.
➢ Talks about nation and human activities in the context of their physical and
geographical environment.
➢ Centers on the interaction of man on his environment and vice-versa.
5. History provides an objective record of happening.
➢ PRECAUTION- Historians should be careful on their/the data they include in their
book.
6. History is multisided. (not limited)
➢ History is not limited to one certain aspects of man’s life; it covers all other aspects as
they are all closely interrelated.
7. History is a dialogue between the events of the past and progressively emerging future
ends.
➢ Past events are interpreted and become predictor of new objectives.
8. History is not only narration, but it is also an analysis.
➢ It dissects and explain the occurrence of the event and how it ultimately changes
the society over time.
9. Continuity and coherence are the necessary requisites of history.
➢ It monitors the development of the society, from generation to generation after
series of events, justifying the essence of society or continuity.
10. History is relevant.
➢ In the study of history, only significant events which have influence the society are
only covered and essential to the understanding of the present life.
11. History is comprehensive.
 ➢ History is not limited to one period or to one country alone, it deals with all aspects of
human life- political, social, economic, religious, literary, aesthetic and physical,
giving a clear picture of global linkage.

RELEVANCE/FUNCTIONS OF HISTORY

1. History helps us understand people and societies.

➢ Understanding the culture of a particular race is difficult without looking back at its
history.
➢ Experiences in the past play in shaping the society.
2. History contributes to moral understanding.
➢ Studying the struggles of heroes in the past or of the people who defied adversities can
serve as inspiration.
Example: Mahatma Gandhi and Corazon Aquino, both set a good example of
peaceful revolution.
3. History provides identity.
➢ Historical data include evidence about how families, race, institutions and countries
were formed and how they evolved while retaining cohesion.
➢ History provides facts about genealogy and a basis for understand how the family has
interacted with larger historical change.
4. Studying history is essential for good citizenship.
➢ Knowing your ancestors came from and their struggles for freedom is a source for pride
for any individual.
➢ History provides data about the emergence of National institution, problems and
values.
5. History is useful in the world of work.
➢ History helps create good business people, professionals and political leaders.

SOURCES OF HISTORY:

Primary Sources

- provides and contains direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work
of art.
-provides compelling and direct evidence of human activity.
- things that were created or in use during the period which is being studied.
-these sources are actual records that have survived from the past.

Examples:
Autobiography Photograph
Memoirs Speeches
Videos Eyewitness Accounts
Diary Legal Documents
Fossils Ornaments
Relics Clothing
Letters Tools
Secondary Sources
- created later or after the historical event which is being studied and provided by the people who were not
present on that event.
-describes, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary source.
-usually created by historians and scholastic writers based on their interpretations of the primary sources.
Examples:
Biography Movies Encyclopedia
News Reports Textbooks News Articles Thesis
Transcriptions Dissertations Almanacs Interviews
Dictionaries Scholarly Journals
Authenticity of Documents:
The problem of forged documents is one of the greatest obstacles for historians. They need to secure
themselves and protect their reconstruction of historical events basing from forged documents, they must be
able to distinguish hoax from genuine documents. Misleading documents are usually created because of the
following reasons: a) to bolster a false claim; b) to sale counterfeited documents; c) to promote political
propaganda; d) some documents were based on practical jokes.
In order to test the authenticity of a document:

External Criticism

- identifying who composed the historical material was produced and establishing the material’s evidential
value.

• applies experimental science to certify the authenticity of the material that holds the data in
which historical information will be based.
• entails such physical and technical test as dating of paper where a document is written on.
• involves knowledge of when certain things are possible or impossible to exist.

Internal Criticism

• focuses on understanding the substance and message that the historical material wants to
convey by examining how the author framed the intent and meaning of a composed material.

• includes looking at the apparent or possible motives of the person providing the data.
• indicates the accuracy and trustworthiness of the materials to which historical data will be based.
Reasons Filipinos have a Poor Knowledge of Their Past:

• Propagation of Christianity in the Philippines

• Early Filipinos prefer verbal communication
• Lack of Interest in Understanding Culture
• Filipinos had Different Priorities

Origin of the Philippine Islands:

1. Land Bridges Theory

- Philippines was believed to be part of Mainland Asia.

- About 250,000 years ago, bodies of water surrounding the Philippines were 156 feet lower than its present
level.
- the bridges were between Borneo connecting Palawan and Sulu, Mindanao and Papua New Guinea and
between Taiwan and Batanes.
2. Continental Drift Theory
- Alfred Wegener theorized that some 300 million years ago, the earth’s current continents were part of a
super continent called Pangaea.
- He theorized that if the continents were to be put together, it would appear as one.
- Scientists believed that the Philippines was separated due to geological changes.
3. Volcanic Theory

• About 225 million years ago, Earth was ravaged by violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
• Because of these eruptions, different lands were formed and emerged, thus the establishment of
Philippine islands.

4. Plate Tectonics Theory

- Scientists believed that the outer shell of the earth is composed of thin plates that relatively move to each
other.
- Movements and collisions of the plates created the different present landform, including Philippines.
Origin of the Filipino Races
1. Legends
-the story of “Malakas at si Maganda”.
2. Waves of Migration
• Theorized by Prof. Otley Beyer
• The Negritos, Indonesians and Malays.

3. The Tabon Woman

• Found in Palawan who was present earlier than the Negritos.

 4. The Callao Man
• Found in Cagayan believed to be present as early as 50,000 years ago.

5. Evolution Theory
• Theorized by Charles Darwin.

6. Creation Story
• The man is created in the image of God.

1. CAVEMEN

• Java man, Peking man and other Asian Homo sapiens

• 250,000 years ago
• lived by hunting and fishing

2. NEGRITOS

• 25,000 years ago, first settlers

• naked and were good at hunting, fishing and food gathering
• features: dark skin, thick lips, curly hair, 5 ft in height, round eyes, flat nose

3. INDONESIANS

• skilled in seafaring, by boats

• tools made out of stone and steel ( more advanced )
• materials made of brass; they wore clothing and other body ornaments
• painted their bodies
• 500 years ago

4. MALAYS

• more than 2,000 years ago

• engaged in pottery, weaving, jewelry making and metal smelting
• introduce irrigation system
• They lived in larger villages, had government, arts and sciences and an advanced agriculture,
mining and trading
• features: brown-skinned and of medium height, with straight black hair and flat nose

Early Shelter

1. Caves

-early Filipinos believed caves were the safest place to settle.

-but later, they moved in plains for farming and coastal areas for fishing.
 1. cave plains – inhabited for easier access to the fields.
2. coastal caves – inhabited for easier fishing.

2. Nipa Huts

-made of nipa leaves, wood and bamboo having a square shape and about 1 meter above ground.
-it was the most common type of house early Filipino used for shelter

3. Tree Houses

-used to provide safety from attacking enemies and wild animals.

-ladder or ropes are used to access this type of shelter.

4. Houses on Stilts

-these are houses near coastal areas which is connected by a pathway.

-this type of shelter was commonly used by merchants in ancient times.
Early Clothing
Male:
Bahag – a strip of cloth wrapped around the waist and between the legs.
Putong – cloth wrapped in the head
Red – killed a lot of people in war
Weaved – killed people not less than 7
Kangan – a sleeveless coat
Red – datu and Maharlika
Blue- average male
Female:
baro - is the upper clothing
saya - is the lower covering of women.
Livelihood

1. Agriculture – main source of living

1. Kaingin System – land was cleared by burning shrubs and bushes.

2. Tillage System – land was plowed and harrowed, then followed by planting.

2. Industries
3. Fishing – most common industry.
 - Methods: use of nets, bow and arrow, lance or spear, the wicker basket, hook and line and fish
poison.

1. Mining – one important industry.

- 1569, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi reported that there was more or less gold in the island.

1. Shipbuilding and logging

Birey – boats made for 50 to 100 people

Biroco – boats made for more than 100 people

1. Barter system – goods were brought goods and sold thru trading

- Borneo, Thailand, Cambodia, Sumatra and India

3. Hunting and Gathering

-men were trained to hunt animals for the tribe and women were taught to gather vegetables and fruits and
to do household chores.
-the food was divided among the members of the tribe. The biggest part is given to the leader and his family.

SOCIAL LIFE

1. Datu

-he was the tribe leader and the chieftain.

-in Tagalog region, he was known as Lakan or Gat.
-he served as the religious leader, can declare war and made important tribal decision-making.
*Dayang-dayang - wives of the datu.

2. Maharlika (tumao)

-considered as the noble and free people.

-they always travelled with the chieftain.
-they are merchants in nature. Also, they were assigned to meet foreign traders.

3. Timawa (Timagua)

-they were composed of soldiers, rowers of boat and datu’s guards.

-they could live in other barangays as a privilege.
 4. Alipin (Oripun)

-they have the lowest status in the society before.

3 Types:
Horo-han – they served their masters as warriors
Namamahay (freeman) – They can acquire a house and have a family.
Saguiguilid – They are considered as possession. (war prisoners)
Political System
Barangay
– standard unit of government
-it consisted of 30 to 100 families.
-it was ruled by a chieftain.
Powers and Functions of a Datu:

1. Implementing laws and regulations

2. Ensuring peace and order
3. Giving protection to his subjects
4. Act as judge during trials

* Trial by Ordeal
- Ancient judicial practice by which the guilt or innocence of the accused was determined by
subjecting them to a painful, or at least an unpleasant, usually dangerous experience. The proof of innocence
was survival.
Taxation
-the chieftain’s family,maharlika and timawa were exempted from paying taxes.
-people pay taxes to the chieftain in exchange of protection they will receive. (Alipin class)
-Non- payment of taxes was punishable.
War Declaration
-before declaring war against other tribes, the datu and the katalonan were the people making decisions.
System of Writing
Baybayin
- the most common system of writing widely used by the Tagalogs.
-it literally means “to spell”
-this was commonly taught to the children of the datu and maharlikas.
-it was mainly used for trading near coastal areas.
BURIAL CUSTOMS

1. Manunggul jar

- bones of the deceased are buried.

- the two human figures represent the soul on a journey to the afterlife.

2. Hanging corpse

– practiced by the Manobos.

- wrapped the corpse in mat and bamboo slats to hang up on the tree.

3. Hanging coffins

– practiced in Sagada, Mt.Province.

• believed to bring the deceased closer to heaven.

4. Tree trunk burial

– practiced by the Tagalogs.

• a dying person chooses the tree beforehand when he or she becomes terminally ill, the corpse is
then entombed vertically inside the hollowed-out tree trunk.

5. Wrapped corpse burial

– practiced by the Apayao’s.

- wrap the deceased person in a mat and buried.
Arts
Death Masks:

• These gold masks were buried with the dead to go along with them to the spirit world. They
believed that once they are ferried over a spiritual river to the afterlife, those who wore gold and
are covered with tattoos are recognized by the ancestors and deities. They are supposed to wear
these to be accepted. The masks usually covered the eyes, nose and mouth and are delicately
decorated depending on social status.

Kinnari

• The Kinnari was excavated in Surigao at around 1981. It is a gold artifact that symbolizes the
feminine beauty for it is a half-woman, half- bird, and a religious significance for it encapsulates
grace and accomplishment.
Jewelry

• Filipino upper-class society, warriors, common people and slaves wore gold even to their
grave. Of course, the intricacy depends on their social status but imagine how rich the Philippines
was then. It was part of their everyday clothes.

Courting and Marriages

A man must serve the family of the woman for several years before marrying the woman.

• Cleaning the house

• Gathering food and firewood
• Fetching water
• Killing enemy tribes
• Dowry- giving a part of wealth to each family.

THINGS USED:

1. SURVIVAL

1. nipa palm and bamboo – building houses.

2. jar – storing foods to preserve it for a long time.
3. pot – cooking foods.
4. gold – trading
5. stones (grounded and smoothened type) – carving woods.
6. flake stone – cutting, slicing and grating.
7. leaves and bamboos – “paper”

2. WEAPONRY
3. balaraw – a dagger with a single-edged leaf shaped blade and a cross shaped hilt.
4. kampilan – long and straight with a single edge which widens to a dual point.
5. lantakas – small cannons.

Reasons why Filipinos Revolted against the Spaniards:

• The People’s desire to regain their lost freedom and happiness.

• Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, Filipinos were subjected to slavery.
• Spanish Military Oppression
• Filipinos experienced injustices and torture under Spanish government
• Bandala and Polo y Servicios
• Filipinos were obliged to pax excessive taxes and subjected to forced labor.
• Religious Persecution
• Filipinos were forced to abandon their ancestor’s beliefs and practices
• Enconmienda System
• Agricultural lands were grabbed and exploited by the Spanish Colonial Government and the
Church.
• Great Discrimination
 • Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, Filipinos were classed as the lowest class of people in the
society, changing the social class established by our ancestors.

Results of Colonization:

• Filipinos became lazy.

• Filipinos were not fund of working anymore.
• Filipinos depended solely on the Catholic Church.
• Filipinos developed the sense of inferiority and passivity.
• Filipinos developed colonial mentality.
• Filipinos created their addiction to gambling.

The Early Uprising of the Filipinos

1. Dagohoy Revolt (1744 – 1829)

Francisco Sendrijas led the longest revolt against the Spaniards in Philippine history. The Spaniards took 85
years to stop the uprising.
Main Reason:

• Polo y Servicios
• Religious Persecution

Events:

• In a skirmish between Filipinos and Spaniards in the mountains of Bohol, the brother of Francisco
was killed.
• Upon knowing this fateful event, Francisco searched for the body of his brother (Sagarino) and
asked the Catholic Church to give his brother a proper burial, but the Spaniards refused.
• These events led Dagohoy to make a vow to correct the injustices done to his brother. In the
process, he stopped paying tribute to the Spaniards and refused to render the required forced
labor. He also called upon his relatives, friends and the other residents to do the same and fight
for their freedom.
• Around 3,000 Boholanos rallied and joined him in a revolt against Spanish injustice and tyranny
with other leading members of the Tagbilaran, Baclayon and Dauis. Dagohoy proclaimed the
independence of Bohol in the mountains of Talibon and Inabanga.
• Up in the mountains, the revolutionaries established their headquarters, which they fortified with
trenches of big rocks. From time to time, the revolutionaries would raid the coastal towns, assault
the Spanish garrisons, loot churches and kill Spaniards.
• News of the remarkable success of Dagohoy worried the Spanish authorities in Manila.
• 1747 - Juan de Arrechederra dispatched a punitive expedition to Bohol under the command
of Don Pedro Lechuga. Commander Lechuga won a few skirmishes but failed to crush the
rebellion.
• Bishop Espeleta of Cebu tried to persuade the rebels to give up their resistance by promising to
secure a general amnesty, to find remedies for the abuses of government officials, and to assign
secular priests instead of Jesuits to the Bohol parishes.
• By 1770, there were already about 30,000 revolutionaries in Bohol.
 • April 1828, after the arrival of Governor-General Mariano Ricafort, the Spaniards sent its
strongest expedition to Bohol. Spain decided to put an end to the revolt using Spanish and native
troops.
• June 1829, they fought their last battle and were crushed by Spain’s superior arms. The survivors
fled into the forest, where they continued to carry on their hopeless cause.

The revolt ended formally on August 31, 1829.

• 3000 rebels escaped to other parts of Visayas.

• 19, 420 rebels surrendered.
• 395 rebels were killed and murdered.
• 98 rebels were exiled
• 10,000 were resettled.

2. Silang Revolt (1762 – 1763)

• September 1762 - The revolution waged against the Spaniards was waged by Diego and
Gabriela Silang during the time of the British forces’ military incursion in the Philippines had
begun.
• October 1762 - British expeditionary forces from India occupied Manila in retaliation to Spain’s
alliance with France, and sought to take control of the other provinces of the Philippines.

Reasons to Revolt:

• Unreasonable taxes
• Unpaid and forced labor
• Imposition of Spaniard monopolies

Having failed in negotiations with the Spanish authorities to establish a government in Ilocos with Ilocano
functionaries, Diego Silang worked with the British forces to defeat the Spanish in the North.

• December 1762 – Diego had a total control of Ilocos Region and was promised military
assistance by the British to strengthen his hold and complete his plan, which unfortunately never
came.
• Diego Silang was killed by one of his friends, a Spanish-Ilocano mestizo named Miguel
Vicos, whom church authorities paid to assassinate Silang with the help of Pedro Becbec which
was instigated by the Spaniards.
• Maria Josefa Gabriela Silang - continued his leadership of the revolution. Her valiant efforts
were overpowered by massive forces set upon her, forcing her retreat to Abra. She tried to lead
her army back to Vigan but was again repelled.
• September 10, 1763 – Gabriela was arrested and publicly hanged together with her hundred
followers to serve as a warning to the Ilocanos.
• She is now remembered in Philippine history as the country’s Joan of Arc and first female leader
for Filipino liberation.