GEd 105

Readings in Philippine History

  Batangas State University

Scott, William Henry. Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History.
New Day Publication 1984

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze the context, content and perspective of different kinds of sources

Main Topic II: Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected

Primary Sources
Objectives

1. To properly interpret primary sources through examining the content and context of the
documents
2.To familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different historical periods of the
Philippines
3. To determine the contribution of different kinds of primary sources in understanding
Philippine history
4. To learn history through primary sources

Lesson Proper

A. Background of the Author/Creator

First the researcher must provide brief biographical sketch of the author or creator of the
primary source. Family background, educational attainment, religion and many others shall be
given priority in presenting the biography of the author. Special attention must also be given to
the first four steps of the test of credibility discussed in the previous module.

B. Background of the Document/Primary Source

Basic background of the source like the type of primary source, how many parts or
chapter, how long is the document shall be given attention. Next is to locate where the primary
source can be found. The repository of primary sources may be found in the library, archive,
museum, historical society or special collection of private individuals.
To check the authenticity of the source, check the provenance or origin of the said
document. Determine also the intended audience or the people the author wants to convey their
ideas with. If it is a letter the recipient in the address will be the audience while if it is a diary the
author is the audience. While it is easy to determine the audience of the aforementioned sources,
most of the time you have to guess. What to do? A researcher must find out who are the creator
and the time of creation. Most of the sources have unique type of audience like academic journal
is for students and other university audience or books is for general public.
Next task is to look for the purpose or motive of the source. How do you discover the
purpose or the reason it was originally made? First understand the historical context. Next is to

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 GEd 105
Readings in Philippine History
  Batangas State University

do a background research. Then look at important historical event at the time the source was
made. Finally ascertain intended audience.

C. Content Analysis of the Important Historical Information Found in the Document

First look for corroboration between the research you gather from the internet and the
primary source that your instructor has given to you. They may not use exact the same word or
they can express the same information in different ways and we can still use as corroboration.
Look also if your source agrees with information from another source. Attention also must be the
given to the intended audience and purpose.
Next, in order to analyze the primary source, look for bias. There is a bias when a
source’s information is unbalance or prejudiced. There are two kinds of bias: either it is strongly
positive (strongly in favor of) or strongly negative (strongly against). If you’re looking for a bias
in written source you’ll need to find word choices that are extreme in their description. If it is a
visual source you’re looking for a depiction that is clearly exaggeration (see the example of
cartoon in module 1). Most of the primary source we will encounter is written documents so we
will focus our attention to that kind of primary source. How can we find bias in word choices? If
it is too positive that provides little negative information then there is an extreme positive bias.
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95FQZhtpwcs) Example of this is the Gunita ng
Himagsikan of Emilio Aguinaldo. It too much negativity that provide little positive information
on the person, then there is extreme negativity. Example of this is the Filipino Grievances
Against General Leonard Wood. If the document is silent or when the source intentionally leaves
important information of which you are aware from other sources. Example of this silent bias is
the Declaration of the Philippine Independence The author of this document intentionally leaves
important information about the Katipunan. The last if is there are obvious errors or when the
source provides information that you know to be false from alternative sources. How do you
point out the bias in your analysis? First provide a direct quote. Then explain the creator’s
perspective and lastly explain the creator purpose. (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=
95FQZhtpwcs)
Next is to analyze the historical perspective or a point of view a creator describe the
event. To accomplish this, do a background check of the author with regards to his nationality,
social status, political persuasion, cultural background, religion or education.
Last task is to analyze the historical context of the document. Context is the awareness
that sources were created at times which were very different to our own. Historical empathy
understands the past without judging it by modern standards. To determine historical context, we
must look when the source is made (preferably the exact date). Next is where was it created.
Third, what event occurred at the time and then read the source to identify specific language

D. Contribution and Relevance of the Document in Understanding the Grand Narrative of

Philippine History
In this activity look for the cause and consequences of the primary sources. A cause is a
person or thing that makes something happens while a consequences is a direct result of the
cause. Example is the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan. That event is the cause while being
converted to Catholicism is the effect or the consequence.
In this part of the analysis look also for the turning point or dramatic moment of change
that was cause by the event or primary source.

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Readings in Philippine History
  Batangas State University

E. Relevance of the documents to the present time.

Look for the historical significance or what modern people consider to be important from
the past. There are many events in our history we have to choose but few people, events or ideas
to focus on. Since significant is a decision we make, it means different people can decide
different thing are particularly the most important. They can disagree also the reason why
particular event is important.
How to determine significance of the event? We have to follow the acronym NAME or
Novelty, Applicability, Memory and Effect. Novelty or when something is new or never been
seen before. Example is when Cory Aquino became President; it is significant because she is the
first female president of the Philippines. Applicability or when it is similar to the present. The
Spanish Flu of 1918 suddenly became important topic because of Covid-19. Memory or how it
has been remembered over time. The typhoon Yolanda is remembered because it is the strongest
weather disturbance that hit the country. Lastly the Effect or how people have been affected.
Taal Volcanic Eruption is significant particularly in Batangas area because many were affected.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EWlZzuQ-3Y)

Example of Content and Contextual Analysis

Type of Primary Source: Images
Painting- Juan Luna’s The Parisian Life

Background of the Author -Juan Luna (1857-1899)

He was born on October 24, 1857 in Badoc Ilocos Norte. He is the third among seven
children of a well to do couple Joaquin Luna ad Laureana Novicio.
He took the Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo de Municipal and Marine Transportation (sailor)
from Escuela Nautica de Manila. He took drawing lesson from Lorenzo Guererro and Agustin
Saez. He went to Europe in 1877 and took painting lessons in Escuela de Bellas de San Fernando
(Madrid) but dropped out to work with the painter Alejo Vera.
With the opening of Exposicion National de Ballas Artes 1878, his artistic talent was
established. From them on, Luna became engrossed in painting and produced a collection of
painting that he exhibited from several expositions from 1881. He won a gold medal from
Madrid Exposition for his Spoliarium while after his death in 1904 The Parisian Life won the
silver medal at the St. Louis (USA) Exposition. In 1883 Luna started the painting Blood
Compact to fulfill his pensionado obligation from the Ayuntamiento (Manila Council). He also
developed a friendship with the king of Spain so that the Spanish Senate commissioned the
painting La Batalla de Lepanto. During this period he became part of propaganda movement and
befriended several members of the organization like Jose Rizal and Trinidad Pardo de Tevera.
He married Maria de la Paz Pardo de Tavera. They had one son Andres and a daughter
Maria de la Paz who died when she was three year old. After the death of his daughter the couple
had marriage difficulties. It culminated in the killing of his wife, mother in law and wounding of
Felix, one of his brothers in law.
On September 16, 1896, he and his brother Antonio were arrested by Spanish authorities
for being involved with the KKK. He was pardoned by the Spanish court on May 27, 1897 and
he travelled back to Spain in July. In 1899 he was appointed by the Malolos Republic as a

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