GEN 004: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY (P1 REVIEWER)

LESSON 1: WHY STUDY THE PAST: HISTORY AS OUR LENS FOR THE FUTURE
WHAT IS HISTORY?
 The meaning of the word “history” in European languages is “story”
 Derived from greek word ‘’historia’’ which means knowledge acquired through inquiry or investigation.
 Discipline existed around 2,400 years and as old as Mathematics and Philosophy.
 “History” in different languages:
 Greek and Latin – historia
 Spanish – historia
 French – histoire
 German – gesichte/geschichte
 Filipino – kasaysayan
 According to the historian, Zeus Salazar, Definition of saysay in two ways:
 Saysay - story/narrative (salaysay)
 Saysay – meaning,relevance,significance
 “salaysay na may saysay”
 Story of the past that has a meaning
 According to another prominent historian, Ambeth Ocampo, these two components of defining “kasaysayan” are
crucial in learning our history.
 ‘’Learning about history is not only about learning and memorizing historical facts. More importantly, it is about
making sense of those facts’’
 “The bigger part is by making sense of these facts and use them to learn, to change the errors of the present and
to create a better future.”
 “It is inevitable and irreversable”

2 KINDS OF HISTORICAL SOURCES

1. Primary sources: sources created or written by people directly involved in historical events. Ex: letters, diaries,
government records, videos, photos, artifacts
2. Secondary sources - materials created or written by an author using primary or secondary sources. Ex: History
books, written analysis by historians

WHY ARE SOURCES IMPORTANT?

 We need to use materials which are credible. Both primary and secondary sources are credible materials. We
need to make sure that the lessons we are studying are based on facts about the past to avoid historical
distortion.

WHAT IS HISTORICAL DISTORTION?

 historical distortion - Changing of historical facts to suit personal/political interest.
 Misinformation – false or inaccurate information that is mistakenly or inadvertently created/ spread.
 Disinformation – false information that is deliberately created in order to influence public opinion or to obscure
the truth.

HISTORIANS
 Write about lives of important individuals, events, places, dates, phenomena (such as breakthroughs, wars,
revolutions, sports, pageants, achievements.)
 Traditional historian’s mantra: “no document, no history”
 Modern historians: not limited to written documents, extended the possible historical facts.

KINDS OF CRITICISMS THAT HISTORIANS NEED TO SCRUTINIZE/VALIDATE HISTORICAL FACTS

1. External criticism
 Is a practice of verifying the authenticity of evidence by examining its physical characteristics.
 Ex: quality of the paper, type of ink used in writing, the language and words used in the material,
2. Internal criticism
 Examination of the truthfulness of the evidence. It looks at the content of the source,circumstances of its
production, factuality of evidences by looking at the author of the source, the agenda behind its creation and its
intended purpose among others.

Lesson 2: THE PRE-COLONIAL WAY OF LIVING: PHILIPPINE PEOPLING THEORIES

Key terms to define:
1. fossils – refers to human, plant, animal remains that have been preserved through time.
2. artifacts – refer to objects that were made and used by humans (our ancestors)
3. Hominid – general term used by scientists to categorize the group of early humans and other humanlike
creatures.
PEOPLING THEORIES
 Researches and theories how our ancestors started to populate Philippine archipelago.
 Competing theories that attempt to explain how ancestors started to populate Philippine archipelago.
 Divided into two strands:
 First strand
 Believes that the first inhabitants of the Philippines were the indigenous people who inherently lived within
the archipelago and had undergone a lengthy process of internal development.
 Archaeologists and Anthropologists under the first strand:
1. WILLIAM MEACHAM- He believed that there were already living in the Philippines and the entire Southeast
Asians (Austronesians). He also believed that “people were connected by trades”
2. BENNET BRONSON – (Archaeologist) They also believed the claims of Meacham. However, they didn’t emphasize
on the connection between the people due to lack of evidence.
3. LANDA JOCANO – Filipino Anthropologist
 Second strand
 Believes that the people living in the Philippines came from outside regions (outside Philippine archipelago).
 Archaeologists and Anthropologists under the first strand:
1. OTLEY BEYER – He pointed out that people living in Philippines came from different homelands. They arrived
from different waves of migration. 3 waves of migration theory:
 INDONESIANS A and B – The first group of people were composed of seafaring and stone tool-using,
Indonesians A, then followed by bark cloth-wearing, Indonesians B.
 PROTO-MALAYS – terrace-building, who came from central Asia
 DEUTERO-MALAYS – said to sailed to the current Philippines from insular Indonesia
2. WILHELM SOLHEIM- He argued that a group of maritime-oriented people called ‘’Austronesians’’ lived within the
edges of Celebes Sea including South-western Mindanao. They travelled within the different parts of the region
and expand their trading activities.
3. PETER BELLWOOD- He argued that the movement of Austronesian people came from Southern portion of China
and crossed to reach Formosa(Taiwan). From there, they reached Luzon and eventually spread throughout the
region.

RECENT STUDIES
 Even before the arrival of modern human in the Philippines, there were already ancient human species who
inhabited archipelago called ‘’DENISOVANS’’.
 Ayta Magbukon possesses the highest level of DENISOVAN ancestry. Leading to the claims that Denisovans
prominently inhabited the archipelago prior to the arrival of modern humans.
 These DENISOVANS later interacted and interbred with modern human who came from Africa 40,000 to 50,000
years ago.
 Proof:
 AYTA MAGBUKON: presence is in the DNA of an indigenous group
residing in BATAAN. They interacted and interbred with modern
humans who came from Africa.
 1. NEGRITOS (who took northern and southern route) (AGTA, AETA,ATI)
a. Northern Negritos – LUZON
b. Southern Negritos – MINDANAO
 2. Manobo-related people – entered Mindanao 15,000 years ago
 3. Sama – related people – entered the archipelago 12,000 years ago
 4. Cordilleran-related people – came from Formosa and southern China who likely arrived in the Philippines
7,000 to 10,000 years ago.

LESSON 3: THE PRE-COLONIAL WAY: ITS STRUCTURE AND WAY OF LIVING BARANGAY
 Does not refer to a place but to a group of people
 haop or dolohan (Visayan)
 Derived from ‘balangay’ which referred to the boat that transported the inhabitants to their settlements
 Usually composed of 30-100 households
DATU
 Leads a barangay and promote its welfare and interest
 Had a staff to assist him composed of ministers tasked in collecting tributes maintenance of jails and
communication with the people
 Does not act as an absolute ruler because his powers were checked by the customs and laws of the barangay

PANGULO
 Each barangay is independent. However, there are circumstances that they form an alliance. By forming an
alliance, datus form a council to unify their decisions. From this, the most economically powerful datu emerges
as a pangulo, kaponoan, rajah and lakan.

THREE GROUPS OF A BARANGAY

1. Nobles
 Consisted of the data and his relatives belonging to the noble lineage
 datu (Visayas) and maginoo (Tagalog)
 Bunch of classists who limited the number of heirs through birth control and isolating their sons and daughters

2. Freemen
 Descendants of mixed marriages of nobles and commoners and dependents who earned their freedom
 Personal followers and assistants of the datu
 timawa or Maharlika

3. Dependent
 Composed of people who cannot pay their debts, captured in battle or born to dependent parents
 oripun (Visayas), alipin (Tagalog)
 There were circumstances that a dependent could be sold to other owners, especially in the case of the bihag
 Dependents are commonly those who cannot pay their debts and offer their labor instead

THREE TYPES OF HOUSES IN THE COMMUNITY

1. The first ones were permanent wooden structures that can be considered as sort of town houses. These houses
are occupied by datus.
2. The second ones were cottages made of light materials occupied by ordinary people
3. Lastly, there were tree houses used during wars. All of these houses were elevated off the ground on the posts
and had steep roofs

LAWS OBSERVED IN BARANGAY

 People in barangays did not act according to what they wanted. They weren’t “uncivilized” but followed the laws
in the community. These laws were either customary or written.
 Customary laws were usually passed down orally from generation to another.
 One customary law observed during pre-colonial times was the unique position given to women in the barangay.
They were treated as equal to men.
 Written laws were made by datus and their advisers. In times that there were criminal cases, the datu would act
as the hukom.

FASHION IN BARANGAY
 In pre-colonial times, people had a sense of fashion which varied according to social standing, fashion trends,
and occasions.
 For males, the basic attire is a kanggan and a bahag. The color of clothing had a meaning. The datu wore a red
kanggan, while those below him wore blue or black. Men also wore headgears called putong. A red putong
entailed bravery. In Visayas, the common male attire is only the bahag because walking bare-chested to expose
tattoos indicate masculinity.
 For women, the basic attire was baro or camisa and a saya. A tapis, a long cloth was often tied in the waist.
 There were no slippers or shoes during the pre-colonial period. They all walked barefooted. Since gold was
abundant before, men and women filled their bodies with golden ornaments and jewelries.
 Tattooing was a common practice. For both and women, it was a symbol of beauty. For men, it served as a proof
of bravery and skill in battle. The more tattoos a man had, the more men he killed in battle. Tattoos were only
seen on the residents from Visayas, which was why Spaniards called Visayans pintados.

BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS

 Even before the arrival of Christianity, pre-colonial people also had their system of religion. They believed in
polytheism, which means that they had more than one god to worship. For the Tagalogs, they considered
Bathala as the creator of the Earth and all living beings. He was the superior deity compared to other gods. The
population adored animals, plants, and all objects of nature as something to be respected.
GENDER INCLUSIVITY
 Babaylans were considered as religious or spiritual leaders. It was a highly crucial role in the barangay as they
served as the channel to which the people could communicate with spirits and gods.
 Babaylans were of either sex but were usually women from wealthy families. Male transvestites could also be a
babaylan. Transvestites are today’s crossdressers. The giving of the role of babaylan to male transvestites indicate
the level of respect and inclusivity to homosexuality during pre-colonial era.

LESSON 4: TRANSITION TOWARDS COLONIZATION: CONTEXTUALIZING THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPANIARDS

1500-1700 Century
 Growing European exploration of the world
 Age of exploration/ discovery

WHY DID EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EXPLORE THE WORLD?

 Because they were motivated because of profit, power and religion.
 The most lucrative goods Europeans can trade during the period were spices such as :
 Pepper cloves, ginger, cinnamon , nutmeg.
 This were all highly in demand in Europe during this time for two main reasons:
 Spices enhanced the bland taste of food.
 It preserved meat and fish in absence of refrigeration
 A significant way to become a more powerful kingdom was by exploring and conquering new territories. Which
could be a source of spices and other raw materials. The more wealth they can get from other territories, the
more they become prestigious in the eyes of their rivals.
 European states used Christianity as a reason to invade other territories.
 Both Portugal and Spain were champions of the Catholic church in spreading Christianity.

ARRIVAL OF FERDINAND MAGELLAN AND HIS CREW

 Highlights of Magellan’s voyage around the world.
 They landed on Homonhon Island (Eastern Samar)
 Next landed to Sugbu (Cebu)
 Magellan befriended (the ruler of Cebu) Rajah Humabon and promised him to be Spain’s representative in
exchange of an alliance.
 Magellan helped Humabon against his rival (Lapu-Lapu)
 Magellan and his crew attacked Mactan Island (battle of Mactan).
 Magellan died and Spaniards retreated back to Cebu.

EXPEDITIONS AFTER MAGELLAN’S DEATH

1. SAAVEDRA EXPEDITION
2. VILLALOBOS EXPEDITION
3. LEGAZPI EXPEDITION

THEY WERE ABLE TO CONQUERED THE PHILIPPINES BECAUSE OF SOME REASONS:

 Lack of unity (Filipinos)
 Divide and conquer
 Sword and cross

LESSON 5: UNDERSTANDING COLONIZATION: SPANISH OCCUPATION

REDUCCION
 A community set-up under ecclesiastical or royal authority to facilitate colonization
 Native peoples from small villages were forcibly relocated to these settlements
 At the center of this area was called población

POBLACION
 Served as the major population center of the area
 Where the church, government offices, market and the school were located
 Surrounding each poblacions were barrios and sitios
 This set-up makes collection of tax easier

TAXATION: BUWIS
 A system imposed by the Spaniards
 Consisted of direct in indirect taxes. One of the direct taxes extracted was the buwis or tribute
 The collection of buwis was rampantly cruel. It wasn’t justifiable for the people so they often defied authorities.
These authorities will send soldiers to collect tributes by force. Those who cannot comply were tortured or
imprisoned.
  Authorities also deprive the people of their right to choose their mode of payment. During periods when money
was scarce and produce was plentiful, they demanded to be paid in cash. Whenever there was scarcity of
produce and prices where high, they insisted on payment through goods.

TAXATION: BANDALA
 Another tax collected was the bandala. Since the colonial government always claimed not to have enough funds
to buy the goods, bandala essentially meant enforced confiscation. In “selling” their goods to the government,
people got promissory notes which were seldom redeemed in full.

POLO Y SERVICIO
 In addition to the taxes imposed, there was also the system called, polo y servicio. Here, men who are 16-60
years old with the exception of the datus and their sons, were required to serve for 40 days each year in the
labor pool. These men or polistas were obligated to work in the construction of churches and infrastructures or
cutting logs.

ENCOMIENDA
 There was also the establishment of the encomiendas. These were parcels of land given by the king of Spain who
helped in conquering the territory. These were given to soldiers, administrative officials, and priests not to
become their owners but protectors. However, these encomenderos never fulfilled their roles. They used these
lands and its people to enrich themselves.

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION DURING THE SPANISH OCCUPATION

I. PENINSULARES
 Full-blooded Spaniards who were born in Spain.
 They were called peninsulares because Spain is located in the Iberian Peninsula region of Europe.
 Top administrative posts in the Spanish colonial government are reserved for them.
 They look down upon the people below them called the insulares
II. INSULARES
 They were also full-blooded Spaniards. However, they were born in the Philippines. It is for this reason why the
peninsulares disliked them because they believe that people born in Spain are more prestigious and superior
compared to those born in the colonies.
 They were also called “Espanoles Filipinos”
III. MESTIZOS
 People born from foreign and native parents.
 They are the fruits of intermarriages between full-blooded Spaniards and natives of the archipelago.
IV. PRINCIPALIA
 Descendants of the nobles for the archipelago during the pre-colonial period who allied themselves with Spain.
 As a result of their alliance with Spain, they were given lands, wealth and positions.
V. INDIOS
 Are full-blooded natives of the archipelago who were formerly freemen and dependents.
 They hold no prestige in the society.
VI. SANGLEYS
 They had the lowest standing in society under the Spanish rule.
 They are composed of Chinese migrants who went to the Philippines to pursue trading.

FRAILOCRACY
 Aside from the established social structure, there was also the obvious influence of religion in society. Historians
refer to this as “frailocracy” or the rule of the friars or priests.
 They have massive influence in every aspect of society and rules supreme in government matters.
 As servants of God, people were afraid to oppose them even if they were already abusing their power.

LESSON 7: RESPONSES TO COLONIZATION: RESISTENCE AGAINST THE SPANIARDS

FIVE CATEGORIES OF RESISTANCE AGAINST THE SPANISH COLONIZATION:
1. led by former datu(s)
 Lakandula and Soliman in 1574
 Tondo conspiracy on 1587
2. religious in nature
 Babaylan
 Tamblot
 Apolinario Dela Cruz/Hermano Pule “Cofradia de San Jose”
3. reaction to Spanish-imposed institutions
 Maniago revolt of 1660 in Pampanga led by Francisco Maniago
 Andres Malong
 Silang couple’s rebellion (DIEGO AND GABRIELA)
  Dagohoy rebellion in Bohol – (1784-1829)
4. indigenous people’s responses
 Igorot revolt in 1601 (Cordillera)

REASONS WHY FILIPINO PEOPLE FAILED THE RESISTANCE AGAINST SPANISH COLONIZATION:
 The geography of the Philippines hindered the creation of a single national identity
 People did not think of themselves as a Filipino that time but based on their regional alliance.
 Lack of national unity
 Spaniards had far superior military technology and expertise to suppress the uprising