Historical Evaluation of Oral, Local History and Historical Sites

The pictures below are some of the landmarks in the Philippines. Some of the pictures of
the landmarks have questions below; provide answers to these questions to test your knowledge
about national and local history. Take note that your answer must be in five sentences only.

Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Paoay Church, also known as San Agustin Church, is one of the top tourist destinations in
the province. Tourists that visit the church showcased different spectacular view from all angles.
The mentioned church was founded by Augustinian missionaries in 1593, and was a labor of
love over time and in the face of earthquakes and other disasters. Its scars made it beautiful and
worth- visiting. The bell tower was intended to be constructed at a distance from the church to
minimize damage should it fall.

QUESTION: Why do you think the church adopted baroque style out of many architectural
designs?

I believe that the church adopted the baroque style out of many architectural designs because
baroque style made the churches earthquake resistant which is also the reason why the bell was
constructed with a distance from the church, given that the Philippines belongs to the pacific ring of
fire. It is also important to consider that if they were to adopt new architectural designs, the church
will not be famous as it is nowadays. Another point to look up to is that it is said that the church is a
labor of love so the church wanted to show the people the hardships that the church went through.
Lastly, the style of the church is a tribute to the Spanish people. The Baroque style was introduced in
the Philippines by Spanish missionaries during the Spanish Colonial Period (1521–1898) and the
Spanish also brought Catholicism in the Philippines.
TRIVIA: During the Philippine Revolution, the bell tower of the church served as observatory
post for Filipinos.

-According to historians, the bell tower also had socio-economic significance. During the
wedding of a prominent and affluent clan, the bell would ring loudly and more often than the
wedding of the underprivileged.

Barasoain Church

Barasoain Church's history began when the town of Barasoain, along with the town of
Santa Isabel, was split from the town of Malolos in 1859. The said chapel was built by
Augustinian missionaries in 1859 with Fr. Fray F. Arriola as the first parish priest. According to
some people who relate Barasoain in revolution, the word Barasoain came from the term "Baras
ng Suwail" which means "dungeon of the defiant.

QUESTION: Despite the separation of Church and the State, why do you think many important
political events have occurred in this historical, religious place?

In my own opinion despite the separation of the church and the and state many important
political events in occurred in this church because this church is the representation of the Filipino
people’s fight for democracy and independence. This church also has a connection to the Philippine
Revolution and the founding of the Malolos Republic that is why the church is known as the
“Cradle of Democracy in the East”. The Barasoain Church was the site of the convening of the
 First Philippine Congress on September 15, 1898. Having to witness such political events made the
church famous and known. Because of this, other political events also occurred in this place such as
the drafting of the Malolos Constitution from September 29, 1898, to January 21, 1899, and the
inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899.

TRIVIA: The first Constitution of the Philippines was created at Barasoain Church, therefore, the
first Philippine Republic was established in January 23, 1899.

Pamintuan House

This structure was built in 1880’s by a patriarch who earned great fortune on his vast
agricultural lands named Don Florentino Torres Pamintuan who live in 1868-1925. It was the
biggest and most beautiful house in Angeles City. This house was sold in 1959 to Pedro Tablante
but it was not utilized by the owner and in 1964 it was leased to the government which now
becomes the city hall.

QUESTION: On August 2015, the mansion was inaugurated as the first Museum of Social Science
and History in the country. What do you think is its significance in Philippine History?

I believe that the significance of this mansion is that it holds tons of memories coming from
the past decades. During the battle with the Americans, President Emilio Aguinaldo used this
mansion as his headquarters. In addition, this mansion was converted to Angeles Hotel and became a
home for many American forces back in World War II. Because of this, the mansion has gained its
popularity. Aside from these, a lot of efforts are being made to make the place as a hub of Filipino
heritage, the interior of the mansion is made to let us know how is the life of the Filipinos was
during the colonization.
TRIVIA: It was the seat of the Philippine Republic in May, 1899.

-During World War II, it served as station occupied by Japanese Kamikaze pilots. Kamikaze is a
Japanese aircraft filled with explosives intended to make suicidal crash.

Interior Pamintuan House

Pamintuan mansion is the place that shows the results of all our colonial experiences and
influence coming from them tgat showcase how diverse our culture is. Many visitors appreciate
how it exhibits different aspects of our social history even before it was inaugurated. It is also a
place where we can see how our local heritage has developed over time.
 Another Interior of Pamintuan House

This museum has a lot of this to offer, it highlights how Filipinos live their lives in a
daily basis expressed in an artwork. This sets contrast with the other museums that showcase
heroes of the country and narrates political and religious events. Even Angeles, the place where it
was located targets to upgrade their whole area that features the diverse sides of the Filipino
heritage. In this museum, there are nine galleries to be found that will make the guests explore
how the lives of people grew over time.

Holy Parish Church

Through the initiative of Don Mariano V. Henson, the early foundation of the building of
Holy Parish Church was established by one of the early settlers of what is now Angeles City on
October 18, 1877. The said church is an iconic landmark among the natives and patrons. To the
locals, the Holy Rosary Parish Church is affectionately called the “Pisambang Maragul,” which
is a literal phrase of the Kapampangan for “Big Church”.

QUESTION: Why did most acts of brutality and injustices happen at churches?

During the Spanish Colonization, the head of the churches are the ones who started
injustices here in the Philippines. Because during those times, the religion has more power and the
government and the church can’t intervene with each other. The leaders of the church are also using
God to make the people do their biddings along with this, the Government and the Church are
headed by the Spanish. These two both makes the Filipino people suffer by making them their
slaves.
TRIVIA: The church was constructed from 1877 to 1896 by the Polo y Servicio labor system. Filipinos
(called as Indios) were forced to do unpaid labors for 40 days each year under the Spanish colonial
government.

-The church’s backyard became the execution grounds from 1896-1898 in shooting down
Filipino rebels by the Spaniard.

Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite

The shrine is the ancestral home of the first President of the Philippines, the only
president of the First Philippine Republic named Emilio Aguinaldo. This house will give
knowledge about the Philippine Independence and History. The shrine is open from 8am to 5pm
and there is no entrance fee.

QUESTION: Why do you think the shrine was called “house of many secrets”?

Aguinaldo's military training and rank are demonstrated by the mansion of many secrets,
which has hidden passageways and rooms that were probably intended to conceal weapons and
papers. His safety was guaranteed by the shrine's military mindset, which resulted in a continuous
backup plan in case of enemy attacks.
TRIVIA: The house was featured twice in Philippine peso bill. It appeared on the two-peso and
five-peso bills.

-Originally, there was no balcony in 1898. The Philippine flag was waved from a window in a
living room. The balcony was added in1919.

Cannon on Corregidor Island

This World War II gun was the largest defensive gun on the Island of Corregidor during
the 1942 battles. There is cannon known as The Battery that served as the weapon on WW2.
Cannon, big gun, howitzer was distinguished from a musket, rifle, or other small arm. The island
of Corregidor served as the witness to the heavy bombardment, thousands of lives lost, and also
the moment of victory when the Filipino and American forces recaptured the island in 1945.

QUESTION: How would you differentiate the role of American Army and Philippine army in
recapturing the island from Japanese forces?

While the American Army provided the majority of the military power and resources, the
Philippine Army's contributions were essential in the recapture of the islands. Both forces worked
in coordination to achieve the ultimate goal of liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation.

TRIVIA: Corregidor comes from the Spanish word “corregir” which means “to correct”. Since
all ships entering Manila Bay would be inspected and corrected, it was once named “the island of
corrector”.

-Col. Leroy M. Edwards burned $20,000,000 on Corregidor in 1942 and hid millions in silver
from the Japanese which still hasn’t been found.
Malinta Tunnel, Corregidor Island

Over a ten-year period from 1922, Malinta Tunnel was built. It is essentially a massive
tunnel bored through a mountainside with several smaller tunnel systems spanning off of its
length. It has seen as the great deal of death for it has been served as a military storage hub,
bomb shelter, quarter and living space as well as a 1000 bed hospital. Many tourists and visitors
came outside the tunnel having unexplainable phenomena, people believed that the energy left
there from hospital patients and soldier still remains.

Middleside Barracks, Corregidor Island

Marker of Tejeres Convention, General Trias, Cavite

This serves as landmark of the site of Tejeros convention where the two councils settle
their dispute on what type of government to be installed during that time. Bothe factions
convened for tge election of its officers held at the friar estate in Tejeros, a barrio of San
Francisco de Malabon that pave way to the formation of Philippine Revolutionary Government
and the founding of the Philippine Revolutionary army.
Site of Tejeros Convention, Genral Trias, Cavite

Filipino Revolutionaries had their 115th convention on March 22, 1897 and approved the
establishment of a Revolutionary Government headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo held at this site.
The Tejeros Convention was the meeting between the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions of the
Katipunan at San Francisco de Malabon –now General Trias.

QUESTION: Do you think it was reasonable and rational for Andres Bonifacio to consider the
Tejeros Convention as null and void?

No, because Andres Bonifacio declared the election results null and void in the Tejeros
Convention due to Daniel Tirona's questioning of his capabilities, claiming he was not worthy for
the position due to his educational attainment. He argued that being street-smart doesn't necessarily
mean being academically smart.

TRIVIA: Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected absentia during the convention.

Provincial Capitol of Negros, Negros Occidental

Gatuslao St., Bacolod, Philippines was the place where that Provincial Capitol of Negros
Occidental was erected, within its complex is the Capitol Park and Lagoon but before that the
provincial government of Negros Occidental was in the house donated by Jose Ruiz de
Luzuriaga, who was part of the Philippine Commission established by the Americans in 1901. It
is through the initiative of Governor Jose Locsin that the provincial capitol building will be place
to the place that reflected the province's status as the wealthiest at that time due to the boost in
the sugar industry in 1926.
TRIVIA: The building was used by the Japanese during the Second World War as their
headquarters.

-The Provincial Capitol was originally the old residence of Luzuriaga Family and was donated by
Jose Ruiz de Luzuriaga.

Basilica de Santo Niño, Cebu

This church that was established in 1565 was the first church in the Philippines it is
known for it is the Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child
(Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan's time. Three earlier structures were destroyed by fire, before
the existing baroque structure was built in 1737. Its facade and belfry were badly damaged by the
2013 earthquake but have been restored. Every year, the image is the centrepiece of Cebu's
largest annual event, the Sinulog Festival.

QUESTION: It was believed that the church is “where the image of Sto. Nino had been found.”
What is the role of Ferdinand Magellan in helping the Agustinians Christianize the natives?

Magellan ordered the First Holy Mass, officiated by Andalusian chaplain Father Pedro
Valderrama, marking the birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines, conducted near the
island's shores.

TRIVIA: It was founded on April 28, 1565, the same day when the Legazpi-Urdaneta expedition
arrived in Cebu Island.

-The church was supposed to be made of bricks. However, the humid weather of Cebu was not
suitable for a brick-church.
Marker of Basilica de Santo Nino

This serves to be the marker of the Basilica that was founded by Fray Andres de Urdaneta,
O.S.A. on April 28, 1565, the day when the image of the Holy Child was found partially burned
hut. More than a week passed after the rediscovery of the image of Santo Nino, on May 8, 1565.
The church was finished around 1739.

Bahay Nakpil, Quiapo, Manila

The picture showed the facade of the Bahay Nakpil in Quiapo, Manila. This hides many
treasures in plain sight and called A. Bautista Street which was named after a Filipino Doctor
who studied in Madrid in the late 1880's. Nakpil's house design represents the traditional urban
Filipino style popular at that time. Ground floor made of brick walls and a second storey made of
wood; sliding windows with ventanillas which was still emerge at present in the old houses in
provinces.

QUESTION: Aside from its remarkable architectural features, why do you think Katipuneros
preferred to occupy this house over other houses?

Because it was an ideal hideout due to its narrow streets and alleys. The house's zaguan was
used for parking carriages and cars, and its flooring was made of piedra china. Residents, many
Katipunan members, used a mirror to monitor outsiders, similar to modern CCTV.
TRIVIA: One of the most important features of this house is the mirror propped on the ceiling
near the wooden guide to see if there’s someone standing outside, similar to the modern-day
CCTV cameras.
-One of the key-figures who became occupants of the house is Dr. Ariston Bautista, one of the
first professors in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. He invented a medicine
to combat cholera.

Arch of the Century, University of Santo Tomas, Manila

This Arch of the century UST Manila was declared a National Cultural Treasure in
January 25, 2010. The original Arch faces the Main Building that serves as the main doorway to
the university building before it was destroyed during World War II when it was at Intramuros.
At present, the newer arch faced España Boulevard. Life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron
saint of the university and of all Catholic educational institutions was placed on panels on the
sides at the top of the Arch.

QUESTION: Holding a very historic significance, what do you think is the symbolic importance
of the arch to the culture, beliefs, and traditions of the students of the University?

The Arch of the Centuries represents the University of Santo Tomas' rich history and
tradition, symbolizing its mission to provide quality education and produce positive societal
graduates. The Arch of the Centuries is a symbol of Thomasians, used during the Thomasian
Welcome Walk and graduation parades, and is required for all incoming students and graduates.
The Arch is also a Baroque structure with Doric columns, features an inscription referencing the
finest Filipino alumni, with a plaque honoring José Rizal and President Manuel L. Quezon, both
UST alumni.
TRIVIA: The arch was formerly the original entrance to the university when the campus was still
in Intramuros

-It was carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the Plaza Intramuros.

UST Central Seminary, UST Campus, Espana, Manila

The University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building currently houses the
Santisimo Rosario Parish, the Central Seminary, and the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies of the
Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila. The building was designed by Ar,
Fernando H. Hizon, Sr. It was built on 1930’s. The new Colegio originally offered only those
courses which are required as preparation for the priesthood.

QUESTION: Do you think it is important for priests to have high academic performance during
Seminary? Why or why not?

For me, it is not important for them to have high academice performance during seminary.
They only need knowledge but about the how the society works and about the people. However, in
terms of Seminary, it is a training for the future priests and priests teach words of God. This means
that their focus should be on teaching the words of God but doesn’t mean they should neglect the
people and how the society works.

TRIVIA: During the Japanese Occupation, UST Intramuros campus was bombed while UST
Espana campus became internment camp.

-Pope Francis is the third pope to visit UST. The first was Pope Paul VI in 1970, followed by
Pope John Paul in 1981 and 1995.
 UST Main Building and Open Field

This 93-year-old building was designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., and considered as the
first earthquake-resistant building in the Philippines. It incorporates a seismic design and adopted
the engineering standards of Japan. Moreover, the building is divided into 40 units with four or
six piers strongly tied together, with seismic gaps of an inch filled with loose cement, to
accommodate any movement in case of earthquakes. Moreover, the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) planned to build a retarding basin beneath a National Cultural Treasure
inside the University of Santo Tomas (UST) that will minimize flooding in the open field but the
school administrators opposed the offer for it will cause threat to the old buildings and structures.

QUESTION: The main building features three statues called “Tria Haec” that represent Hope,
Faith, and Love. As the oldest existing university in Asia, how do these three representations
reflect UST throughout its history?

The Tria Haec statues, a symbol of the University of Southern Vietnam (UST), have been a part of
the UST Main Building since 1953. They symbolize the university's commitment to quality
education and producing responsible and compassionate graduates. The statues serve as a reminder
of the university's mission to impart knowledge and values, fostering responsible and compassionate
leaders. Thus, the Tria Haec statues are a significant part of UST's history and tradition.
TRIVIA: Doctrina Christiana, the first printed book in the Philippines, was produced in 1593 by
the present UST Publishing House