ST.

MARY’S COLLEGE
Quezon City
College Department

Philippine History

PRELIMS:
1. Make a slogan on how to preserve and conserve the creation of God.

2. Explain why Philippines is a melting pot of peoples and cultures.

Philippines is a nation with several ethnic tribes and thousands of islands which exists in
a geographically strategic location in Asia. Early trades between Arabs, Malays, Chinese, and
other countries enriched the existing culture and tradition in the country. It was further
enhanced when Philippines was colonized by Spanish, Americans, and Japanese. It is for these
reasons that Philippines was considered as a melting pot of peoples and culture. Philippines
through the years has established a society in which many ideas and races are socially
assimilated. Hence, integrating to the rest of the world is easy for the Philippines and its people.

3. Name some cultures and traditions/beliefs still prevailing in the country.

 Pagmamano - Practiced as a sign of respect to elders, pagmamano is one of the oldest
and most notable Filipino tradition there is. Mano means hand in Spanish, fittingly so as
pagmamano is done by gently tapping the hand of the elder to a younger person’s
forehead. The elder in return says “God bless you” hence why the act is also often
referred to as “bless”.
  Kamayan - FIlipinos love to eat and when the food is especially sumptuous, they eat
kamayan-style. From the Filipino word kamay or hand, kamayan is the traditional way of
dining using one’s bare hands.
 Fiesta Celebrations - Celebrating fiesta is another influence of the Spanish colonizers
and was mainly done to honor the patron saints.
 Harana - The traditional Filipino courtship is an extremely long process and one way to
“woo” a girl is through doing a harana or serenading. With his friends in tow, the guy
goes to the girl’s house (usually at night) and sings classic kundiman or folk love songs to
her until she opens her window and invites him inside her house.
 Pamamanhikan - Once the panliligaw (courtship) stage has been surpassed, all the
possible harana (serenade) has been sung, and the couple finally gets together, next
comes the pamamanhikan. Well, if the couple decides to marry, that is. Pamamanhikan
is the formal act of a guy asking the girl’s family for her hand in marriage. It usually
involves the guy’s family bringing over gifts and discussing the couple’s plans for
marriage.
 Bayanihan - Although not as evident as it was before, bayanihan truly captures the
strong sense of community Filipinos have and is usually exemplified through helping a
neighbor transfer houses. Traditionally, bayanihan meant your neighbors literally
carrying your entire kubo (native nipa hut) to your new home location.
 Superstition - superstitious beliefs have grown throughout the country. These beliefs
have come from the different sayings and beliefs of our ancestors that aim to prevent
danger from happening or to make a person refrain from doing something in particular.
 Extended Family - Extended families live together and even distant members are given
the title of cousin. Children have several sets of godparents so that the support system
is strong. There may be a few houses grouped on the same piece of land, or in the same
neighborhood so that children from different parents are part of one household and
single aunts and uncles, or grandparents look after them while parents work.

4. Describe the Filipino Spanish heritage.

The Spanish colonial period of the Philippines began when explorer Ferdinand Magellan
came to the islands in 1521 and claimed it as a colony for the Spanish Empire. The period lasted
until the Philippine Revolution in 1898. During this period, almost all of the Philippine cultures
including the Filipinos' ways of thinking are the influences of the Spanish cultures. The Spaniards
brought the Philippines into the attachment of the Western culture. They introduced their own
Philosophy of life to the Filipinos as well as their habits, language, clothing, ways of amusement
including games, religion, arts, and even cooking. Filipino ethnic cultures were then mixed with
Spanish cultural elements. They borrowed almost of what the Spaniards did have. As time
passed by, these were no longer Spanish but retained the characteristics of both Filipino and
Spanish cultures. These modern cultures, which were Spanish and Filipino in origin, today have
been recognized as Filipino yet colonial in function and impact.

5. Cite customs and traditions influenced by the Spanish regime.

 Social hierarchy - The establishment of social elitism and the belief of hereditary rights
(principalía).
 Divorce: The notion of divorce is abhorrent to due to the Catholic family doctrine.
 Woman’s Rights: The limited view on the rights of women are founded on the Spanish-
Catholic family principles (Maria Clara perception).
  Festivities: Because of the Catholic religion, all the noted religious holidays are observed
to include some Spanish-Mexican cultural influences Semana Santa, All Soul’s Day, All
Saint’s Day.

6. Make a chart on the important influence of Islam to Filipinos.

Textile

Sarimanok
Sarimanok Wool
Wool

Lantaka
Lantaka Calico
Calico

Importan
t
t
Influence
Okir
Okir Designs
Designs Metal Tools
Metal Tools
of
of Islam
Islam
to
to
Filipinos
Filipinos

Jewelry and
Mosque
Mosque othe
othe precious
precious
gems
gems

Literature
Literature Sultanate
Sultanate

MADRASAHS

MIDTERM:
1. Describe the relations of Chinese and Japanese to the Filipinos.
 Trade relations with Chinese started in the 10th century (A.D. 982 is the year given in
the Sung annals) and reached its zenith in the 14th and 15th centuries. Chao Ju-Kua described
the Chinese trade with Ma-i (Mindoro) and praised the honesty of the Filipinos. Early Chinese
trading junks brought goods and immigrants to the Philippines. Under the Ming Dynasty, China
exercised nominal suzerainty over the Philippines, and some Filipinos paid tribute to China. The
last Filipino tribute embassy came to China in 1421, according to the Ming-Shih or dynastic
annals of the Ming. On the other hand, historical records show that Japanese pirates (wako),
kingdom builders, and settlers had come to Luzon before and immediately after the Spanish
colonization around 12th Century AD. Japanese traders, especially from Nagasaki, frequently
visited Philippine shores and bartered Japanese goods for Filipino gold, pearls, and native
earthen jars. Certain shipwrecked Japanese sailors and immigrants settled in the Philippines and
intermarried with Filipinos. According to Japanese records, the early Spaniards found Japanese
settlements in Manila and Agoo, La Union Province.

2. Differentiate the influence of Chinese from Japanese.

Both Chinese and Japanese trade relations brought a positive impact to the
development of the Philippines. From the Chinese, the early Filipinos learned how to use
porcelain ware, umbrellas, production of gunpowder, and specific mining techniques. The loose
style in the early Filipino style of dressin, the sleeved jackets and loose trouser of the Muslim
Filipino women and the use of slippers show Chinese influence also. As well of Chinese origin
was the wearing of yellow dress by the nobles and of blue clothes by the commoners in pre-
Spanish Philippine society. The wearing of white dresses and the use of a white background in
mourning and burial ceremonies is another Chinese impact.
Several Chinese words exist in the Tagalog language. Among these include sangko
( elder brother ) , pansit ( noodles ) , tinghoy ( oil lamp ) , hibi ( dried shrimp ) , petsay ( Chinese
cabbage ) , dikyam ( dried fruit ) , ampaw ( cereal ) , and susi ( key ) . The surnames of a great
many Filipino families are of Chinese origin, such as Cojuangco, Lim, Tan, Limjoco, Tongko, Juico
and Ongsiako.
Equally important was the adoption by the early Filipinos of certain Chinese traditions.
Among those are the arrangement of marriages by the parents of the prospective groom and
bride, the practice of employing a go-between in proposing a marriage, and the deep respect
accorded by the children to their parents and other elders.
The Japanese developed some important contributions to Philippine life too. They
introduced the early Filipinos certain businesses such as the manufacture of arms and
equipment’s, the tanning of deerskin, and the unnatural breeding of ducks and fish.

3. Explain British invasion in the Philippines.

For almost two years, from October 1762 to April 1764, the Philippines was part of the
British Empire. It happened during the Seven Years’ War, which saw pretty much every nation in
Europe fight each other over something that seemed small in comparison. It was the first
“world” war, in that it was fought on almost all sides of the world—at least, the ones Europeans
cared about. The Spanish entered the Seven Years’ War to honor its alliance with the French,
who went to war against the British following George Washington’s attacks on French colonies
in North America.

This naturally pitted the two powers and their colonies against each other. Spain was
more than a match for Britain and its allies in Europe. But across the sea in Asia, it was the
British who ruled the waves. The British had unquestioned control of India, and with it, the full
 might of the British Raj. Compared to that, Spanish Philippines had nothing. As well, in 1762, the
colony technically didn’t have a Governor-General—the last one, Pedro Manuel de Arandia died
in 1759 and his replacement hadn’t arrived yet.
In 1762, British forces under William Draper attacked and captured Manila after a siege.
The acting Governor-General, Archbishop Manuel Rojo, was no military commander and
eventually capitulated the islands to British control. The Real Audiencia, the highest court of the
land, appointed Simon de Anda to continue the resistance against the British.
Things would end in 1763 after the Treaty of Paris ended the war. The treaty stipulated
that any territorial changes unknown at the time of signing would not be considered. News of
Manila’s surrender did not reach the treaty signers in time, and so no real changes were made.
By 1764, Governor-General Francisco de la Torre arrived with orders from London to relinquish
the government to him, and the British complied, ending the occupation.
Like most good wars, the Seven Years’ War ended with status quo ante bellum—no
changes. There were some territorial concessions here and there, but there were no major shifts
in the balance of powers among the great European countries at the time. Manila, which was
taken by the British, returned to Spanish hands and would remain with Spain for a hundred
years more.

4. Explain the causes of the various Filipino Revolts.

During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, several revolts against Spain were
undertaken for various reasons. However, it can be agreed upon that the common underlying
cause of these revolts were the generally repressive policies of the Spanish colonial government
against the native Filipinos. Some causes of various Filipino Revolts are as follows;
 The people‟s desire to regain their lost freedom and happiness.
 Spanish oppression
 Hated tribute
 Forced labor (polo y’ servicio)
 Religious persecution
 Agrarian disputes with the friars who grabbed the lands of the natives (Basi)
 Spanish religious bigotry or because the people in certain regions of the country
wanted to go back to the worship of their ancestral Gods
However, most of these revolts failed.

5. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the Filipino revolts.

 Advantages
o Many new buildings were built (colonial) and roads were created, especially
in the capital, Manila, as the Spanish established their colonies.
o Philippines was made the leading commercial center in the 16th century
because of its location and trade.
o The trade and merchants brought wealth to the country and also new
technologies.
 Disadvantages
o Because of the Spanish Christian's faith, Filipinos were forced to change
religion and therefore contributing to the losing of their culture.
o Spanish abused and eventually removed Filipino's traditional rights.
o Before they were imperialized, women enjoyed equal status with men.
Women were allowed to divorce, own, inherit and sell land. With the arrival
 of the Spaniards, women were only allowed to work on the fields and more
importantly they only served as sex slave to the colonizers.

6. Describe the misrules and abuses of Spanish government.

Under the Spanish Government rampant misrules and abuses were experienced by
Filipinos. These are some of the factors which lead to the strong urge to revolt with the
Spaniards and gain independence. One of misrules or abuses was done by corrupt colonial
officials. Gen Primo de Rivera is highly noted on this situation because he’s well known for
accepting bribes from casinos in Manila which he scandalously allowed to operate within the
City. Another one is the deprivation of Human Rights to Filipinos. Racial discrimination was a
norm. Freedom of speech, press, association, and other fundamental human rights were
denuding, except for the freedom of Religion. Inequality before law is also unprecedented
during this time in which Filipinos are always in lower class compared to the Spaniards. This
resulted into maladministration of justice of which partiality and slow progress was evident for
Filipinos.
The government is controlled by no less than the friars. Hence, power, fortune, and
influence are with the church. Forced labor was a trend during this times which benefited the
friars as they’re the predominant landlords due to royal titles of ownership under the Spanish
crown. These are some of the factors which ignited the revolution against the Spaniards.

7. Describe the significance of the martyrdom of Gomburza.

The execution of GomBurZa is one of the most controversial issues that is deeply
embedded in Philippine history, however their tragic end lead to the dawn of the Philippine
Nationalism in the 19th century intensified by the Filipinos national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal in
dedicating his second novel entitled El Filibusterismo which condemns the Spanish rule and the
elite Filipinos, in his novel he wrote "To the memory of the priests, Don Mariano Gomez (85
years old), Don Jose Burgos(30 years old, and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old) Executed in
Bagumbayan Field on 28th of February, 1872." The church by refusing to degrade you, has
placed in doubt the crime that has been imputed to you; the government,by surrounding your
trials with mystery and shadows causes the belief that there was some error, committed in fatal
moments; and all the Philippines, by worshiping your memory and calling you martyrs, in no
sense recognizes your capability. In so far, therefore, as your complicity in the Cavite Mutiny is
not clearly proved, as you may or may not have been patriots, an as you may or may not cherish
sentiments for justice and for liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of
the evil which I undertake in combat."

Their death can be dated way back in February 17, 1872 in a public execution at
Bagumbayan (Luzon) through a garrote due to "false accusation" charged against them by the
friars. Their alleged crime include treason and sedition for being the masterminds of the uprising
insurrection of Indios (native Filipinos) working in the Cavite arsenal. Furthermore, according to
the Spanish military tribunal, they are believed to be a part of a movement which aims to
overthrow the Spanish government and that they are a threat to the Spanish Clergy.

The said event that contributed to Philippine Independence on June 12, 1987 was
confided by several accounts that went through rigorous study and investigation by Filipino
historians that narrate the reasons and circumstances happening during those times moreover,
the mystery of their "false accusation" was unveiled by the rigorous study and investigation by
Filipino historians overtime in scrutinizing several accounts of witnesses of the said execution.
8. Cite the different values shown by the three priests.
 Martyrdom
 Nationalism
 Fairness
 Equality
 Love for countrymen

9. Describe the Propaganda movement.

The Propaganda Movement was a cultural organization formed in 1872 by Filipino
expatriates in Europe. Composed of the Filipino elite called "ilustrados", exiled liberals and
students attending Europe's universities gravitated to the movement. Propagandists were
largely young men, often mestizos and creoles whose families could afford to send them to
study in Spanish universities in Madrid and Barcelona. There, they encountered the tumult of
19th century political movements inspired by Enlightenment thought, individual rights,
constitutionalism, and anti-clericalism.

The organization aimed to increase Spanish awareness of the needs of its colony, the
Philippines and labored to bring about:
 Recognition of the Philippines as a province of Spain;
 Representation of the Philippines in the Cortes Generales, the Spanish
parliament;
 Secularization of Philippine parishes;
 Legalization of Spanish and Filipino equality;
 Equal opportunity for Filipinos and Spanish to enter government service;
 Creation of a public school system independent of the friars;
 Abolition of the polo (labor service) and vandala (forced sale of local products to
the government);
 Guarantee of basic freedoms of speech and association;
 Recognition of human rights.

The Propaganda Movement targeted the Spanish government and public, but as an elite
movement failed to engage with the wider Filipino population. The Spanish government was
little interested in the conditions of the Philippines, particularly with the immense political
foment in the Spanish political environment, and the movement ultimately received scant
support and made little headway in Spain. The propagandists themselves were considered to be
rebels at home in the Philippines, and many were exiled. Despite its overall failure, the
movement generated a political consciousness that fed into the nationalist revolution of 1896
and the struggle for independence that followed.

10. Trace the events on the coming of the United States of America.
FINALS:
1. Watch the documentary entitled “Batas Militar”. The link can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG2Mx7Y5vzc
2. Write your reflection/ point of view regarding the said documentary.
Through the documentary, I have fully realized the merciless oppression of the dictator.
I have known some of the countless stories to be told by prominent characters and also ordinary
individuals of their experiences during one of the dark ages in the Philippine history. I have seen
the struggle of the country to regain democracy. Filipinos has fought for it since the past. From
the Spaniards, to the Japanese, then to the Americans, we had won them all. The Martial Law is
never an exception. The people once again showed their love for freedom, both in peaceful and
active rebellions. We had shown our unity as we stand for our rights. We will always be fighting
of whatever forces that might hinder us from our goal, to live progressively in a democratic
nation.

3. What is the impact of the martial law period in the course of the history of our country.
The Martial Law period proved to be one of the darkest periods in our history after
World War 2. Rampant oppression, human rights violation, power abuse, and among others
made our country succumbed economically and humanitarianly. Thus, the product of Martial
Law, which is the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution proved to be one of the best contribution
our country had to the world. This proved that unity and nationalism can dethrone a dictator.
This became a model to other nations across the globe. Martial law became a gauge on current
leadership choice of most Filipinos since majority of our fellowmen doesn’t want to be back on
those dark days of our history.