Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 1: Knowing Philippine History
Chapter 1: Knowing Philippine History
Chapter 1: Knowing Philippine History
History
The possession and transmission of a culture that man differs from other animals
As culture is not merely a chronological reconstruction of the past events but process of creation
or a formation of culture specifically a national culture (Nick Joaquin).
The study of past events, recording of analysis and branch of knowledge that recalls past events
Importance of History
1. Allows us to understand our past and present
2. It gives insights the culture we are less familiar
3. Teach us valuable perspective of our problem in our society
4. We have learned and observed the beginning and development of our own country
5. It strengthens our sense of nationalism
6. Help us to know who we are while molding our future
Source of History
1. Primary Source
Witnessed the event that took place
Directed written by individuals / original made from someone
Contemporary accounts
Recorded as original source (materials that captured the event, photography, video
recording etc.)
Included written records such as narratives, manuscript, public documents, letters, and
diaries. Fossils, artifacts and testimony from living witnesses.
2. Secondary Source
Not been part of the event
Serves as interpretation or readings of primary source
Usually formed as public works
Coming from original source
Can be combination of primary and secondary source
E. Method of Historiography
Developed by Fernand Braudel (1902-1985)
Father of historical structuralism.
Human actions are not only based on human decisions but also on structures.
To achieve total history is to integrate all aspects of man’s past.
G. Renato Constantino
Philippine history is a people’s history
The recorded struggles of people
Philippines history is a story of struggle
History is not merely the works of heroes and great men
History is not necessarily presenting a long unbroken chain of events
History can serve as a guide to present and succeeding generations in facing the challenges of
time
Archaeology
Study and reconstruct the cultural events of the past through the material remains left by
people. (Artifacts and Fossils)
Idea on how things might have looked like at a particular time
1) Alfred Marche
Frenchman
First major expedition in 1881
Island of Marinduque and other sites in central Philippines
2) Feodor Jagor
German traveler
Reported having encounter a priest in Naga, Camarines Sur, who collected artifacts from
ancient graveyard
3) Dr. Antonio De Morga
Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas
Described the ancient artifacts that were recovered by farmers of Ilocos, Pangasinan.
Clay vessels with dark brown color and some marked with characters
4) Carl Guthe
The second major archeological exploration
Michigan archeological expedition (1922-1925)
Conducted a dig with his team in Palawan, Bohol, Northern Mindanao
The purpose of the expedition to collect Chinese ceramics exported in Philippines from
China.
5) Henry Otley Beyer (1883-1966)
Father of archeology
The archeological site he discovered results the construction of a dam for Manila Water
Supply
Construction of a dam was his first archeological research in the country
In 1947 published the “ONLINE REVIEW OF PHILIPPINES ARCHEOLOGY BY ISLANDS AND
PROVINCES”
6) Larry Wilson
A mining prospector
Assisted Beyer in the exploration of numerous Pleistocene site in the Northern Luzon
7) Wilhelm G. Solheim II
First post war excavations in Masbate Island (1951-1953)
Assisted by Alfedo Evangelista and Arsenio Manuel
Artemio Ricarte
Katipunan General
Wanted to be called Philippines as “Rizaline Republic”
Former President Ferdinand Marcos
Proposed the name “Maharlika”
Geography is the science of the physical nature of the earth that interacts with the inhabitants. It
includes land and sea masses, their size and shape, as well as climate, and many other such as borders,
specific landforms and waterforms.
Topography The study or description of surface features of a place on maps or charts.
1. LANDFORMS
Among the central plains, Luzon has the longest unbroken ranges in the Philippines
Most active but eventually losing its world popularity as the most perfect cone-shaped volcano
is Mt. Mayon one of the most violent eruptions is in 1814 where the Cagsawa community is buried
under hot Lava and fire-burning rocks. A living proof of such terrible destruction was the fact that
Cagsawa church got buried to the ground that only its bell tower could be seen.
Taal Volcano, on January 1911 and September 1965 were considered to be the most
destructive. Six barrios were covered by boiling mud with thousands of nearby resident killed or died.
Mt. Pinatubo, a dormant volcano for about 600 years caught another world focus when it
erupted, one on July 12, 1991 and the other one is on June of 1992.
The Central Plain in Luzon traditionally known as the “rice granary” of the Philippines located in
south of Caraballo mountains.
Another broad plain in Northern Luzon is the Cagayan Valley found along the Cagayan River. It is
surrounded by the mountains of Sierra Madre (on east), Cordillera Central (on the west), and the
Caraballo Mountain on the south.
Mount Apo in Davao del Sur is the highest mountain in the Philippines.
Mount Pulag is the second highest peak in the Country.
2. WATERFORMS
A. Rivers
Rio Grande de Cagayan one of the most notable river system. It is the longest river in Luzon and
the mightiest watercourse.
The largest river system in the Philippines is found in Mindanao. The central basin of Mindanao
is being drained by Rio Grande de Mindanao (known in its upper course as the Pulangi).
Second longest river is Agusan with the basin of Surigao as its subsidiary.
Other important rivers of the Island include Chico River, Abra Grande, Rio Grande de Pampanga,
Bicol and Agno River in Pangasinan.
St. Paul Underground River is located in Palawan. It is popular for being a tourist attraction it is
considered to be the world’s largest known underground river.
B. Lakes
Laguna Bay and Lake Lanao are the country’s notable lakes. Laguna Bay is the largest lake in the
Philippines while Lake Lanao is the largest deep lake in the country. Other famous lakes: Taal Lake in
Batangas, Lake Naujan in Mindoro, and Lake Bito in Leyte.
C. Waterfalls
Most of the country’s waterfalls are not only tourist attraction but also potent sources of
hydroelectric energy.
Pagsanjan falls is the most favorite tourist spot visited by both foreigners and local inhabitants.
This is located or situated in Laguna it is popularly called “shooting rapids” because of the heavy
or quick flow of waters from its top.
Botocan falls other waterfalls, the largest waterfall in the country.
Maria Cristina Falls is an important source of power found in Lanao del Norte.
Hinulugang Taktak is situated in Antipolo.
Tamaraw Falls in Oriental Mindoro.
Darosdos Falls in Samar.
D. Springs
Springs are sources of geothermal power and valuable medicinal waters are the various springs in
the country. These are the most notable springs in the Philippines:
F. Gulfs
Three famous gulfs in the Philippines:
Lingayen Gulf
Leyte Gulf
Davao Gulf
G. Straits
The narrowest strait in the world is San Juanico Strait. It is located between in Samar and Leyte.
H. Deep/Trench
Philippine deep has won recognition as the deepest point in the world with the depth of 37,732
ft. below the sea level.
Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Zamboanga are among the numerous sea ports and busiest in the country.
These contribute greatly to the country’s economy due to their good harbors and rich fishing grounds.
3. NATURAL RESOURCES
A. Agricultural Resources – the Central Plain of Luzon is trying to take a last hold for being the Rice
Granary or food basket of the Philippines. It is still the largest producer of rice, the country’s staple crop.
However, the Pinatubo eruption and the continuous growth of as exploding population offset the total
production of rice wills the level of sufficiency.
Other major forms of production are coconut, tobacco, sugarcane, hemp or abaka, coffee,
rubber, pineapple, cacao, sweet potatoes, cassava and many others.
B. Forest Resources
Mindanao is blessed for having the largest forestry production.
Palawan is the most heavily forested province almost 90% of each area is forested.
B.1 Plants
Flora and fauna varieties of palm, rubber trees, indigenous hardwood trees such as Kamagong
tree, Yakal tree, Apitong tree, Ipil tree and Red Narra.
Narra is not only the country’s national tree it is known as the world’s best hardwood.
Abaka or Manila hemp is the most valuable indigenous plant in the Philippines.
Sampaguita (Queen of flowers) – country’s national flower
Pungapung – the largest flower in the world and also wild flower that grows in Mindanao
Waling – waling - Of the 1,000 varieties of orchids that bloom in the country, the “VANDA
SANDERIANA” is regarded as the “Queen of the Philippine orchids”.
Rafflesia or Uruy – stinky flower, In February 2002, an environmental organization discovered
what could be one of the largest flowers in Antique province, measuring about 22 inches in
diameter. The endangered flower has no stem and leaves.
Another example of flower is milky white camia, cadena de amor, dama de noche and bougainvillea.
B.2 Animals
The most useful animal in the Philippines is “carabao”. Carabao is the most reliable and
considered as farmers best friend.
B.3 Birds
Katala – best known for its ability to talk and sing.
Kalaw – is called the “clock of the mountains” because it makes a loud call every noontime.
Palawan Peacock – known as the dancing bird
Timbas – is unique for its scream as it glides into the sky
Philippine falconet – world’s smallest falcon
Monkey-eating Eagle – largest eagle in the world.
B.4 Insect
Giant Moth – largest Philippine insect with a wingspan of 1 foot.
C. Marine Life
Philippine rivers, seas, lakes are filled with fish, shell, pearl, coral, sea weeds and other marine
wealth.
D. Mineral Resources
The country’s rich deposits of gold, iron, silver, copper lead, manganese, zinc, salt, chromite,
marble and coal.
Other minerals found in the country include mercury, limestone, petroleum, nickel, sand, gravel,
rock, asphalt, manganese, and uranium.
E. Scenic/Tourist Spot
The Philippines is one of the world’s most beautiful countries embellished with scenic and natural
wonders.
Origin of the Philippines is one of the land masses that capable to changes to places or its surface, its
origin is most explained by other theories of earth’s evolution.
Land bridge theory – the earth was made up of huge landmasses that connected each piece of
land to one another through land bridges located above big bodies of water. When the earth
experienced global warming, the ice melted and the land bridges were all destroyed. Thus, the
broken pieces of landmasses floated on water and gradually scattered elsewhere.
Big bang theory –expounded by a Belgian astronomer-priest states that all matters in the
universe had been condensed into one large mass. As a result of the atmospheric changes, a
graduated but increasing gravitational force occurred immediately followed by a massive
explosion for within the landmass.
Biblical Theory – theory states that God created heaven and earth, after which the first man and
woman called Adam and Eve.
Darwinian Theory – this theory traces man’s origin from apes. For several million of years, the
ancestors of man (Homo erectus) left Africa – cradle of man’s remote past – and scattered
throughout the world crossing the land bridges.
Continental Drift Theory, Pacific Theory, and Asiatic Theory had slight differences to the above
mentioned theories drawing out similar conclusion on the evolution of the earth as caused by
natural forces. Wide acceptance of the theory of continental drift came eventually after glacial
deposits were found in Africa
The Negritos were presumed to have reached the Philippines using land bridges. It is believed
that this group was one of the first primitive nomads, who wandered beyond the far reaches of Asia.
They were short (typically five feet –feet tall), round-headed with kinky hair, small flat nose with thick
lips and dark complexion. Using crude stone tools, they managed to survive through hunting and fishing.
The new waves of migrants eventually pushed them to the hinterlands. The descendants of the Negritos
presently live in the mountains and forest of Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pampanga.
Other Negritos settlers are Mindoro, Palawan, Negros, Panay, and some remote places in Mindanao.
Indonesians are the next groups of Ancient Migrants. The first wave came from southeastern
Asia. They were the first people to reach the archipelago by sailboats. Indonesians are tall (the shortest
being five feet in height), slender in physique, light complexion, thin lips, and high aquiline nose. The
second wave of Indonesian migrants in contrast with the Negritos the two groups of Indonesian
migrants has a far advance culture because they belong to New Stone Age. Their major economic
activity was agriculture. Although hunting and fishing were still employed. They both cooked foods in
bamboo tubes. Indonesian built houses made of wooden or bamboo frame with grass roof. (Nipa Hut)
Malays or brown raise were the last of the original that settled in many islands of archipelago
they came from Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. They board on sailing boat called
“Balangay”. The Malays were of medium height, slim but well built, brown skin and with black hair and
dark brown eyes.
When clusters of loosely independent settlements were placed under one leadership, the
Spanish colonizers began to coin term to identity all the subjugated natives. The term Indio first coined
by the Spaniards referred to all colonized natives both in the Americas and in the Philippines. The term
also referred to the Christianized natives.
The America natives soon came to be called Creoles. After gaining great political and economic
influences, these minority groups (referring to those born in the Philippines of Spanish or Chinese
descent are called Insulares or Ilustrados.
Visayan – living primarily in the middle section of the Archipelago. They are lighthearted folks.
Tagalog – living in Central Luzon. They are pragmatic people.
Ilokanos – The third most important group, live mainly in Cagayan Valley. They frugal and
hardworking people from Northern Luzon.
Bicolanos – from Southern Luzon, nature lovers.
The two Muslim groups: Moro and Samal are concentrated in the southern portion of the archipelago
particularly in Western Mindanao, the Sulu archipelago, and Southern Palawan Island.
Those Spanish and Chinese descents comprised the chief and non-Malay inhabitants of the country.
In Luzon, there are 28 identified ethnic groups with respective sub-branches. Living on purely
highland areas, they inherited from their ancestors.
Apayao groups – they are riverine-oriented and practice a slash-and-burn type of cultivation.
Kalinga and Itawit live in peaceful coexistence with the Apayaos.
Kalingas – in the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao came to be called the “Peacocks of the
North”. Because of their weaknesses on dress and personal ornamentation.
Ilokanos – live in flat lands.
Bontocs – live in Cordillera mountain ranges in the upper Chico River. Their culture can easily be
distinguished by the stone-walled rice terracing technology. The distinctive material culture of
the group is the customary use of pocket hats among the males and they preferred to use ax
instead of the bolo.
Ibalois – large group inhabiting the Benguet Province, they are well known for celebrations on
numerous tribal rituals.
Ga’dangs - inhabiting in the middle of Cagayan Valley, use numerous types of beads made of
semi- precious stones as part of their attire.
Ifugao ethnic groups – famous in oral literature such as “Hudhud” and “Alim”, experts in wood
carving.
Ivatan/Itbyat – live in Batanes-Babuyan. Their houses are strongly built with thick walls of
stones and mortar. One unique product of their creativity is the “so-ot”, the all-weather hat.
Sambals – occupy the northwestern flank of Zambales Mountain Ranges as well as the Western
tip of Pangasinan. This Sambal language is closest to a variety of Tagalog vernaculars known as
Sinaunang Tagalog which is spoken in Tanay, Rizal.
Negrito – various names such as Aeta, Ati, Eta, Ito, Batak, live in small groups. They are the
masters of life in tropical rainforest being most proficient in the use of bow and arrow. They
survive the thick forested areas on High Mountain. They are expert hunters and gatherers.
Having knowledge of the forested terrain, they are the mostly favored guide regularly hired by
the US Army. They teach American soldier on how to survive in the jungle. Because of Mt.
Pinatubo volcanic eruption the Negritos must had been displaced.
The Mangyans of Mindoro are made up of several tribes. They are expert weavers particularly of
“sturdy cloth”.
Bataks – found in several areas of Palawan, are like the Negritos who are small dark and kinky-
haired people. The distinguishing feature of this group is their culture of sleeping in treetops or
in hearths to ward off mosquitoes. Men wear “g-strings” and women wear only “skirts”. They
are fond of ornamentals placed from head to foot.
Tagbanuas – are straight-haired people, slender in physique with brown skin. Tagbanuas like to
wear attractive colored dresses and ornaments. This group believes in fairies called “ diwata” in
shaping their life.
Palawans - have slight differences in physique with the Tagbanuas. They employ “Kaingin
cultivation”. And use bamboo, saplings, and other longitudinal material in the creation of grids
for the field use a support for vine-like crop plants.
Mindanao has various ethnic groups in both rural and urban areas
Muslim of the South are considered the largest cultural minority. Muslims are still expert political
and economic influences. The distinct Muslim groups in the region form the main bulk of the Tausug,
Maranao, Maguindanao, Samal, Badjao, and Yakan. The non-Muslim tribe such as T’Boli, Tiruray,
Bagobo, Subanon, Bukidnon, Mandaya, and Manobo live on the mountainous areas of Mindanao.
The Badjaos are known as sea gypsies and called due to similarity of their culture with the boat
people of Borneo. This ethnic group lives in house boats called “ iepa” and their culture is closely
linked with the sea.
The Tausug lives in Jolo, Siasi and Patikul. The name was supposed to mean “people of the
current” although some say these interpretations came from the terms: “tau” which means a
person and “suug” – the traditional name of Jolo.
The Maranao people of the Lake Maranao the largest ethnic groups in the country they give
their settlement in the Lake Lanao and economically associated with Market trade,
One of the most non-Muslim group in the region are the Manobos they are known as the most
numerous of the ethnic group in the Philippines is on the ethnicity to the family of languages
they are concentrated on the areas from Sarangani Islands to the Mindanao Mainland
particularly the province of Agusan del Sur, Davao, Bukidnon, North and South Cotabato.
Tasadays is a very small ethnic group. One of the many Manobos sub group. They are hunters
and gatherers. The live to practice the “earliest primitive culture”.