LESSON 2

CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRIMARY

SOURCES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

TOPICS
1. Antonio Pigafetta‟s First Voyage Around the World
2. Emilio Jacinto‟s “Kartilya ng Katipunan,”
3. 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence
4. Alfred McCoy‟s Philippine Cartoo ns: Political Carica ture of the American Era
(1900-1941)
5. Corazon Aquino‟s speech before the U.S. Congress.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. analyze the context, content, and perspective of different kinds of primary sources;
2. determine the contribution of different kinds of primary sources in understanding Philippine
history; and
3. develop critical and analytical skills with exposure to primary sources.

TOPIC 1: ANTONIO PIGAFETTA’S FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD

The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents by historians who wished to study
the precolonial Philippines. Indeed, his work is of great importance in the study and writing of Philippine
history.
As a student, you should recognize certain biases accompa nying the author and his identity,
loyalties, and the circumstances that he was in; and how it affected the text that he produced. In the case of
Pigafetta, you should understand some attributes that influenced his narrative, his selection of details to be
included in the text, his characterization of the people and of the species that he encountered, and his interpretation
and retelling of the events.
Such attributes were as follows:
• He was a chronicler commissione d by the King of Spain to accompany and document a voyage
intend e d to expan d the Spanish empire.
• He was a noble descent who came from a rich family in Italy.
• He was a scholar of cartograp hy and geography who came from a 16th century Europea n
perspective.
Hence, the reader might notice the following:
• How Pigafetta regarded the indigenous belief systems and way of life as inferior to that of
Christianity and of the Europ ea ns.
• His remark on the nakedness of the natives or how he was fascinated by their exotic culture.
• Pigafetta saw the Filipinos as being naked since they were wearing fewer clothes indeed.
• The same was true for materials that the natives used for their houses like palm and bamboo.
• He also emphasized the natives‟ amazement and illiteracy to the European artillery, merchandise,
and other goods, in the same way that he repeatedly mentioned the abunda nce of spices like
ginger, and of precious metals like gold.
• His characterization of the belief systems

Analysis of Topic 1: Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage around the World

About the Author

Antonio Pigafetta was born in Vicenza around 1490 and died

in the same city in 1534, who is also known by the name of
Antonio Lombardo or Francisco Antonio Pigafetta.

He is an Italian nobleman who convoyed the Portuguese

Ferdinan d Magellan on his navigation around the world.

Importance of the Document

It is essential in the study

of precolonial Philippines
The document also
since it provided
exposes on how
references on Ma gellan‟s It also reveals a clearer
Europeans regarded the
arrival in the Philippines, description on the
environment, people, as
his encounter with the character of the
well as our culture during
natives, until his death precolonial Philippines.
their stay in the islands.
and his fleet‟s departure.
 Content and Contextual Analysis

Indeed, Pigafetta‟s document is really of great significance in the study of Philippine history since
this is the earliest, detailed, and purest documentation of our precolonial society. However, upon reading the
document, one should realize that there are some biases along with the author. Here are some factors and
the effects on Pigafetta‟s way of writing:

Factors Effects

Pigafetta was a chronicler, Thus, his loyalty and purpose was to the King of
commissioned by the King of Spain Spain and the domination of the Catholic
to travel with Magellan and Church.
document their voyage which
intends to expand the Spanish
empire.

He was a scholar of cartography and Thus, he was able to give details on geography
geography. and climate of the places they had reached.

He came from a 16th century Thus, he repeatedly mentioned the abundance

European perspective. of spices like ginger, and gold since the 16 th
century European economy was mercantilist
meaning wealth of kingdoms was based on
their accumulation of precious metals like gold
and silver. Also, obsession with spices reveals
that they were scarce in Europe and were seen
as valuable goods.

He came from a rich family in Italy.
Thus, Pigafetta directly or indirectly regarded
the indigenous of our native Filipinos as inferior
to Christianity and the Europeans. Also, he
would always remark on the nakedness of the
natives and how he was fascinated by their
exotic culture. And lastly, he remarkably
emphasized the natives‟ amazement and
illiteracy to European artilleries, merchandise
and goods.
Analysis of Topic 2: The KKK and the ‘Kartilya ng Katipunan’

The KKK is arguably the most important organization formed in the Philippine history. It envisioned
a (1) unified Filipino nation that would revolt against the Spaniards for (2) total independence of the country
from Spain. One of the most important Katipunan documents was the Kartilya ng Katipunan. The original
title of the docume nt was “Manga Aral Nang Katipunan ng mga A.N.B” or Lessons of the Organization of
the Sons of Country. The document was written by Emilio Jacinto in the 1896. Jacinto was only 18 years old when
he joined the movement and was a law student at UST. Jacinto became the secretary of the organization and took
charge of the short-lived printing press of the Katipunan.
On April 15, 1897, Bonifacio appointed Jacinto as a commander of the Katipunan in Northern
Luzon. Jacinto was 22 years old then. He died of Malaria at a young age of 24 in the town of Magdalena,
Laguna. This can be treated as the Katipunan‟s code of conduct. It contains fourteen rules that instruct the way a
Katipunan should behave. Generally, the rules stated in the Kartilya can be classified into two: (1) rules that will make
the member an upright individual and (2) rules that will guide the way he treats his fellow men.

14 RULES IN KARTILYA:
I. The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without a shade, if not a
poisonous weed.
II. To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue.
III. III. It is rational to be charitable and love one‟s fellow creature, and to adjust one‟s conduct, acts
and words to what is in itself reason able.
IV. IV. Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal; superiority in knowledge, wealth and
beauty are to be understood, but not superiority in nature.
V. V. The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel, gain to honor.
VI. VI. To the honorable man, his word is sacred.
VII. VII. Do not waste thy time; wealth can be recovered but not time lost.
VIII. VIII. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the field.
IX. IX. The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets.
X. X. On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the children, and if the guide leads to
the precipice, those whom he guides will also go there.
XI. XI. Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a faithful companion who will
share with thee the penalties of life; her (physical) weakness will increase thy interest in her and
she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and reared thee.
XII. XII. What thou does not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers and sisters, that do not do
unto the wife, children, brothers and sisters of thy neighbor.
XIII. XIII. Man is not worth more because he is a king, because his nose is aquiline, and his color white,
not because he is a priest, a servant of God, nor because of the high prerogative that he enjoys
upon Earth, but he is worth most who is a man of proven and real value, who does good, keeps his
words, to worthy and honest; he who does not oppress nor consent to being oppressed, he who
loves and cherishes his fatherland, though he be born in the wilderness an know no tongue but his
own.
XIV. XIV. When these rules of conduct shall be known to all, the longest for sun of Liberty shall rise
brilliant over this most unhappy portion of the globe and its rays shall diffuse everlasting joy among
the confederate d brethren of the same rays, the lives of those who have gone before, the fatigues
and the well-paid sufferings will remain. If he who desires to enter has informed himself of all this
and believes he will be able to perform what will be his duties, he may fill out the application for
admission.
 About the Author

The Kartilya ng Katipunan was written by

Emilio Hainto in 1896 who was only 18 years
old when he joined the Katipunan and a law
student at the Universidad de Santo Tomas.

Even Bonifacio had written a Decalogue, he

still appreciated Jacinto‟s intellect and his
Kartilya. Thus, Bonifacio ordered the latter to
be distributed among the Katipuneros.

Jacinto then became the secretary of the

organization and took charge also of the
printing press of the Katipunan.

When he was 22, he was appointed as a

commander of the KKK in Northern Luzon on
April 15, 1897. But, Jacinto died at the age of
24 due to malaria at the town of Magdalena,
Laguna.

Importance of the Document

The document provided a wider perspective

The Kartilya ng Katipunan guided the on the real aspirations of the Katipuneros
organization as a collective aspiring for a and on how the Katipunan strived to exist
single goal and can be treated as the during those years.
Katpunan‟s code of conduct.
 Content and Contextual Analysis

The KKK is arguably the most

important organization formed
during the Spanish colonial
regime.
It united the Filipino It envisioned a total
nation that would separation of the
revolt against the WHY? Philippines from
Spaniards. Spain.

The Kartilya ng Katipunanis considered as one of the most important documenst of hhe organization
and irs original title was “Manga [sic] Katipunan ng mga A.N.B.” ior “Lessons of the Organization of the Sons
of the Country.” It has fourteen rules that instruct the way a Katipunan should behave.

First group: The Second group: The

rules that will make Generally, such rules can be rules that will guide
the member an classified into two the way he treats
upright individual his fellow men.

The Kartilya ng Katipuna n was a document written for an organization whose purpose is to overthrow
colonial regime. Thus, it is noticeable that the rules included in the Kartilya are the Katipuneros‟ reaction to
their situation during those times. Here are some examples:

RULES INDICATION

4th and 13th Rules Inherent equality between and

among men regardless of their
race and life status.

12th, 13th, and 14th Rules Equality, Freedom, and Liberty

 Chivalrous Actions
9th, 10th, 11th Rules Victorian values – honor and
respect for women

5th, 6th, and 7th Rules Rules for self-develop ment

As of today, some rules in the Karilya might be criticized for its provisions. But still, we need to
consider the condition of the Philippines at those times. After all, the document revealed a more
understanding of the Katipunan and the organization‟s ideals.

Analysis of Topic 3: Reading the „Proclamation of the Philippine Indepe ndence‟

The country commemorates the anniversary of the Philippine Independence proclaime d on June 12, 1898,
in the province of Cavite. The declaration was a short 2,000-w ord document, which summarized the reason
behind the revolution against Spain. The proclamation commenced with a characterization of the conditions in the
Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The document mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony.
It specifically cited the abuse by the Civil Guards and the unlawful shooting of prisoners whom they alleged
as attempting to escape. It also condemns the unequal protection of the law between the Filipino people
and the “eminent personages”. It also mentioned the avarice and greed of the clergy like the friars and the
Archbishop himself. It also condemns what they as the unjust deportation and rendering of other decision without
proper hearing, expected of any civilized nation.
Another detail in the proclamation that is worth looking is the explanation on the Philippine flag that was
first waved during that day. While it can always be argued that symbolic meaning can always change and
be reinterpreted, the original symbolic meaning of something presents us several historical truths.
• The document reflects the general revolutionary sentiment of that period.
• However, no mention was made about the more serious problem that affected the masses more
profoundly.
• It also give us the impression on how the victorious revolutionary government of Aguinaldo
historicized the struggle for indepe n de nce.
• However the Katipuna n was only mentioned once toward the end of the document.

The point is, even official records and documents like the proclamation of indepen dence, while truthful most
of the time, still exude the politics and biases of whoever is in power. It is the task of the historian, thus, to
analyze the content of these documents in relation to the dominant politics and the contexts of people and
institutions surrounding it.
• The way of historical narration found in the document also reflects the politics of the victors.
• The point is, even official records and documents like the proclamation of independence, while
truthful most of the time, still exude the politics and biases of whoever is in power.
 About the Author

He was a lawyer and also known as Don

Bosyong. In 1898, Bautista became the first adviser
to President Emilio Aguinaldo and subsequently
wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence.
Contrary to common belief, it was Bautista, and
not Aguinaldo, who waved the Philippine flag before
the jubilant crowd on June 12, 1898.

Importance of the Document

The document tells us the kind of It shows sentiments of the governme nt and
government that Aguinaldo created and the the Filipinos during that period.
coming of the US in the following years.

Content and Contextual Analysis

The declaration of the Philippine Independence on June 12 1898 in the province of Cavite was a
2,000-word document that sums up the reason behind the revolution of 1896 and the rise of the new republic
under Emilio Aguinaldo. Since it signaled the end of 333 years of Spanish colonization, this event is
considered as one of the most important event in our history. Thus, it is being commemorated every year
and known as the Philippine Independence Day

The document highlighted about the following:

 Characterization of the conditions in the Philippines during the colonization of the Spaniards
 The reasons behind the revolution against Spain which includes the abuse of the Civil Guards,
unlawful shooting of prisoners, unequal protection of the law, unjust deportation without proper
hearing, and the greed of the clergy like the friars and the Archbishop.
 It also provided a brief overview of the Spanish occupation since Magellans arrived in the Visayas
until the outbrea k of the Philippin e Revolutio n of 1896.
  The docume nt also narrate d about the spread of revolution ary movem ent to several towns and
provinces.
 The execution of Rizal, the Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and the execution of the GOMBURZA were also
mentioned in the document.
 It also stated about the establish ed republic that would be led by Aguinald o and highligh ted the
explanation on the Philippine flag that was first waved on that day.
Given that the above-me ntion e d things were highlighte d during the proclam atio n, there were
however things that were not included and they were as follows:
 The more serious problem known as the land and agrarian crisis which might affected the Filipinos
more profoundly.
Possible causes: Those struggle might be unfamiliar to the middle class revolutio nary leaders or
were intentionally left out because they were also landholders.
 There was also no mentio n about Bonifacio and his co-foun d ers. Even the Katipu na n was also
mentioned once in the document.
Possible cause: The enmity betwee n Aguinaldo‟s Magdalo and Bonifacio‟s Magdiw a ngin the
Katipunan.

Analysis of Topic 4: Alfred McCoy‟s Philippine Carto on s: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900 -
1941)

Political cartoons and caricature are a rather recent art form, which veered away from the classical art by
exaggerating human features and poking fun at its subjects. Cartoon became an effective tool of
publicizing opinions through heavy use of symbolism, which is different from a verbose written editorial and
opinion pieces.
Alfred McCoy, together with Alfred Roces, compiled political cartoons published in newspap er dailies and
periodicals in his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900 – 1941).

• The first example was published in The Indepe ndent on May 20, 1916.
• The cartoon shows a politician from Tondo, named Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his
brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino guy was trying to stop giving Barcelona the crown
because it is not his to begin with.
• The second cartoon was also published by The Independent on June 16, 1917.
• This was drawn by Fernando Amorsolo and was aimed as a commentary to the workings of
Manila Police at that period.
• We see a Filipino child who stole a skinny chicken because he had nothing to eat. The police
officer was relentlessly pursuing the said child. A man wearing a salakot, was grabbing the
officer, telling him to leave the small-time pickpockets and thieves and to turn at the great
thieves instead.

• The third cartoon was a commentary on the unprecedented cases of colorum automobiles in
the city streets. The Philippine Free Press published this commentary when fatal accidents
involving colorum vehicles and taxis occurred too often already.
• The next cartoon was published by The Independ ent on November 27. 1915. here, we see the
caricature of Uncle Sam riding a chariot pulled by Filipinos wearing school uniforms.

• The last cartoon was published by Lipang Kalabaw on August 24, 1907.
• We can see Uncle Sam rationing porridge to the politicians and members of the Progresista
Party (sometimes known as the Federalista Party) while members of the Nacionalista Party
look on and wait for their turn.
 • The selected cartoons illustrate not only the opinion of certain media outfits about the Philippine
society during the American period but also paint a broad image of society and politics under the
United States.
• Patronage also became influential and powerful, not only betwee n clients and patrons but also
between the newly formed political parties composed of the elite and the United States.
• The transition from a Catholic-centered, Spanish-Filipino society to an imperial American-
assimilated one, and its complications, were also depicted in the cartoons.
• Young people, as early as that period, disturbed the conservative Filipino mindset by engaging in
daring sexual activities in public spaces like cinemas.
• The cartoons also illustrated the conditions of poor Filipinos in the Philippines now governed by the
United States.
• The other cartoon depicts how Americans controlled Filipinos through seemingly harmless
American objects.

Analysis of Topic 5: Corazon Aquino‟s Speech before the U.S. Congress

Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino function as the symbol of the restoration of democracy and the
overthrow of the Marcos Dictatorship in 1986. Her image as the mourning, widowed housewife who had
always been in the shadow of her husband and relatives and had no experience in politics was juxtaposed
against Marcos‟s statesmanship, eloquence, charisma, and cunning political skills.
On 18 September 1986, seven months since Cory became President, she went to the United
States and spoke before the joint session of the U.S. Congress. Cory was welcomed with long applause as
she took the podium and addressed the United States about her presidency and challenges faced by the
new republic. She began her speech with the story of her leaving the United States three years prior as a
newly widowed wife of Ninoy Aquino.

She then told Ninoy‟s charater, conviction, and resolve in opposing the authoritarianism of Marcos.
 Cory continued that when Ninoy survived that first detention, he was then charged of
subversion, murder, and other crimes. He was tried by a military court, whose legitimacy Ninoy adamantly
questione d. To solidify his protest, Ninoy decided to do a hunger strike and fasted for 40 days.
Cory talked about her miraculous victory through the people‟s struggle and continued talking about
her earliest initiatives as the president of a restored democracy.
Cory‟s peace agenda involves political initiatives and re-integration program to persuade
insurgents to leave the countryside and return to the mainstrea m society to participate in the restoration of
the democracy.
Cory then turned to the controversial topic of the Philippines foreign debt amounting to $26 billion
at the time of her speech.
Cory Proceeded in enumerating the challenges of the Filipino people as they tried building
the new democracy.
Cory ended her speech by thanking America for serving as home to her family for what
she referre d to as the “three happiest years of our lives togethe r.”
• The speech talks of her family background, especially her relationship with her late husband, Ninoy
Aquino.
• The ideology or the principles of the new democratic government can also be seen in the same
speech.

To access each document of the given topics under this lesson, kindly check the references
and/or the links below:
 Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage around the World:
Candelaria, J., & Alporha, V. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Manila, Philippines: REX Book
Store. (Pages 14-20)
https://books.google.com.ph/books?vid=ISBN9780802093707&redir_esc=y
 Emilio Jacinto’s “Kartilya ng Katipunan,”
Candelaria, J., & Alporha, V. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Manila, Philippines: REX Book
Store. (Pages 22-24)
http://www.philippinemasonry.org/kartilya-ng-katipunan.html
 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence
Candelaria, J., & Alporha, V. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Manila, Philippines: REX Book
Store. (Pages 26-29)
https://filipino.biz.ph/history/declaration.html
 Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-
1941)
Candelaria, J., & Alporha, V. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Manila, Philippines: REX Book
Store. (Pages 31-34)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315678206_Selected_sections_and_cartoons_from_
'Philippine_Cartoons_Political_Caricature_of_the_American_Era_1900-
1941'_edited_by_Alfred_W_McCoy_and_Alfredo_R_Roces_1985
 Corazon Aquino’s Speech before the U.S. Congress
Candelaria, J., & Alporha, V. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Manila, Philippines: REX Book
Store. (Pages 36-41)
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1986/09/18/speech-of-president-corazon-aquino-during-
the-joint-session-of-the-u-s-congress-september-18-1986/