Before 1521

Long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, Filipinos had a civilization of
their own. Our ancestors participated in healthy commerce with different cultures and
economies in the region, as well as foreign traders, during the Philippines' pre-colonial
period. The Philippines is already rich in resources and Archeological discoveries,
surviving literature, and other proofs of pre-colonial societies in the Philippines reflects
the rich cultural history of Filipinos
Baybayin was our archaic writing system back then. This archaic Writing system
is a pre-Hispanic Philippines system that originated from the Indonesian script Kavi. The
baybayin or also called Alibata composed of 17 basic symbols: 3 vowels- a/e, I, o/u; 14
consonants – ba, ka, da/ra, ga, la, ha, ma, na nga pa sa ta way a. It is written on
bamboo or specially prepared leaves, using knives and styll.
Proverbs or Sawikain or Salawikain, Folk saying or Riddles, Folk songs, Epics,
and Legends are some of our pre-colonial Literature. Proverbs also called Sawikain or
Salawikain are short poems customarily used and served as lwas or rules on good
behaviours by our ancestors like "Ang matapat na kaibigan, tunay na maaasahan.".
Second, Folk saying or riddles or Bugtong in Tagalog. These riddles are one of their
ways of entertainment. A riddle is a question, a puzzle, a phrase, or a statement
devised to get unexpected or clever answers. For example: Kung kailan pinatay, saka
humaba ang buhay, answer is Candle or Kandila, Balong malalim, puno ng patalim –
answer: Bibig or Mouth. Third, Filipino Folk songs are, quite literally, people's songs.
This collection of Filipino folk songs includes only a handful of the numerous simple yet
timeless tunes that have become imprinted in the minds of the Filipino people. Bahay
Kubo and Matanim Ay 'Di Biro are some examples of Folk song. Bahay kubo tells about
the variety of vegetables planted nearby while Magtanim Ay 'Di Biro describes the
tiresome task of planting rice. Fourth, Epics or Epiko is a lengthy narrative poem based
on oral tradition. The plot of their stories revolves around supernatural events and
heroic deeds. Biag ni Lam-ang is one of the examples of Epic. Biag ni Lam-ang is a pre-
Hispanic epic poem of the Ilocano people of the Philippines. It reflects many of the
values and beliefs of the Ilocano people, including loyalty, hard work, and the
importance of family. Lastly, Legends is a story explaining how various objects, flowers,
plants, and even places have come to be. "Alamat ng Pinya" and "Alamat ng Bayabas"
are some examples of it. Pre-Hispanic Philippine literature was epics passed on from
generation to generation, originally through an oral tradition.
 Back then, women dressed Baro't saya or Patadyong or a long skirt. While for
men, they wear Bahag for their Lower and Canggan for their Upper. Canggan is a
sleeves Jacket and it also indicates a ranking in society. Red for low class and Black or
Blue for the Commoners or middle class. For their head, they wear Turban or Putong.
Before the Spaniards came, we already do trading or the barter system in
different countries like Malaysia, China, Borneo, etc. that is why we have early forms of
transportation like ships or Bangka. Because there is no currency back then, our
ancestors traded valuable minerals, manufactured commodities, and other items with
Arabs, Indians, Chinese, and a variety of other ethnicities. Goods were bought and sold
through a barter system called "Balikya". The barter system was implemented at that
time and the pre-colonial people enjoyed a life filled with imported goods that reflected
their fashion and lifestyle. Also, Farmers back then adapted the "kaingin" to produce
staple crops such as rice, millet, bananas, and root crops. Our economy relies solely on
agriculture during the Pre-colonial Period.
Then, there is social status during the pre-colonial period. Nobles or the leaders
are the Upper class. The chieftain of the whole barangay and is the wealthiest person in
the community is also part of the Upper-class. Freemen or the commoners are the
Middle class. They had enough land, those who rendered services to the rulers and do
not work on fields are Middle-class people. The lowest class is the "Alipin" or Slaves.
These people are unable to pay their debts, punished, criminals and illegitimate
children. There are two types of slaves: Namamahay and Sagigilid. Namamahay is
those who had their quarter, while sagigilid are those who lived in their master's house.
During this time, women were equal to every man. They do not lead in the
highest position but they have a high position in society. They could own, inherit, sell,
engage in trade, succeed in the community. They have rights. Men respected women,
they get the same treatment as men. When it comes to marriage, in most cases, women
can only marriage to the same class. "Noble to Noble". "Freemen to Freemen".
However, there are exemptions. Men can court any woman he likes without considering
his social class. Also, men can marry as many women as they could support.
"Polygamy" is the term, as long as he can provide. His first son in his first woman is the
inheritor and legitimate but the succeeding women are not. And the courtship was very
long then. It will take years or months to have a wife and there is dowry like money or
property, ari-arian that he/she can give to his/her wife/ husband. Mix marriage is not
allowed except man proved that.
The majority of the political system in the early Philippines was led by leaders
called "Datus" or "Rajah" or "Lakan" responsible for ruling groups called "Barangay".
Barangay is the basic unit of the government. Chieftain or Datu is the one who rules the
Barangay. The Datu or the Chieftain have councils and elders. These councils are the
lawmakers but the Datu are the ones who can approve and if approved, the Datu will
announce it to the barangay. By "sanduguan" or blood compacts/ blood brothers, they
can make alliances.
Our ancestors believe in immortality or life after death. They also believe in
supreme beings like "Bathalang Maykapal". If Greek Mythology has Greek Gods like
Zeus, Poseidon & Apollo, Greek Goddesses like Aphrodite, Hera & Athena, and Titans
like Atlas, our ancestors have also. "Indinayale" the God of Agriculture, "Sidapa" the
God of Death, "Agni" God of Fire, and "Balangaw" the God of the rainbow, and many
more.
To sum up, before the Philippines was discovered by the Spaniards in 1521 and
sovereignty was established in 1571, our country already has writings on barks and
bamboos attest to the presence of an Indigenous mode of communication. An
umalokohan, or town crier, would also proclaim news. Literature was already taking
shape, with genres such bugtong (riddle), darangan (epic poetry), folk songs, legends,
and proverbs. Our mode of dressing back then was like for men, bahag, cangan, and
putong while women are baro at saya and patadyong. Our ancestors already do trading
during this period and have a barter system. Our economy relies solely on agriculture
during this pre-colonial period. We had government system lead by Raja/Datu/Lakan.
Every woman back then is equal to every man and our culture was already rich.
Most of the Filipinos lack of knowledge of his indigenous literature is primarily
owing to what has been instilled in him. That his nation was "found" and hence
Philippines "History" began only when the Spaniards came. We have to learn and
understand what happened during the pre-colonial period of our country and learn the
early culture and traditions. Philippine literature's richness and diversity evolved in
synch with the country's history because of the pre-colonial culture and traditions as well
as the colonizers and present times.
With the continuous development of technology and the westernization or
modernization in our country, we might forget or be confused about what happened in
our history especially what happened during the pre-colonial period. Because of
modernization, our culture and tradition are also affected negatively and positively.
Learning, understanding, and remembering the culture and traditions during the pre-
colonial period is important because you need to comprehend and know what happened
in the past to appreciate our country's future and current status. It will help us in gaining
helpful perspectives on the issues confronting our present society. Much of the present
challenges, features, and characteristics of Philippine society may be traced back to
historical disputes over our colonial past as well as our pre-colonial culture. It will assist
us in comprehending how pre-colonial events molded our current position and will allow
us to appreciate the significance of the pre-colonial period.