Assignment: The Origin of the Philippines

Tumimbang, Hymar Vann D.

BSCE - TH

Answer the following questions:

1. Explain the origin of the Philippines based on various related scientific theories.

Land Bridge Theory

This theory states that the earth was once made up of huge landmasses. After
the era of ice age, the ice melted and landmasses were separated from one another. It is
assumed that part of these landmasses is the present-day Philippines that was formerly
connected to mainland Asia.

A land bridge is a narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link in
which animals and plants are allowed to cross in order to populate new lands.
Specifically, this theory indicates that in premature times, land bridges or isthmus are
already available and it's the reason how the first inhabitants managed to maneuver
from one region to another. The Palawan Island is alleged to be one amongst the
remnants of those land bridges.

Pacific Theory

According to Bailey Willis, a noted geologist, due to volcanic eruptions, the

Philippine islands were formed. The volcanoes were found under the Pacific Ocean
towards the eastern region of Asia. Based on the Pacific Theory, 200 million years have
already passed since the eruption of these volcanoes. This natural phenomenon led to
the splitting of rocks followed by the waters surrounding them.

Asiatic Theory
 According to the Asiatic theory of Dr. Leopoldo Faustino, the islands were
formed through the process of diastrophism which is a large-scale deformation of
Earth’s crust by natural processes that leads to the formation of continents and ocean
basins, mountain systems, plateaus, and rift valleys. This explains the movement of the
earth that caused certain parts either to rise or sink.

2. Describe the ancestors of the Filipino and the present groupings of inhabitants of the
country.

Just like other races, Filipinos is said to be originated from the group of bipedal, erect
human beings who inhabited Philippines that is believed to be a part of Asia mainland. About
250,000 years ago, the migration of a group of man’s ancestors called Dawn Man arrived during
the ice age. The Dawnmen bear a resemblance to Java Man, Peking Man, and other Asian Home
sapiens. They lived by hunting and fishing. It absolutely was precisely in search of food that they
came to the Philippines.

The second group of migrants travelled across the land bridged from Malaya, Borneo,
and Australia until they reached Palawan, Mindoro and Mindanao. They were good at hunting,
fishing, and food gathering. They used spears and tiny flint stones weapons.

Last to migrate to the Philippines were Malays. They were believed to have come from
Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and also the Malay Peninsula more than 2,000 years ago. Their works
includes pottery, weaving, jewelry making, and they are also the one who introduced the
irrigation system in rice planting.

Nowadays, the ethnic groups of the Philippines can still be found in specific locations of
the country. Our races are now mixed because of the colonization of many countries in the past
and that’s the reason why many races are present within the Philippines.