READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY (Part 1)

DEFINING HISTORY

The word history (from the Greek historia meaning finding out or narrative) was used by
Aristotle as a systematic account of natural phenomenon, not necessarily in chronological order. History
deals with the study of past events presented in chronological order often with explanation. Since history
happened in the past, it cannot be recreated. Individuals who write about history, and are concerned
about the present by looking at the past, are called historians. Historians have personal biases and are
capable of error. Thus, they are justified in viewing an event in any perspective they wish and could
could excessively focus on his or her own viewpoint.

METHODS OF HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

1. Selection of a subject for investigation

2. Collection of probable sources of information
3. Examination of sources for genuineness
4. Extraction of credible particulars from the sources proven to be genuine

SOURCES OF HISTORY

A source is an object that have been left in the past (either as relics, testimonies, etc.) which
historians depend in order to create their own depictions of the past.

The Attitude of the Historian towards Sources

1. To consider the conditions under which a source as produced

2. To consider the intentions that motivated the creation of the source
3. To always bear in mind that knowledge of (1) and (2) does not reveal everything about the
reliability of the source
4. To pay attention to both the historical and historiographical contexts that give it meaning
5. To distinguish between information and interpretation

Types of Sources
1. Documents - handwritten, printed, designed drawn, and other composed materials.
Examples: books, magazines, maps, journals, architectural perspectives, paintings,
advertisements, and photographs

2. Archaeological records - preserved remains of human beings, their activities, and their
environment; fossils (remains of animals, plants, and other organisms) and artifacts (remnants of
material culture)
Examples: Callao Man's toe bones (67000 BCE) and the Tabon Man's skullcap, the most
significant human remains excavated in the Philippines

3. Oral and video accounts - audio-visual documentations of people, places, and events.
Examples: video and audio cassettes, compact discs
STORING AND DELIVERING HISTORICAL INFORMATION

1. Archives are considered as principal sources of information. Some are living (growing and
acquiring new materials) and some are historical (which is separated from a living archive).
Small number of documents are usually in archives because few events were actually recorded,
officials producing or collecting a document did not think it was worth saving, destruction due to
catastrophes, lack of drive for preservation, low quality of material fr safekeeping, and
overwhelming number of things that should be collected.

2. Museums are usual repositories for archaeological findings.

KINDS OF HISTORICAL SOURCES

1. Primary - sources by an individual or group present at the time and place being described. This
does not mean, however, that the primary source is the first written draft or a original copy. Its
key function is to give facts. The historians' ability to read and understand texts in a foreign
language and ability for discernment of cultural context and historical value are some challenges
presented by primary sources.
It should be noted that the primary source need not be an original document. "Original"
might mean that it contains fresh and creative ideas, it is untranslated, it is in its earliest stage, it
is untampered and unmodified, or it is the earliest available source.
Primary sources are usually located at the National Library, National Archives, academic
institutions, privately owned museums and archives, religious congregations, and abroad.
Examples: Eyewitness testimonies, translated account of Antonio Pigafetta

2. Secondary - sources made by people long after the events being described had taken place. Its
key function is to provide valuable interpretation of historical events. This shows that there are
certain contending issues in history (such as who should be the national hero or the first Christian
mass)
Examples: Works of Teodoro Agoncillo and Renato Constantino, who interpreted the Philippine
Revolution in different ways (where Constantino disputing Agoncillo's claim that the Philippine
Revolution "halted"when Aguinaldo let the contry, which means that the revolution is not
separated into two phases)

CHIEF ELEMENTS OF CRITICISMS OF A HISTORICAL SOURCE

1. Genealogy of the document

2. Genesis of a document
3. Originality of a document
4. Interpretation of the document
5. Authorial authority
6. Competence of the observer
7. Trustworthiness of the observer

LEVELS OF HISTORICAL CRITICISM

1. External criticism - answers concerns and questions pertinent to the authenticity of a historical
source by identifying who composed the historical material, locating when and where the
historical material was produced, and establishing the material's evidential value. Some technical
tools used in authenticating historical sources include statistics, archaeology, diplomatics, and
paleography.

2. Internal criticism - deals with the credibility and reliability of the content of a given historical
source. It focuses on understanding the substances and message that the historical material wants
to convey by examining how the author framed the intent and meaning of the composed material.

HISTORIOGRAPHY

The practice of historical writing is called historiography. If history`s objective is the study of
the past, historiography`s objective is to study history itself. Philippine historiography has changed from
colonial times to contemporary periods. This can be discerned from the types of materials that can be
examined.

Colonial Historiography
Spanish colonizers presented Philippine history into two parts: a period of darkness before they
conquered the Philippines and a period of enlightenment after they came. Filipinos were portrayed as
"barbaric" or backwards. The same can be said for American colonial writers, where colonization is
portrayed as a way of civilizing natives that the Spaniards did not attain. However, Americans did not
only use brute force but also used other tools such as education as a way of pacifying the colonized. This
was ingrained in Filipino consciousness, changing the historical view to a period of darkness during
Spanish regime and a period of enlightenment during American regime.

Philippine Historiography After World War II

After World War II, historical writers challenged colonial narratives ad wrote from the viewpoint
of a nationalist agenda. Several historians rose during this stage. Teodoro Agoncillo (The Revolt of the
Masses: The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan (1956), Malolos: The Crisis of the Repubolic (1960))
pioneered nationalist historiography in the country, highlighted Filipino reformists and revolutionaries
from 1872 to the end of the Philippine Revolution, and regarded events befre 1872 `lost history`. Renato
Constantino (The Philippines: A Past Revisited (1975), History of the Filipino People (1973)) advanced
the idea of `people`s history`. Zeus Salazar conceptualized `Pantayong Pananaw`, emphasized the value
of Austronesian roots in defining Filipino culture and encouraged historical researches in Filipino.
Reynaldo Ileto (Pasyon and Revolution: Popular Movements in the Philippines, 1840 - 1910 (1979))
wrote about his `history from below`which recognized the way of thinking of ordinary folks by using
alternative historical sources. Samuel Tan (The Filipino Muslim Armed Struggle, 1900 - 1972 (1978), A
History of the Philippines (1987)) mainstreamed the role and relevance of Filipino Muslims and
attempted to write a national history reflective of the Filipino communities.
.
Characteristics of Contemporary Philippine Historiography

1. Political narratives. Legacies of political leaders and establishment of different governments are
favored.

2. Colonial Histories in Historical Narratives. Weakness of most national histories is emphasis

on colonial histories rather than pre-colonial past.

3. Elite-centric Perspectives in Historical Narratives. There is a tendency to focus on the elite`s

contribution to nation-building rather than those of ordinary people.

4. Patriarchal Orientation in Historical Narratives. Men`s heroism is mostly highlighted, and

women are only seen as support to men.

5. Emphasis on Lowland Christianized Filipinos. Christianized Filipinos are more represented

and highlighted compared to Muslims and other indigenous Filipinos.