Activity 10

Name: Irish Jane L. Avila Date: July 13, 2022

Name of Instructor: Prof. Ludivena Lagrio
Class Schedule: MTH 2:30-4:00 PM

SET A. DISCUSSION

1. What is ‘parity rights’? Why did the Filipino people parity rights? What was its effect on the
lives of the Filipinos?

Parity rights is the mooted fundamental right that would provide Americans the
opportunity to operate on an equal footing with Filipinos in some spheres of commercial effort,
such as natural resource exploitation and public utility control and management. This modification
was included in the United States' Bell Trade Act of 1946, commonly known as the Philippine
Trade Act of 1946. The Act was enacted to impose rules on the Philippine industry and bind it to
that of the United States. Several Filipino state leaders favored the Act due to the sheer economic
advantages it provided as the Philippines regained from WWII. Furthermore, the United States
pledged to compensate the Philippines 620 million dollars if the Bell Trade Act was approved.
The Parity Act was divisive amid Filipinos since the Philippine Constitution proclaimed that the
country's natural resources belonged exclusively to Filipinos. Nevertheless, the agreement would
favor some influential Filipinos involved in the agreements.

2. Describe the provisions of the Land Reform Policies implemented in the Philippines.

In the postwar era, President Diosdado Macapagal launched the initial comprehensive
agrarian reform initiative. This legislation, commonly referred to as the Agricultural Land Reform
Code, was established in 1963, and it was this legislation that rendered it feasible. The leasing
arrangement was eventually phased out in favor of an agricultural leasehold system under the
aforementioned statute. By emphasizing land redistribution, farmer independence, and yield
enhancement, it was hoped to convert leasehold farmers to landlords. However, there have been
difficulties, like the inability of Congress to pass legislation to financially support the program's
operation. Aquino's presidency has introduced yet additional agrarian reform to promote
economic industrialisation. The administration's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program was
laid forth in Proclamation No. 131. It stated that all governmental and non-governmental
farmlands would be given to renters, giving it the most comprehensive scheme in stead of scale.
The Agrarian Reform Fund was established by the government to defray the expected costs of
project implementation. The Department of Agrarian Reform's authorities and actions were
restructured and extended under this initiative. It accelerated the transfer of land to renters and
offered assistance with amenities, including infrastructure, financing, and technological aid to the
grantees.

3. Why was the country compared to a “social volcano just waiting to erupt”? Describe the
conditions of the Philippines before the declaration of martial law.

Because of severe endemic corruption, poverty, criminality, and governmental unrest, the
Philippines was regarded as a "social volcano just waiting to erupt." Marcos seized opportunity of
the set of circumstances and grabbed power in the administration as he imposed martial law. He
employed military might to quell all anti-government demonstrations. Political and strong patron
needs influenced the distribution of resources, governmental processes, and human resource
regulations in instances that were detrimental to the preferences of businesspeople and technical
 experts in the years following WWII, before martial law was declared in the Philippines. Presented
with extreme rivalry, officials were driven to hire an increasing quantity of customers and
subordinates in local authorities. Sufficient government engines were generally equipped to
disregard requests for public assistance that primarily benefited the lower classes compared to
weak state machinery. As the proportion of poor working-class voters increased, so did spending
on primary education. To the disappointment of corporate aspirations and experts,
pointless expenditures on local government and community programs were the most established
and challenging to decrease, whereas expenses on market reforms were more flexible.

4. What makes People Power I at EDSA a unique phenomenon in the history of the Philippines?

The EDSA uprisings of 1986 were a watershed event in Philippine history, a time of
boundless opportunity and hope. It also serves as a lesson and a reminder for those with
democratic aspirations in the coming struggles. The EDSA People Power Revolution was a
turning point in Philippine history that will live on in the memories and souls of all Filipinos. This
chapter of Philippine history fills us with pride, particularly when other countries have endeavored
to follow what we have demonstrated to the entire globe about the real strength of democracy.
The genuine strength of democracy was demonstrated in EDSA's initiatives to overthrow a
dictator through a nonviolent movement. It was a time when all Filipinos came together in
fortitude and hope to ensure the country's democratic triumph.

SET B. SONG ANALYSIS

Explain the song inspired during the EDSA Revolution that happened in 1986.

BAYAN KO

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas

Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag

At sa kanyang yumi at ganda

Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa

CHORUS
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas

Pilipinas kong minumutya

Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya
 The song's primary message is a resistance song towards American colonists from the
Philippines. The song expresses the longings of the people who have been subjugated for almost 400
years, initially by Spain and subsequently by the United States. The land was given to the rightful
inhabitants, the actual owners of the archipelago, as if it were a bird cast free. Foreigners are intoxicated
with your beauty, my country, my nest of tears of poverty. My steadfast wish is to set you free. " Thus,
due to her beauty, colonialist imprisoned her. This compares the Philippines to a bird soaring freely in the
skies before being taken by invaders, illustrating Filipinos' longing for independence from the Americans.
The song's overall lyrics depict Filipinos' feelings, hardships, and aspirations throughout the American
reign. Nevertheless, amid Martial Law, the song was revitalized as a representation of the people's
hunger for freedom against any oppressive regime that would take it away. During Martial Law in the
1980s, it became quite a famous song. The song's lyrics clearly convey a nationalistic stance. It is a
stirring cry for liberation from repression intended towards aggressors and conquerors, and it was
instrumental in overthrowing a regime. The song has become a protest anthem for years and has a
particular place in Filipino hearts.