ScSc 12n –

Readings in Philippine History 

Department of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences 
Visayas State University 

Lesson 4.1: History Alive!

Lesson Summary:
This lesson will expose you to ways how to make history alive through 
making it easily accessible and interesting to other people. Here, you will be  learning
how to do basic local historical research, basic evaluation of public  historical sites,
museums, and shrines, and basic local historical project. You  will then be tasked to
chose one activity for your final project. 

Learning Outcomes 
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to: 
1. Create either local historical research, or an evaluation of public  historical
sites, museums, and shrines, or a local historical project. 

Motivation Question
Have you seen Lourd de Veyra and Xiao  
Chua babbling historical facts on  
television? 
Does it raise your interest in how they  
present history so much different from  
how you read them in textbooks? 
These television personalities are making  
history alive.  

Discussion 
This chapter in the course Readings in Philippine History is the  culminating
activity for you to showcase the skills you have developed while  doing all those tasks
in the previous chapters. Skills in processing historical  sources and articulating an
analysis of information are essential to historical  research. It is expected that at this
time, you have at least the basics for this  task. Aside from creating historical
research, you will also be exposing yourself  to public history activities, i.e. evaluating
shrines, museums, and historical  markers, and proposing a local historical project.

Local History 
Local history is a relatively young trend of history as a discipline. In the  Philippine
setting, history has always been coupled with grand events that are  seen relevant to
a national scope. It was not a long ago that the study of history  in the Philippines
shifted towards local events through the use of local written  and material sources, as
well as the oral source. Local historical writings may  include family histories, micro
scale histories (like barangay histories), and  cultural mapping. At times, these local
historical findings are placed  concerning what has been happening on the national
scene. For example, while  talking to your 95-year old grandfather about your family
history, he may talk  about his experiences during World War II or even during the
time of Marcos’  Martial law and narrate about how those events have affected your
family as a  whole. Another example, a place might have been named after a certain
even has taken place there.

Example Format for Local Historical Research 

Title 
- The title should not exceed 14 words. 
- The title should specify the location and the time frame the study  covers since it
is historical research. 

Abstract 
- This section described the general content of the whole research  paper. It
contains 200 words maximum with the following  discussions: the general
problem of the study justifying why this  research was made, design and
methods, most significant findings  or results, conclusion, and
recommendation. 
- After the abstract, you can include keywords. Keywords are words  used in
searching your article online. Please provide at least 6  keywords describing
your paper. You can get keywords from your  title, area of your study, the
research approach, design, the scientific  process, etc. 

Introduction 
- A present comprehensive discussion about the context of your  research.
Support it with literature talking about your research, this  means, that what
other researchers say about your research. The  last paragraph should
present the importance and the “why” did you  conduct this research. A good
ending should present a clear  connection to the next area of the research,
some call this section  as the clincher statement. 
- At the end of the introduction, the research problem should be  stated. 

Methodology 
- This part should contain the research design and research  methodology. 

- The research design should present the design you use and support  it with
literature(s) justifying why it is the most appropriate design  in your study.

- The research methodology should discuss the process of your  study including
the data gathering techniques, instruments, number  of respondents, and others.
 Kindly justify why it is the most  appropriate gathering technique and instrument
you use in your  study. Results and Discussion 
- This presents the detailed findings of the data gathered and the  results of the
analysis. The presentation should follow the  following: presentation of the
results, discussion about the result,  implication of the result, and literature
support at least 3 of them to  every claim that the research will find out. 

Conclusion and Recommendation 

- This is not a repetition of your findings in the previous section, but  rather it is
the scientific understanding of the researcher on what  transpired in the
previous section. The recommendation follows  based on the findings. 

References 
- It is a must to use APA style 6th edition. An example to get some  article on the
internet is: go to scholar.google.com, then type the  term or words you want to
search, then click and read the article, if  you get an idea and use it in your
article then you must cite in in-text  citation and writing the whole source in
the references, to do this: in  the scholar.google.com below the link of the
article you read, you’ll  find out a link called “cite”, click it then select the APA
and copy paste it in your references. 

Public History 

In simple terms, public history can be defined as history for public 

consumption. In this branch of history, a historian employs methods outside of  the
academic practice of history. It is in this discipline that the historian shares  historical
information to the public through media, museums, archives, and  historic
preservations (e.g. shrines, and markers).  
For this course, I will show you sample public history projects.
Example of Evaluation of a Museum: Museu Sugbu
  

Figure 1. Photos of Museu Sugbu, Cebu City. 

Entry 
The museum’s facade and entrance are really visible to the museum hunters  and
even passers-by. Tarpaulins and signposts are present outside of the  museum
which helps enticing visitors. I’ve seen several cars at the back are of  the museum
and I’m presuming that it is a parking area for visitors and the  likes. 

Reception 
Outside of the museum’s main building is a booth that collects a certain  amount if
you want to have a tour. After you’ve paid the fee, you will be given a  guide brochure
for the tours in the museum. When you enter the main building,  the guard directs
you to the rooms in the museum. 
Appeal 
There were several rooms (especially the pre-Hispanic and Hispanic exhibits)  which
were lighted dimly to fit the historical theme of the museum.  
Message and Relevance 
The message of the museum, as a whole, is the awareness of Philippine history  and
Cebuano history in particular. The museum, in itself, is a historical site. 
The museum had several rooms with different exhibits. Each of these is a very  much
relevant piece of knowledge if you are a Philippine history enthusiast. To  cite, its first
room contains facts about the pre-Hispanic Philippines (esp. Cebu)  like things about
Southeast Asian relations, the balangay, and archeological  discoveries. Some
rooms showcased several popular Cebuano historical figures like Sergio Osmeña
Sr., Jovito, and Gregorio Abellana. All in all, the  rooms showcased the almost
complete history of the Philippines.  
Accessibility 
The exhibits are quite accessible to visitors. They are allowed to take pictures  inside
the museum. The glass cases are just of the right height for students or  even
children in their intermediate years. Of course, I would not advise bringing  smaller
and younger kids because the museum has lots of breakables. 

Ease of Movement and Closure 

The museum is quite spacious. There were lots of rooms containing different 
themes. There was also a quadrangle wherein people could assemble – especially
the ones who are having a school tour. I think the museum could  even hold 1000
visitors or more at a time.  
As for my visit, there was a clear suggestion outlined in the brochure as to  where the
visitor should go last. 
Gift/Book Shop 
There was a room selling several books and gift items. 
Rating Scale (1-5 with 5 as the highest) and Comments 
5 – I think that this museum is the best in Cebu. Aside from having informative 
exhibits, it is well advertised and is quite known to locals when you ask for 
information about its location. 
Would you recommend to a friend? 
Yes, I would highly recommend it to anyone. 

Example of Evaluation of a Historical Marker: Cebu Heritage Marker (in Parian)

  Figure 2.
Photos of Cebu Heritage Marker in Parian, Cebu City. 

Theme and Effectiveness of Representation 

The historical marker’s theme is all about Cebu’s culture, heritage, and  history.
The structures effectively represent Cebu’s culture, heritage, and  history,
particularly during the Spanish period. 
Accessibility 
The monument can be passed by when you are riding jeeps which has Colon  part
of their route. It is located in the Parian area. 
Integration into the Landscape 
Even though the marker stands out, it is unquestionably spoiled by the other 
structures around the landscape. 

Appeal 
The historic site is grand that even if the landscape is not that good, it oozes  with
much appeal and it is very noticeable by passers-by and tourist-alike.  When I
explored the site, I even came about several foreigners (Westerners)  taking
pictures of the historic site. 
Rating Scale (1-5 with 5 as the highest) and Comments 
4 -The local government (or any concerned agency) should invest or budget  funds
for the maintenance of the monument. These should also include a bit  of security
work to prevent thieves and vandals from damaging the historical  site. An example
of damage I saw on the site was vandalistic writing on the  historic site’s marker. 

Example of a Historical Project Proposal 

(Note: This is just an example) 
Title: Baybayanon History and Heritage Museum 
I. Rationale 

In my many years living in Baybay city(Leyte), I wasn’t conscious of its basic  pieces
of information and history up until I reached the early years of my  graduate studies
when I was encouraged to read about local histories. While  reading about a brief
history of our town, it came to me that I might not be alone  in this dilemma of not
knowing the hometown’s history. When I asked several  younger friends of mine if
they know about our town’s history, they could never  really utter many things. What
about the “a-bit older” individuals? When I was  asking around middle-aged people
(about 20s-40s), their answers are quite  similar to the younger ones – few and
vague. Of course, they can’t answer it in  great detail. The question is “Why?” 
One possible reason is that local history is still not a thing in the curricula of 
elementary and high school in our hometown. How do I know these things?  First,
during my elementary and high school years, I never recalled my social  science
teachers talking about our local history. Second, I spent two semesters  of my college
years (sometime in 2008-09) observing elementary schools, and  still, I haven’t
noticed local history in the social science lessons. Third, when I  was taking up the
mandatory Philippine History in college, the teacher only  lectures about the things in
the history books which are just grounded on the  general national level history. And
finally, when I was still taking up my teacher  education degree, a major subject
containing Philippine history matters were  only focused on the National level.
As for the older persons, they have a better knowledge of Baybayanon history. 
When I asked my father, aunts, and uncles (who are locals of Baybay) about the 
history of Baybay, they can narrate several significant events in Baybayanon 
history. This is of course regarding their parents’ or great grandparents’ stories.  But
only a few of these old ones share stories with the younger ones, this is  especially
because they believe that the history of today is getting boring and  irrelevant. No
young one would dare ask the old one's things about the past  because they are
much focused on the present and the future – and Facebook. Now, the challenge is
how do we start or increase the historical consciousness  of Baybayanons,
especially the younger ones, about the city’s local history.  How could the
Baybayanons answer to this challenge? The answer is a local  history and heritage
museum. We need not abruptly disrupt DepEd’s or CHEd’s  schedules. We just
need to create a venue where knowledge about our city’s  history and heritage is
available for reaping anytime. It is much more exciting  and interesting than boring
lectures in the classroom. 

II. Objectives 

The project: “Baybayanon History and Heritage Museum” mainly aims to  educate
and increase the consciousness of the Baybayanons (especially the  younger ones)
about the city’s local history. It specifically aims to: 
• List biographies of historical personalities that contributors to Baybayanon
history. 
• Enumerate and detail events that are significant in the formation of the  present-
day Baybay. 
• Showcase artifacts and relics from Baybay which are historical. • Help tourism
efforts and empower the other sectors (e.g. business and  transportation) through
the showcase of Baybayanon heritage. 

III. Stages of the Project 

A. Project Proposal and Team Formation 

The first step in the project is to form a team responsible for managing the  whole
project. This team should consist of 4-5 people. The team leader  should be a
manager who is also knowledgeable about History (esp.  Baybayanon or
Philippine History). He would play as the consultant of the  other team members.
Other members would include another two history  enthusiasts to assist the
leader and to lead the research aspect of the  project; a business manager or
accountant for the business aspect of the  project; an architect or engineer for the
design aspect and infrastructure  development of the museum.  
The first task of the team is to create a good project proposal to build a 
Baybayanon History and Heritage Museum. This proposal should reflect  the
 ideal location of the museum, target fund to raise, and possible  contents of the
museum. It is then submitted to the different agencies and  other establishments
in Baybay (private and government). This is to entice  agencies to invest in the
project – to start it, and keep it running. 

B. Solicitation, Budget, and Fund Allocations

C. The proposal would be submitted to these target agencies and 
establishments: (1) City Government of Baybay; (2) Franciscan College of 
Immaculate Conception; (3) Visayas State University; (4) Baybay Parish  Church;
and (5) business establishments of Baybay. 

When the funds are collected and secured, the team member in charge of  the
budget would hold a consultation meeting with the other members  regarding the
budgeting of the money into several areas of the project, i.e.  (1) research, (2)
items and artifacts collection, (3) infrastructures  development, (4) staff hiring,
and (5) other expenditures. C. Research, Information, Items and Artifacts
Collection 
With funds at hand, the history majors of the team would work on finding  the
good and relevant displays for the museum. They would also be  responsible for
gathering or producing the texts of the displays. These  displays would possibly
include (1) photos and documents about the old  Baybay Parish church; (2)
photos and documents Punta church – the oldest  church in Baybay; (3) replica of
the bell Punta church; (4) biographies of  different historical personalities of
Baybay; (4) old maps of Baybay; (5)  photos and stories of old buildings of
Baybay; (6) testimonials of the great  flood of Baybay; (7) paintings which picture
Baybay of the past; and (8)  other relevant items. 
As to the sources of these possible items, they should be tapping into the 
Baybay Parish church documents, Baybay City government records, diaries  of
locals who already passed away, and the oldest locals of Baybay for 
testimonials. 
It is of course important that this research aspect be led by a history major,  or at
least a Baybayanon history expert. 
D. Infrastructure Development and Display Designing 
As soon as the fund is available, the architecture/engineering expert would  be
working on the museum's structure. He would of course consult the  other
members’ opinions on the grand design. The ideal location would  preferably be a
place in the city proper for the reason that it is the center for  transportation, food,
and security. The ideal structure of the museum  should be made of concrete
materials. But of course, if the funds won’t  allow the creation of a new building,
the team might be able to buy off a  Baybayanon heritage house – several of
which are located in the road  leading to the church. 
When the building is available, the lighting should be checked. It should  not be
too bright and must have a dim yellowish light to have a historical  feel in the
atmosphere. Of course, the building should be well ventilated or  better be air-
conditioned. 
With regards to design, the displays should be arranged chronologically  without
cramping the spaces in between displays. This would allow visitors and  tourists to
move freely from one exhibit to another. 
Also, the museum should have an extra room (apart from regular exhibit  rooms) for
other special exhibits, function events, or seminars. E. Security, Maintenance, and
Operations 
When the museum is all set, the team should hire professional museum 
maintenance personnel. Their main role is to secure and maintain the displays  and
exhibits. Also, they would function as curators and museum guides.
 ScSc 12n – Readings in Philippine History 
Department of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences 
Visayas State University 

The museum would be operating Monday-Saturday, even on Holidays, except  for

special cases when the museum should close. 

IV. List of Stakeholders/Experts/Skills 

A. Stakeholders 
• City government 
• Baybay parish church 
• Schools (e.g. Visayas State University, Franciscan College of Immaculate 
Conception, Baybay National Highschool, etc.) 
• Food sector (Jollibee, MangInasal, Andok’s) 
• Business sector (Supermarkets and Minimarts) 
• Supply and Publishing companies – for books and brochures •
Transport sector (Bus, Multicabs, Pedicabs, etc.) 

B. Experts/Skills 
• Baybayanon historians (curators) 
• Museum maintenance managers 
• Art experts 
• Advertising experts 

C. Other Employees 
• Security officers 
• Maintenance personnel/Utility men 
• Receptionists 
• Design personnel 

V. Budgetary Requirements 

The project would ideally require more or less 10 million pesos to start the  museum
running. It would be budgeted as follows: (1) 40% of this budget would  be for the
infrastructure development; (2) 20% for salary and wages of the  employees for at
least a year of operations; and (3) 35% for funding of the  research and also securing
the collection of the necessary items for display. 

VI. Marketing Strategies 

Marketing strategies would include: (1) posters and tarpaulins would be posted  in
strategic areas in Baybay, especially near school establishments; (2) the  team could
also make an advertisement in the local cable station; (3)  webpages would be
created to feature the museum; (4) formation of an  agreement with the schools of
Baybay and other parts of Leyte as to regular  field trips for those having History or
Social science-related subjects. 
The museum would charge a certain pocket-friendly amount to the visitors and 
tourists for the museum to continue operations. The ideal charge should be 10 
pesos for children aging 5 below, students (provided they present an ID) and 
disabled, and 30 pesos for regular people. 
The team could also make and publish books about Baybayanon History or  History
in general. These books would be sold in the gift items and books section of the
museum. The museum should receive 15% of the revenue of the  books and other
gift items. 

VII. Time Frame 

The museum project could start running 1 year after acquiring the necessary  funds.
With this 1 year, the building could have already been developed and the 
researchers would have found good items for display in the museum.