ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

 External and Internal Criticism PHILIPPINES REPOSITORIES OF HISTORICAL

 Repositories of Primary Sources RECORDS
 Different Kinds of Primary Sources  National Archives of the Philippines
 The Filipinos  National Library of the Philippines
 National Museum of the Philippines
Internal Criticism – aka positive criticism, is the attempt of the  National Historical Commission of the
researcher to restore the meaning of the text. This is the phase of Philippines
hermeneutics in which the researcher engages with the meaning of
the text rather than the external elements of the document. Here, National Archives of the Philippines
more than before, domain specific knowledge of context is
essential.

In positive criticism the historian and exegete assess the literal

meaning of the text and the real meaning of statements. Literal
meanings are the immediate meanings of a document and often
fool the immature reader. Positive criticism simply attempts to
ascertain what the text means by analyzing its statements within a
context, i.e., literary, historical, geographical, etc.;

External Criticism – which is also known as lower criticism, is

a tool used by historians and exegetes to determine the validity of a
document, particularly a document with some sort of historical
significance. It is the first of two stages of inquiry for it is followed
by internal criticism. It ventures towards inquiry regarding (a)
authorship; (b) originality and accuracy of copy; and (c) if errors
are found it helps assess the nature of errors found, i.e., if they are
scribal errors or other kinds of errors.
The National Archives of the Philippines is an agency of the
Republic of the Philippines mandated to collect, store, preserve and
make available archival records of the Government and other
primary sources pertaining to the history and development of the
country.

 In determining authorship, the tool of external criticism

helps the researcher and exegete to assess the author’s National Library of the Philippines
name, affiliation, i.e., religious group, political party,
ethnicity, etc.
 In this phase the researcher attempts to determine
authorship by (a) using internal evidence about the
author; (b) using supplementary data from other material
related to the descriptions in the text such as history,
geography, etc.; (c) assessing the tone of document, (d)
identifying patterns or streams that help establish
connection to original author when dealing with
anonymous writings; (e) identifying clues of authorship;
(f) assessing the presence of second or third party speech
writers, ghostwriters, and plagiarists.
 In determining the evidence of date the researcher also
looks at the language used, the sequence and relationship
of events, the spirit and temper in the writing. The National Library of the Philippines is the official national
 There is also an attempt to detect spurious documents by library of the Philippines. The complex is located in Ermita on a
assessing if the document is a forgery, if a result of portion of Rizal Park facing T.M. Kalaw Avenue, neighboring
plagiarism, and assess erroneous identities. culturally significant buildings such as the Museum of Philippines
 The other element of investigation is questions of Political History and the National Historical Commission.
original form such as origin of corruption, i.e., collation,
restoration or original reading, variant reading, and National Museum of the Philippines
conjectural emendation.
 Another helpful tool is paleography, which can be very
insightful in studying old documents with excellent
forgeries.
 Paleography helps assess the quality of ink in the
document and places such within a particular time frame.

The National Museum a Trust of the Government is an

educational, scientific and cultural institution that acquires,

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ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
documents, preserves, exhibits, and fosters scholarly study and
public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural and
historical artifacts representative of our unique to the cultural
heritage of the Filipino people and the natural history of the
Philippines.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is a
government agency of the Philippines. Its mission is “The
promotion of Philippine history and cultural heritage through
research, dissemination, conservation, sites management and
heraldry works.”
Primary Sources include documents or artifacts created by a
witness to or participant in an event, may include diaries, letters,
interviews, oral histories, photographs, newspaper articles,
government documents, poems, novels, plays, and music.
Examples of Primary Sources
archives and manuscript material, photographs, audio
recordings, video recordings, films, journals, letters and diaries,
speeches, Scrapbooks, published books, newspapers and magazine
clippings published at the same time. government publications, oral
histories, records of organizations, autobiographies and memoirs,
printed ephemera, artifacts, e.g. clothing, costumes, furniture,
research data, e.g. public opinion polls.
The Manuggul Jar Goldern Tara of
Agusan
~2~
Philippine Bulul statues from
the mountain regions of
Northern Luzon
WHERE ARE YOU FROM FILIPINO?
 Many historians and scientists believe that the first
inhabitants of the Philippine islands emerged during the
Pleistocene period.
 There are two theories on where the inhabitants (first
Filipinos) came from namely: Beyer’s “Migration
Theory” and Jocano’s “Evolution Theory”. Noted social
scientist Henry Otley Beyer believes that Filipinos
descended from different groups that came from
Southeast Asia in succesive waves of migration. Each
group had a distinct culture, with it’s own customs and
traditions. While Jocano believes that Asians, including
Filipinos are the result of a lengthy process of evolution
and migration.
MIGRATION THEORY
 The first migrants were what Beyer caked the
“Dawnmen” (or “cavemen” because they lived in caves).
The Dawnmen resembled Java Man, Peking Man, and
other Asian Home sapiens who existed about 250,000
years ago.
 They did not have any knowledge of agriculture, and
lived by hunting and fishing. It was precisely in search of
food that they came to the Philippines by way of the land
bridges that connected the Philippines and Indonesia.
Owing perhaps to their migratory nature, they eventually
left the Philippines for destinations unknown.
 The second group of migrants was composed of dark-
skinned pygmies called “Aetas” or “Negritoes”. Negrito
woman I Aeta Woman about 30,000 years ago, they
crossed the land bridged from Malaya, Borneo, and
Australia until they reached Palawan, Mindoro and
Mindanao. They were pygmies who went around
practically naked and were good at hunting, fishing, and
food gathering. They used spears and small flint stones
weapons.
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The Aetas were already in the Philippines when the land
bridges disappeared due to the thinning of the ice glaciers
and the subsequent increase in seawater level. This
natural events “forced” them to remain in the country and
become its first permanent inhabitants.
Because of the disappearance of the land bridges, the
third wave of migrants was necessarily skilled in
seafaring. These were the Indonesians, who came to the
islands in boats. They were more advanced that the Aetas
in that; they had tools made out of stone and steel, which
enabled them to build sturdier houses: they engaged in
farming and mining, and used materials made of brass;
they wore clothing and other body ornaments.
Last to migrate to the Philippines, according to Beyer,
were Malays. They were believed to have come from
Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay Peninsula more
than 2,000 years ago. Like the Indonesians, they also
traveled in boats.
The Malays were brown-skinned and of medium height,
with straight black hair and flat noses. Their technology
was said to be more advanced that that of their
predecessors. They engaged in pottery, weaving, jewerly
making and metal smelting, and introduced the irrigation
system in rice planting.
JOCANO’S THEORY
Renowned Filipino anthropologist Felipe Landa Jocano disputes
Beyer’s belief that Filipinos descended from Negritoes and Malays
who migrated to the Philippines thousands of years ago. According
to Jocano, it is difficult to prove that Negritoes were the first
inhabitants of this country. The only thing that can positively
concluded from fossil evidence, he says is that the first men who
came to the Philippines also went to New Guinea, Java, Borneo,
and Australia.
TABON MAN
 In 1962, a skullcap and a portion of a jaw-presumed to be
a human origin-were found in the Tabon Caves of
Palawan by archaeologist Robert Fox and Manuel
Santiago, who both woorked for the National Museum.
Carbon dating placed their age at 21,000 to 22,000 years.
 This proves, Jocano argues, that man came earlier to the
Philippines than to the Malay Peninsula; therefore, the
first inhabitants of our islands could not have come from
the region.
 The “Tabon Man” is said to resemble Java Man and
Peking Man. He gathered fruits, leaves and plants for his
food. He hunted with weapons make of stone. Although
further research is still being done on his life and culture,
evidence shows that he was already capable of using his
brain in order to survive and keep himself safe.
 Instead of the Migration Theory, Jocano advances the
Evolution Theory, as a better explanation of how our
country was first inhabited by human beings, Jocano
believes that the first people of Southeast Asia were
products of a long process of evolution and migration.
His research indicates that they shared more or less the
same culture, beliefs, practices an even similar tools and
implements.
 These people eventually went their separate ways; some
migrated to the Philippines, the others to New Guinea,
~3~
Java and Borneo. Proof, Jocano says, can be found in the
fossils discovered in different part of Southeast Asia, as
well as the recorded migrations of other peoples from the
Asian mainland when history began to unfold.
Summary:
a.) Internal criticism aka positive criticism, is the attempt of the
researcher to restore the meaning of the text.
b.) External criticism, which is also known as lower criticism, is a
tool used by historians and exegetes to determine the validity of a
document, particularly a document with some sort of historical
significance.
c.) Philippine Repositories of Historical Records
a.) National Archives of the Philippines
b.) National Library of the Philippines
c.) National Museum of the Philippines
d.) National Historical Commission of the Philippines
d.) Primary sources include documents or artifacts created b a
witness to or participant in an event.
e.) Migration Theory
f.) Jocano’s Theory
 Meaning and Relevance
 Primary and Secondary Sources
 Distinction of Primary and Secondary Sources
All art, be it writing, painting, film, dance, whatever, is a
manipulation of time and space. It’s an interpretation and a
recreation of the facts, using various artifacts that point us in the
direction of our personal truths.
- Author: Elisa Lorello
WHAT IS HISTORY?
History is the analysis of the human experience as
defined in the recorded records left behind by humans. The past,
with all its difficult decisions and incidents, witnesses dead and
memory revealed, is what the rest of the population uses as the
timeless foundation on which explorers and archaeologists serve.
“History is a narration of the events which have
happened among mankind, including an account of the rise and fall
of nations, as well as of other great changes which have affected
the political and social condition of the human race.” (John Jacob
Anderson)
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
a.) History helps us understand people and societies
b.) History helps us understand change and how the
society we live in came to be
History offers a storehouse of information about how people and
societies behave. Understanding the operations of people and
societies is difficult, though a number of disciplines make the
attempt.
History is inescapable as a subject of serious study follows closely
on the first. The past causes the present, ad so the future.
WHAT IS A HISTORIAN?
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

 Historian devote their careers to studying notable past Primary sources may include diaries, letters, interviews, oral
events, such as military conflicts, political milestones, histories, photographs, newspaper articles, government documents,
and social movements. poems, novels, plays, and music. The collection and analysis of
 These professionals work in universities and other primary sources is central to historical research.
educational settings, as well for the various public,
private and nonprofit organizations.
 Historians collect and evaluate information from many
primary sources to answer questions about historical
events, a process known as the historical method.
 They may analyze written records, physical artifacts, and
other types of evidence during the course of their
investigations.
 Historians often prepare reports to explain the
significance of their findings, connecting the relevance
and value of new discoveries to modern society.

Through historical evidences, historians are able to write history.

They are responsible for the analysis, interpretation, and
organization of the facts.

However, a historian is still a person influenced by his

environment, education, and other circumstances that may affect
the interpretation or thee methodology being used.

This subjectivity poses an issue on the validity of claims toward

historical facts. This is why historians employ a methodology to
ensure that the historian’s biases do not blind his judgement.

Rigor is required for the researchers and historians. Reliable

historical evidences should be used to validate claims.

With the issue of validity related to the inevitable biases of the

historian, several methodologies are applied to ensure as much
objectivity as possible.

To validate claims of historical events and to balance the

inevitable biases in interpreation, historians largely rely on
historical sources.

Historiography
 The imaginative reconstruction of the past from the data
derived by that process (the writing of history) (study of
past event)
 It deals with the study of history itself

Traditional historians believed that historical events should be

backed up with written documents. Thus, an event that lacks
existing documents cannot be proven as a historical fact.

Considering only the written documents as evidence for

historical facts is restricting and discriminating against the social
classes that may be able to record their own experience.
Because of the loophole, historians then started considering
other forms of historical sources, such as artifacts, architecture,
songs, epics, passing of memories and stories by word of mouth.
WHAT ARE THE TWO SOURCES OF HISTORY?
The invading Japanese controlled the Philippine media, which
portrayed imperial forces as helpful liberators. In reality, the
Japanese were committing brutal war crimes like the Bataan
Death March. This front page claims that Japanese occupation
will bring peace and tranquility to the Philippines (U.S. Air
Force Photo)

Primary sources include documents or artifacts created by a Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and
witness to or participant in an event. They can be firsthand Writings of a Genius, Writer,
testimony or evidence created during the time period that you are Scientist, and National Hero
studying. by Gregorio F. Zaide
Sonia M. Zaide

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ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

History of the Philippines

by David P. Barrows

Journal of Magellan’s
Voyage
by Antonio Pigafetta

Summary: WEEK 3
a.) History is the analysis of the human experience as defined in the
recorded records left behind by humans.  Content and Contextualization Analysis
b.) Histroy is a narraton of the events which have happened among of Selected Primary Sources
mankind, including an account of the rise and fall of nations, as
 Identification of Historical Importance
well as of other great changes which have affected the political and
social condition of the human race. and Facts
c.) History offers a storehouse of information about how people  Encounter with the West
and societies behave.
d.) Historians devote their careers to studying notable past events,
such as military conflicts, political milestones, and social A primary source provides direct or firsthand, evident about an
movements. event, object, person, or work of art. It also includes historical and
e.) Historians collect and evaluate information from many primary legal documents, eyewitness accounts, results of experiments,
sources to answer questions about historical events, a process statistical data, pieces of creative writing, audio and video
known as the historical method. Primary sources include recordings, speeches, and art objects.
documents or artifacts created by a witness to or participant in an
event. CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF
f.) Primary sources include documents or artifacts created by a ANTONIO PIGAFETTA’S FIRST VOYAGE
witness to or participant in an event.
g.) Secondary sources analyze a scholarly question and often use AROUND THE WORLD
primary sources as evidence.
Antonio Pigafetta

 Born: Circa 1498 to a Patrician family in Vicenza, Italy

 He learned that King Charles I was sponsoring an
expedition to reach the East Indies by sailing west, and
will be commanded by Ferdinand Magellan.
 He served the captain, Magellan, as log-keeper and
amanuensis – an artistic assistant.
 After the death of Magellan, he went back to Italy to
continue writing.

Analysis of Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage Around the

World
The chronicles document Magellan’s arrival in the Visayas, his
interaction with the locals and his death, and the subsequent
departure of his fleet. That said, no primary source should be
exempt from scrutiny.

~5~
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

IDENTIFICATION OF HISTORICAL  Different sources are being used like government

IMPORTANCE OF TEXT
Primary sources include documents or artifacts created by a
witness to or participant in an event. They can be firsthand
testimony or evidence created during the time period that you are
studying.
documents, illustrations, speeches and letters. All may
vary in importance and require utmost analytical
approaches
 Former President Corazon Aquino made a huge political
impact in Philippine History

Primary sources may include diaries, letters, interviews, oral

histories, photographs, newspaper articles, government documents,
poems, novels, plays and music. The collection and analysis of
primary sources is central to historical research.

Primary historical sources are important in understanding the

political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of Philippine
history.

First-hand accounts that are either written or in audio-visual or

digital form have provided different perspectives on certain
historical events.

There are many historical important text such as:

 Political caricatures of the American Era
 Speech of the former President Corazon C. Aquino
before the US Congress
 Documents of the 1898 Declaration of Philippine
Independence
 Petition Letter of the Filipino against Governor Wood
The speech of former President Corazon C. Aquino before the US
Congress made a huge impact in the political and diplomatic events
in Philippine history.
Here are some of the notable context of her speech:
 203 to 197, in favor of $200 million in emergency aid to
her fledging government
 She had no trouble persuading that a strategic U.S. ally in
the Pacific is in capable hands
 Aquino did her best to persuade President Reagan that if
the economic wreckage that she inherited from former
President Ferdinand Marcos, including a $26 billion
foreign debt, is to be repaired, U.S. aid levels will have to
rise.
 Treasury Secretary James Baker signed over to the
Philippines $100 million in economic aid and $50
million in military assistance.
 After her triumph in Washington, Aquino flew to New
York City, where she met with business leaders in an
effort to spur new investment in the Philippines.
 The country’s foreign debt; Restoration of the
government; The relationship of America and the
Philippines
 The Struggles Filipino had to achieve democracy and
what it means to them; The burdens that the Philippines
have during Cory’s time
 Cory thanking the Americans for helping the Filipinos
gain their freedom
Summary:
 A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence
about an event, object, person, or work of art
 Examining primary sources is important to understand
the past
First Voyage Around the World by
Antonio Pigafetta
"It is better to travel well than to arrive."
- Buddah
ANTONIO PIGAFETTA
 Born: Circa 1498 to a Patrician Family in Vicenza, Italy
 He learned that King Charles I was sponsoring an
expedition to reach the East Indies by sailing west, and
will be commanded by Ferdinand Magellan.
 He served the captain, Magellan, as log keeper and
amanuensis - an artistic assistant.
 After the death of Magellan, he went back to Italy to
continue writing
Books:
The First Voyage Around the World (1519 - 1522)
Antonio Pigafetta was an Italian scholar and explorer who joined
Ferdinand Magellan in exploring a westward route to Spice Islands
and chronicled the first circumnavigation of the world.
Despite its tendency for superfluous details, his written account of
the European encounters with parts of Latin American and the East
Indies has since become an important primary source on their early
communities and cultures and the indigenous flora and fauna.
ANALYSIS OF ANTONIO PIGAFETTA'S FIRST VOYAGE
AROUND THE WORLD
The chronicles document Magellan's arrival in the Visayas, his
interaction with the locals and his death, and the subsequent
departure of his fleet. That said, no primary source should be
exempt from scrutiny.
The writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, for example, notes the
magical realities in Pigafetta's chronicles, such as a description of
"hogs with navels on their haunches, clawless bird whose hens laid
eggs on the back of their mates, and other still, resembling
tongueless pelicans, with beaks like spoon. He wrote of having
seen a misbegotten creature with the head and ears of a mule, a
camel's body, the legs of a deer and the whinny of a horse." He has
nonetheless documented actual species such as sharks.

~6~
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Pigafetta's chronicle is one of the most important primary
sources in the study of pre colonial Philippines.
In Pigafetta's account, Magellan's fleet reached what he called
the Ladrones Islands or the "Islands of the Thieves."
He recounted. "These people have no arms, but use sticks,
which have a fish bone at the end. They are poor, but indigenous,
and great thieves, and for the sake of that we call these three
Islands the Ladrones Islands."
On March 18, nine men approach and showed joy and eagerness
in seeing them. Magellan realized that the men were reasonable
and welcomed them with food, drinks and gifts.
Pigafetta's detailed with amazement and fascination the palm
tree that bore fruits called Cochise and wine. He characterized the
people as "very familiar and friendly" who willingly showed them
around the different Islands and told them the names of these
islands.
 The Ladrones Islands is presently know as the Marianas
Islands. Ten days after arriving at the Ladrones Islands,
Pigafetta's reported, they reached what he called the Isle
of Zamal, now Samar, but Magellan decided to land in
another uninhabited Island for greater security, where
they could rest for a few days.
 on March 25, Pigafetta's recounted that they saw two
balanghai (balangay) , a long boat full of people in
Mazzava/Mazaus. The leader, whom he referred to as the
king, became close with Magellan as they both
exchanged gifts.
 After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king's
brother, who was also a king of another Island where, as
Pigafetta reported, the fleet saw mines of gold.
LIMASAWA ISLAND
 Francisco Albo, one of the pilots in Magellan's
expedition, kept a logbook where he wrote that they
erected a cross mountain that overlooked the Islands in
the west and the southwest
 Jaime de Veyra stated that the first mass was held in
Limasawa and not in Butuan.
MASAO / BUTUAN
1872 - A monument to commemorate the site of the first mass in
the Philippines was erected in Butuan.
1953 - The people in Butuan asked the Philippine Historical
committee to rehabilitate the monument and construct a place
marker on the site.
Summary:
 Antonio Pigafetta worked as chronicle of Ferdinand
Magellan's voyage, and his account is the single most
important source about the first circumnavigation of the
world.
 Antonio Pigafetta claims that the first mass in the
Philippines was held at a place he calls Mazaua on 31
March 1521.
 There are two conflicting claims on the exact location of
Mazaua: (1) the little island South of Leyte, Limasawa,
~7~
and (2) an island called Masao in Northern Mindanao,
which is now Butuan City.
K.K.K
KATAASTAASANG
KAGALANGGALANGANG
KATIPUNAN NG MGA ANAK
NG BAYAN
“I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I don’t believe in
wasting brotherhood on anyone who doesn’t want to practice it
with me. Brotherhood is a two-way street.”
-Malcolm X
THE KATIPUNAN IS BORN
Andres Bonifacio was also a member of La Liga Filipina, although
he soon lost hope in gaining reforms though peaceful means. This
feeling was especially heightened when Jose Rizal was exiled to
Dapitan. Bonifacio became convinced that the only way the
Philippines could gain independence was through a revolution.
 Bonifacio then ounded the “Kataastaasang
Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan”
(KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street
(now Claro M. Recto), in Tondo Manila.
 The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. A s a symbol of
the members’ loyalty, they performed the solemn rite of
sanduguan (blood compact) wherein each one signed his
name with his own blood.
 The members agreed to recruit more people using the
“triangle system” of enlistment. Each original member
would recruit the new members who were not related to
each other. Each new member would do the same thing,
and so on down the line. Members were also asked to
contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in
order to raise funds for the association.
The KKK members agreed on the following objectives:
 The political goal was to completely separate the
Philippines from Spain after declaring the country’s
independence.
 The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners,
cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and how to guard
themselves against religious fanaticism.
 The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help
themselves and to defend the poor oppressed.
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

The “Kataastaasang Sangguinian” (supreme council) was the  Andres Bonifacio – Controller
highest governing body of the Katipunan. It was headed by a
supremo, or president. Each province had a “Sangguniang Bayan” JOSE RIZAL AND THE KATIPUNAN
(Provincial Council) and each town had a “Sangguniang Balangay”  Jose Rizal never became involved in the organization
(Popular Council). and activities of the Katipunan; but the Katipuneros still
looked up to him as a leader. In fact, Rizal’s name was
RECRUITMENT METHODS
used as a password among the society’s highest-ranking
members, who were called bayani.
[Hasik:] “triangle” method
 Andres Bonifacio had already known Rizal during his
La Liga Filipina days, although Rizal did not know
Members were to recruit two new adherents (who would not know
Bonifacio personally. Nevertheless, Bonifacio so
each other but only the original member who took him in), thus
respected Rizal’s intelligence and talent that in June
building a network of “triangles”. This was to ensure that growth
1896, he sent Dr. Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to seek
would be discreet, while at the same time ensure that the new
Rizal’s advice on the planned revolution.
recruits would closely adhere to the principles of the Katipunan.
 Rizal told Valenzuela that the timing was not right for a
revolution. The people were not yet ready and they did
Two-tier sanggunian structure
not have enough weapons. He suggested that the
Katipunan obtain the support of wealthy and influential
The triangle method provided for slow growth. Around October
Filipinos first, in order to gain financial assistance.
1892, it was decided that members would be allowed to recruit as
many persons as they could.  He also recommended Antonio Luna as commander of its
armed forces, since Luna had much knowledge and
MEMBERSHIP expertise in military tactics.
 Valenzuela returned to Manila on June 26 and relayed
Katipon (Member) Rizal's advice to Bonifacio, who admitted that it would
indeed be fatal for the Filipinos to fight without enough
Outfit: weapons. However, there was no stopping the
Black hood, with a triangle of white ribbons, inside of Revolution.
which were the letters Z. Ll. B.  Bonifacio ordered his men to prepare for battle. He
directed them to store enough food and other supplies.
Password: Battle plans were made with the help of Emilio Jacinto. It
Anak ng Bayan was suggested that the revolutionary headquarters be
located near the seas or mountains to provide for an easy
Monthly Dues: retreat, if necessary.
One real fuerte (old money), or 12.5 centimos, or 20  Rumors about a secret revolutionary society had long
cuartos been in circulation, although no solid evidence could be
found to support them. The big break as far as the
“May be promoted to Kawal upon recruiting several new Spanish authorities was concerned, came on August 19,
members” 1896 when a KKK member, Patiño was a worker in the
printing press of Diario de Manila. Honoria was then
Kawal (Soldier) living with nuns in a Mandaluyong orphanage.
 The information upset Honoria so much that she told the
Outfit: orphanage's Mother Superior, Sor Teresa de Jesus, what
1. Green hood, with a triangle of white lines. At the three her brother had revealed. Sor Teresa suggested they seek
angles were the letters Z. LI. B the advice of Father Mariano Gil, the parish priest of
2. Suspended from the neck was a green ribbon with a Tondo.
medal, with the letter K in the ancient Tagalog script After hearing Patiño's revelations, Father Mariano Gil
inscribed in the middle. accompanied by several Guardias Civiles immediately searched the
premises of Diario de Manila and found evidence of the
Password: Katipunan's existence. The governor general was quickly informed.
Gom-Bur-Za The printing press was padlocked and hundreds of suspected KKK
members were arrested.
Monthly Dues:
Twenty centavos Summary

“May be promoted to Bayani upon becoming an officer”  Bonifacio then founded the "Katastaasang
Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga Anak ng Bayan”
(KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street
(now Claro M. Recto), in Tondo Manila.
 Recruitment Methods of KKK are Triangle Method Two-
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE / THE LEADERS
tier sanggunian structure
OF THE KATIPUNAN:
 The Leaders of the Katipunan: Deodato Arellano -
Supremo, Ladislao Diwa -Fiscal, Teodora Plata -
 Deodato Arellano – Supremo
Secretary, Valentine Diaz -treasurer, Andres Bonifacio -
 Ladislao Diwa – Fiscal controller
 Teodora Plata – Secretary  Teodoro Patiño told his sister Honoria about the
 Valentine Diaz – Treasurer existence of the Katipunan.
~8~
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

 Types of membership in KKK: Katipon, Kawal, Bayani America refused to grant Philippines the long-short
Independence.

The Philippine-America War erupted in February 4, 1899 in

the struggle of the Filipinos for freedom conflicting with the
interests of America to become a world power by establishing
overseas empire to include the Philippines under the US
imperial rule.

The Filipino forces applied conventional, then guerrilla

tactics in fighting against the US army as they become fully
aware, under the leadership of General Emilio Aguinaldo, of
the strength of the US military heavily equipped with superior
firearms.
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDECE
 Although, General Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, the
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is
insurgencies, particularly by the Muslim Moros in the
our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth
Southern part of the Philippines continued. Nonetheless,
and our freedom.”
America was preparing Philippines for independence that
- Vicktor Emil Frankl (Austrian Neurologist
started with the creation of civil government.
and Psychiatrist)
 The US President Woodrow Wilson promised
Philippine Independence and started to entrust authority
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
over Filipino leaders with the establishment of the
Philippine Senate by a democratic election.
Freedom is among the rights that Filipinos did not enjoy during the
 The Philippine Commonwealth with elected President
Spanish rule. It was a struggle for the Philippine revolutionary
Manuel L. Quezon, was instituted in 1935 under the
leaders to achieve independence from foreign power. The Filipinos
Tydings-McDuffie Act that granted Philippines its self-
fought countless battles, resulting to bloody revolutions since the
government, although the legislative power was not
19th century under the Spanish government. The Filipino forces
absolute, which still required approval from the US
were persistent to achieve independence for the country.
President. At that time, it was a good start towards the
eventual Philippine Independence.
In 1896, the Philippine Revolution started, which incriminated Jose
 When the events were gearing towards Philippine
Rizal resulting to his execution on allegations of treason and rouse
independence as promised by the United States of
the Katipunan in Cavite to organize in two groups creating conflict.
America, the Japanese invasion and occupation bolstered
At the break of the Spanish-American war, the Filipino leaders saw
in a surprise. Bataan was surrendered to the Japanese but
the war between Spain and America as an opportunity to free
President Quezon along with Osmena fled to America.
Philippines from the claws of the Spanish colony; hence, supported
the United States with military forces including indispensable  World War II broke out that created immense damage to
intelligence. Filipinos with roughly about one million casualties. After
the war, Manuel Roxas was elected President in April
1946 for the independent Second Republic of the
 America summoned Aguinaldo to return to the
Philippines.
Philippines form exile and with confidence towards the
pleasant US relations  In a formal declaration, the American flag was lowered
in Luneta, Maniila and raised the Filipino National flag
 Aguinaldo anticipated, independence from Spain with the
in tri-color of red, white, and blue looked up by proud
help of America.
Filipinos.
 Returning to the Philippines and leading the Filipino
 Finally, independence was granted to the Republic of the
troops to hold the fort of Luzon with success except for
Philippines dated July 4,1946. The National anthem of
Intramuros, Aguinaldo declared the Philippine
the Philippines was played net to America’s. It was
Independence from the Spanish colonial government on
indeed a moment of liberating glory, for all Filipinos
June 12, 1898 under the First Philippine Republic.
after pools of blood were shed in many revolutions.
 The Philippine National flag was held up, and swayed
proudly before the joyous cries of the Filipinos by 4:20
July 4 however, holds less inspiration for the Filipinos
in the afternoon at General Aguinaldo’s balcony of his
according to the elected President of the Republic of the
mansion in Kawit, Cavite.
Philippines in 1961, Diosdado Macapagal.
 Albeit, the fact that Spain lost the battle to the Filipino
troops, Admiral George Dewey schemed to convince the
Macapagal believes that the June 12, 1896 declaration of
Spaniards to surrender to America.
the Philippine Independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo
 It was an act of betrayal by America that no sooner short- brings to memory the heroes of the revolution and therefore,
lived the celebration of Philippine independence when Philippine independence is best commemorated in honor of
America annexed the Spanish colonies to include the the Filipino revolutionary heroes.
Philippines.
 The Filipino forces were determined to continue their Hence, President Macapagal changed the date of
efforts against imperialist power leading to a bloody fight celebration of the Philippine independence form July 4 to June
against the American Army in February 1899 when 12, which the Filipinos celebrate each year up to this time.
Continue to The Philippines During Martial Law.
~9~
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
THE MALOLOS CONGRESS
 Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree on July 18, 1898
asking for the election of delegates to the
revolutionary congress, another decree was
promulgated five days later, which declared that
Aguinaldo would appoint representatives of
congress because holding elections is not practical
at that time.
 He appointed 50 delegates in all (but this number
fluctuated from time to time). In accordance with
these two decrees, Aguinaldo assembled the
Revolutionary Congress at the Brasoain Church in
Malolos, Bulacan on September 15,1898.
The atmosphere was festive and the Pasig Band played the national
anthem. After Aguinaldo had read his speech congressional
elections were held among the delegates present. The following
were among the most important achievements of the Malolos
Congress:
1. In September 29, 1898, ratified the declaration of
Philippine Independence held at the Kawit, Cavite on
June 12, 1898
2. Passage of a law that allowed the Philippines to borrow
P20 million from banks for government expenses
3. Establishment of the Universidad Literature de Filipinas
and other schools
4. Drafting of the Philippine Constitution
5. Declaring was against the United States on June 12, 1899
 A committee headed by Felipe Calderon and aided by
Cayetano Arellano, the constitution was drafted, for the
first time by representatives of the Filipino people and it
is the first republican constitution in Asia.
 The constitution was inspired by the constitutions of
Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Belgium and
France. After some minor revisions (mainly due to the
objections of Apolinario Mabini), the final draft of the
constitution was presented to Aguinaldo.
 This paved the way to launching the first Philippine
Republic. It established a democratic, republication
government with three branches – the Executive,
Legislative and the Judicial branches. It called for the
separation of church and state.
 The executive powers were to be exercise by the
president of the republic with the help of his cabinet.
Judicial powers were given to the Supreme Court and
other lower courts to be created by law. The Chief justice
of the Supreme Court was to be elected by the legislature
with the concurrence of the President and his Cabinet.
THE PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
The first Philippine Republic was inaugurated in
Malolos, Bulacan on January 21, 1899. After being proclaimed
president, Emilio Aguinaldo took his oath of office. The
constitution was read article by article and followed by a military
parade.
Apolinario Mabini was elected as a prime minister. The
other cabinet secretaries were; Teodoro Sandico, interior;
Baldomero Aguinaldo, war; Gen. Mariano Trias, finance & war;
Apolinario Mabini, foreign affairs; Gracio Gonzaga for welfare,
~ 10 ~
Aguedo Velarde, public instruction; Maximo Paterno, public works
& communication; Leon Maria Guerrero for agriculture, trade &
commerce.
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Aguinaldo commissioned Julian Felipe, a composer
from Cavite province was asked to write an instrumental march for
the proclamation of independence ceremony. The original title was
“Marcha Filipina Magdala”.
This was later changed to “Marcha Nacional Filipina”.
The lyrics was added in August 1899 based on the poem titled
“Filipinos” by Jose Palma. The original lyrics was written in
Spanish, then to English (when the Flag Law was abolished during
the American period) then later, was translated to Tagalog, which
underwent another change of title to “Lupang Hinirang”, the
Philippine National Anthem.
Summary:
 In 1896, the Philippine Revolution started, which
incriminated Jose Rizal resulting to his execution on
allegations of treason and rouse the Katipunan in Cavite
to organize in two groups creating conflict.
 Aguinaldo declared the Philippine Independence from
the Spanish colonial government on June 12, 1898 under
the First Philippine Republic.
 The Philippine National flag was help up, and swayed
proudly before the joyous cries of the Filipinos by 4:20
in the afternoon at General Aguinaldo’s balcony of his
mansion in Kawit, Cavite.
 The Philippine-American War erupted in February 4,
1899 in the struggle of the Filipinos for freedom
conflicting with the interests of America.
 Independence was granted to the Republic of the
Philippines dated July 4, 1946.
 June 12, 1896 declaration of the Philippine independence
by General Emilio Aguinaldo.
 The first Philippine Republic was inaugurated in
Malolos, Bulacan on January 21, 1899.
 Aguinaldo commissioned Julian Felipe, a composer form
Cavite province was asked to write an instrumental
march for the proclamation of independence ceremony.
The original title was “Marcha Filipina Magdalo”. This
was later changed to “Marcha Nacional Filipina”. The
lyrics was added in August 1899 based on the poem titled
“Filipinas” by Jose Palma.
 June 12, 1896 declaration of the Philippine independence
by General Emilio Aguinaldo.
 The first Philippine Republic was inaugurated in
Malolos, Bulacan on January 21, 1899. Aguinaldo
commissioned Julian Felipe, a composer from Cavite
province was asked to write an instrumental march for
the proclamation of independence ceremony. The
original title was “Marcha Filipina Magdalo”. This was
later changed to “Marcha Nacional Filipina”. The lyrics
was added in August 1899 based on the poem titled
“Filipinas” by Jose Palma.
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
ORIGIN OF THE FILIPINO
RACE
“every man has a map in his heart of his own country and that the
heart will never allow you to forget this map. (p.18)”
- Alexander McCall Smith, The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Origin of the Filipino Race
Demographics of the Philippines
 According to the 2000 Census, the population of the
Philippines was 76,504,077. The Aeta, who are
genetically akin to Andamanese islanders and are known
as the aboriginal inhabitants of the Philippines,
constituting a distinct stock, number somewhere between
20,000 and 30,000 people ( <0.03 percent).
 The overwhelming majority of the population (95%),
known as ethnic Filipinos, are made up of various
ethnolinguistic groups descended from later
Austronesian-speaking migrants who arrived in
successive waves to the archipelago from Taiwan and
admixed with other sporadic migrations from the Asian
mainland (what is today southern China).
 The most significant foreign ethnic minority are the
Chinese, who have played an important role in
commerce since the 9th century when they first arrived in
the Philippines for trade.
 Mestizos, those of mixed race, from a tiny but
economically and politically important minority. The
most widely spoken language is Filipino, which is based
on Tagalog, although thirteen regional languages are
spoken as vernaculars throughout the Philippines.
 English serves as the primary lingua franca and as the
language commerce and the professions.
 Christianity is the main religion in the archipelago, with
Roman Catholicism making up the majority. A small but
significant minority profess Islam, particularly in the
southern Philippines.
 The people of the Philippines are known as Filipinos.
Throughout the colonial era the term “Filipino”
originally referred to only the Spanish and Spanish-
mestizo minority. The definition, however, was later
changed to include the entire population of the
Philippines regardless of ethnic origin.
The majority of the people in the Philippines are of Austronesian
descent who migrated from Taiwan during the Iron Age. They are
called ethnic Filipinos.
The largest Filipino ethnic groups include the Tagalog, Cebuano,
Ilocano, Bicolano, Kapampangan, Maranao, Maguindanao, and
Tausug. About 8% of all Filipinos of Austronesian descent are
tribal peoples.
The aborigines of the Philippines, called as Aeta, who are
descended from Negritos of the Andaman Islands, now constitute
only 0.003% of the entire population.
~ 11 ~
Significant foreign minorities include the ethnic Chinese,
Americans, and the South Asians (mostly Sindh and Pakistani).
Other foreign ethnicities in the country include Spaniards, other
Europeans (mostly British and Dutch), Koreans, Japanese,
Indonesians, and Arabs.
Various degrees of intermarriage between ethnic groups have
resulted in the formation of a new vibrant class of people,
collectively known as Filipino Mestizos. According to a Stanford
University small-n study, only about 3.6% of all Filipinos have
European genes, most probably Spanish.
Origin of the Filipino Race
Languages
A total of one hundred seventy-two (172) native languages and
dialects are spoken, all belonging to the Austronesian linguistic
family. Since 1939, in an effort to develop national unity, the
government has promoted the use of the official national language,
Tagalog.
Visayan (also pronounced Bisayan) is widely spoken throughout
the middle islands known as the Visayans and in many areas of
Mindanao. English is the predominant non-native language. Other
foreign languages spoken are Chinese (Hokkien) and Cantonese
Chinese, among the Chinese and Chinese-mestizo population;
Arabic and Malay among some members of the Muslim
population; and Spanish preserved and spoken by some families
within the Spanish-mestizo minority.
Most Filipinos speak at least two languages, Many speak three or
more fluently. Most children begin studying Tagalog and English
when they start kindergarten, regardless of what their local
language is,
Religion
According to the 2000 Census, 81.04% of all Filipinos are Roman
Catholics, while 5.06% are adherents of Islam in the Philippines,
and 2.82% are Born Again Christians. The remaining 11.08%
include the Iglesia ni Cristo, Aglipayan, Mormon adherents, as well
as that of other minority religions, such as Buddhism and
Hinduism.
Roman Catholics and Protestants were converted during 425 years
of Western domination by Spanish and the United States. 377 years
of Spanish rule was responsible for converting the majority of the
people to Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholicism still subsists as
a major religion. Often still, Catholic mix Catholic beliefs and
traditions with beliefs in ghosts and other spirits. Protestant
denominations were introduced to the Philippines primarily during
the 37 years of American occupation.
Islam was brought to the Sulu Archipelago in the 9th century by
Makhdum Karim, an Arab trader, and to Mindanao island by Rajah
Kabungsawan, a Malaccan nobleman. From then onwards, Muslim
princes carried on expeditions to propagate Islam. While Islam was
easily displaced among the peoples of Luzon and the Visayas, it
gained a stronghold in Mindanao.
Other religions include Mahayana Buddhism, followed by many
Filipinos of Chinese descent. It is often mixed with Taoist and
Confucianist beliefs, and Hinduism and Sikhism, followed by
Filipinos of Indo-Aryan descent.
Animism is still prevalent among the highland peoples of
Cordillera and Mindanao.
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Origin of the Filipino Race
FILIPINO CULTURAL HERITAGE
Cultural Heritage refers to “the totality of cultural property
preserved and developed through time and passed on to posterity”
(RA 10066).
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and
what we pass on to future generations” (World Heritage
Commission, UNESCO).
The World Heritage List includes six Philippines properties:
1. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
2. Rice Terraces of the Philippines Cordilleras
3. Historic City of Vigan
4. Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
5. Baroque Churches of the Philippines
6. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Tangible Heritage
Environment (natural landscapes and coastal and inland water
sources) Flora and Fauna Man-made structures
Intangible Heritage
Culture (traditions, customs, values, trades, and skills)
Tangible Heritage Example
 Philippine Eagle
 Chocolate Hills, Carmen Bohol
 Urban Heritage Site, Vigan
 Oldest House: 1730 Jesuit House, Cebu
 Costumes
 Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church, Miag-ao, Iloilo
Intangible Heritage
 Wood Carvings
 Philippine literatures
 Cuisine
“Philippine foodways clearly reflect Philippine history:
the foreign influences being indigenized into a changing
culture. An exploration of these patterns will obviously
provide a key to the understanding of national identity.
The study of food as culture within the context of
colonization leads to an understanding of the fate of the
local culture under the hegemony of the dominant
cultures of the colonizers” (Doreen Fernandez, Tikim)
 Language
“Tagalog, emotion is dalamhati (literally, “inside the
liver”) and intense feelings of grief, yearning, and
happiness are pighati, lunggati, and luwalhati (Resil
Mojares, “Heart and Liver).
Article 1, Policies and Principles, Sec. 2 of the National
Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 declares that the State shall foster
the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino
culture based on the principle and unity in diversity in a climate of
free artistic and intellectual expression.
According to the Heritage Conservation Society, “conservation”
entails “all the processes and measures of maintaining the cultural
~ 12 ~
significance of a cultural property, including, but not limited to,
preservation, reconstruction, protection, adaptation, or any
combination thereof.
Related institutions, entities, and laws
 Historic Preservation Division, under the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines
 National Commission for Culture and the Arts
 Heritage Conservation Society (Non-government
Organization)
 Republic Act np. 10066, or the National Cultural
Heritage Act of 2009
Benefits of Cultural Conservation
“When cultural heritage is appreciated, enhanced and enriched,
socio-cultural, religious, political and economic gains are
manifested…
The value of cultural heritage is seen in the strengthening of the
sense of national, regional and local identity, as its value is
complementary to other goods and services in which the external
benefits as part of the education and acculturation of the young”
(Dick Netzer).
Summary:
 Cultural Heritage refers to “the totality of cultural
property preserved and developed through time and
passed on to prosperity”
 The Philippines is rich with cultural heritage that needs
to be protected and preserved
 Cultural heritage may be tangible or intangible
 It is important that a cultural heritage is appreciated, so
that posterity, protected and preserved, enhanced and
enriched socio-cultural, religious, political and economic
gains are manifested.
 “Conservative” entails all the processes and measures of
maintaining the cultural significance of a cultural
property, including but not limited to, preservation,
reconstruction, protection, adaptation, or any
combination thereof.”
 National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, defined as
Cultural Heritage Conservation, declares that the State
shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic
evolution of a Filipino culture based on the principle and
unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and
intellectual expression.
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Tarsilas are written accounts of a family’s lineage that traces their

religion origins.

Islam arrived in the Philippines in the middle of the fourteenth

century, through Sharif Kabungsuwan (Majul, 1999, p. 23; Balo et
al.,2017, p.2).

According to a myth: “One day there fell upon the land a drought
so serious that even the sea receded and there was a great stillness.
Months later with a roar, the sea came rushing back in one giant
wave. And riding its crest was Sharif Kabungsuwan, the first Arab
to reach these islands” (Cruz-Lucero, 2007, p.17)

In the 1930s, US authorities encouraged Christian Filipinos in

Luzon and the Visayas to migrate to the southern region of
Mindanao, which was mostly populated by Moros. This led to the
Moros eventually becoming a minority in many parts of southern
Philippines.

The Settlers The “We, the five million oppressed Bangsa Moro people, wishing to
Lumad free ourselves from the terror, oppression and tyranny of Filipino
colonialism which has caused us untold sufferings and miseries by
criminally usurping our land, by threatening Islam through
ISLAMIC FAITH IN THE wholesale destruction and desecration of its places of worship and
PHILIPPINES its Holy Book….., aspiring to have the sole prerogative of
defending and chartering our own national destiny in accordance
(Government Peace Treaties with Muslim with our own free will in order to ensure our future and that of our
children.
Filipinos) In 1968, the Jabidah Massacre happened which eventually led to
the establishment of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MNLF)
There is only one religion, though there are a hundred versions of led by Nur Misuari in 1969. The MNLF began the armed campaign
it. for a separate Islamic state in the country, or a Bangsa Moro
- George Bernard Shaw Republic (Moro National Republic).

The ongoing conflicts in Mindanao and Sulu and the current

campaign for the self-determination of the Bangsamoro people
stem from years of unresolved historical injustices, which include
the forceful integration of the Moros into the American colonial
government and the government – sanctioned waves of Christian
migration to Mindanao at the turn of the twentieth century.

Moros comes from the Spanish word Moors, which used to be a

pejorative term for Muslims. It has since been re-appropriated to
denote Filipino Muslims.

Bangsamoro is a portmanteau of bangsa (“nation” or bansa) and 1976: Brokered by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC),
Moro. the Philippine government and the MNLF signed the Tripoli
Agreement, which declared a ceasefire between the two parties.
Tri-peoples of Mindoro The agreement also provided that Mindanao would still be a part of
the Philippines, but 13 of its provinces would be under the
autonomous government of the Bangsamoro People. The Marcos
regime defied the agreement, thus the armed movement resumed.
The Moros
(or the Bangsamoros) 1977: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), led by Hashim
Salamat, was formed. MILF was a breakaway group from the
MNLF after some of its members expressed disagreement to
MNLF’s decisions. Moro Islamic Liberation Front did not believe
Mindanao consists of the large islands south of the Philippines, in negotiating with the government.
while the Sulu archipelago is a cluster of 500 islands between Sulu
and Celebes Sea (Fernando Amilbangsa, 2005, p.11).
~ 13 ~
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

1986: After the EDSA Revolution, Corazon Aquino launched
peace talks with the MNLF, but the MILF declined to take part in
it.
1988: The MILF replaced the MNLF in pursuing a Moro secession.
1989: The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or ARMM;
was created under Republic Act 6734. The ARMM Organic Act
was pursuant to the 1987 Constitution.
1996: MNLF signed a peace settlement with the Ramos
administration, which won for the ARMM, under Governor Nur
Misuari, limited self-rule over the most impoverished Muslim
regions in the south.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
replaced the ARMM.
“The socio-cultural and religious differences among the ordinary
Muslims and Christians alone cannot plunge Muslim Mindanao
into fratricidal violence and rebellion. Obviously, the leaders
Muslim and Christian-use these difference to justify and promote
their political economic interests and to impress pro-people
leadership; by design or accident, they create the
misunderstanding” (Diaz, 2003, p.48).

1997: MILF signed a ceasefire agreement and began peace talks

with the Ramos government. Major fighting outbreaks disrupted
the peace talks.

1999: President Joseph “Erap” Estrada; who was formerly an

action star, suspended all peace talks and declared an all-out war
against the MILF. It was on that same year when the United States
and the Philippines had their first joint military drills under the
Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
2001: In March 2001, two months into Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s
presidency, the Philippine government and the MILF signed the
Agreement of the General Framework for Resumption of peace
between the armed separatist group and the government.

2003: President Arroyo declared war against the MILF, after the
Davao International Airport and the Sasa Wharf, also in Davao
City, were bombed, allegedly, by the militant group.

2004: Peace talks with MILF resumes, and discussions on ancestral

domain pact for the expansion of ARMM took place.

2008: The Philippine government and the MILF signed the

Memorandum Agreement-Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

2010: The Philippine government and the MILF signed a

declaration to continue further peace negotiations under the new
administration once Arroyo steps down.

2012: After a series of meetings, the Aquino government and the

MILF signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

2013: Rounds of peace talks happened while the Bangsamoro

Basic Law (BBL) was being crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition
Commission.

2013: Nur Misuari launched an attack in Zamboanga City, also

called the Zamboanga Siege, because of his disapproval of the
ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF.

2015: Deliberations on the proposed BBL started at the 16th

Congress.

2016: The 16th Congress ended without having passed the BBL,
which would have to be deliberated again under a new president.

2017: Under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, new

member were added to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission
and the final version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law was crafted.

2018: Duterte declared the passing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law

as urgent. After much deliberations and after the BBL was passed
on both Houses, Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law
(BOL).

2019: After the plebiscite voting, the National Plebiscite Board of

Canvassers announced that the BOL is “deemed ratified”, and the

~ 14 ~
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Cavite Munity; Retraction of Rizal;
Cry of Pugadlawin
CAVITE MUTINY
In Philippine history, two major events happened in 1872:
1. The 1872 Cavite Mutiny; and
2. The martyrdom of the three priests: Father Mariano Gomes, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).
Spanish Perspective
1. Jose Montero Y. Vidal, a prolific Spanish historian, documented
the event and highlighted it as an attempt of the indios to overthrow
the Spanish government in the Philippines.
2. Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo’s official report magnified the event
and made use of it to implicate the native clergy, which was then
active in the call for secularization.
The two accounts complement and corroborate each other,
although the general’s report is more spiteful. Initially, they both
score out the fact that removing the privileges enjoyed by the
workers of the Cavite arsenal, such as non-payment of tributes and
exemption from forced labor, were the main reasons for what they
call the “revolution.”
Other causes enumerated:
 The Spanish Revolution, which overthrew the secular
throne;
 Dirty propagandas disseminated by the unrestrained
press, and democratic, liberal, and republican books and
pamphlets that had reached the Philippine; and
 The presence of the native clergy, which , according to
them, was formed out of animosity toward the Spanish
friars.
Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scholar and
researcher, wrote the Filipino version of the bloody incident in
Cavite.
From his point of view, the incidents was a mere mutiny by the
native Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal who
turned out to be dissatisfied with the removal of their privileges.
Tavera believes that the Spanish friars and Izquierdo exaggerated
the Cavite Mutiny into a full-blown conspiracy that involved not
only the native army but also the residents of Cavite and Manila,
including, more importantly, the native clergy, to overthrow the
Spanish government in the Philippines.
It is noteworthy that during the time, the Central Government in
Madrid announced its intention to divest the friars of all the powers
of intervention in matters of civil government and the direction and
management of educational institutions.
THE TWO FACES OF THE 1872 CAVITE MUTINY
The 12th of June of every year since 1898 is a very important event
for all the Filipinos. In this particular day, the entire Filipino nation
as well as Filipino communities all over the world gathers to
celebrate the Philippines’ Independence Day.
1898 came to be a very significant year for all of us – it is
as equally important as 1896 – the year when the Philippine
Revolution broke out owing to the Filipinos’ desire to be free from
the abuses of the Spanish colonial regime. But we should be
reminded that another year is as historic as the two – 1872.
Two major events happened in 1872, first was the 1872
Cavite Mutiny and other was the martyrdom of the three martyr
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priests in the persons of Fathers Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos and
Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).
However, not all of is knew that there were different
accounts in reference to the said event. All Filipinos mist know the
different sides of the story – since this event led to another tragic
yet meaningful part of our history – the execution of GOMBURZA
which in effect a major factor in the awakening of nationalism
among the Filipinos
1872 Cavite Mutiny: Spanish Perspective
Jose Montero Y. Vidal, a prolific Spanish historian
documented the event and highlighted it as an attempt of the Indios
to overthrow the Spanish government in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo’s official report magnified
the event and made us of it to implicate the native clergy, which
was then active in the call for secularization.
The two accounts complimented and corroborated with
one other, only that the general’s report was more spiteful.
Initially, both Montero and Izquierdo scored out that
abolition of privileges enjoyed by the workers of Cavite
arsenal such as non-payment of tributes and exemption from
force labor were the main reasons of the “revolution” as
how they called it.
However, other causes were enumerated by them including the
Spanish Revolution which overthrow the secular throne, dirty
propagandas proliferated by unrestrained press,
democratic, liberal and republican books and pamphlets
reaching the Philippines, and most importantly, the
presence of the native clergy who out of animosity against
the Spanish friars, “conspired and supported “ the rebels
and enemies of Spain.
In particular, Izquierdo blamed the unruly Spanish Press
for “stockpiling” malicious propagandas grasped by the Filipinos.
He reported to the King of Spain that the “rebels” wanted to
overthrow the Spanish government to install a new “hari” in the
likes of Fathers Burgos and Zamora.
The general even added that the native clergy enticed
other participants by giving them charismatic assurance that their
fight will not fail because God is with them coupled with
handsome promises of rewards such as employment, wealth, and
ranks in the army.
Izquierdo, in his report lambasted the Indios as gullible
and possessed an innate propensity for stealing.
The two Spaniards deemed that the event of 1872 was
planned earlier and was thought of it as a big conspiracy among
educated leaders, mestizos, abogadillos or native lawyers, residents
of Manila and Cavite and the native clergy.
They insinuated that the conspirators of Manila and
Cavite planned to liquidate high-ranking Spanish officers to be
followed by the massacre of the friars. The alleged pre-concerted
signal among the conspirators of Manila and Cavite was the firing
of rockets from the walls of Intramuros.
According to the accounts of the two, on 20 January
1872, the district of Sampaloc celebrated the feast of the Virgin of
Loreto, unfortunately, participants to the feast celebrated the
occasion with the usual fireworks displays.
Allegedly, those in Cavite mistook the fireworks as the
sign for the attack, and just like what was agreed upon, the 200-
men contingent headed by Sergeant Lamadrid launched an attack
targeting Spanish officers at sight and seized the arsenal.
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
When the news reached the iron-fisted Gov. Izquierdo,
he readily ordered the reinforcement of the Spanish forces in
Cavite to quell the revolt. The “revolution” was easily crushed
when the expected reinforcement from Manila did not come
ashore.
Major instigators including Sergeant Lamadrid were
killed in the skirmish, while the GOMBURZA were tried by a
court-martial and were sentenced to die by strangulation. Patriots
like Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Antonio Ma, Regidor, Jose and Pio
Basa and other abogadillos were suspended by the Audencia (High
Court) from the practice law, arrested and were sentenced with life
imprisonment at the Marianas Island.
Furthermore, Gov. Izquierdo dissolved the native
regiments of artillery and ordered the creation of artillery force to
be composed exclusively of the Peninsulares.
On 17 February 1872 in an attempt of the Spanish government
and Frailocracia to instill fear among the Filipinos so that they may
never commit such daring act again, the GOMBURZA were
executed. This event was tragic but served as one of the moving
forces that shaped Filipino nationalism.
A Response to Injustice: The Filipino Version of the
Incident
Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scholar and
researcher, wrote the Filipino version of the bloody incident in
Cavite. In his point of view, the incident was a mere mutiny by the
native Filipino soldiers and laborers of the Cavite arsenal who
turned out to be dissatisfied with the abolition of their privileges.
Indirectly, Tavera blamed Gov. Izquierdo’s cold-blooded
policies such as the abolition of privileges of the workers and
native army members of the arsenal and the prohibition of the
founding of school of arts and trades for the Filipinos, which the
general believed as a cover-up for the organization of a political
club.
On 20 January 1872, about 200 men comprised of
soldiers, laborers of the arsenal and residents of Cavite headed by
Sergeant Lamadrid rose in arms and assassinated the commanding
officer and Spanish officers in sight. The insurgents were expecting
support from the bulk of the army unfortunately, that didn’t
happen.
The news about the mutiny reached authorities in Manila
and Gen. Izquierdo immediately ordered the reinforcement of
Spanish troops in Cavite. After two days, the mutiny was officially
declared subdued.
Tavera believed that the Spanish friars and Izquierdo
used the Cavite Mutiny as a powerful lever by magnifying it as a
full-blown conspiracy involving not only the native army but also
included residents of Cavite and Manila, and more importantly the
native clergy to overthrow the Spanish government in the
Philippines.
It is noteworthy that during the time, the Central
Government in Madrid announced its intention to deprive the friars
of all the powers of intervention in matters of civil government and
the direction and management of educational institutions. This
turnout of events was believed by Tavera, prompted the friars to do
something drastic in their desire to maintain power in the
Philippines.
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Meanwhile, in the intention of installing reforms, the
Central Government of Spain welcomed an educational decree
authored by Segismundo Moret prompted the fusion of sectarian
schools run by the friars into a school called Philippine Institute.
The decree proposed to improve the standard of education in the
Philippines by requiring teaching positions in such schools to be
filled by competitive examinations. This improvement was warmly
received by most Filipinos in spite of the native clergy’s zest for
secularization.
The friars, fearing that their influence in the Philippines
would be a thing of the past, took advantage of the incident and
presented it to the Spanish Government as a vats conspiracy
organized throughout the archipelago with the object of destroying
Spanish sovereignty. Tavera sadly confirmed that the Madrid
government come to believe that the scheme was true
without any attempt to investigate the real factors or extent
of the alleged “revolution” reported by Izquierdo and the
friars.
Convicted educated men who participated in the mutiny
were sentenced life imprisonment while members of the native
clergy headed by the GOMBURZA were tried and executed by
garrote. This episode leads to the awakening of nationalism and
eventually to the outbreak of Philippine Revolution of 1896.
The French writer Edmund Plauchut’s account
complimented Tavera’s account by confirming that the event
happened due to discontentment of the arsenal workers and soldiers
in Cavite fort. The Frenchman, however, dwelt more on the
execution of the three martyr priests which he actually witnessed.
RETRACTIONS OF RIZAL
The Retraction of Rizal
What is the retraction of Rizal?
In 1935, a controversial document called “The Retraction” was
found. It was signed by none other than the National Hero, Dr. Jose
Rizal, who declared in it that he was a Catholic and he wanted to
take back everything he said against the Catholic Church.
Collected Testimonies
 Father Vicente Balaguer was said to be the “only
eyewitness” the night Rizal wrote the retraction.
 Cuerpo de Vigilancia consists of the accounts of (1) a
Spanish jail guard who overheard Rizal writing a paper
called the retraction, (2) the two officials who allegedly
signed the retraction as witnesses, and (3) all the people
who entered Rizal’s cell before his execution.
 On the day he was to be executed, Rizal gave Bracken
his copy of “To my dear and unhappy wife, Josephine,
December 30th, 1896, Thomas a Kempi’s De La
Imitacion de Cristo, on which he wrote, Jose Rizal. “Not
only would his handwriting in the dedication be used to
validate the document, but it also suggests Rizal’s
profession of faith on the day he died.
 In his last writings, the recurrence of the word krus was
interpreted as Rizal’s desire to die as a Catholic.
CRY OF PUGADLAWIN
The exact location of the First Cry of the Philippine
Revolution is a subject of contention. Famously known as The
ReADINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Cry of Balintawak, it is also speculated to have happened in

Pugad Lawin.

The historian Ambeth R. Ocampo rounds up the

contradictions and debates.

1. Aside form Balintawak and Pugad Lawin, people must add

the following contenders on the whereabouts of the First Cry,
or Unang Sigaw Kangkong, Bahay Toro, Pasong Tamo,
Banlat, and more, depending on which primary source is cited.

2. The National Historical Commission’s proposed date for

the start of the Philippine Revolution is 23 August 1896.
Other proposed dates are 20,24,25, and 26 August.

3. Teodoro Agoncillo said that a general assembly was called

by Andres Bonifacio on 24 August 1896 in Malabon. The
Katipuneros were in Balintawak on 19 August, left for
Kangkong on 21 August, proceeded to Pugad Lawin on 22
August, and on 23 August 1896, tore their cedulas and vowed
to fight in the yard of Tandang Sora’s son.

4. Guillermo Masangkay, one of the Supremo’s closest

advisers and a general of the revolutionary army, recounted in
an interview with the Sunday Tribune in 1932 that it was in
Balintawak, on 26 August 1896, where the First Cry
happened.

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