Assignment #2

1. Discuss how the writing of history was affected by the dominant perspective of a period.
Historians draw conclusions from past approaches to history, but in the end, they always write in
the context of their own time, current dominant ideas of how to interpret the past and even
subjective viewpoints. Furthermore, current events and developments often trigger which past
events, historical periods, or geographical regions are seen as critical and thus should be
investigated. Finally, historical studies are designed to provide specific lessons for societies
today. In the words of Benedetto Croce, Italian philosopher and historian, “All history is
contemporary history.”

2. Explain why despite colonial historiography’s hostility to the Filipinos, they are still
considered important to modern day historians.
Because often times when you peer through these documents, various cracks in these parchment
curtains would appear providing the scholar with enough window to learn more about Filipino
culture, society, and history. For instance, there are Spanish documents that would say that the
Igorots were greedy, but in the same account, the document would say that the Igorots weighed
the gold that they sold. By reading the text, we learn that the Igorots are seasoned traders who
had the necessary tools and know-how to trade with lowlanders and other people. That would be
the takeaway and not the Spanish description of the Igorots as being greedy, since that
description was obviously formed by the Spanish author’s colonial bias against the Filipinos.

3. Discuss history as an academic discourse.

History as an academic discourse is the branch of knowledge that deals with the interpretation of
the past, especially by experts in history. There are people who research, study, and then
expound upon their findings of the past. More broadly speaking, history can be thought of as the
study of the past by everyone from professors and researchers to amateur scholars to the public at
large. History and thus historical studies have one key element to them. There is, no matter the
research, a level of interpretation to the study of past events. This means that the study of a single
past event can take on different meanings when construed by historians coming at the event from
various angles and possible biases.
Such historians can study everything from people to events to time periods to civilizations and
much more. They can even study specific subsections of the past, like the economics of a
civilization, the relationship between two people, or the political landscape in a time period.
There is no limit to what can be studied and researched.

4. What feeling did the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” by Andres Bonifacio evoke in
you?
The poem about the “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” is all about the love for the country. I also
have felt the same way as I read the poem. As I remember, this poem was written as an
exhortation to urge his fellow Filipino citizens to fight for the Philippine independence and to
join the crusade. Although Bonifacio is much better known as a fighter than a writer, he was able
to prove his versatility in writing through this poem. This poem’s vitality is stressed in such a
way that it is one of the first written works in Tagalog that speaks about patriotism.

5. Marcelo H. Del Pilar’s “Dasalan at Toksohan” is a satire of the friars in the Philippines
during the Spanish period. Explain why Del Pilar resorted to this kind of tirade against the
friars.
This is one of the works of Marcelo H. Del Pilar during the Spanish period, in which he narrates
the activities of the friars at that time. Del Pilar operated with blasphemous humor to wage war
on the friars. With his use of the Tagalog language instead of Spanish, his propaganda in the
Philippines became a castigation of the friars which agitated them and a call to action among
Filipinos because it shows how the friars did the opposite of what they said to the Filipinos. The
extreme paradox of “holiness” of the friars in the Philippines is obvious and well-known.

6. In Rizal’s “The Philippines a Century Hence,” he discussed the past, present, and future
of the Philippines.
After a thorough reading of the essay, do the following:
6.1 A matrix of the past, present and future of the Philippines as stated by Rizal in his
essay.
Past – “In order to read the destiny of a people, it is necessary to open the book of it’s past.”
This explains that Rizal didn’t really predict what would really happen in 100 years but instead a
thorough analysis of the past as well as the present and from this concludes what would happen
in the future. This part also tackles the effects of Spanish Colonization, which can be
summarized into three. The first one due to Spain’s fermentation of military policies, poverty
became rampant. Population decreased and impedes the aspect of life of the Filipino. The second
one, as the population decreases, disappearance of indigenous Filipino traditions and cultures
would be the obvious result. Moreover, Catholicism and traditions introduced by Spaniards
slowly replaced our known culture. And lastly, with this, our very own Filipino spirit was broken
and in fear of religion with this emergence leading them going to hell. Filipinos became
indolence and submissive. But Rizal said, eventually the Filipinos would start to realize the
oppression of the colonizers and this part is all present a few questions and “What will the future
hold?” First one, “Will the Philippines continue to be a Spanish colony? And if so, what kind of
colony? Will they become a province of Spain when or without autonomy? To reach this stage,
what kind of sacrifices will have to be made?” And lastly, “Will they be separated from the
mother country to live independently, to fall into the hands of other nations, or to ally themselves
with neighboring powers?”
Present – This part answers the previous raised question, “What will become of the Philippine
within a century? Will they continue to be a Spanish Colony?” And gives the answers for those
who have strong spirit over the liberty of the country, independence was assured but for those
who are discouraged and disillusioned by sad experiences shall be a prison of the colony forever.
This part also compares of the past and the present condition of the Philippines in terms of roles
three centuries ago. Rizal says that the Liberal Spaniards ethical conditions of the people remain
the same. While for the Friars and followers, they have progressed. And for the Filipino ethics,
they have retrograded. Rizal also mentions the emergence of an enlightened class for those who
saw the Spanish as protectors but soon realized that they exploiters and executioners which can
cause quickens and spreads enlightenment. So if people start to awaken and if the government
doesn’t act, the revolution would occur. In order to maintain Spanish authority, Rizal presented a
few options and possible outcomes. The options are, one, Filipino representative in the Spanish
Cortes and two, to practice their human rights and the possible outcomes are Philippines remain
under Spanish domination but with more law and greater liberty or they will declare themselves
independent but in prevention of progress of the Philippines is really what Spanish government
wants resolve being generous also presented a few outcomes in which if it occurs. Brutalization
of the masses through a caste addicted to the government, impoverishment of the country and
gradual extermination of the inhabitants.
Future – In this part, Rizal also explains the Spanish colonization scientifically. Stating the
assistance of a foreign body would later result to assimilation, extermination, or encystment. He
would also state that eventually accumulation acts of injustice would improve and strengthen
their ethical nature for keeping the people ignorant, impoverished and continued the
extermination had failed. It proves that it is impossible to exterminate Filipino people. Result
also emphasizes and Philippines being colonized by other foreign countries such as England,
Germany, France, Holland, Japan and United States to end as a result presented a message to
Spain. “Spain, we must someday tell Filipinas that thou hast no ear for her woes and that if she
wishes to be saved must redeem herself?”

6.2 A matrix of the past the present and the future of the Philippines reckoning from 1989
to 2089.
Past – In Rizal’s most prescient essay, Filipinas Dentro de Gen Anos, written in 1889, he
foretold that Spain and the Philippines would eventually become equal independent partners in
the world of geopolitics that the United States, after appropriating the Philippines for herself,
would emerge as a new colonial power in Asia. One might say that the predictions found in Noli
and Fill were merely insights of an alert observer since they were based on the apparent
worsening conditions of Spanish colonial rule in the country. But the predictions in Filipinas
Dentro de Gen Anos are proof of a complex intellect. We must remember that at the time Rizal
wrote the essay, the Revolution of 1896, which would lead to the creation of a Philippine
Republic, independent of and equal to Spain, was more than six years away. And America’s
presence in Asia would not happen until the turn of the nineteenth century, long after he was
dead.
Present - Rizal foresaw the strengths and weaknesses of the Philippine nation today as it stands
on the brink of a new and exciting world. Like a chastising father, he warned us, through the
words of Padre Florentino in El Filibusterismo, that we will never have a successful state or
bayan, until we also have a successful nation or bansa. There is a world of difference between
the two. While statehood provides the infrastructure of government, it is nationhood that creates
the temper of governance. What Rizal saw as an ideal nation-state was embodied in La Liga
Filipina, yet another one of the hero’s scenarios for the future. Organized on the basis of regional
and district councils, La Liga Filipina was envisioned to unite the archipelago into one compact,
vigorous, and homogenous body. Members were pledged to mutual assistance in the face of
every want and necessity, to provide defense against injustice, to encourage education,
agriculture, and commerce, and to study and apply reforms. In short, La Liga was a vision of a
moral community in which all of the people worked together for the common good, for a better
future.
 That vision, upon which La Liga was founded, is as vital today as it was 100 years ago.
Rizal, through his writings and his deeds, has given us a blueprint for our future. And now
Duterte has strongly brought forward Rizal’s vision of a Philippine federal republic. His call for
its favorable consideration will bring the nation from a unitary form of government born from
the roiling blood of a colonial past to a federal form of government unfolding a future from an
ancient heart.
Future - From the planning of our infrastructure to the reconstruction of the homes of our people
– takes into account the possible impacts of climate change. All our plans, whether they are local
or national, are now being increasingly oriented towards a direction that includes resilience in the
face of disaster. The most prominent example of this, perhaps, is how we are not simply
rebuilding, but building back better, in the communities that were ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan.
We are reconstructing roads, energy infrastructure and communities in a strategic manner, such
that our people, our industries and our economy as a whole are not put at risk whenever a
typhoon makes landfall. This is a vital direction to take for any country that wants to ensure its
long-term viability, or in other words, its survival. The past holds the contours of the future; this
nation has indeed a lot of solid ground on which to build the just, caring, and progressive society
of the future.

6.3 Cite the three predictions presented by Rizal in his essay and prove that they came true.
1. “The Philippines will one day declare herself independent”

- According to Trillana Pablo (2014) “Neither Spanish patriotism nor the appeal of all the little
tyrants in the colonies, nor the love of neither Spain of all Filipinos, nor the doubtful
dismemberment of the islands and internal strife can go against the law of destiny,” he said
2. “The great American Republic with interests in the Pacific…may one day think of
acquiring possessions beyond the seas”

- Perhaps the great American Republic, whose interests lie in the Pacific and who has no hand in
the spoliation of Africa, may someday dream of foreign possession. — Jose Rizal

3. “The Philippines will defend with indescribable ardor the liberty she bought at the cost
of so much blood and sacrifice”
- According to Trillana Pablo (2014) Rizal declared: “Very probably the Philippines will defend
with indescribable ardor the liberty she had bought at the cost of so much blood and sacrifice.”
Within 10 years of his death, what he said had come true.
The Bible is replete with stories of dreams that bring messages from beyond the “silver cord.”
The problem is that many do not find the time to reflect, “Look inside,” as Carl Jung said, and
articulate their dreams.
Reference:
Pablo S. Trillana III; Knights of Rizal and Philippine Historical Association. (2014, November
1). Rizal on All Saints’ Day and dances with mortality. INQUIRER.Net.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/79767/rizal-on-all-saints-day-and-dances-with-mortality

7. Compose a poem expressing love of country

 The Philippines

Oh country of mine
You are somewhat fine
Protected by your knights
From that fearful night

You have received your throne

And now, this place is my home
The place where I feel safe and not alone
Protected by the knights for they called heroes.

Oh loveable country
You are a masterpiece
In which you deserved truly
Given by God, it is your natural beauty.

8. Discuss and critique the three primary sources presented in this chapter. Give the
importance of the documents, the background of the authors the context of the documents,
and their contributions to understanding Philippines history.
Through examining the contact and context of the document we can interpret the primary sources
to understand the context behind each selected document. The historian's primary tool of
understanding and interpreting the past is the historical sources. Historians use primary sources
as the raw evidence to analyze and interpret the past. They publish secondary sources - often
scholarly articles or books - that explain their interpretation. They include letters, diaries,
journals, newspapers, photographs, and other immediate accounts. The interpretation and
evaluation of these sources becomes the basis for research. Primary sources are usually defined
as firsthand information or data that is generated by witnesses or participants in past events.
Primary sources are characterized not by their format but rather by the information they convey
and their relationship to the research question.

9. Research and present a report with your impressions on the following historians:
9.1 Zeus Salazar
Zeus Salazar is a Filipino historian and also a proponent of Pantayong Pananaw, a self-reflective
view in the study of Philippine history in which it has become apparent in the Philippines
nationhood and his original perspectives are magnificent enough in writing this history. He
finished his studies which is B.A. in History at the University of the Philippines Diliman and his
Ph.D. in Ethnology at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. His pioneering works include Ang
Pilipino sa Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiya; Pantayong Pananaw (1991); Ugat at Kabuluhan
(1997); Liktao at Epiko: Ang Takip ng Tapayang Libingan ng Libmanan, Camarines Sur (2004).
He was also the Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy of the University of the
Philippines Diliman from 1991 to 1994. The methods of comparative linguistics, from which
Salazar borrows some of his methods, and which are useful in determining the kinship of
languages and developing hypothetical reconstructions of a proto-languages from which related
languages are said to have diverged can and should be integrated into a study of the history of
Philippine political concepts.

9.2 Renato Constantino

Renato Constantino was a Filipino Historian and also a scholar who taught us to reexamine our
colonial history, to rectify and to learn from the past. He wanted Filipinos to have a useful
memory of a past to advance the Filipino’s quest for genuine nationhood. His essay is a tribute to
his great Filipino intellectual, a celebration of his life and works by way of reviewing his
contributions and impact on Philippine nationalist historiography. He is also remembered as one
of the most influential Filipino writers of the 20th century through his pamphlets, columns and
books influenced several generations of Filipinos. It is no overstatement to say that his advice,
commentaries, historical writings and essays guided the contemporary nationalist movement
from the late ‘60s to the current period. No Filipino writer has perhaps contributed as much as
Constantino did in terms of substance and volume of writings to advance the Philippines
nationalist cause in the 20th century.

9.3 Teodoro Agoncillo

Teodoro A. Agoncillo is considered one of the most important historians of our time. His new
brand of historiography did away with conventional ways of writing the history of Philippines—
through the eyes of foreigners—and introduced a more Filipino-centric style, seeing the events of
the Philippines unfold through the eyes of Filipinos. Today, his works are considered essential to
the study of Philippine history, and have also transcended to the realm of classic literature.
In 1985 Agoncillo was included in the roster of the Order of National Scientists by President
Ferdinand E. Marcos for his contributions to Philippine History. His notable works include The
History of the Filipino People; Malolos: The Crisis of the Republic; The Writings and Trials of
Bonifacio; and Revolt of the Masses.

9.4 Gregorio Zaide

On October 31, 1988, Gregorio F. Zaide, internationally known Filipino historian who authored
some 67 books which were later adopted as textbooks for high schools and colleges, died at the
age of 81. Zaide,is popularly referred to as "Goyo" by his town mates in Pagsanjan, Laguna, was
one of the most traveled Filipino historians. He also authored more than 500 articles in history
published in both national and international newspapers and academic journals. Among his
contributions to Philippine history are the books A Documentary History of the Katipunan,
History of the Katipunan, Philippine Political and Cultural History, Great Events in Philippine
History, History of the Filipino People, Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings, The Philippine
Revolution, Riquezas Filipinas en los Archivos de Mexico, Great Filipinos in History, and The
Pageant of Philippine History. He was the President of the Philippine Historical Association for
three terms. For his extensive researches in foreign archives and numerous books on history
(including officially adopted history textbooks), he was given the prestigious Republic Cultural
Heritage Award in 1968 by the Philippine Republic.
10. Dr. Zeus Salazar is referred to as the Father of the Pantayong Pananaw. Research on
this and present a comprehensive report about it.
The pantayong pananaw (also called Bagong Kasaysayan, or New History) is currently the most
theoretically elaborate articulation of an indigenized social science perspective that offers a
viable alternative to (Western) positivist social science. The pantayong pananaw is the brainchild
of Prof. Zeus Salazar, a historian who spent most of his teaching career at the Department of
History at the University of the Philippines-Diliman; in the course of his advocacy, Salazar was
able to gather a number of historians who shared his call for a more culturally-sensitive
historiography in the teaching of Philippine history. At present, the pantayong pananaw has
become an established perspective in Philippine historiography and has spread outside the
University’s own Department of History.
In broad strokes, pantayong pananaw’s approach begins with the need to sustain a talastasang
bayan (national discourse) by distinguishing among different historiographies and how they
relate to the formation of national/cultural identity. The first, the pangkayo perspective (‘from-
you-for-us’ perspective), refers to the judgments made by external agents upon one’s culture; the
pangkayo perspective mainly refers to colonial historiography that judged Filipinos’ beliefs and
customs using purely external cultural standards. Opposite to this is the pangkami perspective
(‘from-us-to-you’ perspective), which was initially espoused by a generation of intellectuals who
were educated in Spain and then responded to the accusations of colonial historiography
regarding aspects of Filipino cultural heritage. They were succeeded by Filipino scholars who
wrote about Philippine culture and society using English or Spanish, the ‘languages of the
colonizers’, as a medium of discourse. Salazar, on many occasions, specifically faults this
reliance on foreign languages, betraying its intent to engage mainly with outsiders rather than
with agents in local communities who alone were the ‘insiders’ of their own culture. The
pantayong pananaw, therefore, seeks to create a ‘closed circuit of interaction’ (Mendoza 2007)
between academic discourse (especially history) and kaalamang katutubo (indigenous
knowledge). In this regard, language plays a central role; hence, historians identified with
pantayong pananaw speak and write in Philippine languages so that the talastasan (discourse) is
always oriented toward local cultures and not to ‘outsiders’ and their interests.

References:
Primary Sources for Historical Research | Subject and Course Guides. (2017). William Madison
Randall Library. https://library.uncw.edu/guides/finding_primary_sources
Research Guides: Philippine and Filipino American History & Heritage: Primary Sources.
(2020). RESEARCH GUIDES. https://lib.guides.umd.edu/c.php?g=544222&p=3730243#:
%7E:text=They%20include%20letters%2C%20diaries%2C%20journals,becomes%20the
%20basis%20for%20research.
Guillermo, Ramon. (2009). Pantayong Pananaw and the History of Philippine Political Concepts.
Kritika Kultura. 10.3860/kk.v0i13.1209.
Renato Constantino: The Centennial Filipino Scholar, 1919–1999. (2007). Taylor & Francis.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00472330080000301?journalCode=rjoc20
Teodoro A. Agoncillo | GOVPH. (2003). Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/teodoro-a-agoncillo/
Today in Philippine History, October 31, 1988, Gregorio F. Zaide died at the age of 81. (2011,
October 31). The Kahimyang Project. https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/719/today-in-
philippine-history-october-31-1988-gregorio-f-zaide-died-at-the-age-of-81
Pook at Paninindigan: Kritika Ng Pantayong Pananaw. (2020, October 27). Harvard-Yenching
Institute. https://www.harvard-yenching.org/research/pook-paninindigan-critical-appraisal-
pantayong-pananaw/
B. (2020). The Study of History | Boundless World History. Lumen.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-worldhistory/chapter/the-study-of-history/