Readings in
Philippine History American Period
(CRPH)
Reviewer for FINALS
AGRARIAN REFORM HISTORY
Pre-Spanish Period
“This land is Ours God gave this land to us”
Before the Spaniards came to the Philippines,
Filipinos lived in villages or barangays ruled by
chiefs or datus. The datus comprised the nobility.
Then came the maharlikas (freemen), followed by
the aliping mamamahay (serfs) and aliping
saguiguilid (slaves).
However, despite the existence of different
classes in the social structure, practically
everyone had access to the fruits of the soil.
Money was unknown, and rice served as the
medium of exchange.
Spanish Period
“United we stand, divided we fall”
When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the
concept of encomienda (Royal Land Grants) was
introduced. This system grants that
Encomienderos must defend his encomienda
from external attack, maintain peace and order
within, and support the missionaries. In turn, the
encomienderos acquired the right to collect tribute
from the indios (native).
The system, however, degenerated into abuse of
power by the encomienderos The tribute soon
became land rents to a few powerful landlords.
And the natives who once cultivated the lands in
freedom were transformed into mere share
tenants.
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“Long live America”
Significant legislation enacted during the
American Period:
● Philippine Bill of 1902 – Set the ceilings
on the hectares of private individuals and
corporations may acquire: 16 has. for
private individuals and 1,024 has. for
corporations.
● Land Registration Act of 1902 (Act No.
496) – Provided for a comprehensive
registration of land titles under the Torrens
system.
● The Public Land Act of 1903 –
introduced the homestead system in the
Philippines.
● Tenancy Act of 1933 (Act No. 4054 and
4113) – regulated relationships between
landowners and tenants of rice (50-50
sharing) and sugar cane lands.
The Torrens system, which the Americans
instituted for the registration of lands, did not
solve the problem completely. Either they were
not aware of the law or if they did, they could not
pay the survey cost and other fees required in
applying for a
Torrens title.
Japanese Occupation
“The Era of Hukbalahap”
The Second World War II started in Europe in
1939 and in the Pacific in 1941.
Hukbalahap controlled whole areas of Central
Luzon; landlords who supported the Japanese
lost their lands to peasants while those who
supported the Huks earned fixed rentals in favor
of the tenants.
Unfortunately, the end of war also signaled the
end of gains acquired by the peasants.
Upon the arrival of the Japanese in the
Philippines in 1942, peasants and workers
organizations grew in strength. Many peasants PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
took up arms and identified themselves with the
anti-Japanese group, the HUKBALAHAP (Hukbo
ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon).

Land Settlement Development Corporation

(LASEDECO)

National Resettlement and Rehabilitation

Administration (NARRA)

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL)

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program

(CARP)

Philippine Bill of 1902 – Set the ceilings on the

hectares of private individuals and corporations
may acquire: 16 has. For private individuals
and 1,024 has. For corporations.

Tenancy Act of 1933 (Act No. 4054 and 4113) –

regulated relationships between landowners and
tenants of rice (50-50 sharing) and sugar cane
lands.
Republic Act No. 34 -- Established the 70-30
sharing arrangements and regulating share-
tenancy contracts
What is a Constitution?
- The basic principles and laws of a nation,
state, or social group that determine the powers
and duties of the government and guarantee
certain rights to the people in it.

Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955)

The 1897 Constitution of Biak-na-Bato
-- Created the Land Tenure Administration (LTA) President at the time: Emilio Aguinaldo
which was responsible for the acquisition and
distribution of large tenanted rice and corn lands Authors: Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer
over 200 hectares for individuals and 600
hectares for corporations. The 1899 Malolos Constitution
Republic Act No. 3844 of August 8, 1963
President at the time: Emilio Aguinaldo
(Agricultural Land Reform Code) -- Abolished
share tenancy, institutionalized leasehold, set Author: Felipe Calderon
retention limit at 75 hectares,
The constitution, with 39 articles divided into 14
Presidential Decree No. 27, October 21, 1972 --
Restricted land reform scope to tenanted rice and titles, aimed to establish a government with
corn lands and set the retention limit at 7 similarities to these countries, taking into
hectares.
account social, political, ethnological, and
Executive Order No. 228, July 16, 1987 – governance conditions in the Philippines.
Declared full ownership to qualified farmer-
beneficiaries covered by PD 27.
_______________________________________ The 1935 Constitution and the
_______________________________________ Commonwealth Government
President at the time: Sergio Osmena, Manuel
Roxas
Authors: Claro M. Recto, Manuel Roxas,
Conrado Benitez, Jose P. Laurel

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The Japanese Occupation and the
Second Philippine Republic (1943
Constitution)
President at the time: Jose P. Laurel
Authors: Jose P. Laurel, Teofilo Sison, Pedro Y.
Javier, Claro M. Recto, Jorge B. Vargas
As the war ended, the country reverted to the
1935 Constitution. The Philippines was declared
an independent republic on July 4, 1946, and the
Commonwealth Constitution remained in effect.
The 1973 Constitution and the Marcos
Dictatorship
President at the time: Ferdinand Marcos
Author: Ferdinand Marcos
In 1973, the Philippines experienced a shift
towards constitutional authoritarianism under
President Ferdinand E. Marcos. This period was
marked by significant political changes:
 Martial Law was declared in 1972 due to
perceived communist threats.
 The EDSA People Power Revolution in
1986, with support from the United States,
forced President Marcos into exile, leading
to Corazon Aquino's presidency.
The Freedom Constitution (1986)
President at the time: Corazon Aquino
Authors: Cecilia Munoz Palma – President of
Constitutional Commission
The 1987 Constitution
President at the time: Corazon Aquino, Fidel V.
Ramos, Joseph Estrada, … Rodrigo Roa Duterte,
Bongbong Marcos
Authors: Cecilia Munoz Palma – President of
Constitutional Commission
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PREAMBLE
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the
aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and
humane society, and establish a Government that
shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote
the common good, conserve and develop our
patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our
posterity, the blessings of independence and
democracy under the rule of law and a regime of
truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace,
do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
TAXATION
What is Taxation?
• It is the collection of the share of individual
and organizational income by a government
under the authority of the law.
• It is a means of government in increasing its
revenue under the authority of the law,
purposely used to promote welfare and
protection of its citizenry.
Kinds of Taxes
1. Income Tax: This is a tax on the income
earned by individuals and businesses. It
is usually progressive, meaning that
higher earners pay a higher percentage
of their income in taxes.
2. Value Added Tax (VAT): A consumption
tax levied on the sale of goods and
services at each stage of production or
distribution, typically at a rate of 12%.
3. Excise Tax: A tax imposed on specific
goods and services, such as alcohol,
tobacco, petroleum products, sugary
drinks, and automobiles.
4. Property Tax: This is a tax on the value
of real estate properties, such as land
and buildings. It is typically levied by local
governments and used to fund local
services like schools and infrastructure.
5. Estate Tax: Imposed on the transfer of
the net estate of a deceased person to
their heirs or beneficiaries.
Tax Reform Program videotapes, or transcriptions of planned
The Tax Reform Program in the Philippines aims interviews.
to improve the efficiency, equity, and simplicity of
the tax system. It includes measures to enhance Oral history strives to obtain information from
tax administration, broaden the tax base, and different perspectives and most of these cannot
reduce income tax rates for individuals and be found in written sources.
corporations.
Oral history also refers to information gathered in
TRAIN LAW this manner and to a written work published or
The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion unpublished based on such data,
(TRAIN) Law is a comprehensive tax reform
legislation enacted in 2017. It introduced Example:
significant changes to the Philippine tax system,
such as lower personal income tax rates, THE MYTHICAL ASWANG
expanded VAT coverage, higher excise taxes on
One such creature is the aswang. The aswang
certain goods, and adjustments in estate and
takes on the form of a human during the day and
donor's taxes. transforms into a monstrous form to prowl the
night for humans to eat. The aswang often
_______________________________________ changes into an animal form, usually into a tiktik
_______________________________________ or a big black bird with a long tongue. It also
takes the form of a pig, cat or black dog.
LOCAL AND ORAL HISTORY _______________________________________
_______________________________________
What is Local History? MUSEUMS and HISTORICAL
SHRINES
It is a study of the history of a particular
community or a smaller unit of geography. Museums
It is an institution dedicated to preserving and
Local history is a smaller scope of study, interpreting the primary tangible evidence of
historians are often faced with challenges in humankind and the environment.
locating sources for local and specific objects of
study. The word museum has classical origins. In its
Greek form, mouseion, it meant “seat of the
Example: Muses” and designated a philosophical institution
or a place of contemplation. Many early museums
HISTORY OF AKLAN were private, established by wealthy individuals,
and later made public.
Aklan is the oldest province in the Philippines
organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo, as the Different Types of Museum
Minuro it Akean to include what is now Capiz. It Anthropology and Ethnology Museum
became an independent province when president History Museum
Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Cultural History Museum
Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Botanical and Zoological Museum
Technology Museum
Aklan was inaugurated as an independent Military History Museum
province on November 8, 1956. Natural History Museum
Fine Arts Museum
What is Oral History? Applied Art Museum
Craft Museum
Oral history is the collection and study of historical
Science Museum
information about people, families, important
Children’s Museum
events, or everyday life using audiotapes,
Numismatics Museum

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Philately Museum
Archaeology Museum
National Museums of the Philippines
The National Museum of the Philippines, located
in Manila, is the premier cultural institution
of the country, dedicated to the preservation and
promotion of the Philippines' rich cultural heritage
and natural history.
Museo de Intramuros
Museo de Intramuros, situated within the historic
walled city of Intramuros in Manila, Philippines, is
a cultural institution that provides visitors with an
immersive experience of the city's colonial past
and heritage.
Historical Landmarks and UNESCO Sites
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
Historical Shrines
- refer to historical sites or structures hallowed
and revered for their history or association as
declared by the National Historical Institute.
-Republic Act No. 10066 or "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009"
RiceTerraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
(1995):
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
are a 2,000-year-old living cultural landscape that
showcases the Ifugao community's sustainable
rice farming practices.
Miag-ao Church in Iloilo
The Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva stands
on the highest point of Miagao, its towers serving
as lookouts against Muslim raids. It is the finest
surviving example of ‘Fortress Baroque’.
Others: Historic Vigan City in Ilocos Sur, Baroque
Churches of the Philippines , San Agustin Church
in Manila, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa
Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, Tubbataha Reefs
Natural Park, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River National Park,
Palawan, Magellan’s Cross in Cebu.
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_____________________________________
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FIESTAS, FESTIVALS, RITES and
RITUALS
What is Fiesta?
is a Spanish word for a festival or party, typically
associated with Hispanic cultures and countries.
Is usually held to honor a specific religious or
cultural event, such as a patron saint’s day or a
historical event.
What is a Festival?
is a broader term that encompasses a wide range
of celebrations from different cultures around the
world. Festivals can be religious, cultural, or
seasonal in nature. They often feature music,
dance, food, art, and other forms of
entertainment.
Festival can be held to celebrate specific events,
traditions, harvests, holidays, or simply to bring
communities together for enjoyment and unity.
1. Ati-atihan Festival
Celebrated in Kalibo, Aklan every January. It is a
vibrant and lively festival that depicts the
Philippines pre-colonial history.
2. Sinulog Festival
Held every January in Cebu City. One of the most
popular and colorful festivals in the Philippines. It
is a grand religious and cultural celebration
honoring the Santo Niño or the child Jesus.
3. Dinagyang Festival
Is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City.
Celebrated every fourth weekend of January.
Originated in the 1960s, it features street dancing
and a grand parade to attract both local and
international tourists.
4. Panagbenga Festival
Known as the “Flower Festival,” it takes place in
Baguio City every February. It showcases floats
adorned with flowers and street dancing. This
festival was created as a tribute to the city's
flowers and as a way to rise from the devastation
of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.
5. Moriones Festival
Is a religious festival held in Marinduque during
holy week. The festival reenacts the story of
Longinus, a Romansoldier who
pierced Jesus Christ’s side during the
crucifixion. The participants, known as
“Moriones,” wear colorful masks and costumes.

What is a rite?

A rite is a formal act or procedure that is part of a

religious or ceremonial practice. It can also refer
to a body of customary observances
characteristic of a church or a part of it

Examples:
TULI is a Filipino rite of male circumcision.
PAGMAMANO is an "honoring-gesture" used in
Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to
elders and as a way of requesting a blessing from
the elder.

Many rites of passage examples relate to

similar events in a person's life like birth,
puberty, adulthood, and death.

What is a ritual?

Is a sequence of actions or behaviors that are

repeated in a particular order.
It can be both formal and informal, and they are
often performed to symbolize or commemorate
something meaningful.
A ritual is a patterned, repetitive, and symbolic
enactment of a cultural belief or value. The more
a belief system is enacted through ritual, the
stronger it becomes; the less it is enacted, the
weaker it becomes. For this reason, religious
leaders often exhort their members to participate
regularly

Examples:

Religious rituals: Baptism, confirmation,

communion, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, marriage,
funeral.
Secular rituals: Graduation, wedding, birthday
party, holiday celebration, sporting event, harana.
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