SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY,
AND NATION-
BUILDING
A HISTORICAL APPROACH
PRE-COLONIAL TIMES (UNDATED – 1565)

Contrary to popular belief by the Westerners, our ancestors

are civilized and cultured. They have:
• Own belief system (Animist Faith)
• Community organization (Barangay)
• Farming technology, irrigation, and domestication of
animals
PRE-COLONIAL TIMES (UNDATED – 1565)

• Medicinal use of plants (Herbal Medicines)

• Engineering (e.g. Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras)
• Mining of ores and metallurgy
• Trade with other civilizations
• Writing system (e.g. Baybayin)
PRE-COLONIAL TIMES (UNDATED – 1565)

• Weapons
• Sea-going vessels (e.g. Balangay)
• Musical instruments
• Tattooing practice (e.g. Batok of the Butbut Tribe)
• Laws
SPANISH ERA (1565-1898)

Upon the arrival and colonization of the Spaniards, they

introduced to the Philippines the following:
• Catholicism
• Reorganization of the Barrios
• Spanish Language which influenced Filipino Language
• Stronger construction materials
SPANISH ERA (1565-1898)

• Formal Education System (schools, colleges, and

universities)
• Modern Western Medicine
• Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade (made the Philippines a
center of commerce in Southeast Asia, and the link to the
West via the Pacific Ocean)
SPANISH ERA (1565-1898)

• Modern engineering and architectural techniques

• Many firsts
– Railway (Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan)
– In-city rail system (Manila Tranvia)
– Paved roads and bridges
– Hospitals
AMERICAN ERA (1898-1946)

When the Americans gained control of the Philippines, they

introduced the following:
• Modernization of Infrastructure
• City Planning (e.g. Manila and the hill station called Baguio)
• Universal Public Education System
• English Language
AMERICAN ERA (1898-1946)

• Exploration and exploitation of natural resources

• Improvements in public health and sanitation
• Establishment of the Bureau of Science
• Electrification of the country
AMERICAN ERA (1898-1946)

• University of the Philippines System

• Many firsts:
–Car
–Plane
–Air-conditioned building
POST-COLONIAL ERA (1946-PRESENT)

By virtue of the Treaty of Manila (1946), the United

States has relinquished its sovereignty over the
Philippines to the newly-established Third Philippine
Republic. This brought the following:
POST-COLONIAL ERA (1946-PRESENT)

• Establishment of DOST (Department of Science and

Technology), PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration), PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology), etc.
• Modernization of the public education system
POST-COLONIAL ERA (1946-PRESENT)

• Order of National Scientists – the highest honor

bestowed by the Philippine Government for people
who have lasting contributions in the field of science
and technology.