READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES
AND
ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES

SUBMITTED BY:
CARPIO, JEN-JEN C.

SUBMITTED TO:
MR. RENATO T. ASI JR.

OCTOBER 21, 2019

MAGELLAN’S VOYAGE AROUND
THE WORLD
1. Who is Antonio Pigafetta? What is his role in the Magellan – Del Cano
Expedition?
Pigafetta was born into a wealthy Vicenza family, and studied navigation
among other things. He served on board the galleys of the Knights of Rhodes, and
accompanied the papal nuncio, Monsignor Chieregati, to Spain. Later, he joined
the Portuguese captain Ferdinand Magellan and his Spanish crew on their trip to
the Maluku Islands.During the expedition, he served as Magellan's assistant and
kept an accurate journal which later assisted him in translating the Cebuano
language. It is the first recorded document concerning the language.Pigafetta's
surviving journal is the source for much of what is known about Magellan and
Elcano's voyage.

2. According to Pigafetta, how did the locals of the island welcome Magellan and
his crew?
According to Pigafetta, the locals of the island warmly welcome Magellan and
his crew. When they saw the captain general's courtesy, they presented a fish, a
jar of palm wine and other which were smaller and more delicate, and they also
served coconuts. During their staying in Cebu, Magellan went ashore daily to visit
the sick and gave them a coconut water. Magellan converted the Cebuanos to
Christianity. The natives were baptized and embraced the Christian faith. However,
not all locals extended a warm and friendly welcome Magellan and his crew. Lapu-
lapu, one of the chief of Mactan, refused to recognize Magellan as his sovereignty.
3. How are the islander’s way of life, cultural practices, and religious beliefs
described? What does Pigafetta’s account tell us about the conditions of the
Visayan Islands in the 16th century?
He first noticed the food that the islanders have when they offered some
during the first encounter. He said in his journal that they have only rice, coconuts
and many articles of food. He also noticed on how the islander got everything
from the coconut tree. He learned that the coconut tree was very helpful for the
islanders. It’s not only the food of islanders which Pigafetta included in his journal
but he also described the appearance of the islanders. He saw an islander covered
in tattoos which he described as painted and the accessories that the islander
wore like gold earrings in the ear, gold armlets in the arms, kerchiefs on their
heads and others. He also saw the other islanders with holes on their ears
wearing earrings and described that it is so large that they can passed their arms
through it. On the clothes wear by the islanders, he saw that they were naked with
a soft woven cloth on their private parts and it was very different to what some
chiefs were wearing .Regarding on religious aspect, the islanders worshipped
nothing but instead, according to the journal of Antonio Pigafetta, they just raised
their clasped and face in the sky and their god is called Abba. Other islanders
were worshipping objects such as trees, animals, caves, and other things or they
are animistic. They treated the nature with respect for they believed that it was a
sacred place. He also mentioned the practice of hunting animals and cultivating of
the fields. There were also animals like dogs and cats and livestock animals such
as swine, fowls and goats, and products like lemons, millet, pancium, sorgo and
wax.
The islanders were the type of people that they are just contented on what they
have and they are so dependent on nature. The Pigafetta’s account showed that
the people of the Visayan islands in the 16th century lived a simple life but they
are gradually changing because of the influence of the voyagers. They were
uncivilized but they were rich in cultures.
4. Based on Pigafetta’s account, how did the Battle of Mactan start?
When Lapu-Lapu knew that the conquerors have landed in their town. And
thus, the beginning of the battle begun. He trained his men and attacked the
forces of Magellan. When he knew that the leader of the other forces is Magellan,
he killed him and the Battle of Mactan ended. The battle was fought on Saturday,
April twenty-seven, 1521. the captain desired to fight on Saturday, because it was
the day especially holy to him. Eight crewmen were killed. Pigafetta, the
supernumerary on the voyage who later returned to Seville, Spain, records Lapu-
Lapu had at least 1,500 native warriors in the battle.

5. Why was Pigafetta’s journal not published?

Pigafetta’s journal not published because he was not able to find a financer
that woul pay deposit required by the printer because that time, the accounts
of Maximilianus Transylvanus and Peter Martyr were already out and interest
on Magellan Expedition had died down. The original journal of Pigafetta did not
survived time. What was handed down to us are the manuscript that were
never printed in his lifetime.
 CONCLUSION

Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan, after confusing

the governments of 2 of the different islands, Mindanao and Luzon, and trying to
convert the people of Mindanao. His crew fell under the control of Juan Sebastian
del Cano, and made it to Spain. However, Magellan and his crews achieved many
things such as discovering the Philippines, circumnavigating the globe. He
proved that the Earth is not flat but an oblate sphere. He have demolished the
myth that there is a boiling water at the Equator. They confirmed that the
Portuguese route is not only way to the Spice Island. They proved the theory that
one can go to the East by sailing West. The account of Pigafetta also enriched
Philippine historiography because it contains important details about the
conditions of the Visayan Islands in the 16th century.
THE FIRST CRY OF THE REVOLUTION
(AUGUST 1896)
1. Who are the three primary sources of the story? How did they participate in the
revolution?
The first primary source in the First Cry was Dr. Pio Valenzuela. He is a Filipino
physician and revolutionary leader. At the age of 23, he joined the society of
Katipunan, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from
Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution. Together with Andrés
Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, they formed the secret chamber of the society called
Camara Reina. The second primary source was Santiago Alvarez. He is a
revolutionary general and founder and honorary president of the first directorate
of the Nacionalista Party, was born in Imus, Cavite. He was known as Kidlat ng
Apoy (Lightning of Fire) because of his inflamed bravery and dedication as
commander in the battle of Dalhican, Cavite. He was popularly acclaimed the
"Hero of the Battle of Dalahican". Lastly, Guillermo Masangkay. One of the first
members of the Katipunan, played a key role in the Filipino-American War as a
revolutionary general. He claimed cédulas were torn more than once – on the 24th
as well as the 26th.

2. According to the accounts, where and when did the first cry of revolution
happen?
According to Dr. Pio Valenzuela, the First Cry of Philippines Revolution of 1896
happened on August 23,1896 at Pugad Lawin, now part of Project 8 in Quezon
City. While Santiago Alvarez stated that the revolution happened on August
24,1896 in Bahay Toro. In an interview with Sunday Tribune, Guillermo Masangkay
said that it happened on August 26 in Balintawak. However, he changed in another
interview published in the newspaper and he said it was began on August 23 that
is similar to Valenzuela assertation. But Masangkay later changed again the date
when his granddaughter cited sources that the original date was August 26.
3. What is the significance of the tearing of the cedulas? What did the cedulas
signify?
Cedula is any of various official documents or certificates in Spain, Latin
America, or the Philippines such as: a permit or order issued by the government
and personal registration tax certificate in the Philippines. Andres Bonifacio and a
number of Katipuneros tore their cedulas, signifying their protest against Spanish
colonial rule. It signaled the start of the Philippine revolution against Spain.

4. What are the similarities and differences among the three accounts?

SIMILARITIES
The tearing up of cedulas held on
August 23.
Katipunan meetings took place from
Sunday to Tuesday or 23 to 25 August at
Balintawak.
The first Cry of the revolution did not
happen in Balintawak where the
monument is, but in a place called
Pugad Lawin.
Referred to the place of the Cry as
Tandang Sora’s and not as Juan Ramos’
house
DIFFERENCES
The places where the cedulas torn were
different.
The date where the First Cry happened
were different from the other accounts.
Averred that the Katipunan began
meeting on 22 August while the Cry took
place on 23 August at Apolonio
Samson’s house in Balintawak.
5. How does the National Historical Commission of the Philippines verify or
authenticate the historical accounts?
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines verify or authenticate
the history accounts via deeper evaluation or accurate research, as well as the
information must be preserved indicated the historical accounts.
 CONCLUSION

The Cry of Pugad Lawin was a cry for freedom. Its historic significance to
us consists of the realization that the Filipino people had finally realized the
lasting value of freedom and independence and the need to fight in order to prove
themselves worthy to be called a truly free people. The Katipuneros thought that
through fighting they could win back the country and since this is the only way
that they could do. That event marked as the begging of the Philippine Revolution
of 1896 against the Spain.
THE RIZAL RETRACTION
1. Who are the sources of the conflicting accounts or analyses on the Rizal
retraction?
The sources of the conflicting account on the Retraction of Rizal were Fr.
Vicente Balaguer, one of the Jesuits priest who visited Rizal during his last hours.
Padre Pio Pi, a Jesuit superior. Rafael Palma, which is lawyer, educator and
politician. Roman Ozaeta, he translated the writings of Palma and Austin Coates,
the Assistant Colonial Secretary.

2. What are their accounts or analyses? How are they similar to and / or different
from one another?
Fr. Vicente Balaguer claimed that he managed to persuade Rizal to denounce
Masonry and return to Catholic fold. He’s the one who solemnized the marriage of
Josephine Bracken and Rizal, hours before his execution.
In 1917, Padre Pio Pi issued an affidavit recounting his involvement in the said
retraction of Rizal. Unlike father Balaguer, he was involved only because he kept
the retraction letter. He did not witness it at all but he’s the one who claimed the
he kept the documents safe.
Rafael Palma is the author of Biografria de Rizal which is all about the life of
our National Hero and his work won in a literary contest in 1938 but the
publication was postponed because of the World War II
Roman Ozaeta argued that retraction of Rizal was a fraud made by the Catholic
Church because they wanted to show everyone that Rizal bowed down and said
sorry to them before his death. It is hard to believe that it’s true because they can’t
show the original copies to everyone even Rizal’s family.
Austin Coates argued that when Rizal’s family and close peers saw the article
about his retraction, they immediately said that it was ecclesiastical fraud. The
Archbishop was the one who wanted his retraction. He used Balaguer to make
everyone believe it and Balaguer on the other hand claimed that he succeeded in
persuading Rizal to reconcile with the Catholics. But Coates was arguing that
there was no written retraction and Rizal believed before God so he had nothing to
retract.

3. Which among the accounts or analyses do you consider the most convincing
and reliable? Why? Research more about these sources to come up with a
sound answer.
Roman Ozaeta’s account is most convincing and reliable. He argued that
retraction of Rizal was a fraud made by the Catholic Church because they wanted
to show everyone that Rizal bowed down and said sorry to them before his death.
It is hard to believe that it’s true because they can’t show the original copies to
everyone even Rizal’s family. He also gave 7 reasons why it isn’t true. He also
gave 7 reasons why it isn’t true.
• 1st – the documents were kept as a secret and the original copy was not
found until now.
• 2nd – when the family asked for the original copy of the said document, they
denied it.
• 3rd –his burial was kept as a secret and his cadaver was said to be kept by
the people of the church instead of the family.
• 4th – in spite of what he contributed and did for our country, no masses
were said for his soul or funeral.
• 5th – he was not really buried in the Catholic cemetery in Paco but in the
ground without any cross or stone to mark his grave.
• 6th- he was considered among the persons who died impenitent and did not
received any spiritual aids.
• 7th – lastly, there was no moral motive for the conversion. Why would he
reconcile himself to the rites of the religion which he had fought?
4. Analyze each account further. Do you find any loopholes or inconsistencies?
What are these loopholes? Justify.
Fr. Vicente Balaguer, Rizal did not retract is that when Father Balaguer came to
terms that he married Jose and Josephine, after Jose had signed the retraction
paper, however, there were no marriage certificate or public record shown that
could prove Father Balaguer’s statements.
Padre Pio Pi, he did not witnessed it at all but he’s the one who claimed the he
kept the documents safe.
Rafael Palma, issue was claimed to be true by the Roman Catholic defenders
but asserted to be deceptive by anti-retractonists.
Roman Ozaeta, he only translated Palma`s.
Austin Coates, he argued that when Rizal’s family and close peers saw the
article about his retraction, they immediately said that it was ecclesiastical fraud.

5. How can these accounts and analyses contribute to your understanding of the
Rizal Retraction?
These accounts and analyses contribute to my understanding of the Rizal
Retraction because it gave me more knowledge about Rizal and perspective in
every accounts testimony. It is easy for me to understand the Rizal Retraction and
see truth behind the story of giving the each accounts their testimony in
retraction.
 CONCLUSION

To conclude, we might have read or heard about the issue of retraction

from someone or from anywhere. What we are not certain about the things we
heard is that whether Rizal's retraction is genuine or real. There might be several
possible reasons as to why Rizal did it for himself or possibly for the sake of his
other concerns. We might also have heard of the events that happened during his
last hours, minutes and seconds of his life before he was executed. Whether Rizal
retracted or not, the accounts believe that retraction document was more of Rizal
taking a moral courage and recognize his mistakes. Perhaps it may be true that he
retracted and reverted his faith, but this does not diminish Rizal’s position as a
great hero. Whether he retracted or not, it doesn’t change what he has already
done.
THE CAVITY MUTINY
1. Who are the people involved in the Cavite Mutiny?
The Cavite Mutiny led to the persecution of prominent Filipinos; secular
priests Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora who would then be
collectively named GomBurZa—were tagged as the masterminds of the uprising.

2. What are the causes of Cavity Mutiny? Justify.

-One hundred and forty years ago, on January 20, 1872, about 200 Filipino
military personnel of Fort San Felipe Arsenal in Cavite, Philippines, staged a
mutiny which in a way led to the Philippine Revolution in 1896. The 1872 Cavite
Mutiny was precipitated by the removal of long-standing personal benefits to the
workers such as tax (tribute) and forced labor exemptions on order from the
Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo.
-In the evening of January 20, 1872, fireworks were displayed and rockets fired
into the air to celebrate the feast. The conspirators in Cavite mistook these for the
signal to revolt. Hence, at 9:30 pm of that day 200 native soldiers under the
leadership of Sergeant La Madrid rose up in arms, assassinated the commander
of the fort and wounded his wife.
3. What are the effects of Cavity Mutiny? Explain.
The incident was merely a mutiny by the Filipino soldiers and laborers against
Gen. Izquiedo's harsh policy. The abolition of the privileges enjoyed by the
laborers of the Cavite arsenal of exemption from the tribute was the main cause of
the insurrection.
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.
References:
https://www.coursehero.com/file/p1n0dabf/How-are-the-islanders-way-of-life-
cultural-practices-and-religious-beliefs/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cedula

https://thebiography.us/en/pigafetta-antonio

TORRES, JV.2018.Batis Sources in Philippine History. C&E Publishing, Inc.