Readings in Philippine History

1
Meaning and Relevance of history

Module 1 Week 1 Meaning and Relevance of

history

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. State the meaning of history
2. Discuss the significance of history
3. Appreciate studying history
4. Determine the branches of social sciences

What is history?
It is a continues process and written in a chronological order of events and it is
important to our society. It’s from the Greek word “HISTORIA” which means to search or
look into. As the time past by there are some changes into its meaning. History is a brief
summary or result based on a factual research and it also deals with the sequence of
important events. It deals with science that describe and examine past event in the specific
group of people.

Significance of History
Studying history is really important especially in the Philippine setting. These are the
reasons why we need to study:
1. We could determine and understand the contribution of our ancestor in the
foundation of our humanity, origin, and inherent culture. History gives picture to
our humanity and to our society.
2. We could understand the task in the present and future if we study the history. The
events in the past has relation to our present and future. It gives meaning in
different things and events in our society.
3. History can be used to examine and forecast the things in the environment and
society. We’ve learned to appreciate culture, love, and respect other people in the
world.
4. History can give us deeper understanding of different problems and offer solutions
in our present and future. In the study of the past events, we discover new ways in
studying in solving problems in the present and future.
5. History is an eye opener to understand our culture, language and society. History
may arouse patriotic, humanitarian nature in people
6. History develops our knowledge about different race of people, culture, place, and
time.
7. The stories of past about people and things in the world we live provide valuable
lessons to us.

Course Module
 8. In studying history we’ve learned different ways of studying and researching in
the social sciences. It helps us to learn different ways of discovering new
knowledge.

Studying History
Once upon a time, the history or story of a society or group of people is rooted from
their myth, epic, folklore, and rituals. It has been transferred from generation to
generation. Over hundred years ago, study of history is based from different data’s like
documents, coins, seal, picture, and sculptures and carved statue.
In early times, recording history is important to the rulers of government to justify
their works. During that time the laws and agreement became an important basis.
Lately, the basis of data’s is not only through written documents but also the things
that has to do with the lives of people. Some of these things are their materials, corpse,
settlement, plants, picture, computer text files and environment.
Because of numerous resources of data’s, it is a difficult task for the historian to
scrutinized and properly choose which of these are valid. This is the reason why they
need to clarify properly.
In studying history we need to document, examine the framework properly, it should
consider the relation of documents and events due to multifaceted past events. The
important data’s should be connected and understandable to become more relevant
and realistic from its interpretation.
The study of history as discipline or science has its advancement during 1900. During
those years, scientists forcedly separated the good data’s from the documents from its
interpretation.
Today, Scientist believes that it is impossible to do because the description of the past
events used by the historian comes from his/her own understanding and imagination
that is scrutinized and connected to the different data’s collected.
The experts who studied the different branches of social sciences greatly helps to
prove that the data’s are genuine. It enlightens and guides us to examine, give meaning
and interpretation from the collected data’s.

Figure 1: Ancient Equipment

 Readings in Philippine History
3
Meaning and Relevance of history

Here are the branches of social sciences that could help studying history.

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals

Course Module
1. Antonio, Eleonor D., Dallo, Evangeline M. at et al... ; 2010; Kayamanan (kasaysayan ng
Pilipinas); Sampaloc, Manila; Rex Book Store, Inc.
2. Agoncillo, Teodoro A.; 2010; Philippine History; South Triangle, Quezon City; C & E
Publishing, Inc.