Readings in Philippine History

Module 1: The Meaning and Relevance of History

Section 1: Distinction Between Primary and Secondary Sources
 In conducting any historical research, different sources of information are
required to gain extensive knowledge on a particular topic.
 Some researchers rely on written sources while others choose to make use
of oral sources.
 Primary Sources: These sources are considered as contemporary
accounts of an event, personally written or narrated by an individual
person who directly experienced or participated in the said event.
 Primary sources also include materials that capture the event such as
photographs, voice and video recordings, and the like. These materials
are considered as original sources that directly narrate the details of the
event.
 Diary
 Journal entries
 Letters
 Memoirs
 Speeches
 Interviews
 Official Records
 Minutes
 Artworks
 Artifacts
 Primary sources mostly include unpublished works of individuals that were
discovered after some time as during historical excavation and historical
researches done in public and private libraries.
 Newspapers and magazine articles are also considered primary sources
as long as they were written soon after the events and not as historical
account.
 Secondary Sources: These resources serve as interpretations or readings of
primary sources. Usually, the author of a piece incorporates his or her
personal insights and interpretations, thus, detaching the original value of
the component of the subject being discussed.
 These sources usually contain analyses of primary sources by experts,
academicians, and professionals.
 These are usually in the form of published works such as journals, articles,
reviews, books, conference papers, and documentaries.
 They can also be based on interpretations of other secondary sources or a
combination of primary and secondary sources.
 Many historical researches also bank on secondary sources to get
different perspectives on a particular topic. However, relying too much on
secondary sources may blur out the actual details of particular historical
events.
 Therefore, primary and secondary sources should be evaluated. Most
scholars use the following questions in evaluating the validity and
credibility of sources of historical accounts:
 1) How did the author know about the given details? Was the author
present at the event? How soon was the author able to gather the
details of the event?
2) Where did the information come from? Is it a personal experience,
an eyewitness account, or a report made by another person?
3) Did the author conclude based on a single source, or on many
sources of evidence?
 The evaluation of an available source shows any indication that it is an
interpretative work rather than a factual firsthand account, it is
considered as a secondary source.

Section 2: Evaluation of Primary and Secondary Sources

 Primary source provides better and more accurate historical details
compared to a secondary source. However, the authenticity and
reliability of primary sources should be scrutinized before they are used.
 In this day and age, the proliferation of fake news is evident in both print
and digital media platforms.
 Although primacy is given to primary sources, there are instances when
the credibility of these sources are contestable. Garraghan (1950)
identified six points of inquiries to evaluate the authenticity of a primary
source:
1) Date – When was it produced?
2) Localization – Where did it originate?
3) Authorship – Who wrote it?
4) Analysis – What pre-existing material served as the basis for its
production?
5) Integrity – What was its original form?
6) Credibility – What is the evidential value of its content?
 Secondary accounts of historical events are narratives commonly passed
on from one generation to the next or knowledge that is shared within a
community. Similar to the usual problem with passing information from one
point to another, details can be altered.
 Louis Gottschalk (1969) emphasized that is impossible for historians to
avoid using secondary sources due to difficulty in accessing primary
sources. He suggested that secondary sources must only be used for:
1) deriving the setting wherein the contemporary evidence will fit in
the grand narrative of history;
2) getting leads to other bibliographic data
3) acquiring quotations or citations from contemporary or other
sources; and
4) deriving interpretations with a view of testing and improving them
but not accepting them as outright truth.
 Martha Howell and Walter Prevenier (2001) stated that before any source
can be considered as an evidence in a historical argument, it must satisfy
three preconditions.
1) It must be comprehensible at the most basic level of vocabulary,
language, and handwriting
 2) The source must be carefully located in accordance with place
and time. Its author, composer, or writer and the location where it
was produced/published should be noted for the checking of
authenticity and accuracy.
3) The authenticity of the source must always be checked and
counterchecked before being accepted as a credible source in
any historical findings. Subtle details such as the quality of paper
used, the ink or the watermark of the parchment used, and the way
it was encoded.
 Cases of forgery and mislabeling are common in Philippine historiography.
 Ambeth Ocampo’s discovery of the alleged draft of Jose Rizal’s
third novel, the Makamisa
 Signature of Gen. Urbano Lacuna that led to the captivity of
signature Emilio Aguinaldo
 Signature of Jose Rizal in the great retraction controversy
 Josephine Bracken and Jose Rizal marriage under Catholic rites
 Internal criteria set by Howell and Prevenier (2001):
1) The genealogy of the document – refers to the development of the
document. The document may be original, a copy, or a copy of
the copy.
2) The genesis of the document – includes the situations and the
authorities during the document’s production.
3) The originality of the document – includes the nature of the
document whether it is an eye/earwitness account or merely
passing of existing information.
4) The interpretation of the document – pertains to deducing meaning
from the document.
5) The authority of the document – refers to the relationship between
the document’s subject matter and its author.
6) The competence of the observer – refers to the author’s capabilities
and qualifications to critically comprehend and report information.
7) The trustworthiness of the observer – refers to the author’s integrity –
whether he or she fabricates or reports truthfully
 Primary sources: How these sources are directly related and closely
connected to the time of the events they pertain to.
 Secondary sources: Depends on the elapsed time from the date of the
event to the date of their creation. More likely, the farther the date of
creation from the actual event, the more reliable the source is (exhaustion
of all available materials).

Module 2: Analyzing the Significance of Primary Sources to the History of the

Filipino People
Section 1: Customs of the Tagalogs, Juan de Plasencia
 Fray Juan de PLasencia, also known as his real name, Joan de
Portocarrero, was one of the seven children of Pedro Portocarrero.
 He was born and raised in Extremadura, Spain in the 16 th century during
the country’s Golden Age (Siglo de Oro).
 He performed missionary and priestly duties in numerous towns in Luzon.
  His interaction with Tagalog converts to Christianity influenced him in
witing the book “Relacion de las Constumbres de Los Tagalos (Customs of
the Tagalogs, 1589).
 The book identifies the political, social, economic, and cultural systems
that were already in place among Filipino communities prior to the arrival
of the Spaniards.

Historical Background of the Document

 Filipinos were allowed to hold the position of gobernadorcillo of pueblos.
 Friars assigned in the parishes performed administrative duties in the local
level by supervising and monitoring the activities of the gobernadorcillo.
They are the most influential and knowledgeable figure in the pueblo.
 periodically inform their superiors
 report number of converts
 people’s practices
 socio-economic situations
 problems encountered
 Short letters were submitted by some friars while others who were good
observers and gifted in writing wrote longer messages. Fray Juan de
Plasencia’s Relacion de las Costumbres de los Tagalos (Customs of the
Tagalogs, 1589) is an example of such work.
 Miguel de Loarca, arrived in the Philippines in 1576 and wrote “Relacion
de las Islas Filipinas (1582) that described the way of life of Filipinos living in
Western Visayas area.
 Antonio de Morga, came in the Philippines in 1595 and wrote “Sucesos de
las Islas Filipinas (latter part of the 16th century)

Section 2: Raiders of the Sulu Sea, Documentary Film

 It is a historical documentary produced by Oak3 Film.
 It became popular because they co-produced a documentary with
Discover Asia titled “The Gods Must Be Hungry,” which earned Discover
Asia’s highest viewership in 10 years (gives a whole new perspective of
food as it takes an appetizing exploration into the practices of feeding
gods or better known as offerings to appease them, to seek their favour or
to express one's gratitude).

Historical Background of the Documentary

 Raiders of the Sulu Sea (2008) depicts the slave-raiding activities
perpetrated by the Balangingi Samal and the Ilanun people under the
command of the Sultanate of Sulu.
 The documentary shows the Moro resistance to the Spanish and American
colonial governments in Southern Philippines.
 The raids were facilitated by different indigenous groups of Sulu: Ilanuns,
Balangingi Samals, and Tausugs. The raids on the coastal areas of the
Spanish settlements indicate the indigenous groups’ retaliation.
 The armed struggle against the Spanish, American, and Japanese
colonial governments are considered by Moro leaders as part of the four-
 century long national liberation movement. The long-standing Moro-
conflict is rooted in the Spanish and American war against the Moros
 Spanish Rule: Propagation of Christianity, Control over the maritime trade
caused Moros to lose sources of livelihood, putting many of them in
poverty .
 American Rule: Thousands of Moros were killed in the Moro Crater
Massacre.

Section 3: Kartilya ng Katipunan by Emilio Jacinto

 Brains of the Katipunan, Moses of the Filipino People, Soul of the
Revolution, and Eyes of the Katipunan
 Bachelor’s degree at Colegio de San Juan de Letran and law at University
of Santo Tomas
 He used the pen names Pinkian, Dimasilaw, and Ka Ilyong. He joined the
Katipunan in 1894 and was the youngest member at 19 years old.
 He became the director of the printing shop and library of the Katipunan.
The library contained written works on tactics and weaponry, the French
Revolution, and works of demagogues.
 Became the adviser of the Supremo and furnished Bonifacio with
weapons, money, printing materials, and musical compositions. He was
the editor of the newspaper Kalayaan.
 Died at 23 years old because of malaria.

Historical Background of the Kartilya

 Andres Bonifacio codified document listing the duties and responsibilities
of every member of the Katipunan. Incidentally, as Bonifacio was drafting
the said document, Emilio Jacinto was writing one as well. Bonifacio was
impressed with Jacinto’s style of writing and decided to adopt the Kartilya
ng Katipunan as the guidebook for the rules and regulations of the
Katipunan.
 Factors that influenced the formation of the Katipunan and Kartilya:
1) The Age of Enlightenment gave way to Liberalism and Classicism
and in the 20th century, Modernism. In this period, secret societies
like the Freemasons were established. Coffeehouses, newspapers,
and literary salons flourished as new places for ideas to circulate
and transfer.
2) The French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval
in France. It became the focal point for the development of all
modern political ideologies. It led to radicalism, liberalism, and
nationalism which greatly influenced the Ilustrados in the Philippines
and in Europe.
3) Masonry was a civic movement promoting fraternity, evidently
influenced the dynamics of the Katipunan. The Spanish believed
that Masonry and establishment of the Katipunan were roots of the
problems. Filipinos were described to be against righteousness,
morality, or justice and that Masonry was the enemy of God.
 4) The Propaganda Movement was propelled by the execution of the
three (3) priests, GomBurZa, in 1872 which left a profound effect on
many Filipinos including Jose Rizal.
5) The La Liga Filipina was established by Jose Rizal when he decided
to return to the Philippines to continue to call for reforms through
legal means. However, the operations of La Liga Filipina were cut
short when Rizal was arrested and exiled to Dapitan.
 Andres Bonifacio-Katipunan (Radicals)
 Numeriano Adriano-Cuerpo de Compromisarios
(Conservatives)

Section 4: The Works of Juan Luna and Fernando Cueto Amorsolo

Juan Luna (1857-1899)
 He is from Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He was granted the title Licentiate Pilot for
High Seas after passing the government examination for sailors.
 He was also a member of the Hong Kong Revolutionary Committee that
tried to convince Emilio Aguinaldo during his exile in Hong Kong to return
to the Philippines and take part in the armed rebellion against the
Spaniards.

Historical Background of Luna’s Paintings

 Luna’s paintings illustrate literary and historical scenes that cried political
commentaries.
 Spolarium was the most important work of Luna and the largest painting in
the Philippines (4.22m x 7.67m). He spent eight months to complete the
painting.
 La Muerte de Cleopatra (Death of Cleopatra) – Silver Medal
 The Battle of Lepanto – Gold Medal (Jose Rizal delivered a
congratulatory speech for the success of Juan Luna)
 El Pacto de Sangre – shows blood compact between Datu Sikatuna
and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
 Parisian Life – shows a lady sitting uncomfortably in a couch in a
public war while being discretely observed by three men who
resemble Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, and Dr. Ariston Lin-Bautista
 Portrait of a Lady / Paz Pardo de Tavera
 Wife of Luna holding a rosary in a scene that seems to be
after a sexual interlude
 Favorite model of Luna named Angela Duche
 Luna’s ideal vision of his wife

Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (1892-1972)

 He is from Paco, Manila. He studied at the Art School of the Liceo de
Manila and at the University of the Philippines’ School of Fine Arts.
 He worked as a draftsman for the Bureau of Public Works, as a Chief Artist
at the Public Commercial Company, and as a part time instructor in the
University of the Philippines.
 He painted and sketched more than 10,000 pieces over his lifetime using
natural and backlighting techniques.
  Themes: Rural Philippine landscapes.
 Leyendo El Periodioco – Second Place in the Bazaar Escolta
 Afternoon Meal of Rice Workers – First Prize at the New York World’s
Fai
 Making of the Philippine Flag
 The First Baptism in the Philippines
 Under the Mango Tree
 He died from heart failure. He was the first National Artist of the Philippines
in painting. And also considered as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art.”

Historical Background of Luna’s Paintings

 His paintings depict life during the late American regime and the
Japanese occupation (wartime atrocities-suffering of the Filipinos under
Japanese authorities).
 Bombing of the Intendencia
 Bombing of the Legislative Building
 Rape of Manila
 Burning of Sto. Domingo
 Rizal Avenue in Ruins
 Defense of a Filipino Woman’s Honor
 Burning of Manila

Section 5: Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan, Emilio Aguinaldo

 It focuses on the memoir written by General Emilio Aguinaldo which
narrates significant events in his life and career from 1928 to 1946.
 The memoir tells the life of Aguinaldo from his years up to the 1897 Treaty
of Biak-na-Bato
 Aguinaldo’s family was well off since his father was the community’s
gobernadorcillo of their pueblo.
 He attended high school at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran but had
to stop because of his father’s death---run their farm.
 At the age of 25, he became the Kawit’s first “gobernadorcillo capitan
municipal
 Freemason-joining Pilar Lodge No. 203, Imus, Cavite---Colon
 Joined Katipunan---Magdalo
 First and youngest president of the country by being the President of the
First Philippine Republic
 Presidency was cut short when he was captured by the American soldiers-
--Palanan, Isabela---loyalty to the American government---dissolving the
First Republic
 Challenged Manuel L. Quezon in the 1935 presidential election but he lost
 President Elpidio Quirino-appointed as member of the Philippine Council
of State in 1950
 Dies of coronary thrombosis on February 6, 1964. He was 94 years old.
  In his lifetime he was able to witness the administration of succeeding
presidents of the Philippines until the term of President Diosdado
Macapagal

Historical Background of Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan

 Memoirs were based on various documents such as diary Aguinaldo kept,

documents he preserved, and family lore
 It covered Aguinaldo’s birth and early years.
 It was also presumed that a second volume was also drafted by
Aguinaldo which covered:
 Resumption of the Philippine revolution against Spain and the
Philippine-American war
 Hidden in a secret compartment, drawer, or passageway in the
Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.