Lesson 1

Objectives

 Explain the basis and importance for the study of history.

 Demonstrate willingness to protect the country’s territory and
resources.
 Promote unity among ethnic groups and regions in the
Philippines.

Discussion

ORIGIN OF THE PHILIPPINES

There are many explanations about the origin of our land, as

follows:

 As Christians, we believe that the land forms were made by

GOD as part of his creation. After the Great Flood time of
Noah, many continents and islands appeared. So the
descendants of Noah spread out to many parts of the world.
 The other religion of some tribes explain the origin of our land by
telling “Legends”.
Legends or Myths are stories that are not true, but people use them to explain some
thing in colorful way. One legend says our land came from a giant who was carrying a
huge rock. He got tired and threw the rock down, so it broke too many pieces and
formed the many islands of our country.
Another legend about the story of a quarrel between the sea and the sky. The sky threw
the rocks down to the sea, and thus was formed the islands.

Scientist have different opinions about the origin of our country. Some geologist claim
that it was the remnant of pre historic continent called “Mu” or “Lemuria” in the Pacific
Ocean. Due to volcanic eruptions or earthquakes, this vast continent sank beneath the
ocean. Other believed that the eruption caused the gradual emergence of the islands
above the ocean.

The most popular-accepted scientific theory states that the Philippines was part of the
“Sunda Shelf” or the continental shelf of Asia. About 25, 000 years ago, the ice age
ended the worlds ice melted, the rising sea level flooded the land bridges connecting the
continent of Asia and the Philippines.
 BODIES OF WATER
The Philippines is blessed with excellent natural harbors for ports.
The three largest rivers in the country are the Cagayan River in
Northern Luzon, the Rio Grande de Mindanao, and the Agusan River,
also in Mindanao.
Most popular among tourist is the famous underground river in
Palawan.
Aside from rivers, the country also abounds with lakes. Easily the most famous is the
heart-shaped Laguna de Bay. Other famous lakes are Taal in Batangas, Sampaloc in
Laguna, Buhi and Bulusan in Bicol, Naujan in Mindoro Oriental, and Lanao and
Mainit in Mindanao.
Generating power for the Nation’s growth are the magnificent waterfalls that serve as
tourist attractions, as well. The biggest is waterfalls is the Maria Cristina falls, it can
be found in the North Western part of Lanao province in Mindanao, while the most
popular is Pagsanjan falls in Laguna, where tourist came in droves.
The Philippines is rich in natural resources. It has fertile, arable lands, diverse flora
and fauna, extensive coastlines, and rich mineral deposits.
About 30% of the land area of the country was determined by geologically prospective
by the Philippine Mines and Ge-Sciences Bureau. But only 1.5 % of country’s land is
covered with mining permits.

OUR LAND
The Philippines’ primary source of livelihood is its fertile land. Rich, wide plains
suitable for farming are found in the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, South western
Bicol, Panay, Negros, Davao, Cotabato, Agusan and Bukidnon. The country‘s six
major crops are rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, abaca and tobacco.

OUR FORESTS
The Philippines also boasts of wide tracts of lush, green forests. In fact, almost half of
the country’s total land area is forested. Sixty percent of these forests are found in
Mindanao.

MINERAL RESOURCES
Except for petroleum and a number of metals, mineral resources abound in Philippine
soil. Our metal deposits are estimated at 21.5 billion metric tons, while non-metal
deposits are projected at 19.3 billion metric tons. 1. Nickel ranks first in terms of
deposits and size, it is found in Surigao del Norte, Davao, Palawan, Romblon and
Samar. 2. Iron is found in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Norte and Cotabato.
3. While copper in Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Panay and Negros. Among non-
metal deposits, the most abundant are cement, lime, and marble. Other non-metals
include asbestos, clay, guano, asphalt, feldspar, sulfur, talc, silicon, phosphate, and
marble.
 FISHERY RESOURCES
 Of the 2,400 fish species found in the country. 65 have good
commercial value. Other marine products include corals, pearls,
crabs and seaweeds.
 Some of the countries best salt water fishing area’s are found in
Sintangki Island in Sulu, Estancia in Bohol, Malampaya in
Palawan, Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, San Miguel lake in
Camarines Norte, Bantayan Channel in Cebu, and the seas of
Quezon and Sorsogon.
 On the other hand, among our biggest fishing areas are Laguna de
Bay, Bombon Lake in Batangas, Bato Lake in Camarines Sur,
Naujan Lake in Mindoro and Mainit lake in Agusan del Norte.

The Philippines is composed of 7,107 islands situated in the South - East Asian part of
the globe. The Philippine islands are clustered into three (3) island groups called Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao which are further subdivided into seventeen (17) regions. The
island group of Luzon is composed of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon,
CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and
the National Capital Region (NCR) otherwise known as Metro Manila. The Visayas island
group is composed of Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas. South of
the Philippines is the Mindanao island group composed of Zamboanga Peninsula,
Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, CARAGA and the Autonomous
Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
ACTIVITY # 1:

1. What do creation stories tell about the origin of the

Philippines?

2. How does the country’s geography affect Filipino people?

 ACTIVITY # 2:

Define the following:

1. History structuralism
2. Prehistoric archaeology
3. Primary and secondary sources
4. Tarsila
5. Maragtas

ACTIVITY # 3:

Elaborate the quotation given by the author. Make it a simple graphic organizer.

"Fun is not the perfect word to describe the Philippines, but it is the best word
simple enough for all Filipinos to play around with and share with everyone
around the world."

-Donald Lim