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SUBJECT GE 2: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

MODULE NUMBER MODULE 1
TOPIC I. INTRODUCTION

 Meaning and Relevance of History

 Distinction of Primary and Secondary Sources
 Internal and External Criticism
 Kinds and Repositories of Primary Sources
LEARNING At the end of the lesson the students shall be able to
OUTCOMES  Make a distinction between primary and secondary sources.
 Differentiate external criticism from internal criticism.
 Discuss the repositories of primary sources.
 Explain the different kinds of primary sources.

I. READ
MEANING AND RELEVANCE OF HISTORY
Merriam-Webster (2018) defines history as “a chronological record of major events (such as those
affecting a nation or institution), sometimes with an analysis of their causes” as a discipline. This term
simply refers to major events in the history of an organization that are chronologically ordered to tell a
coherent story.
Looking into the word's derivation, it was derived from the Greek word "historia," which means "inquiry
or information gained by examination." As a result, the subject needs readers to scrutinize every piece of
information they receive from a source in order to justify the cause of a certain event and to determine the
reasons behind the acts of the individuals involved.
Historiography, on the other hand, is the study of how, what, and why history is written. It's about
historical methods and practices, the evolution of history as a discipline, or the philosophy or importance
of historical writing.
PREHISTORY AND HISTORY
"Prehistory" refers to the period when historical knowledge was recorded through materials other than
written papers, which a historian might not understand. Artifacts, sketches, paintings, sculptures, and
other forms fall under this category. 
The term "history" refers to information gathered mostly from written accounts of past events.
WHY STUDY HISTORY?
1. History helps us understand people and societies.
2. History helps us understand change and how the society we live in came to be.
3. History contributes to moral understanding.
4. History provides identity.
6. Studying History Is Essential for Good Citizenship

GE 2: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

DISTINCTION BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES

Primary sources are firsthand accounts of a particular event by individuals who personally experienced or
witnessed it.
Secondary Sources refers to records derived from primary sources. They provide an explanation for a past
event by evaluating and interpreting the documents created during a particular historical time.
THE USE OF PRIMARY SOURCES IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING
REASONS:
 Direct contact with the original records and artifacts invites students to explore the content with
active and deeper analysis, and to respond thoughtfully.
 Critical thinking is developed as students probe the context, purpose, meaning, bias, and
perspectives in their analysis of the past.
 In the interaction with the various sources from the past, a learn-led inquiry is being fostered.
 There is a realization that history reflects various perspectives of those who interpret the past
events; and
 It brings back to story to history allowing students to share the author’s perspectives.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CRITICISM
Historical method refers to the process of probing primary sources that will be used in writing history.
This includes source criticism which studies the external and internal validity of sources.
According to the Gilbert J. Garraghan and Jean Delanglez in 1946, source criticism asks the following
questions:
1. When was the source, written or unwritten, produced?
2. Where was it produced?
3. By whom was it produced?
4. From what pre-existing material was it produced?
5. In what original form was it produced?
6. What is the evidential value of its contents?

The first five questions are part of external criticism. Historians determine the authenticity of sources by
examining the date, locale, creator, analysis and integrity of the historical sources. This information must
be consistent with each other. It means, for example, that the materials used in a source must match the
time and place when it was produced.

The last question is treated as internal criticism as it helps the historians determine the credibility of the
source. It studies the content of the source to know its truthfulness.

KINDS OF REPOSITORIES OF PRIMARY RESOURCES

Written
1. Published documents. Those documents that have been published are those that are meant for public
distribution or usage. The fact that these materials have been published does not imply that they are
trustworthy, accurate, or factual. The readers must know not just the document's content, but also the
author's background, as the document may be written from the author's perspective.

2. Unpublished documents. In comparison to published ones, these may be difficult to locate because

these are maintained in private and hence not immediately accessible to the public. These records, like

GE 2: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

personal letters in the ownership of the recipients, are also confidential and are not available for public
use.

Unwritten
1. Oral Traditions. Traditions, histories, and oral histories passed down through generations may provide
insight into the past. Primary sources of this type are those originating from individuals who witnessed or
experienced past occurrences.

2. Artworks and artifacts. These are visual documents that tell us several views of the past from the
perspectives of creators.

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) was established on May 21, 2007, under Republic Act
No. 9470, to store, preserve, conserve, and make available to the public the records, papers, periodicals,
books, or other items, articles, or materials that have been selected for permanent reservation. These
materials, which may be electronic, audio-visual, or print, have enduring value due to their nature and
characteristics.

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE PHILIPPINES

The National Library of the Philippines (NLP) houses the country's printed and recorded cultural heritage,
as well as other intellectual, literary, and information resources. The Museo-Biblioteca de Filipinas was
established by royal decree on August 12, 1887. Its mission is to acquire, organize, conserve, and
preserve Filipiniana materials, as well as to provide equitable access to library resources through a
nationwide network of public libraries.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES

The National Museum (NM) is an educational, scientific, and cultural institution that operates the
National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, the National Museum of Natural
History, the National Planetarium, and other branch museums across the country. Its holdings include
works in the fine arts, archeology, ethnography, and natural history.

GE 2: READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY