GE 002 – READINGS in PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Chapter 2 – Historical Sources

Historical sources help confirm and ascertain historical narratives. This chapter explores the
two (2) types of historical sources, namely the primary and secondary sources. It also tackles other
classifications such as relics or remains and testimonies along with the concepts of artifacts,
sociofacts, and mentifacts.

Objectives:

At the end of the chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Distinguish primary from secondary sources.

2. Enumerate examples of primary and secondary sources.
3. Examine and understand related concepts such as relics or remains, testimonies,
artifacts, sociofacts, and mentifacts.

Lesson 1: Historical Sources = Artifacts

Preliminary Activity:

https://bit.ly/2VLo9kB https://bit.ly/3iCsQGh

Thought Provoking Questions:

1. What images are depicted in the above figures?
2. What historical insight/s do they suggest?
Discussion

People commonly refer to “artifacts” as those tangible objects which prove the existence
of a certain story or narrative. Thus, the manunggul jar, the balanghay or a piece of stone tool
are popularly mentioned when we are asked to name artifacts.

The popular meaning of artifacts presented above is actually an incomplete meaning. In

history, the term “historical sources” (commonly shortened to “sources”) is interchangeably used
with the term “artifacts”. Sources are artifacts that have been left by the past. Therefore, in history,
“artifacts” refer to both tangible and intangible sources.

Relics or remains present one variety of sources which offer clues about the past. Further,
they refer to anything that is made or modified by human hands. Testimonies are another variety.
They may be oral or written reports that describe an event. They provide details on what took
place, the location, the reason and how the event took place.

Written testimonies are of three types: 1) Narrative or “Literary” Sources, 2) Diplomatic or

Judicial Sources, and 3) Social Documents.

The first type of written testimonies refers to the narrative or “literary” sources. They are
testimonies which are written to narrate or impart information. The message given by these
sources may be real or fictional.

Narrative or “Literary” sources may take the form of scientific tracts, journals, newspaper
articles, and letters.

Ego documents such as memoirs and diaries are also examples of narrative or literary
sources.

Poems and novels are additional examples.

The second type of written testimonies refer to the diplomatic or judicial sources such as
court records, the Constitution, and contracts. These documents are especially helpful as proofs
of legal transactions and in settling judicial disputes.

The third type of written testimonies refer to social documents. These documents have
evolved due to rapid improvement in technology since the 19 th century. They include
photographs, films, and recordings.
Lesson 2: Artifacts, Sociofacts and Mentifacts

Preliminary Activity:

Give your own idea about the Philippine culture. It may be a word or a phrase that
describes the Filipino way of life (values, traditions, events, etc.) From this list, try to categorize each
answer either as artifact, sociofact or mentifact to the best of your ability.

Artifacts Sociofacts Mentifacts

Discussion:

Remember that artifacts include relics or remains and testimonies. In this lesson, we will
focus on artifacts as relics or remains. These relics/remains are anything made or modified by
human hands. Examples include stone tools and crafts, jade fragments, bangka,
alibata/baybayin.

Artifacts, sociofacts and mentifacts influence each other. Sociofacts refer to the structures
and organizations of a culture which influence social behavior. As such, they explain how people
come together, for what purpose have they come together, and the practices governing
people’s behavior. Examples are manners, customs, rituals, ceremonies, myths, and legends. They
also include social structures such as families, tribes, schools, church group, social classes,
corporations, gang, neighborhood, sport teams, and the like.

Mentifacts, on the other hand, are those which influence our thinking such as needs,
values, and attitudes. In short, they represent what people think or believe.

Let us see how artifacts, sociofacts and mentifacts work together.

 Let mortar and pestle (also referred to as “almires”) be our chosen artifact. What sociofacts
are associated with this artifact? We can mention the following sociofacts:

(1) Always present during events and occasions

(2) Allowing others to borrow this kitchen tool strengthens ties among neighbors
(3) Can be used to make food preparation easier and tastier

Next, we ask “What mentifacts are associated with mortar and pestle (almires)?” Our
answers may include:

(1) Consists of a bowl and a cylinder-type tool

(2) Is used to smash or grind ingredients
(3) Improves taste of meals

Post-Activity:

Go back to our preliminary activity. Determine if there is a need to recategorize the

examples you have given.

Artifacts Sociofacts Mentifacts

Assignment: (40 pts) Each group should select a simple artifact (a relic or remain)
from any of the following:

1) home 4) church

2) marketplace 5) farm

3) inside the lady’s bag 6) hospital

 Prepare a one slide powerpoint presentation showing how artifacts, sociofacts, and
mentifacts are interrelated.

For each artifact, make sure to list down three (3) sociofacts and three (3) mentifacts.
Please follow the format provided in the slide below where a triangle is used to show the
interrelation of artifacts, sociofacts, and mentifacts. To best convey your thoughts, the use of
Filipino is highly encouraged in this task.

Lesson 3: Primary and Secondary Sources

Preliminary Activity:

Watch the video entitled “Defending Philippine Sovereign Rights in the West Philippine
Sea” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GWcgKNMxjo)by former Supreme Court Justice
Antonio T. Carpi o . As you watch, list down as many historical sources that he mentioned.

Thought Provoking Questions:

1. What is your view about the current dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea?
2. What do you think is our country’s next move about this concern?

Discussion:

Generally, historical sources can be classified either as primary or secondary sources.

Primary sources are those sources which are produced at the same time as the event, period, or
subject being studied. Hence, a primary source is the testimony of an eyewitness or of a witness
by any other of the senses. Further, a primary source is not limited to a person but may also take
the form of any mechanical device that was present during the event of which it tells.

For example, if a historian wishes to study the covid 19 pandemic, he would utilize the
following primary sources: WHO meeting minutes, hospital and government records, medical
journals, interviews of recovered patients, and even photographs. Other common examples are
memorabilia, letters, archival documents, artifacts, census, and government records.
 Conversely, a secondary source is the testimony of anyone who is not an eyewitness i.e.
one who was not present at the events of which he/she tells. Textbooks best exemplify secondary
sources.

Post-Activity:

Refer to our preliminary activity. Classify your historical sources either as primary or
secondary sources.

PRIMARY SOURCES SECONDARY SOURCES

References:

Candelaria, John Lee P. and Alporha, Veronica C. (2018). Readings in Philippine

History. Quezon City: Rex Book Store.

Carpio, Antonio T. (2020). “Defending Philippine Sovereign Rights in the West

Philippine Sea” (video).

Chua, Michael Charleston B. (undated). The Manunggul Jar a Vessel of History.

http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/50/the-manunggul-jar-as-a-
vessel-of-history

Corpuz, Ronald M. and Tabotabo, Claudio V. (2018). Readings in Philippine

History. Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc.

Gottschalk, Louis. (1969). Understanding History: A Primer of Historical Method.

New York: A.A. Knopf.

Howell, Martha and Walter Prevenier. (2001). From Reliable Sources: An

Introduction to Historical Methods. New York: Cornell University Press.

Martinez, Rodolfo M. et. Al. (2018). The Readings in Philippine History. Manila:
Mindshapers Co., Inc.

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