The Laguna Copperplate Inscription

A.) What does the artifact say?

The artifact say, Long Live! In the Year of Saka 822, month of Waisakha, according to
theastronomer. The fourth day of the waning moon, Monday. On this occasion, Lady
Angkatan,and her relative whose name is Bukah, the children of the Honourable Namwaran,
wereawarded a document of complete pardon from the Commander-in-Chief of
Tundun,represented by the Lord Minister of Pailah, Jayadewa. This means that,
through theHonourable Scribe, the Honourable Namwaran is totally cleared of his salary-
related debts of1 Kati and 8 Suwarna, before the Honourable Lord Minister of Puliran
Kasumuran, by theauthority of the Lord Minister of Pailah, represented by Ganashakti. The
Honourable andwidely-renowed Lord Minister of Binwagan, represented by Bisruta. And, with
his wholefamily, upon ordered of the Lord Minister of Dewata, represented by the Chief of
Mdang,because of his loyalty as a subject of the Commander-in-Chief. Therefore,
the livingdescendants of the Honourable Namwaran are cleared of all debts of the
HonourableNamwaran to the Lord Minister of Dewata. This, in any case, whoseever, sometime
in thefuture, who shall state that the debt is not yet cleared of the Honourable

B.) What was the provenance or source of the artifact?

The provenance or source of the artifact was found in 1989 near the mouth of the
LumbangRiver near Laguna de Bay, by a man who was dredging sand to turn into
concrete. Suspecting that the artifact might have some value, the man sold it to an antique
dealer who, having found no buyers, eventually sold it to the National Museum of the
Philippines.

C.) Who authorized it? ( If applicable).

It is authorized by Jaime Figueroa Tiongson

D.) What was the context of the primary sources production?

The context of the primary sources production was the type of script used in the
LagunaCopperplate Inscription has been identified as the so-called ‘Early Kawi Script’, a
writingsystem that originated in the Indonesian island of Java, and was used across much
ofmaritime Southeast Asia during the 10th century AD. This script is said to have been
derivedfrom the Pailava script, which has its origins in India. As for the language of the
inscription, ithas been found to be heavily influenced linguistically by Sanskrit, Old
Malay, and OldJavanese. Both the type script, and the language of the Laguna Copperplate
Inscription,therefore, shows that this area was not actually isolated from the rest of Southeast
Asia, ashad been previously assumed. Its origins in India (supposedly marking the ascension of
theKushan emperor Kanishka), and the year 822 is said to correspond with the year 900 AD
inthe Gregorian calendar. The use of this calendrical system is further evidence that therewere
cultural links between this area of Southeast Asia and its neighbors, which at that time,were
largely under the cultural influence of India. It has been suggested that the inscriptionis a
“semi-official certificate of acquittal of a debt incurred by a person in high office,together
with his whole family, all relatives and descendants.”
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription, which would probably not attract instant,
publicattention as gold or silver artifacts would, is in fact an immensely important object.
Thisseemingly insignificant artifact has sparked a re-assessment of the history of the
Philippinesprior to the coming of the Spanish. In particular the 10th century AD, and the
archipelago’srelationship with the rest of Southeast Asia. The plate was found in 1989 by a
labourernamed Ernesto Lacerna Legisma, near the mouth of the Lumbang River in Barangay
Wawa,Lumban, Laguna. The inscription on the plate, made in 900CE was first deciphered by
Dutchanthropologist Antoon Postma. It is authorized by Jaime Figueroa Tiongson. The context of
the primary sources production was the type of script used in the LagunaCopperplate Inscription
has been identified as the so-called ‘Early Kawi Script’, a writingsystem that originated in the
Indonesian island of Java, and was used across much ofmaritime Southeast Asia during the
10th century AD. This script is said to have been derivedfrom the Pailava script, which has its
origins in India. As for the language of the inscription, ithas been found to be heavily
influenced linguistically by Sanskrit, Old Malay, and OldJavanese. Both the type script,
and the language of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription,therefore, shows that this area was not
actually isolated from the rest of Southeast Asia, ashad been previously assumed. Its origins in
India (supposedly marking the ascension of theKushan emperor Kanishka), and the year 822 is
said to correspond with the year 900 AD inthe Gregorian calendar. The use of this calendrical
system is further evidence that therewere cultural links between this area of Southeast Asia and
its neighbors, which at that time,were largely under the cultural influence of India. It has been
suggested that the inscriptionis a “semi-official certificate of acquittal of a debt incurred
by a person in high office,together with his whole family, all relatives and descendants.”The
provenance or source ofthe artifact was found in 1989 near the mouth of the Lumbang River
near Laguna de Bay, bya man who was dredging sand to turn into concrete. Suspecting that the
artifact might havesome value, the man sold it to an antique dealer who, having found no
buyers, eventuallysold it to the National Museum of the Philippines. It is authorized
by Jaime FigueroaTiongson. The artifact say, Long Live! In the Year of Saka 822, month of
Waisakha, accordingto the astronomer. The fourth day of the waning moon, Monday. On this
occasion, LadyAngkatan, and her relative whose name is Bukah, the children of the Honourable
Namwaran,were awarded a document of complete pardon from the Commander-in-Chief of
Tundun,represented by the Lord Minister of Pailah, Jayadewa. This means that,
through theHonourable Scribe, the Honourable Namwaran is totally cleared of his salary-
related debts of1 Kati and 8 Suwarna, before the Honourable Lord Minister of Puliran
Kasumuran, by theauthority of the Lord Minister of Pailah, represented by Ganashakti. The
Honourable andwidely-renowed Lord Minister of Binwagan, represented by Bisruta. And, with
his wholefamily, upon ordered of the Lord Minister of Dewata, represented by the Chief of
Mdang,because of his loyalty as a subject of the Commander-in-Chief. Therefore,
the livingdescendants of the Honourable Namwaran are cleared of all debts of the
HonourableNamwaran to the Lord Minister of Dewata. This, in any case, whoseever, sometime
in thefuture, who shall state that the debt is not yet cleared of the Honourable
1.What does the document/artifact say?
The document shows the speech delivered by the Acting DirectorGeneral of the Kalibapi
Camilo Osias, over Station PIAM, inconnection with the first anniversary of the Kalibapi,
December 7,1943.
Camilo Osias says that, the Kalibapi was born of a dire need forcreating a new Philippines out
of the ruins and debris of the oldwhich the Greater East Asia War, declared one year earlier, had
leftin its wake. Countrysides had been laid waste, farms had beendevastated, towns and cities
had been scorched out of existence.
In addition, he also enlightens objective of helping put the countrysquarely on its economic
feet has been closely associated with itscampaign for increased food production. A definitive
step alreadytaken in this direction is the plan, already publicized, to make thisyear’s celebration
of Rizal Day a fruit-tree planting day, on which1,000,000 fruit trees will be planted all over the
country. Theincrement to the country’s food supply and economic wealth bysuch a practical
project is so obvious that further elucidation issuperfluous. Its moral and educational values are,
needless to say,incalculable.
To end, he utters only the future can tell how effective the Kalibapiwill be as an instrumentality
in aiding our country and people toweather the storms of the present global conflict. But if its
future isto be judged by its past, the Kalibapi can be expected to rise toloftier heights of
achievement. Tonight, therefore, as we pause toappraise its work and find it worthy of our
people’s support theKalibapi can face the future undaunted and calm in the confidencethat
despite unfounded initial prejudices against it, it hasperformed signal service for our people and
is resolved to carry out
its high mission with the good of our country always its first andforemost consideration.
2.What was the provenance or source of the document/artifact?
The origin or source of the document is the Office of the SolicitorGeneral Library
Presidential Museum And Library. 2/F Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang,J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel,
Manila.
3.Who authored it?
Camilo Osias(1943-1945). Director Genera
lPio Duran. Secretary Genera
lFormed by the Philippine Executive Commission (KomisyongTagapagpaganap ng Pilipinas)
under the leadership of JorgeVargas, the party was created by Proclamation No.109 of the PEC,a
piece of legislation passed on December 8, 1942 banning allexisting political parties and creating
the new governing alliance.
4.What was the context of the primary source’s production?
The context of the primary source was the Speech delivered by theActing Director General of
the Kalibapi Camilo Osias, in connectionwith the first anniversary of the Kalibapi
.It occurred over Station PIAM, Manila, December 7, 1943.
In this document Camilo Osias started his speech taking aboutKapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa
Bagong Pilipinas, or the Kalibapi forshort, will be exactly a year old, for it was on December 8,
1942,that the Association was inaugurated. It is only meet and properthat on the eve of its first
anniversary we pause awhile to ponder
upon the significance of its establishment and take stock of itsachievements as a popular agency
in the promotion of the generalwelfare and in the pursuit of our national ideals.