THE LOCATION OF THE ARALING

PHILIPPINES IN THE WORLD PANLIPUNAN 6

Good day! Welcome

back to school! I
know you are excited
to learn more about
our country, the
Philippines. In this
lesson, you will learn
about the location of
the Philippines and its
significance to the
world. At the end of
the lesson, you will
make a poster that
will show the
significance of our
country's location in
Asia and in the world.

LET’S START!
As a Filipino, you should be familiar with the physical features of the Philippines. Its geography
greatly affects its progress and development. You should know its exact location, size and shape, and
landforms and water forms. Also, you should know the territory and location of the Philippines in the
world. Before you start with the lesson, do the following activity. Using your previous knowledge of the
relative location of the Philippines, fill in the chart with the names of the countries, islands, and water
forms that surround the country. Refer to a Philippine map to pinpoint which landforms and water
forms are found in the north, south, west, or east of the country.
NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST

Perhaps you still have a lot to learn about Philippine geography. You would learn more about the
territorial boundaries of the Philippines and its strategic location.

1
 THE LOCATION OF THE PHILIPPINES IN
THE WORLD
Last school year, you learned how to determine the exact location of the Philippines by using the grid
on the map or globe. The grid is composed of intersecting meridians and parallel lines and is used to
determine the exact or absolute location of a place in the world. The absolute location of a place on
the globe can be expressed through the longitudes and the latitudes, or by using the grid. The
absolute location of a state is determined through the exact location of its capital by using the
longitudes and the latitudes. Meanwhile, the national territory determined by the angular distances
formed by the longitudinal and latitudinal lines is called geographical extent. Based on this, the
Philippines is located between 4°23' and 21°25' northern latitudes and 116°00' and 127°00 eastern
longitudes. These aforementioned latitudes and longitudes describe the geographical extent of the
Philippine archipelago.

MAP OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

The relative location of a place on the globe is determined by
the landforms in its territorial boundaries or the water forms surrounding it. The relative location of a
place completely surrounded by landforms is called its continental relative location. The relative
location of a place surrounded by water forms is its maritime relative location. For a place with both
land and water boundaries, its relative location is described by pointing out the landforms and water
forms surrounding it. In this regard, the Bashi Channel and Taiwan can be found in the northern part
of the Philippines; the South China Sea and the countries Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam in the west;
Borneo in the southwest; the Celebes Sea. and Sulawesi Island in the south; and the Pacific Ocean in
the east.

THE TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES AND

GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Territory refers to an area of land over which a state exercises authority and power. Territory includes
all the waters surrounding the land or found in it and also the air above it. It consists of the terrestrial,
fluvial, maritime, and aerial domains. The Philippines is an archipelago composed of 7,107 big and
small islands. It is part of Southeast Asia, and it is considered one of the largest archipelagos in the
world. The land part of the Philippines is 300,000 square kilometers (km²).
2
Its land territory and its maritime domain measure 538,564 km². In total, the terrestrial domain plus
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines is 1,208,986 km². It is important for a country
to define or lay claim to its territory to avoid the intrusion of other countries. The national territory of
the Philippines is stated in important documents based on the country's history, its Constitution, and
the Archipelagic Doctrine.

 The smallest state based on territory is the Vatican. Its area is only
one-sixth of a mile. The largest state, on the other hand, was the
USSR or Soviet Russia. Before it was divided into 15 states called
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), its land area was
8,599,766 square miles.
 The Philippines is found in the Southeast Asia region. It is regarded
as a maritime or insular country because of its being an archipelago.
There are 11 countries in Southeast Asia: Philippines, Malaysia,
Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos,
Myanmar (Burma), and East Timor (Timor-Leste).

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COUNTRY'S LOCATION

The location of a country has a huge impact on its economic, social, and political development. The
Philippines is in a strategic location because it is considered one of the world's most important trade
routes. The country makes a great port for countries whose routes pass the Pacific Ocean. Also, it
offers international airports for aircraft coming from different countries, such as the United States,
Japan, Australia, and those in Europe. Also, the Philippines is considered an ideal place to build
bases for the air and naval forces. Nowadays, many countries maintain good relations with the
Philippines. Each of these countries has its own interests for political, economic, or security reasons.
All Filipinos should take upon themselves the responsibility to safeguard and preserve the national
territory. It is every Filipino's obligation to protect and defend the country, as stated in Article II,
Section 4, of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: The Government may call upon the
people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under
conditions provided by law, to render personal, military, or civil service.

REMEMBER THESE
 The grid is used to find the exact location of any place on the globe.
 The territorial expanse of a country that is formed by its longitudinal and latitudinal
distances is called its geographical extent.
 The relative location of a place is determined by the water forms and landforms
surrounding it.
 The Philippines is an archipelago of big and small islands. It is found in Southeast
Asia region with a land area of 300,000 km².
 The total land area plus the EEZ of the Philippines is 1,208,986 km².
 The national territory of the Philippines is stated in important documents based on
its history, Constitution, and the Archipelagic Doctrine. According to the 1987
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, as stated in Article I, the national
territory is comprised of the following:
a. the aerial domain b. the territorial sea c. the seabed d. the subsoil e. the
insular shelves f. the internal waters.
 The Philippines is said to be in a strategic location for the following reasons: a. It is
one of the world's most important trade routes. b. It makes a great port for countries
whose routes pass the Pacific Ocean. c. It is an ideal place to build bases for air
and naval forces.

3
Name: Date Submitted: / /2021
Grade/Section: Subject: ARALING PANLIPUNAN 6

Directions: Identify the directions represented by each number using a compass rose.

Direction: Decide whether the statement is true or false. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. A country's location has an effect on its economy and politics.

2. 2. The Archipelagic Doctrine decreased the boundaries territorial waters of archipelagic
states.
3. Being an archipelago is not a hindrance to the unity of the citizens of a country and the equal
distribution of progress and development among its provinces.
4. Without territorial laws, foreigners will find it easy to enter any country and exploit its resources.

5. The citizens have a responsibility to preserve the national territory and protect it from foreign
invasion.

4
 THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

 In this lesson, you will write an open letter to a friar or a Spanish official. In your letter, you will
express your condemnation of Spanish oppression of the Filipinos to show your great love and
deep concern for the Philippines.
 Also, you will answer this important question: How can a student like you show his or her great
love for the Philippines, as the propagandists did during their time?

LET’S START

The statement "The pen is mightier than the sword" is very familiar. If you are to count the number of
pens or writing implements that you have used since early childhood, for sure you will lose count. As
a starter, try to explain through the acronym PLUMA how the pen has contributed greatly to your life.
Write your answers on the lines. Then answer the question that follows.

P
L
U
M
A
In the Philippine history, how powerful was the pen as a tool for change?

In this lesson, you will learn what some Filipino heroes did to remove the Philippines from its
unfortunate circumstance in the hands of the Spanish government using a peaceful method-the way
of the pen and diplomacy. You will also learn to value more this part of Philippine history when the
writings of these Filipino heroes truly became powerful and effective instruments of change.

5
 THE SECULARIZATION OF PARISHES AND THE CAVITE MUTINY OF
1872
This sentiment grew in the hearts of the Filipinos as the abusive and oppressive reign of Spain over
the land continued. Two events eventually paved the way for the Filipinos to unite in their fight for
freedom.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE SECULARIZATION OF PARISHES

The regular priests, or those belonging to religious orders, were Spanish. Eventually, their number
became insufficient to propagate Catholicism and lead the parishes. To help in their goal, they trained
Filipino priests who were not members of any religious orders. These priests were called secular
priests. The Council of Trent decreed that the regular priests would be the ones to lead the mission of
spreading Christianity, while the secular priests would be in charge of the parishes of the country. The
friars feared such development that they made a way to restore the regular priests to the parish
leadership. The Filipino secular priests raised their struggle for rights by organizing a secularization
campaign requesting equal rights of secular and regular priests. This campaign was led by Monsignor
Pedro Pelaez.

The Cavite Mutiny and the Execution of the Three Priests

Father Mariano Gomez, Father Jose Burgos, and Father Jacinto Zamora (collectively known as
GomBurZa) were among the earnest advocates of the secularization campaign. They were accused
of leading the Cavite Mutiny in 1872. They were hastily tried and were sentenced to death. In less
than a month, they were executed by means of garrote at the break of dawn on February 17, 1872 in
Bagumbayan (now known as Rizal Park). The Spanish authorities made sure that the execution of the
three priests served as a warning to the Filipinos who wanted to revolt. However, this was Spain's
biggest mistake, for it only awakened the Filipinos' patriotic spirit and united the people against the
abusive colonial government.

THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT TOWARD INDEPENDENCE

The execution of GomBurZa aroused the patriotic feeling of the Filipinos. These patriots sought
reforms and social change. They founded movements so that through the collective efforts of like-
minded Filipinos, their voices would be heard and their grievances would be addressed by the
Spanish government in Spain and the colonial administration in the Philippines.

6
 The Propaganda Movement
In 1872 after the execution of the three martyr priests, the propaganda movement was founded. The
propagandists used their pens, to make their grievances known to the authorities. The purposes of
the movement were for the following:
 The Spaniards and the Filipinos to be treated equally before the law
 The Philippines to become a province of Spain
 Philippine representation in the Cortes (legislature) of Spain * Filipino priests to be assigned as
parish priests
 The Filipinos to enjoy their human rights
Barcelona and Madrid in Spain became the center of Filipino gatherings in Europe. Among the well-
known Filipinos who joined the founding of the propaganda movement were Dr. Jose Rizal, Graciano
Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Jose Ma. Panganiban, Mariano Ponce, Pedro Serrano Laktaw,
Felix Ressureccion Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Antonio Luna, Gregorio Sanciangco, and Eduardo de Lete.
There were a few Spaniards who joined and supported their cause to liberate Philippines from the
abusive colonizers. In 1882, an organization of Filipinos and Spaniards was established to represent
and to carry out their goals. The organization was called Circulo Hispano-Filipino. With their
newspaper Revista del Circulo Hispano-Filipino edited by Graciano Lopez Jaena, the members wrote
about their patriotic sentiments and goals hoping that the Spanish government would take notice and
enforce changes in their colonial administration. However, because of conflicts in leadership and the
lack of financial resources, the Circulo and its newspaper were disbanded. Even though the first
organization of Filipino nationalists in Spain had failed, their desire for social changes and reforms
remained. Through their writings, the well-known reformists like Dr. Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez
Jaena, and Marcelo H. del Pilar were able to propose social and government reforms to Spain. The
foremost of these reforms was that the Philippines to become a province of Spain. Graciano Lopez
Jaena clearly discussed this in his editorial published in La Solidaridad, the official newspaper and
venue for all political writings of the propaganda movement.

DR. JOSE RIZAL GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

The members of the propaganda movement were called propagandists. They were the brave writers
who exposed the exploitations of Filipinos and the Philippines by the Spaniards. Graciano Lopez
Jaena was an accomplished orator and writer in his literary works Fray Botod, Esperanzas, and La
Hija del Fraile, he exposed the corruption, greed, and cruelty of the friars. Jaena was the first editor of
La Solidaridad.
Dr. Jose Rizal was one of the propagandists. He used the pen names Laong-Laan and Dimasalang
(Dimas-alang or Dimas Alang in some sources) in his writings. He became famous because of his
two timeless novels-Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. In these novels he revealed the
corruption and abuse of the Filipinos by the Spaniards during the colonial period. He compared the
corruption and abuse to cancer that destroys every part of the body, which refers to the society in his
writings. He dedicated his novel El Filibusterismo to the GomBurZa, who ignited Filipino nationalism.

7
 Dr. Jose Rizal's full name is Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonso y Realonda. Rizal was born on
June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso.

THE NOVELS of

DR. JOSE RIZAL

Referred to as the greatest writer and defender of the propaganda movement was Marcelo H. del
Pilar. He opened the eyes of the Filipinos to unity in fighting against the oppressive Spaniards. He
founded Diariong Tagalog, a daily newspaper which criticized the corruption of the Spaniards. He
used the pen name Plaridel in his writings. He became famous for his works Dasalan at Tocsohan,
Caiingat Cayo, Sagót ng España sa Hibic ng Filipinas (Spain's Reply to the Cry of the Philippines),
and more. Other propagandists were Antonio Luna (Known as Taga-ilog), Jose Ma. Panganiban
(Known as JOMAPA), Graciano Lopez Jaena (known as Plaridel), Emilio Jacinto (known as
Pingkian), and Mariano Ponce (Known as Tikbalang, Naning, or Kalipulako).
In spite of its earnest members, the propaganda movement failed to attain its goals. The movement
faced financial problems. Also, it weakened because of the division within-the Rizalinos and the
Pilaristas, a result of the rivalry that grew between Rizal and del Pilar. Rizal eventually left the
movement. The deaths of Lopez Jaena, del Pilar, and Panganiban in Spain served as the last blow to
the movement. Despite its failure, the propaganda movement became an inspiration for the reform
movements that ensued.

La Liga Filipina
Dr. Jose Rizal went back to the Philippines in 1892 and established La Liga Filipina, a peaceful
organization wherein any Filipino who loved the country was free to join. The aims of La Liga Filipina
were:
 The unification of the entire country
 Mutual protection in every want and necessity
 Defense against all violence and injustice
 Support for the development of education, agriculture, and commerce
 Study and implementation of reforms
Many joined La Liga, including Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini. The Spanish government felt
threatened by the organization. On July 6, 1892, Rizal was secretly arrested and then deported to
Dapitan in Zamboanga. This weakened the organization, and eventually, it became inactive. Despite
this, it had further instilled nationalism in the country.

8
 WHY THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT FAILED
The propaganda movement was able to inform the Spanish government about the sufferings of the
Filipinos caused by the inhumane system prevailing in the Philippines. The power of the pen and the
art of journalism gradually opened the eyes of a few Spanish officials to the dreadful predicament of
the Filipinos. These leaders understood the true reasons why the Philippines remained in its
depressed economy. Two of the Spanish officials who shared sympathy for the plight of the Filipinos
were Miguel Morayta and Felipe dela Corte. Most importantly, the propaganda movement advocated,
awakened, and strengthened nationalism among Filipinos, which included not only the ilustrados but
also the common people. However, it was undeniable that the propagandists or reformists failed to
achieve their goals. The Philippines did not become a province of Spain. Moreover, they discovered
that their efforts to effect necessary changes in the governance of the colonial officials were all for
nothing. There were several reasons why the propaganda movement failed. First, the members
lacked unity. Second, the movement lacked funds. The money raised from the contributions of
Filipino patriots in the Philippines was inadequate to support the projects and programs of the
movement. Third, Spain was too preoccupied with its own political situation. The government in
Madrid did not attend to the propagandists' requests since the Spanish officials were trying to solve
their own country's problems. Finally, the propagandists encountered hardships of their own, such as
sickness and lack of funds. Although the peaceful propaganda movement was not completely
successful in its endeavor, the works of our great reformists who sacrificed their lives for our country
did not go to waste. Whether or not the propaganda movement failed, it awakened the Filipinos'
sense of nationalism.

REMEMBER THESE
 The two events that eventually paved the way for the Filipinos to unite in their fight
for freedom were:
1. The campaign for the secularization of parishes; and
2. The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and the execution of the three martyr priests Father
Mariano Gomez, Father Jose Burgos, and Father Jacinto Zamora (GomBurza).
 The execution of GomBurZa aroused the patriotic feeling of the Filipinos.
 In 1872 after the execution of the three martyr priests, the propaganda movement
was founded. This organization used their pens to express their grievances to the
authorities. Offshoots of the propaganda movement were the Circulo Hispano-
Filipino and La Liga Filipina.
 The propaganda movement failed because of the lack of unity among its members,
the lack of funds, Spain's own political situation, and the propagandists' own
hardships, such as sickness and monetary problems.

9
Name: Date Submitted: / /2021
Grade/Section: Subject: ARALING PANLIPUNAN 6

Directions: Using the Venn diagram, create a meaningful comparison and

interpretation of the goals of the two movements and how they helped awaken the
sense of nationalism among Filipinos.
A- Circulo Hispano-Filipino
B- La Liga Filipina
C- Similarities of the two movements

A B

Why do you think these movements helped awaken Filipino nationalism?

10