Republic of the Philippines

NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE

VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Course Code : GE 2
Descriptive Title : READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Term and Academic Year : 1st Semester, AY 2021-2022
Department and Year Level : BSCRIM I
Professor : PROF. DONNA JANE S. BORDA

Module 1, Lesson 1
What is History?
I. Introduction
We all have this experience that learning history is more of compiling list of names, dates, places, and
"important" events that happened sometime in the past. Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan? But history is much more
than this. The historian’s goal is not to collect “facts” about the past, but rather to acquire insight into the ideas and
realities that shaped the lives of humans and their societies. Some of the people, beliefs, practices, and institutions in
the past may seem strange to us. For instance, narating na natin ang buwan tapos naniniwala ka pa sa luy-a at butbot?
Others may seem very familiar (i.e. mas pipiliin ko pa rin ang imported products kaysa galing sa SM –Sulod Merkado).
However, in either case, when we study the people of the past, what we are really learning about is the rich diversity of
human experience. The study of history is the study of the beliefs and desires, practices and institutions, of human
beings. That despite harsh environmental, socio-political, and economic conditions, we are still able to survive and
trying to survive until now.

Time Frame: 9 hours Date of Submission:

II. Learning Outcomes At the end of the lesson, you, must have:
1. demonstrated an understanding of history;
2. explained the significance of history; and
3. defended a position that Philippine history should be viewed from the Filipino perspective;

III. Learning Contents

What is History?
We were used to the traditional
approach in studying history. As a narration
of past events, we arrange things and
events in chronology (i.e. in order of their
occurrence). We concerned more with the
basic facts -- what, who, when, where.
Though facts and details are important;
however, the study of history like this leads
only to memorization and lack of
appreciation

Further, the traditional approach

to History is usually political. It is centered
more on the nation's capital. For instance,
in the traditional approach to Philippine
History, it is as if our past was only about
the events that have happened in Manila
and were only participated by the Tagalogs.
That is why we have this term "Manila-centric" history. Aside from this, it is centered more on big events (e.g.
colonization, revolution, wars) and "big" people (e.g. colonizers, heroes, politicians). Usually, the masa, the common
tao, the grassroots, the women, the indigenous peoples, and other sectors in the margin are usually being sidetracked
in the story of our past.

Now, we should go beyond the traditional approach to History. There is more to the study of the past that we
can ever imagine. History is not just chronicles. It is OUR STORY. It involves you and me.

There are more approaches to History. For instance, there are historians (e.g. Gregorio Zaide, Nicolas Zafra,
etc.) who argue that "No document, no history". There are some who prefer and promote "History as story" like Carlos
Quirino, Nick Joaquin, Ambeth Ocampo, among others. On the other hand, we have Teodoro Agoncillo who argue that
history is interpretation. Moreover, we have the likes of Reynaldo Ileto and Vincent Rafael who advance history as a
discourse. As such, History as a discipline is a vast area of study. It is not just memorization but it is more on seeing,

Module 1, Lesson 1 What is History? Page | 1

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

exploring, and embracing the depths of our story as a people and as human beings. As such, regardless of approaches
and their differences, it is important that we develop historical thinking, as a method and a skill. This course of Readings
in Philippine History aims to develop in us the ability to analyze and interpret sources, situate them in their own
context, come up with interpretations and conclusions. This allows, too, the development of critical thinking, of
questioning and evaluating information and sources, and seeing through fake news and historical revisionism.

Why study History?

It is said that "History is the reconstruction of the past". However, we are now living in a future-oriented society,
why bother studying the past which is already done and gone? Well, there are many answers to this question:
1. A critical examination of the past can tell us about how we came to be who we are (can you still imagine you
have an amnesia?);
2. The way we construct our world view of earlier societies teaches us to see the world through different
perspectives;
3. It may be hard to predict the future (ano ka, manghuhula?), but our lessons and learning from the past will
provide us with insight that will help us make decisions in shaping our future.

By the provided definition and significance of history, it highlights the need to study Philippine history from the
Filipino perspective. As we continue to mold our future as a country, it is every Filipino's duty to study and learn from
their past and collective memory as a nation. Bet mo? :)

"History is the Reconstruction of the Past"

Here is an excerpt from
Understanding History: A Primer of
Historical Method by Louis
Gottschalk (1950):
The English word history is
derived from the Greek noun istoia,
meaning learning. As used by the
Greek philosopher Aristotle, history
meant a systematic account of a set
of natural phenomena, whether or
not chronological factoring was a
factor in the account.

In the course of time,

however, the equivalent Latin word
scientia (English, science) came to be
used more regularly to designate
non-chronological systematic
accounts of natural phenomena; and
the word history was reserved
usually for accounts of phenomena
(especially human affairs) in
chronological order. By its most
common definition, the word history
now means, "the past of mankind".

Module 1, Lesson 1 What is History? Page | 2

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Historians come to their work with a deep curiosity about the past; to satisfy that curiosity, they ask questions.
Bakit haw? Most of these questions are designed to gather "the facts" and are relatively easy to answer: Who is
Ferdinand Magellan? What is the Death March? When did the Battle of Mactan happen? Where did Jose Rizal spend his
days before he was executed? What are the reasons for Spanish colonization, and why and how did they colonize the
Philippines? More complex questions such as these have formed the basis of absorbing historical studies.

Historians also ask questions that help them analyze relationships between historical facts. Many of the
questions historians ask, for instance, reflect their interest in understanding the context in which the events of the past
occurred. For example, a historian interested in literature during the Marcos Martial Law would not simply describe the
"styles and forms", but would ask questions about historical context: What role did political issues play in the writings of
Filipinos? How did the dictatorship control, shape, or influence the writings? What is the impact of this literature to the
Filipinos? As such, historians examine and try to understand the people and events of the past by situating them in their
historical context.

As they explore the relationship between and among events in the past, historians also ask about the causes of
events. Historians are careful to avoid simplistic cause-and-effect relationships as explanations for events. For example,
historians would agree that the rising Communist rebellion was not the sole reason why Marcos declared Martial Law.
Historians will always try to uncover the complex causes that grow out of the historical context in which events
occurred.

Historians also ask questions about the relationship between continuity (events, conditions, ideas, etc. that
remain the same over time) and change. For example, a historian who asks, "What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic
have on the farmers?" is interested in examining the changes brought about by the pandemic on agriculture, rural
communities, and poverty as a whole. History is both objective (facts) and subjective (interpretation).

Historians, like the people they study, are part of a larger context. They are guided in their choice of subject
and their interpretation by their own interests and the by the interests and concerns of their societies

Module 1, Lesson 1 What is History? Page | 3

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

IV. Learning Assessment

Answer the following questions:
The Three Filipino Historians
We have Filipino historians who have made their names in Philippine historiography.
Research on what Teodoro Agoncillo, Renato Constantino, and Zeus Salazar said about history. Write your findings
below.
Teodoro Agoncillo Renato Constantino Zeus Salazar

So, why do we need to read, write, and interpret Philippine history from the Filipino perspective?

Scoring Guide:
Each answer shall be evaluated using these criteria:
Content 10 pts.
Organization of ideas 5 pts.
Language facility 5 pts.
Total score: 20 pts

Module 1, Lesson 1 What is History? Page | 4

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

V. Enrichment Activities/Outputs
This is the first appearance of Balangaw, your artistic emoji! As introduced, this material includes this space that would
tickle (or challenge) your creativity. We believe that even this momentary pause can give your brain a chance to reset
and find new pathways!

HOW TO DO IT:
1. Cut out a pair of eyes in the next page. Or draw a pair of eyes of your choice.
2. Look around your immediate environment (hindi mo kailangang lumabas at pumunta kung saan ha?) for
something that has the potential to be a face or be seen as a face.
3. Tape or glue the eyes you cut to the chosen object or surface and jaraaaan! You now have the eyes of history!
4. Take a picture, print it, or post it on your social media for everyone to see. More likes, ahmm, eh di wow! :)

Each answer shall be evaluated using these criteria:

Content 10 pts.
Organization of ideas 5 pts.
Language facility 5 pts.
Total score: 20 pts

Module 1, Lesson 1 What is History? Page | 5

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

VI. References
Gottschalk L.(1995).Understanding History. Quezon City Philippines: National Historical Institute
Agoncillo T. (1993). History of the Filipino People. Quezon City Philippines: National Historical Institute
Halili M.H. (1990). Philippine History.Makati City, Philippines: National Historical Institute
Fox F.(1992).The Tabon Caves. Quezon City Philippines: National Historical Institute
William S.H.(1997). Prehispanic Source Materials for the Study of Philippine History. National Historical Institute A.
----End of Module 1, Lesson 1-
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