CAYACAY, Juliana Lyn Z.

BACOMM - KAE

READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY – MIDTERM ACTIVITIES

LESSON 1: THE SITE OF FIRST MASS: A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE

ACTIVITY 1: TASK: AFTER READING THE TWO ARTICLES, WRITE AN

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ABOUT THE FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

The two articles mentioned or discussed the re-examination of the evidence about the The Site
of the First Mass in the Philippines , which was held either between Butuan and Limasawa.
Butuan has long been thought to be the location of the first Mass. Conversely, according to Yen
Makabenta's article "MAGELLAN NEVER WENT TO BUTUAN," the first mass was conducted in
1521 on the island of Mazaua, currently known as Limasawa Island in Leyte. As I reviewed the
two articles, I found that I agreed with the hypothesis that the first mass was held in Limasawa
because the mass was held on Easter Sunday, on an island called "Mazaua," According to
Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian chronicler of the Magellan voyage. The rajah of Mazaua and the
rajah of Butuan were among those in attendance. They, too, became perplexed by the matter
of contention, Mazaua's identity. Its identity is the subject of two conflicting claims. One type of
theory points to Limasawa, a small island south of Leyte on the map. The other type of theory
thought of disputes that assertion and instead points to the beach known as 'ao' at the mouth
of the Agusan River in northern Mindanao, near the town of Butuan. Following the mass, the
group went up a small hill and placed a wooden cross on it." Nonetheless, Trinidad H. Pardo de
Tavera was one of the scholars. The other was the Spanish Jesuit missionary Pablo Pastells, S.J,
who claimed that the Butuan tradition was a misconception. Fr. Pastells updated Fr Colin's
Labor Evangelica, which was published in 1902 and included a clarification to the first mass. He
gathered a plethora of evidence indicating Magellan never visited Butuan since he went directly
to Cebu. Since then, the Limasawa opinion has been widely accepted, but a tiny but persistent
group continues to push the Butuan claim. As a result, the Butuan claim to be the site of the
first Mass has been without basis. Butuan was never visited by Ferdinand Magellan. Thus, even
in this generation there are a lot of claim that the first mass was really held in Limasawa not in
Butuan. Dr. Antonio Sanchez de Mora, for example, is a specialist in Spanish medieval history
and the chief of the reference service of the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, Spain. He also
believed that the Limasawa was the original location since primary documents and maps from
the 16th century reveal that the island of Mazaua hosted an Easter Sunday Mass on March 31,
1521, and that a cross was built on a hill on this island to be visible from afar. Following the
revelation of a transcription of a logbook from a pilot of the ship Victoria (one of the vessels in
the Magellan voyage), noting that the sailors placed a cross on an island called "Mazaua," which
really is closer to Cebu, the shift to the Limasawa narrative happened. Mora concluded that the
misunderstanding with the Butuan tradition originates from "an inaccurate interpretation of the
chronicles and the desire of some 16th and 17th century missionaries to demand the conversion
of the Mindanao people owing to the Jesuit preaching." As an outcome, I genuinely think
“THE FIRST MASS IN THE PHILIPPINES WAS HELD ON LIMASAWA ISLAND, LEYTE”

Source: Office, D. I. (2021, April 19). Limasawa vs. Butuan: The first easter mass. University of
the Philippines Diliman. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://upd.edu.ph/limasawa-vs-
butuan-the-first-easter
mass/#:~:text=(APR.%2016)%E2%80%94The,today%20as%20Limasawa%20Island%
2C%20Leyte.

LESSON 2: CAVITE MUTINY

ACTIVITY 2: TASK 1: COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE TWO CONFLICTING

PERSPECTIVES ON THE CAVITE MUTINY.

SPANISH PERSPECTIVES FILIPINO PERSPECTIVES

Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo’s official Dr. Trinidad Hermenigildo Pardo de

report magnified the event and made
use of it to implicate the native clergy,
which was then active in the call for
secularization. The two accounts
complimented and corroborated with
one other, only that the general’s
report was more spiteful. Montero and
Izquierdo scored out that the
abolition of privileges enjoyed by
the workers of Cavite arsenal such
as non-payment of tributes and
exemption from force labor were the
main reasons of the “revolution” as
how they called it, however, other
causes were enumerated by them
including the Spanish Revolution which
overthrew the secular throne, dirty
propagandas proliferated by
unrestrained press, democratic, liberal
and epublican books and pamphlets
reaching the Philippines, and most
importantly, the presence of the native
clergy who out of animosity against
the Spanish friars, “conspired and
supported” the rebels and enemies
of Spain.
According to the accounts of the two,
on 20 January 1872, the district of
Tavera, a Filipino scholar and
researcher, wrote the Filipino version
of the bloody incident in Cavite. In his
point of view, the incident was a
mere mutiny by the native Filipino
soldiers and laborers of the Cavite
arsenal who turned out to be
dissatisfied with the abolition of
their privileges. Indirectly, Tavera
blamed Gov. Izquierdo’s cold-blooded
policies such as the abolition of
privileges of the workers and native
army members of the arsenal and
the prohibition of the founding of
school of arts and trades for the
Filipinos, which the general believed as
a cover-up for the organization of a
political club.
On 20 January 1872, about 200
men comprised of soldiers, laborers
of the arsenal, and residents of
Cavite headed by Sergeant
Lamadrid rose in arms and
assassinated the commanding officer
and Spanish officers in sight. The
insurgents were expecting support
from the bulk of the army
unfortunately, that didn’t happen. The
 Sampaloc celebrated the feast of the
Virgin of Loreto, unfortunately
participants to the feast celebrated
the occasion with the usual
fireworks displays. Allegedly, those
in Cavite mistook the fireworks as
the sign for the attack, and just
like what was agreed upon, the
200-men contingent headed by
Sergeant Lamadrid launched an
attack targeting Spanish officers at
sight and seized the arsenal.
The general even added that the native
clergy enticed other participants by
giving them charismatic assurance
that their fight will not fail because
God is with them coupled with
handsome promises, of rewards such
as employment, wealth, and ranks in
the army. Izquierdo, in his report
lambasted the Indios as gullible and
possessed an innate propensity for
stealing.
news about the mutiny reached
authorities in Manila and Gen.
Izquierdo immediately ordered the
reinforcement of Spanish troops in
Cavite. After two days, the mutiny was
officially declared subdued.
Tavera believed that the Spanish
friars and Izquierdo used the Cavite
Mutiny as a powerful lever by
magnifying it as a full-blown conspiracy
involving not only the native army but
also included residents of Cavite and
Manila, and more importantly the
native clergy to overthrow the Spanish
government in the Philippines.

ACTIVITY 3: TASK 2: “THE HISTORICAL IF”

Write a 300 word essay entitled “What if Cavite mutiny did not happen.” In this
essay you should be able to support your argument.

The Cavite Munity is one of the most significant historical event or accounts in the Philippine
History. If the Cavite Mutiny had not occurred, I suppose we were still languishing or suffering
under the Spanish Regime, being forced to serve them and without recognizing ourselves about
our own independence or privileges. Cavite Munity, on the other hand, granted us freedom
through the awakening of nationalism, losing the lives of our fellow Filipinos, especially our
three priests: Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora (GOMBURZA). These revolutions and movements
were part of the first Filipino uprisings against Spanish oppression. Because I feel the Spanish
version of the narrative is false, I believe their execution was unreasonable. However, the
strong reaction of the Spanish governments strengthened the nationalist movement. It's a
tremendous revelation for all of us right now not to engage in anything that will jeopardize our
country. We must ponder before taking any action against the administration. These events are
both a source of inspiration and warning for Filipinos who desire to publicly express their
opinions against the government and other entities that can mistreat our country and
compatriots. Additionally, those who had spoken up or sacrificed their life would have lived
much longer if the Cavite Munity had not happened. It's disheartening, but perhaps they
created a saddening job or a bitter resolution to empower us to lead our lives without dread.
Independence Day, June 12, 1896, may have been a splendid day for all Filipinos, but we now
commemorate it with complete respect and happiness. Indeed, we should live our lives to the
fullest without regret, just like the three martyred priests and fellow Filipinos who undoubtedly
dedicated their own lives for our independence. Us young generation, can’t change the past but
we can surely change the future by spreading the goodness of our fellow Filipinos who did a
bittersweet movement during Cavite Munity for our freedom against the Spanish regime.

LESSON 4: THE FIRST CRY OF THE REVOLUTION

ACTIVITY 4: TASK 2: ESSAY

1. On your own analysis of the reading, why there were differences in their
accounts?

As a student, I find it interesting that the eyewitnesses’ accounts and dates contradict with each
other. In light of my observations, I believe that the reason for the inconsistencies in their
statements is because historians are attempting to sugarcoat information for us youths to
not locate it. Perhaps, since we didn't have enough facilities at that time, historians can't
announce every detail from the viewpoint of Dr. Pio Valenzuela's "Cry of PugadLawin,"
Guillermo Masangkay's "Cry of Balintawak," Santiago Alvarez' "Cry of Bahay Toro," and Gregoria
de Jesus' Version of the First Cry. Additionally, there was something going on between the
eyewitnesses' relationships, like communication issues or ambiguities, resulting in the reason
they are attempting to alter their claims.

2. What is the significance of determining the date and place of the Cry?

The significance of understanding the time and location of the Cry is that it encourages us to
reminisce and recollect sentiments of our fellow Filipinos that sacrificed for our country.
Nevertheless, these events strengthened the Filipino people's togetherness and developed a
"passion" for sovereignty. The First Cry of the Revolution symbolizes the strength of our
country, that we must honour by determining the accurate and exact information about it.

3. What is your own stand on the issue? Is it Pugadlawin? Or Balintawak?

The statements inside the documents are in fact contradictory. It's extremely difficult to
determine the exact or correct date and location of the First Cry of Revolution. My viewpoint on
the matter, however, is the Balintawak. Guillermo Masangkay's "The Cry of Balintawak" account
highlighted more verifiable evidence or remarks from Andres than Dr. Pio Valenzuela's "Cry of
PugadLawin." Additionally, there are numerous dates and key locations or activities in
Masangkay's testimony. Since he was an eyewitness to the momentous event and a boyhood
companion of Bonifacio, as well as a close personal friend and counselor of Andres Bonifacio,
the movement's founder and Supreme leader (Supremo). Aside from that, several
eyewitnesses have indicated that the First Cry happened in Balintawak, including an officer of
the Spanish guardia civil, Lt. Olegario Diaz, who stated that the Cry originated in Balintawak on
August 25, 1896. Teodoro Kalaw, a historian, claimed in his 1925 book The Filipino Revolution
that the event occurred during the last week of August 1896 in Kangkong, Balintawak. They do
not use the same timeframes, but it has been confirmed that the First Cry occured in
Balintawak not in Pugadlawin.

LESSON 1: THE AGRARIAN REFORM OF THE PHILIPPINES

ACTIVITY 5: TASK 1: Read each item below and answer the question in a separate
document.

1. How did the Spanish government distribute lands on the Filipino Farmers?

Through the notion of encomienda system or Royal Land Grants, the Spanish government
distributes lands to Filipino farmers. This system grants that Encomienderos must defend his
encomienda against external aggression, maintain peace and order within, and support the
missionaries. As a consequence, the encomiendero received the power to collect tribute from
the indios (native). The system, unfortunately, degenerated into encomienderos who misused
their authority. The tribute suddenly turned into land rents for wealthy landlords. And the
natives, who had previously farmed the lands, were degraded to the position of share owners.

2. What were the problems with the early agrarian policies? Give 1 and explain.

The distribution of land was one of the difficulties with early agrarian programs. There is an
unbalanced practice that the administration or powerful individuals have perpetrated to
landowners, such as having property without the farmer's authorization, and the farmer is
rapidly deteriorating while the government or wealthy people are making more money. Land
ownership has been a controversial issue in the Philippines for decades. Population growth and
degradation of agricultural farmland have intensified tension and confrontations between small -
scale farmers, wealthy landlords, and the government in recent years. For example, the
compras y vandalas method was abusive since encomienderos could resell native land at a large
profit but they obtained it at a cheap rate from the native land owners

3. Which of the early agrarian laws are really beneficial to tenant farmers? Justify
your answer.

The Republic Act No. 3844 of August 8, 1963 (Agricultural Land Reform Code), signed by
President Diosdado P. Macapagal (1961-1965), was praised as one that would release Filipino
farmers from the constraints of tenancy. Furthermore, this was considered as the most detailed
section of agricultural reform legislation ever implemented in the Philippines. It highlighted
property ownership and farmer independence, fairness, productivity improvement, and public
property redistribution. In conclusion, this RA aimed to liberate tenants from tenancy contracts,
and it emphasized owner-cultivatorship and agricultural production enhancement, along with
public distribution land, particularly for impoverished Filipino farmers who desire to own the
land they cultivate on. This Act essentially ended cooperative ownership in the Philippines.

4. What do you think is the most significant agrarian law? Justify your answer.

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, more commonly known as CARP, is an agrarian
reform law of the Philippines whose legal basis is the Republic Act No. 6657, otherwise known
as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL). CARL is the most comprehensive agrarian
reform law because it applies to both private and public lands, as well as other sites suitable for
agriculture, independent of tenure or crop production. This Republic Act No. 6657, was signed
by President Corazon C. Aquino on June 10, 1988. CARP(L) comprises a range of support
services in addition to land distribution, such as credit assistance, extension services, irrigation
facilities, roads and bridges, marketing facilities, and training and technical support programs.
Additionally, the Department provides Beneficiaries with Support Services such as
Infrastructure, marketing aid, financing assistance, and technical support services are all
accessible. According to the tenant farmers, it’s a comprehensive and beneficial agrarian reform
act for them.

5. With so many agrarian reform law, why do you think farmers remain dissatisfied?
Justify your answer.

Farmers are still unsatisfied because of the pandemic; their revenue is decreasing day by day,
and we rarely buy and produce commodities because other countries already do it. Moreover,
since many buildings are being constructed, farmers are not able to enlarge their hectares to
harvest more crops and to produce more goods. I believe it all started when the Spanish
brought unfortunate events such as the Encomienda system, which evolved into the Hacienda
system, which caused farmers to forfeit their lands. Agrarian reform policies were unsuccessful
during the American era, worsening the situation of Filipino farmers. Regrettably, it persisted
until the Commonwealth period. In conclusion, despite the fact that there are numerous
positive agrarian reform laws, the government persists in disregarding the farmers' situation.
Undoubtedly, they have provided a number of advantages to farmers throughout recent years,
but they aren't permanent. This explains why farmers are still disappointed with the
entitlements they are getting since corruption is still there, active and well.

6. Who was considered as the “Father of Agrarian Reform?”

The Father of Agrarian Reform was Diosdado P. Macapagal (1961-1965)

LESSON 2: PHILIPPINE TAXATION

ACTIVITY 6: TASK (TAXATION) .Answer the following questions briefly.

1. How important is tax in a government?

Taxation is critical since its objective is to collect money and utilize it to fund social projects.
The fundamental goal of paying taxes is to create income or revenues that can be used to
counterbalance government expenses. Furthermore, taxation is the backbone of our
government's budget. If we do not pay our taxes, several sectors would suffer as a
consequence of the lack of funds for public projects or services. Taxes go to funding health
services such as social healthcare, medical research, social security, etc. So, we must and it’s
part of our responsible to pay our taxes, since it’s for the growth and development of our
country’s infrastructures, businesses, health care, etc. In conclusion, taxation evolved as a
government method to generate funds over time, and in the instance of the Philippines, we
should understand that it started with our colonial history. That's the reason why the
government promises to improve the citizens' live through good governance.

2. How can the government improve tax collections without imposing much tax to
the consumer?

By providing assurance with citizens and displaying transparency to taxpayers, the government
can enhance revenue collection without placing a significant tax on consumers. Furthermore,
enhancing fiscal and monetary policy can aid our economy thrive without imposing a significant
price on consumers. Fiscal policy, as according classical macroeconomics, is an effective method
for the government to implement to counterbalance the natural depression in consumption and
economic growth that happens during an economic downturn. It could also aid in lowering
unemployment and support the government in developing or new employment opportunities. It
can re-establish confidence in the government's capacity to increase economic growth and
reduce financial difficulties.