ACTIVITY #3

MODULE 2

Does the Philippines have their own way of telling the history before the
colonizers came? Explain.
Various parts of the Philippines were part of or outposts for Southeast Asian kingdoms prior to
European, American, and Japanese colonization, most notably the powerful Majapahit Kingdom
in East Java, which ruled over what is now Indonesia from 1294 to the 15th century. The
Majapahit and Srivjaya Kingdoms of India had an impact on the Philippines. The latter thrived
between the eighth and thirteenth centuries and was centered in modern-day Palembang,
Sumatra. The written record of the Philippines begins with the arrival of the Spaniards. Not that
the country had no history, culture, or literature before! However, in their religious zeal, the
Spaniards destroyed the earlier records as completely as possible. As a result, much of what is
known about pre-Spanish times—and there is still much to learn—comes from the records of
other countries that had contact with the islands. One way in which Filipinos have told their
history is through their culture and way of life. By the time the Spaniards arrived on the islands,
the Filipinos had developed a way of life and a distinct culture that suited and satisfied them.
They had a calendar, weights and measures, a writing system, some elements of law, Hindu and
Mohammedan religious ideas, and some skill in metalworking, pottery making, and weaving.
The Filipino character incorporates elements from several cultures. The Filipinos' famous
“BAYANIHAN”, or spirit of kinship and camaraderie, is said to have originated with Malay
forefathers. The Chinese are said to have passed down the close family ties. The Spaniards, who
brought Christianity to Spain in the 16th century, are to blame for the piety. Hospitality is a
common thread in the Filipino character, and it is what distinguishes them. Filipinos are most
likely among the few, if not the only, English-speaking Asians today. The official language of the
country is Pilipino, while English is considered unofficial. The Filipinos are geographically and
culturally divided into regions, each with its own characteristics and dialects: the rugged and
frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans
of the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal
communities can be found on every island in the archipelago. The Philippines has over 111
dialects spoken due to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.
As a student of Philippine History, do you agree that English should be used as
the medium of instruction for the subject? Justify your answer.
English, in my opinion, should be the medium of instruction. Why? Because English is the
medium of instruction in almost all subjects in our country. Because it is the language of
academia, it has the potential to reach a large number of people. English instruction in schools
aids in the formation of the minds of the children who will become the Philippines' future
leaders. By enlightening both educated and unschooled minds, English can help our country
transition to a Filipinized education. English can be used to promote and teach Filipino ideals,
culture, and traditions to children, instilling pride. It must be used to educate young minds.
English is the Philippines' second official language, following Filipino, which is the official
language. Most Filipinos have an advantage in speaking and understanding English when
compared to other Asian countries. Filipinos have the ability to adapt to their surroundings;
they have more opportunities to work abroad, they can communicate easily with foreigners,
and so on. However, given how much English has influenced Philippine culture, I believe it has
overlapping or diluted the authenticity of the Filipino language. The goal of using English as a
medium of instruction for me as a student is for them (students) to become globally
competitive. The strategies are ways for them to improve their English speaking skills. This
study encourages them to confront their inability to communicate in English. It also provides a
solution to every student who has difficulty speaking English, and the results will assist them in
overcoming their difficulties.