Introduction

There are times when we wonder, how did we get here today? What happened before
the present? We ask questions like what happened, who were involved, where and when it
happened, and History is just that. It came from the Greek word “Historia” which means
learning through inquiry wherein, questions were asked and seeking for information and
evidence follow. According to Siena College (n.d.), History aims to analyze and explain the
changes that happened to the people and society over time moreover, it is essential in
understanding the present and shaping the future. With that said, we can depict that it is
relevant on our perspective in the present and our understanding in different circumstances
surrounding our lives. According to History Today (2020), History shows the human condition in
different factors such as politics, tragedies, and social issues, that become relatable throughout
time. Hence, it’s not only about accounting the past, rather it is essential in living our lives
without making the same mistakes of the past and falling into a loop of tragedies and failures.
Furthermore, it guarantees a better future as it informs people of what to and not to do in the
present to secure a peaceful and brighter future for the society.

Discussion

Studying History stresses the importance of factual and valid proof to support narratives
of the past therefore, it is validated and interpreted using various historical methodologies to
challenge the pieces of evidence’s credibility through Historiography. According to Evans (2001),
History is a process therefore, series of events and numerous proofs are studied to construct a
chronological narrative of the past. As mentioned, history is an inquiry- based learning hence, it
follows a process where questions are asked first, then researching in credible sources
(preferably primary and secondary sources), experimenting, analyzing, discussing the results,
and finally, the evaluation and reflection. In addition, historians study the past not only through
the content and context of the proof, but also the relationship of the subject to a wider context.
It implies that historians criticize history internally and externally.

In a question, “how did Philippines attain independence?” more questions can be asked
to accumulate the whole picture. Some factual questions such as who were involved? where
and when it happened? And some speculative questions like how and why it happened? It can
be answered through research to be supported with a historically criticized proof. Historical
Criticism is very important when studying history as it studies and investigates the evidence
itself, it also questions the credibility beyond its content such as the author’s credibility, the
timeline and circumstances surrounding it, and its relevance to the historical events. Its
significance can be exercised further as we answer the question, “How did the Philippines
attain independence?”
 According to History.com (2020), Philippine revolution against the Spanish rule ended
temporarily when Emilio Aguinaldo negotiated a financial compensation and reform to the
Spanish in exchange with his exile, together with his generals in Hong Kong. However, when a
war broke out between the United States and Spain over Cuba in 1898, Aguinaldo came back to
the Philippines to help the Americans against the Spanish. On May 19, his gathered his
revolutionaries and started freeing the towns south of Manila. Finally, on June 12, 1898,
Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence against Spain.

On August 8, 1898, the Spanish was ready to surrender Manila if the United States stage
a battle in the capital and to keep the Filipinos out until they finish passing the city and on
August 13, the United States kept their promise, and the Philippines was officially passed to
their hands. In January 1899, Aguinaldo became president of the first ever democratic
constitution in Asia. However, in February 1899, the Philippines completely became a U.S.
territory when the U.S. senate voted to sign the Treaty of Paris with Spain. According to the
Article III of the Treaty of Paris, Spain cedes the Philippines to the U.S. and will pay twenty
million dollars ($20,000,000) withing 3 months after signing the treaty along with other
negotiated terms. And once again, the Philippines lost its independence as the U.S. took over
the government.

As a response, a new revolt was launched by Aguinaldo against the U.S. Many American
soldiers died trying to subdue the Filipino revolutionaries, and Filipinos dies trying to resist.
According to CIA (2022), finally, the Philippines became a self- governing commonwealth in
1935 and Manuel Quezon became the first president and was tasked to prepare the Philippines
for independence in 10 years.

Documents such as the Treaty of Paris (1898) and the Act of the Proclamation of
Independence of the Filipino People (1898) will prove who were involved, what, when, and
where the road to Philippine independence happened, and how it happened. These documents
have been examined by historians and approved its credibility as it’s been kept as government
documents and kept in archives. Moreover, the timeline in these documents constitutes of
what was accounted for in narrative and it is relevant and aligned to the circumstances that
happened in history. Furthermore, the people behind these documents have remarkable
contribution to the events and were acknowledged high ranking official, According to Library of
Congress (2011), the former senate President of Spain, Son Eugenio Montero Rios, and U.S.
senator Cushman K. Davis were the commissioners who negotiated for the Treaty of Paris.

Analysis
 The Philippines was colonized by multiple countries that left their own culture and
tradition to us. Through history, historians were able to trace what happened then which would
explain how the Philippines is today. As shown above, questions were asked first and through
various references, the questions were answered. Through documents from credible sources, it
is easier to understand and account historical events, together with the original or translated
copies of such important documents as proof. As mentioned, history is relevant in the past,
present, and even in shaping the future. It also affects our perception in different circumstances
therefore, when I thought that Philippines was colonized by multiple countries, especially Spain
for over 300 years, I wondered how the Filipinos managed to resist the tight grip of the
colonizers especially when we were governed by them for a very long time, and it must have
been easier to just surrender and submit to them completely. If they did, then, Philippines
might be an American or Spanish, or Japanese colony today. This realization shows that
whatever happens in the past will affect out present and to avoid experiencing what happened
in the past, we need to learn and understand history to live our present correctly for a better
future.

Furthermore, History showed what was the social, political, and spiritual condition of
the people in the past which makes it relatable to what is happening today. And because we
already have an idea of how they survived it in the past, we now know how to prevent it from
happening again hence, we can stop history from repeating itself. And I believe asking
questions is a good baseline on understanding what we are and what we have today.

References

Evans, R. J. (n.d.). What is history? article (2): The present 'Crisis of history'. IHR Web Archives -
Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved on June 6, 2022,
from https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Whatishistory/evans10.html

History.com Editors. (2010, February 9). Philippine independence declared. HISTORY. Retrieved
on June 6, 2022, from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/philippine-
independence-declared

Kalaw, M. M. (1986). The development of Philippine politics. Oriental Commercial Company, Inc.
Retrieved on June 6, 2022,
from https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/afj2233.0001.001/7?page=root;size=100;vi
ew=image;q1=independence
Siena College. (n.d.). What is history & why study it? Wayback Machine. Retrieved on June 6,
2022, from
https://web.archive.org/web/20140201183734/www.siena.edu/pages/3289.asp

The World Factbook. (2021, February 5). Philippines. Central Intelligence Agency - CIA.
Retrieved on June 6, 2022, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-
factbook/countries/philippines/

Treaty of Paris of 1898. (n.d.). Library of Congress. Retrieved on June 6, 2022,

from https://loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/treaty.html

Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain (Treaty of
Paris), signed in Paris, December 10, 1898. (1898, December 10). Official Gazette.
Retrieved on June 6, 2022, from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1898/12/10/treaty-
of-peace-between-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-kingdom-of-spain-treaty-of-
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What is history? (n.d.). History Today | The World’s Leading Serious History Magazine.
Retrieved on June 6, 2022, https://www.historytoday.com/archive/head-head/what-
history