Definition of History
sciences
The word "history" means the search for
knowledge and truth, searching to find out.
"History is any integrated narrative or description of
past events or facts written in a spirit of critical
inquiry for the whole truth".
History is defined as "any integrated
narrative or description of past events or facts
written in a spirit of critical inquiry for the whole
truth".
Encyclopedia Brittanica defined history as
"the discipline that studies the chronological order
of events (as affecting a nation or people), based
on a critical examination of source materials and
usually presenting an explanation of their causes.
Why Study History?
Dizon et al (2011) citing Perry (1999) enumerated
the reasons why we need to study history, these
are.
1. To learn about our past. Studying history enables
us to learn about the lives of our ancestors, their
struggles, and their achievements. What we
have and what we enjoy today are the products of
their innovation, hard work and sacrifices
2. To understand the present. The traditions,
system of government cultural heritage, and many
other things are products of the past. Most of the
things have historical original and not just products
of fads and crazes.
3. To Appreciate our heritage from a broad
perspective. Our belief system, patriarch tradition,
common values including our material culture can
be understood and appreciated well if we have a
full understanding of our past.
4. To acquire background for critical thinking.
The issues, situations, and challenges that our
country is presently facing can mostly be attributed
in the past, for these, are encountered before,
history provides us details to understand, predict
and provide solutions to these.
Relationship of history with other social
• Political Science
• Ethics
• Psychology
• Geography
• Sociology
• Economics
Classification of Historical Sources
Historical sources have two (2)
Classifications:
• Primary Sources
A primary source is regarded as the
source of the best evidence. This is because
the data come from the testimony of able eye
and eyewitnesses to past events. They
consist of actual objects used in the past which
you can directly scrutinize or examine.
• Secondary Sources
The secondary source is information
supplied by a person who was not a direct
observer or participant of the event object or
condition (Sevilla et al, 1992).
The Distinction between Primary Sources and
Secondary Sources
Primary sources, the only solid bases of
historical work are the original documents you
remain, the first witnesses to a fact" (Good, cited
by Good and Scates 1972). For instance, the
stenographic notes of a court trial and the news
reporter's account of the trial are primary sources.
All physical objects, including photographs and
cultural institutions and practices, are primary
sources themselves and all accounts written
about them by those who had actually seen and
experienced are primary sources.
All writings by people who have never
experienced nor observed personally the objects
and have based their writings upon information
gathered from those who have knowledge of the
events are secondary sources.
Sources of Data from Primary and Secondary
Sources
Amante et. al (2008) citing Cooper (2003) identified
sources of data from primary and secondary
sources.
The primary sources are as follows:
1. Individual persons.
2. Organized groups or organizations such as
associations, fraternities, schools, business firms,
churches, army, navy, air force, government,
lawmaking bodies, family, tribe, etc.
3. Established practices such as marriage, religious
rites, legal system, economic system, democracy
system, etc.
4. Documents in their original forms such as the
constitution, laws, orders, proclamations, treaties,
contracts, census and all kinds of original records,
letters, desires, etc.
5. Living organisms such as animals, fowls, lower
forms of living organisms.
6. Man-made material things such as buildings,
machines, weapon, artifacts, appliances, roads,
bridges, dams, radio, television, electricity, etc.
7. Natural objects and phenomena such as rain,
wind, typhoon, water, earthquake, mountain, snow,
etc.
Secondary sources are as follows:
1. Books including dictionaries, encyclopedias,
almanacs, etc.
2. Articles published in a professional journal,
magazine newspaper, and other publications.
3. Unpublished master's theses and dissertations,
and other studies.
4. Monographs, manuscripts, etc.
5. All other second-hand sources.
6. Verbal or written data.
Internal and External Criticisms
o External Criticism – the genuineness of
the documents a researcher used in a
historical study, where the authenticity of
documents is established.
o Internal Criticism – looks at the content of
the document to determine its authenticity,
where credibility is established.
Auxiliary Sciences Determining Authenticity and
Genuineness of a Document
• Epigraphy – the study of inscriptions and
the art of deciphering them
• Diplomatics – the science of charters and
diplomas and includes knowledge of the
practices and of the forms used in them.
• Paleography – the study of writing
• Philology – determination of dates and its
authenticity
• Archaeology – the scientific study of life and
culture of the past, especially ancient
people.
• Anthropology – the study of humans,
especially of the variety, physical and
cultural characteristics, distribution,
customs, social relationships of humanity
• Prehistory – the history before recorded
history learned from archaeology.
• Chemistry - analyze materials such as coins
and medals to determine their historical
value.
 Site of the First Mass
Where was the first official Roman Catholic mass
held? Accounts of the historians differ as to where
was the holy sacrament was celebrated by Father
Pedro Valderrama on Easter morning of March 31,
1521, whether it was in Limasawa, Southern Leyte,
or Masao, Butuan City. Comparing the narratives, it
is clear that the term used to describe the place is
almost similar to one another as it is called either,
Mazava, Mazagua, Mazaua, or Masao but they
were unanimous that the place was abundant in
gold and spices. While the enactment of the law in
1960 has temporarily put to rest the issue, there is
a need for careful and thorough investigation for the
people of Butuan.
Arguments in Favor of Limasawa, Southern
Leyte
▪ Francisco Albo's Account
A journal or log of Magallanes voyage was
written by Francisco Albo, covering the voyage
from Cape San Agustin in Brazil until the "Victoria"
(the first ship to circumnavigate to globe) returned
to Spain (Blair de Robertson, 1975) The log begins
November 29, 1519, and ends September 4, 1522.
▪ Miguel Lopez De Legaspi and/or Hernando
Riquel (Court Clerk of the Home Office)
Account
O Based on the May 1564 Report of the
Occurrences on the Voyage and Journey of the
Armada of His Majesty under the Command of
General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in the Discovery
of the Islands of the West. The expedition as we
know was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who
was on board the Sarn Pedro, together with head
technician navigator Andres de Urdaneta and
Hernando Riquel court derk of the Home Office
(San Agustin Museum & Jose Ramon de Miguel
2009).
▪ Pigafetta's Account
In Antonio Pigafetta's account "Primo
Viaggo Intorno Al Mondo" (First Voyage Around the
World) events of 1519-1522. He narrated the
Magellan's voyage while James Alexander
Robertson translated it into English language. The
transcript is made from the original document,
which exists in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana Milan,
Italy. The narration of Pigafetta's account was taken
from Blair & Robertson (1975).
▪ Jose Arcilla, Historian
Jose Arcilla, author of 'Introduction to
Philippine History', maintained that Magellan never
stepped on the grounds of Butuan where the
alleged first mass took place.
Arguments in Favor of Masao, Butuan City
Gregorio Zaide (2002) provides narration of what
transpired during the first mass in the Philippines.
Accounts at the End of the 19th Century and Start
of the 20th Century Supporting Butuan as the Site
of the First Mass.
• Fred Atkinson, author of "The Philippine
Islands" published in 1905.
• John Ford, author of "Additional Pages
from an American Cruiser in the East"
which was published in 1898
• Written also in the Military Notes on the
Philippines in September 1898 at the
United States Adjutant-General’s Office
recognition of Butuan as the site of the first
mass in the Philippines.
Limasawa Law
On June 19, 1960, Republic Act No. 2733,
called the Limasawa Law was enacted without the
signature of the President of the Philippines. This
law recognized Limasawa as the site of the first
mass in the Philippines. Obviously, some would
question if an act of Congress is the proper
measure to correct or change our history.
 Jose Rizal’s Retraction The first accepted venue and date was "Balintawak
dated August 26 in 1963 that it was changed to
"He did or he did not?", a question that was raised
Pugad Lawin" on August 23 through the issuance
up following Jose Rizal's execution on December
of former President Diosdado Macapagal of
30, 1896, at Bagumabayan. While it is clear that
Proclamation No. 149 series of 1963 Ambeth
few hours before his death, he accepted many
Ocampo even enumerated five different places like
visitors and write letters for his loved ones,
Balintawak Pugad Lawin Kangkong. Bahay Toro,
contradicting accounts emerged from those who
and Pasong Tamo in five different dates like 20, 23,
believed that he retracted and for those who do not
24, 25, or 26 of August 1896
believe that he retracted. From the accounts of
priests and Spanish newspapers, he retracted but
for those who opposed, there was a secret letter
The August 26 in Balintawak and August 23 in
hidden inside Jose Rizal's shoes denying the
Pugad Lawin happened to be the 2) most famous
retraction and a claim that friars published a fake
versions because of the reputation of historians
copy or retraction. Regardless of whether he
who wrote it according to their sources The
retracted or not, the love of country of our national
hero is admirable and worthy of emulation. Balintawak version written by Gregorio Zaide and
Pugad Lawin version by Teodoro Agoncillo, author
of Revolt of the Masses, But there is another
account taken from the memoirs of Emilio
Arguments favoring the Retraction
Aguinaldo supporting Balintawak as the place of
• La Voz Espanola and Diario de Manila's the "cry" but the date was August 24.
Narration
Vano (1985) presented the four text in his Argument Favoring the Pugad
book entitled "Light in the Rizal's Death Cell". The
first was published in La Voz Espanola and Diario 1. Teodoro Agoncillo’s book ‘Revolt of the
de Manila on the very day of Rizal's execution, Masses’ (1956) – it was in Pugadlawin, where
December 30, 1896. they proceeded after leaving Samson’s place
in the afternoon of August 22. In the morning
• The second is from Father Balaguer's text of August 23, they met in the yard of Juan
dated January 1897. Ramos y Aquino (son of Melchora Aquino).
The revolt shall start on August 29.
• Father Manuel Garcia's Text 2. Guillermo Masangkay’s Account – meeting at
The third is alleged "original" text from Apolonio Samsom’s house in Caloocan,
Father Manuel Garcia dated May 18, 1935. dated August 24.
3. Renato Constantino’s Book ‘The Philippines:
• Letters of Josephine Bracken A Past Revisited’ – the place of the meeting
was in the yard of Melchora Aquino’s son in
According to De Viana (2013), in 1961,
Pugadlawin, dated August 23.
the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission
published Rizal's letter to his friends and
relatives. Included among these letters was one
made by Josephine Bracken in 1897 which was
a brief description of her life.

Arguments against Retraction

❖ Statement of Baron Fernandez
❖ Manoling Morato's "Expose"
❖ Josephine Bracken Failed to Produce
Marriage Contract
Cry of Balintawak or Cry of Pugadlawin
Arguments Favoring Balintawak:
1. Gregorio Zaide’s History of the FilipinoPeople
– the Katipuneros had an emergency meeting
in Balintawak, dated August 26.
2. Emilio Aguinaldo’s Memoir – on August 22,
the Magdalo Faction received a letter from
Supremo Ander Bonifacio providing that a
meeting shall be held in Balintawak on
August 24. Aguinaldo sent Domingo Orcollo
and Crispulo Aguinaldo as representatives of
the Magdalo Faction.
3. Lt. Olegario Diaz – August 25
4. Orders of Bonifacio – August 29 shall be the
start of the revolution, where they will attack
Manila.
5. Blair and Robertson’s ‘The Philippine Islands’
Narration – the Katipunan shall attack
Bulakan, Manila, and Cavite on August 30.
Battle of Tirad Pass
Did he die on top of the mountain, or he was at the
hilltop when he was shot? Did it happen while he
was rallying his troops to fight the enemies? Dis the
bullet of the rifle penetrated to his heart or to his
neck? Was he the last man standing defending the
pass? Was he riding a white horse? Was he 23 or
24 years of age when he was killed in the historic
battle? There were many different versions of the
young general's death, conflicting as they are, but
his love of country can never be doubted.
1. Vicente Enriquez Version (survivor) – Del
Pilar stood on the promontory and checked
the enemy position when a gunshot hit him.
He covered his face with his two hands,
falling on his back, and died immediately.
2. Telesforo Carrasco (survivor) – Del Pilar was
cautioned to crouch down when he was hit in
the neck, causing his instant death.
3. Richard Henry Little (American War
Correspondent) – mounted on his white horse
when he was shot.
4. Article from the Manila Freedom Newspaper
– seriously wounded and standing on the
trenches when a bullet plowed through his
heart and he fell
5. John McCutcheon (American War
Correspondent) – Del Pilar was the last to fall,
he was shot in the shoulders. He received a
shot in the nape of his shoulders and the
bullet passed through his mouth.
6. Philippine National Agency Archives – a
Filipino (Januario Gulat, an Igorot) led a
group of Americans to Del Pilar’s rear. He
was mounted on his horse with a saber on his
hand when a single shot claimed his life
7. Teodoro Agoncillo’s Account – on the
morning of December 2, 1899, an Igorot
guided the Americans to the secret trail. Del
Pilar was killed by a bullet that passed
through his neck. The American soldiers
looted his remains for souvenirs.
8. US War Department Account – Lt. Hopkins
commanded the H company.
 First Man to Circumnavigate the Globe
Is it Ferdinand Magellan, the commander of the
expedition the first man to circle the globe? Is it
Sebastian Elcano, the one who captained the
vessel "Victoria"? or is it Enrique of Malacca also
known as "Black Henry", Magellan's Malay slave (a
Visayan who was brought to Sumatra)? The three
were the prominent candidates as the first man to
circle the globe. With so many accounts and
different interpretations, students of history were
confused as to who really was the first? If at
present, the recognition will be through a vote,
Portugal would likely to vote Magellan, Spain will
choose Elcano and Philippines will pick Enrique.
1. Ferdinand Magellan – since he was killed on
April 27, 1521, at the Battle of Mactan,
Magellan failed to return to Spain tocomplete
his voyage. Richie Quirino claims that
Magellan reached Moluccas and the
Philippines in 1511 on an earlier voyage. By
putting together his voyages (1511 and 1519-
April 27, 1521), it would make him the first
man to circumnavigate the world.
2. Sebastian Elcano (Delcano) – Elcano took
command of the voyage after Magellan’s
death, and he brought back Victoria to Spain
along with 18 of the 260 men in the voyage.
King Charles, I recognized him as the “first
man to circle the globe,” by giving him an
annual pension and granting him a coat-
ofarms with a Latin motto “Primus
circumdidisti me” (“first to circumnavigate
me”)
3. Enrique of Malacca (Black Henry) –
Magellan’s interpreter/personal slave
captured by Magellan on his 1511 expedition
to the East Indies. Enrique spoke Malay (a
common trading language in Southeast Asia).
Enrique has been with Magellan from Asia
back to Europe before joining Magellan’s
voyage around the world starting in 1519.
After Magellan’s death, he was able to return
to Malacca after collaborating with Raja
Humabon for his freedom and access to
homeland. According to Carlos Quirino,
Enrique’s ability to communicate with
Visayans makes him a native, from Carcar,
Cebu to be exact.
Last Filipino General to Surrender to the Americans
All those who contributed to defend the motherland
deserve recognition. From sentry to general,
everyone should be honored for his sacrifices to
freedom. But other than individual recognition,
there is a need to revisit and look into reliable
sources in order to correct the pages of our history.
On the recognition as to who was the last Filipino
general to hoist the white flag there were three
different individuals who were recognized by
historians as the last high-ranking military official to
resist foreign rule, they are Miguel Malvar, Simeon
Ola, and Macario Sakay. Whoever is the last man
standing, it does not take away the bravery and
brilliance to any of these Filipino generals but more
importantly, we have to know the truth for the sake
of knowing he truth.
Arguments Favoring Miguel Malvar:
1. Teodoro Agoncillo’s Account – Malvar
surrendered to the Americans on April 16,
1902, to save people from brutality
2. Jose Malvar’s Account (grandson of Miguel
Malvar) – did not contest the surrender of
Ola, Sakay, not even Malvar. He provides
that there was no surrender but rather a
peace agreement with the Americans.
Arguments Favoring Simeon Ola:
1. Pio Arsenio Labanan (local historian
ofGuinobatan, Albay) – Malvar surrendered
earlier. Ola surrendered on September 25,
1903 – 1 year and 5 months after Malvar.
2. The Minneapolis Journal Report – under the
September 26, 1903 report, Ola surrendered to
the Americans with 28 of his officers and men.
Arguments Favoring Macario Sakay:
1. Carmen Guerero Nakpil’s Account – sakay
fought unarmed against the Americans then
surrendered on July 17, 1906.
2. The Los Angeles Herald – June 19, 1906.
Sakay surrendered in the constabulary office in
Manila.
3. Macario Sakay’s Picture at the Malacañang
Palace – April 1904, Sakay declared himself as
president of the Republika ng Katagalugan. On
June 16, 1906, he surrendered to the
Americans then on September 13, 1907, he
was hanged for banditry.