1. Explain the importance of knowing our country’s history.

- More than knowing, it is important to understand our country’s history. A country’s

history serves as a workbook of the past. By diving into this workbook, you would
learn about the early lives of our ancestors and the eventual improvement of the
country that led it to what it is today. We can also use it to look back on the hardships
they went through and use it as the present and future reference. We can use its
prior knowledge to solve current issues, with improvisation and accordance to our
time. Overall, we can use it as a guide to learn about our past and use it to work for
our present and future.
2. Describe the society in the ancient Philippines before Spanish colonization
- Before the Spanish colonization, the Philippines had a rich cultural past. It was
engaged in trading with Southeast Asian countries like China and Japan. Different
regions of the country also served as outposts of Southeast Asian Kingdoms—the
most notable was the formidable Majapahit Kingdom in East Java, which ruled over
the islands that is now Indonesia, from 1294 to the 15th century. The Majapahit and
Srivjava Kingdoms, which were based in India, had influenced the country. The
Philippines was also affiliated with Middle East’s Islamic leader which led to the
eventual spread if Islam within the country.
3. Discuss the system of government in the early Philippines
- Filipino’s first system of government was the barrio or barangay—which came from
the Malay word barangay or balangay which means sailboat. It was a separate
community made up of thirty to one hundred families that was typically found next to
a riverbank or at the mouth of a river that flowed into the sea. A datu or a village
chief, who was also known as raha or rajah, is positioned in each barangay and has
the primary duty to rule and govern his citizens and promote their welfare.
4. Give at least three influences of the following
a. Chinese
- trading and bargaining
- superstitious beliefs
- dishes (sauteed dishes, rice cakes, noodle dishes)
b. Indian
- Hindu-Buddhist religions
- syllabic writings
- Sanskrit and Tamil loanwords
c. Arabs
- Islam religion
- Sultanate form of government
- calendars
5. Give at least five Filipino common traits and describe why these traits being practiced
today.
a. Hospitality- Filipinos are known to be hospitable, they welcome guests warmly and
treat them like a well-known friend. They do this out of respect.
b. Superstitious- Filipinos have also started becoming superstitious because of Chinese
influence.
c. Family ties- Filipinos are known to value family above all things. They do this
because they believe that one’s family will always be there for them.
d. Work ethic- Filipino workers are always on high demand because they do their jobs
well and always stand out in the workplace.
e. Courteous- Filipinos, especially children, still do the act of “mano” to their elderlies.
They do this to show respect to them.