SS 1-C Readings in Philippine History 09.05.

2023
Prof. Davena Cayabyab

Contribution and Relevance of the Document to Philippine History

The Customs of Tagalog provided documented facts that are proven happened in our
history. It showed that we already have our own form of civilization and we are already
aligned with the light before their own “light” came.

We even have Datu and Rajah. Social hierarchy is beforehand established. Even the God
and Deities that people back then had a firm belief. Rules and punishments were
exercised in order to keep the harmony of the barangays and tribes.

Juan de Plasencia’s work served as a valuable source for the historians because it allowed
them to reconstruct lost objects of the past to examine often problematic surviving
historical sources and understand more about illicit events that happened in the past.

Filipinos had the opportunity to have an inkling but vivid ideas of what society we had
back then. This gave our countrymen a chance to stand again and build a more sturdy
foundation after the colonization of foreign countries. Despite the differences in leaders
and tribes, our ancestors stood tall, strong, and united. Without this documentation,
Filipinos will always aimlessly follow the beliefs of others.

Although Spaniards made Filipinos think that we owe every pinch of knowledge we have
to them. From our social and trading systems, down to culture and traditions. With what
Juan de Plasencia’s work did, it helped not just us Filipinos but also foreign countries to
understand that, even before, Filipino culture was already established; it showed how
beautifully curated Tagalog culture was, this is evident in our political, social and cultural
practices and with the help of our Filipino ancestors that made it more deserving of
respect.

It showed the different attributes of the Filipinos of the past that the current Filipinos still
have in the present. Some of their superstitious beliefs were one of their attributes that
remained until now, phrases like "tao po" or "tabi tabi po" are examples of these. The
attributes that changed, however, were the religious beliefs of the Filipinos during the
pre-colonial period that are different from the beliefs now, they believed in a deity they
referred to as "Abba" or "Bathala", since the document reveals their beliefs that are
different from the current most common religion in the Philippines now, which is
Christianity, it gives us insight on why and how our ancestors acted the way they did and
how much their beliefs affected their way of life.

With a pre-colonial past, Filipinos actually have a wide range of myths and superstitions.
Even in modern times, many people believe in mythical creatures, especially in rural
parts of the Philippines. Some creatures are thought to be like gods, goddesses, and
guardians. On the other hand, some view them as villains who cause trouble. They have
also established a link between superstitions and their lives, which have been passed from
one generation to generation.

It affirms that the Philippine Government started with barangay per family, with different
social statuses known as the Makahlikas, Timawa Class & Aliping Sagigilid. With
Practices, for example, they believed Sanduguan is a Sign of brotherhood. In terms of
Beliefs, they believed in Tagalog Gods & Deities like Tala (worship the moon), Dian
Masalanta (goddess of love) and more.

Datu is a leadership that considered one of our own identities before Spaniard colonizers
came and a system that contains a different social class, laws legislative in every small
village addressing local governing issues until the present time.

Given the systems, customs, government, and traditions, this shows that we do not owe
anything to the Spaniards; in fact, they are the reason why the Philippines' advancement
stagnated. By deconstructing what we had, there is a possibility that Filipinos can
progress further, even better than what we have now.