Republic of the Philippines

Cebu Normal University

Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City, 6000, Philippines

College of Arts & Sciences

Telephone No.: (+63 32) 254 6814 local 140
Email: cnucas@cnu.edu.ph | Website: www.cnu.edu.ph

Readings in Philippine History

MEANING AND RELEVANCE OF HISTORY; SOURCES OF HISTORICAL DATA;

AND HISTORICAL CRITICISM

Quiz 1
Name: Instructor:
Section: Total Score: /63
Part 1. Short Essay (47pts)
Instructions: Read each of the questions carefully. Your answers must not exceed ten sentences. In
addition, be guided by the number of points allotted for each question.

1. While Pio Valenzuela is an important member of Katipunan and his accounts (memoirs) served as
the primary source of Teodoro Agoncillo's "Cry of Pugadlawin," the entirety of his memoirs should
be read and considered with caution. In which circumtance/s would Pio Valenzuela's particular
statements included in his memoirs could not be regarded as a primary source (or that Valenzuela's
specific accounts/statement could not be regarded as a primary source). Illustrate your answer with
an example. (5pts)

2.How would you establish the "authenticity" of a jar you discovered in an old and abandoned
house? You suspect that such jar belongs to the "Pre-colonial Period" of Philippine History. (5pts)

3.You visited an antique shop in Negros. While looking at the items, you came across a photograph.
When you approach the owner, he told you that the photograph was captured in 1870s. In cases of
old photographs like this, how would internal and external criticism apply? (5pts)

4.Cite at least three reasons in which an eyewitness account should not hastily be taken as entirely
true. Elaborate each of these reasons. Each reason that you may elaborate is worth three points.
(9pts)

5.In relation to internal criticism, what would be the main concern with Pio Valenzuela's memoirs
written decades after the events he described therein. Briefly elaborate. (5pts)

6.Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Magellan's expedition wrote in detail their experiences from
their departure from Spain until they have reached the Philippine Archipelago. Cite a reason that
would compromise the "truthfulness" of his accounts regarding (1) the cultural traits and habits of
the Filipinos, which they witnessed back then and (2) regarding Ferdinand Magellan, his superior.
You should give at least one reason for each of the two. (6pts)

7. Elaborate how (1) motivation/desires, (2) memory capacity and duration, and (3) expertise would
affect our confidence with regards to the “truthfulness” of the accounts contained in a “supposed”
primary source. The elaboration of each of these factors must include vivid or concrete examples or
illustrations. Each factor elaborated is worth three points. (9pts)
 Republic of the Philippines
Cebu Normal University
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City, 6000, Philippines

College of Arts & Sciences

Telephone No.: (+63 32) 254 6814 local 140
Email: cnucas@cnu.edu.ph | Website: www.cnu.edu.ph

8. History can help us understand the present situation or conditions. Cite a concrete and specific
example from our own national history that would support the preceding statement. (3pts)

Part 2. Identification-Analyzing (30pts)

Instructions: Identify whether the following statements pertain to internal criticism (establishing the
truthfulness of the contents) or external criticism (establishing the authenticity of the documents).
Write IC if the statement pertains to internal criticism and EC if the statement pertains to external
criticism. Each item is equivalent to 2 points.

1. Dr. Borrinaga, a local historian from Samar, examines a written document said to be one of
the last letters Rizal wrote before his exile to Dapitan. In doing so, he carefully looked into
the manner by which the document was written, including its penmanship.

2. Arsenio is a graduate student from the Ateneo de Manila University. He discovered a

manuscript (specifically, a draft of a dictionary) from their local library supposedly written
during the 17th century in the Philippines (based on the dates indicated). However, upon
close inspection, you discovered that the document includes entries or words that you know
did not existed until the Americans came to our country.

3. Pigafetta’s geographical description of places they visited and encountered during the first
circumnavigation is given due credence by historians because of his background in
geography.

4. Decades after the Philippine Revolution, Pio Valenzuela decided to create his memoirs,
which Teodoro Agoncillo used as his sole basis in establishing the now popular narrative of
the “Cry of Pugadlawin.” However, recollection of information after a long period of time has
passed is suspect doubt due the nature of human memory.

5. In reading the accounts written by Antonio Pigafetta, particularly those that pertain to his
superior, Ferdinand Magellan, we should take into consideration the hierarchical
relationship that exist between Pigafetta and Magellan.

6. Ethnocentrism, or the belief that one’s own culture is superior to all the others, is an
important factor that we must consider in reading any accounts, whether those written by
our fellow Filipinos or by foreign authors.

7. There are authors that intentionally create “supposedly” historical sources in order to gain
pecuniary benefits (and other self-interested motives).

8. Ambeth Ocampo discovered a supposed manuscript assumed to be an unpublished novel

written by Jose Rizal; however, other authors observe that the discovered manuscript is
written in a way inconsistent with the manner of writing used by Rizal in his other works.
 Republic of the Philippines
Cebu Normal University
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City, 6000, Philippines

College of Arts & Sciences

Telephone No.: (+63 32) 254 6814 local 140
Email: cnucas@cnu.edu.ph | Website: www.cnu.edu.ph

Prepared by: Julius E. Aquino, LPT