3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

I. Introduction

Philippine history writing started during Spanish time when Ferdinand Magellan landed
in the Philippine archipelago in the year 1521, followed by Filipinos like Dr. Jose Rizal who
annotated Antonio Morga’s Book “Sucessos de Las Islas Filipinas” (Events of the
Philippine Islands) and Americans. But before the Spaniards, there were archaeological
records of early Chinese and some Muslim scholars narrating the existence of civilization
in the archipelago.

II. Learning Objectives

 Recognize the racial origins of man and the early settlers in Philippine
Archipelago
 Define the early Philippine society, the customs and practices of the Filipinos.
 Demonstrate appreciation for the Filipino racial origin and communities.
 Describe the economic systems being practiced by the early settlers in the
Philippines.

III. Lesson Proper

Early Dwellers in the Philippine Archipelago

1. Tabon Man – the Tabon Man skull cap was discovered by Dr. Robert Fox, an
American Anthropologist, in the Tabon cave in Palawan in 1962. According to
research this man lived on the early days called Stone Age and inside the cave.
He also found evidence that these early human already knew how to make and
use tools. Experts said skeletal remains found in Tabon were not a Negrito.

2. Negrito - Henry Otley Beyer, a known anthropologist, introduced the “Theory of

Migration” that the first Human who came to the Philippine Archipelago through
through the Land Bridges were Negritos, the Ancestors of the Aetas, has many
anthropologists and experts opposed and disproved this belief.

3. Callao Man - Dr. Armand Mijares of University of the Philippines led the team of
archaeologists in 2007. They found a foot bone inside the Callao Cave in
Cagayan. Callao Man is said to be 20,000 years older than the Tabon Man. The
Uranium Series Dating method was used in determining the age of the bone
which was conducted in France.

Page 1 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI) - The oldest written documents in Philippine history
was found in Lumbang River in the province of Laguna by a sand worker and he sold it
to National Museum. According to the story, a Dutch anthropologist named Anton
Postma translated the inscription. The translation shows the Chief of Tondo pardoned
the debt of Namwaran. The LCI names several places in the Philippines and Indonesia.

The copperplate discloses the influence of Hindu culture in

the Philippines before 900 AD (Anno Domini). Some believe
that cultural contact was more likely through Hindu Empire
in Indonesia or India. It proves that Manila was already
populated and civilized before the arrival of Muslims in the
year 1100’s to 1200’s. It also indicates the interaction of the
early Filipinos to its neighboring Asian countries before Ferdinand Magellan.

The Early Philippine Society

The early Filipinos started building their communities along the mouth of the river or
coastal areas. They chose the place because of economic opportunities wherein they
access the land and the water for their everyday routine life. Their community was a
Barangay setup with 50 or 2000 people as residents.

The Barangay originated from the story of the Ten Bornean Datus who were believed to
have sailed in the direction of the Philippines using their boat called Balangay to
escape the cruelty of Sultan Makatunaw of Borneo, with their family and other people
onboard. However, this story according to recent studies revealed some irregularities
because the story does not have any written evidences, but only verbal or spoken
historical account which became part of Filipino culture.

Traditional Filipino Communities

The Raja or Datu ruled the Barangay – their duty is to look over to the people and
maintain peace within the community and lead them if there are intruders who would
like to conquer them.

After the historic Sandugo of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna of Bohol,
some tribal leaders adopted the symbolic ceremony and preservation of friendship
between the two tribes.

Page 2 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

Another way to solve the disputes of the two tribes or Barangay during the early days
was the arrange marriage of their children. This will give way to the merging of the two
former rival kingdoms and becomes a larger, strong and a more powerful tribe.

How does the Early Barangay choose their leader as Raja or Datu?

Early Barangay also sets qualification for their leader:

1. Age – their leader must be at around 30 years old and above.

2. Physically Fit – leader is expected to be physically strong to lead the Barangay in
maintaining peace and order and a protector from outside aggressors.
3. Inheritance – based on bloodline relations to the former Raja or Datu (first born
son, daughter, or an immediate relative).
4. Extent of knowledge – had enough knowledge about the customs and the
traditions of Barangay.

Social Classes in the Barangay

1. Raja or Datu – was the title of the leader in the barangay during pre-Hispanic
time.
2. Maharlika (The Noble People) – This class of people does not pay taxes in the
community; they are relatives of the Datu or Raja.
3. Timawa (The Free Man) – these classes of people are free commoner.
4. Alipin -
Aliping Namamahay - who had received a piece of land from his master.
Aliping Sa Gigilid – single men and women who worked to their master’s home.

Pre-colonial Dwellings

The early Filipinos used caves for their housing until they leaned to build houses outside
using woods or bamboo and nipa leaves or cogon grass.

Clothings as Ornaments

According to Pigafetta’s chronicles, native men and women were barefoot, without
upper clothing, only Bahag for men while women wear a piece of cloth wrapped
around the waist. They always wear necklaces and armlets.

Page 3 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

Early Religion

Early natives did not have religion, but they their god as Bathala or Maycapal in
Mountain Province. Islam is already present in the archipelago by 1380, way before the
Spaniard’s arrival.

Superstitious Beliefs

Early Filipinos believed in the existence of aswang, kapre, dwende, tiyanak, at

tikbalang.

Early Philippine Writing

Baybayin or Alibata – pre-Hispanic writing system in the archipelago ; from Kawi

(Javanese in Indonesia) or Sanskrit in India.

Economy during the Pre-Hispanic Time

Archeological artifacts suggest that early Filipinos already are engaged in trading, rice
planting, hunting, and fishing. Barter Trading is already practiced; Chinese traders were
in the archipelago.

Music and Dance

1. Kudyapi - 2-stringed boat-shaped guitar.

2. Kalaleng (Tongali) - flute blown by the nose.
3. Gangsa – a flat gong.
4. Batikok-kok – a bamboo drum.
5. Kundiman – known as love song.
6. Kumintang – known as sinaunang awit at sayaw pandigma.
7. Ang Dalit/ Imno/Oyayi/Hele - ang himno o dalit ay isang awit ng papuri,
luwalhati, kaligayahan o pasasalamat, karaniwang para sa Diyos.
8. Dugso - dance from Bukidnon (danced during harvest, prayer for thanksgiving
and invocation for protection)
9. Salip - from Kalinga (Courtship Dance)

Page 4 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

IV. Learning Activities

Activity No. 1:
Photo Dump.
After reading about our history prior to the Spanish conquest, try to browse and gather
pictures of significant events, artifacts, etc. during this time. Create a collage and
present your work in the class by discussing the pictures you have included.

For students under the modular/distance learning, you may submit your work directly to
your instructor via email.

Activity No. 2:
Documentary Viewing
Watch the documentary entitled “Pre-colonial Philippines & Things you might not know
about our history” on YouTube.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEm4iNV1Mq8

V. Assessment/Reflection

Reflection No. 1:
After watching the documentary entitled “Pre-colonial Philippines & Things you might
not know about our history”, how do you view our culture and history in the pre-colonial
period? As a student, how do you plan to keep our culture alive in our modern days?

Rubrics of the Reflection Paper:

1 – Needs
3 - Exceptional 2 - Proficient
Improvement
Implies but does not
Clearly states the Does not state or
clearly state the
purpose, does not imply the purpose,
Focus purpose, does not
diverge from the diverges from the
diverge from the
topic topic
topic
Demonstrate a Demonstrate a self-
Lacks development
thorough self- reflective analysis
and self-reflection,
reflective analysis supported by
does not include a
supported by specific and
summary and has
Content specific and illustrative details,
insufficient details,
illustrative details, draws conclusions
does not make
draws conclusions and makes
connection to
and makes connection to
future plans
connection to future plans

Page 5 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

future plans
Presents the Presents the
Presents the
reflection in a reflection in a
Organization reflection in a well-
compelling, highly- poorly-organized
organized manner.
organized manner manner.
Uses articulate and
Uses appropriate
appropriate
language, word Uses slang and
language, proper
choice, and improper word
Conventions word choice, and
sentence structure. choice. Needs to
sentence structure.
Few errors in improve grammar.
Very little to no
grammar.
errors in grammar.

VI. Self-Test

Answer the following questions comprehensively.

1. Who were considered as the early dwellers in the Philippine archipelago?

2. What was the Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI) and what evidences does it
give in relation to our history?

3. Discuss the origins of the Barangay in the early Philippine society.

4. Differentiate the social classes that existed within a Barangay.

5. What cultures and tradition from the pre-colonial Philippines are you familiar with
and have seen or encountered in our modern day?

VII. Post-test

Multiple Choices. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. This class of people does not pay taxes in the community; they are relatives of
the Raja or the Datu.

a. Aliping Namamahay
b. Timawa
c. Maharlika
d. Aliping Sagigilid

Page 6 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

2. This evidence found in many places in the Philippines proves that the Chinese
were the first to trade with us during the Tang Dynasty.

a. Stone
b. Porcelain
c. Musical Instrument
d. Balangay

3. It is known to be the pre-Hispanic writing system in the Philippines.

a. Baybayin
b. Kawi
c. Sanskrit
d. Kulitan

4. The early dwellers of the Philippines discovered by Dr. Robert Fox.

a. Tabon Man
b. Negrito
c. Callao Man
d. Badjaos

5. It is the two-stringed boat shape guitar of the Maguindanaoans.

a. Kulintang
b. Batikok-kok
c. Kalaleng
d. Gangsa

Essay.

1. In your own opinion, which among the three are the early people in the
archipelago? Justify your answer.

2. If the Spaniards did not conquer our archipelago, what do you think is our culture
today?

VIII. Resources

Page 7 of 8
 3 BEFORE THE CONQUEST

Rhodalyn Wani-Obias, Aaron Abel Mallari, Janet Regindin-Estella. The Life and Works of
Rizal: C & E Publishing, Inc. 2018

Page 8 of 8