CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRIMARY SOURCES IN

PHILIPPINE HISTORY

They reached the Philippines on March 16, 1521 in Homonhon island, now part of Guiuan
Eastern Samar. On reaching the after nearly four months at the sea with no new provisions, “the
captain wished to stop at the large island to get some food, but he was unable to do so because
inhabitants of theta island entered the ships and stole whatever they could lay their hand on., in
such a manner that we couldn't defend ourselves.”
So in that contact, Magellan and his starving crew retaliated. They went ashore and burned, by
Piggafeta’s account, forty to fifty houses. They killed seven men. Mutual astonishment at the
new and the wondrous took a dark turn. That is why Magellan named the islands Islas de los
Ladrones, the land of thieves.

After they reached the Mariana Island or The Landrones Island, Pigafetta reported that they
reached the isle of Samar/Zamal. However, Magellan decided to land on an uninhabited island
for them to rest for a few days. On March 18 1521, nine men came to them and showed joy and
eagerness in seeing them, so Magellan welcomed them with food, drinks, and gifts. In return, the
natives gave them fish, palm wine (uraca), figs, and two cochos. Moreover, they gave them rice,
cocos, and other food supplies. Pigafetta characterised the people as very familiar and friendly
and the locals showed them different islands and the name of these islands. The fleet went to
Humunu island and there was what Pigafetta referred to as the “Watering Place of Good Signs”
because the place is abundant in gold. When they left the island on March 25th, they saw two
balangay boats full of people in Mazzava/Mazaua, what we now call Limasawa Leyte. The
Europeans entertained these men and gave them gifts. The king of balangay offered Magellan a
bar of gold, but Magellan quickly declined. Magellan sent an interpreter to the king and asked for
money for the needs of his ships and expressed that he came into the island as a friend not as an
enemy. Magellan and the Raja Colambu became brothers, so Magellan boasted his men in
armour who could not be struck with swords and daggers, he also showed his other weapons,
helmets, artilleries, he also showed his maps and charts and shared how they found the island.

After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king’s brother who was also the king of
another island. Pigafetta reported that they saw mines of gold. (houses of the second king were
gold). Pigafetta also describes that the king was the most handsome he has ever seen. He was
astonished with gold accessories. The name of the king was Raia Calambu, king of Zulugan and
Calagan (Batuan and Caragua), and the first king was Rajah Siagu. On March 31, 1521, which
happened to be Easter Sunday officiated by Father Pedro de Valderrama in the shore of the
town islet named as Mazaua located in the tip of Leyte. Magellan ordered a Mass by the shore.
The king heard the plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the mass with the other king. The
first Holy Mass marked the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines.
 After the mass, Magellan ordered the cross be brought, with nails, and crown in
place- the cross is the sign that it would be beneficial for their people because once the Spaniards
saw this cross, then they would know that they have been in the island and would not cause
them any trouble, and any person who might be held captives by them will be released.
● After seven days they move and look for islands where they can find more supplies and
provisions. They learned of the islands Leyte, Bohol and Cebu.
● Raia Calambu offered to pilot them to Cebu, the largest and richest of the island
● By April 7, they reached the island of Cebu, The king of cebu through Magellan’s
interpreter, demanded to pay tribute ast it was customary, but Magellan refused.
● Magellan said he was a captain of a king himself. The interpreter said to the king that it
would be better to make friends with them.
● The next day, Magellan’s men together with the principal of cebu, the king offered a bit
of his blood and Magellan demanded to do the same.
● Moving forward, On April 26, Zula, a principal from Mactan went to see Magellan and
asked him for a boat full of men so that he could fight the chief named Silapulapu.
Magellan offered three boats instead and saw the chief.
● In daylight, they numbered 49 in total, and the islander of Mactan were estimated to
number 1500.
● Magellan died in the battle, natives aimed at their legs. Magellan was pierced with a
poison arrow in his right leg. Magellan was hit with a lance in the face.
● The captain deteriorated, and more natives came to attack him. One native delivered a
blow in Magellan’s left leg, bringing him face down.
● The natives attacked Magellan with lances, swords and their bare hands.
● Duarte Barbosa as the new captain
● Magellan’s slave/interpreter betrayed them; he told the King that they intended to leave
as quickly as possible.
● The King invited these men for a gathering where he would present jewels that he would
send for the King of Spain.
Students of history should recognise certain biases accompanying the authors and their identities,
loyalties, and circumstances, and how these affected the text they produced. He was chronicler
commissioned by the king of Spain to accompany and document the voyage:
● To expand the Spanish Empire- after reading the document with the Spaniards, Spain
colonised us.
● He was a noble who came from a wealthy family in Italy, these attributes include his
narratives, his selection of details to be included in the text, his characterisation of the
people he encountered, and his interpretation and retelling of the events.
● He would always remark on the nakedness of the natives.
● He also emphasised the native’s amazement and ignorance of European artillery,
merchandise and other goods.
 ● The European economy was a mercantilist system like the measure of wealth of
kingdoms based on the accumulation of metals like gold and silver. (It was suprising that
pigafetta would always mention golds in the Philippines)
● The obsession with spices might be odd, but understanding the context would reveal that
spices were scarce in europe. Increase in wealth, influence and power.

THE DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION AND THE KARTILYA OF THE

KATIPUNAN

Learning Outcomes
● Examine the context and perspective of the document
● Determine the main teachings and guiding principles of Kartilya
● Recognise the importance of the Kartilya to the past and today’s society

The first move toward independence began on July 7, 1892 when the Katipunan was
established by Andres Bonifacio when Jose Rizal was banished to Dapitan. This was the
result of the failure of the Reform Movement in Spain in which Filipinos attempted to demand
independence from the Spanish government. Bonifacio saw the futility of the efforts of the
Filipino propagandists and organized an underground movement against Spain. The Philippine
revolution is one of the most important events in the history of the Philippines.
On July 7, 1892, a member of La Liga Filipina, founded the Katipunan in a house in
Tondo, Manila. LA LIGA FILIPINA- Jose Rizal
La Liga Filipina aimed to educate its members about their rights and
responsibilities as citizens, as well as to promote civic virtues and patriotism.
Cuerpo de compromisarios- Domingo Franco

The word “katipunan” literary meaning association comes from the root word tipon
an indigenous tagalog word, meaning society.
The KKK or Kataastaasang Kagalang-galangan Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
was a revolutionary society that espoused independence and freedom for the Philippines
through force of arms.It’s main objectives are 1st separation of the Philippines from Spain and
2nd
 One of the essential Katipunan documents was the Kartilya ng Katipunan. The original
title of the text was Manga Aral Nang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or Lessons of the
Organization of the Sons of Country.
Members were subjected to the utmost secrecy and were expected to abide with the
established rules. Aspirant applicants were given standard initiation rites to become a member.
Members in Katipunan were only open to male; later women were accepted in the society.
In planning the organization, Bonifacio contacted Rizal for his full-fledged support for the
Katipunan in exchange for a promise of rescuing Rizal from his detainment.
On August 26, 1896, Bonifcio and his men tore their cedulas during the infamous
Cry of Balintawak that started the Philippine Revolution. (Pugad Lawin)
The discovery of KKK; on August 19, 1896 a KKK member, Teodoro Pantino
confessed the illegal activities to his sister, Honoria; she lives with nuns in Mandaluyong
Orphanage, she told the Mother of orphanage Sor Teresa de Jesus, the Mother told the parish
priest Mariano Gil.

Emelio Jacinto wrote the document in 1896. He studied law at the UST where he
developed a love for reading and improved his skills in Spanish. Jacinto joined the Katipunan in
1894 at the age of 18 and took the symbolic name Pingkian.
The Kartilya was printed as a small pamphlet that was distributed to the members of
Katipunan.
TRIANGLE SYSTEM
Hinati ni Bonifacio ang mga kasapi sa tatlong antas: ang Katipon na pinakamababang
antas; ang Kawal, at ang Bayani.
● Katipon. Mga kasapi sa unang antas: Iba pang mga simbolo: Itim na talukbong,
rebolber at/o bolo.- ZI. LI B.- roman
● Kawal. Mga kasapi sa ikalawang antas. Iba pang mga simbolo: medalyon na
may lasong lunti at may nakasulat na K.-
● Bayani. Kasapi sa ikatlong antas. Iba pang mga simbolo: Pulang talukbong at
laso, na may lunting gilid.- red hood with red sash and green borders
Katipon could graduate to Kawal class by bringing several new members into the
society. A Kawal could become a Bayani upon being elected an officer of the society.