Chapter 4: Our Malayan Heritage

1. Food and Drinks:

• Staple food: Rice
• Other food items: Carabao meat, pork, chickens, sea turtles, fish, bananas, and various fruits
and vegetables.
• Cooking methods: Earthen pots, bamboo tubes.
• Drinking vessels: Coconut shells.
• Popular wine: Tuba (coconut wine), basi (sugarcane wine), pangasi (rice wine), lambanog
(coconut palm wine), tapuy (rice wine).

2. Modes of Dressing:
• Men: Wore a collarless, short sleeved jacket called kangan, putong (cloth wound around the
head), gold jewelry.
• Women: Wore a wide sleeved jacket called baro, patadyong (skirt), gold jewelry, graceful knot
hairstyle.

3. Tattoos:
• Represented animals, birds, flowers, and geometric figures.
• Served two purposes: enhancing bodily beauty and showing war record.

4. House:
• Made of wood, bamboo, and palm leaves.
• Some lived in tree houses or boat houses (Badjaos).
• Cleanliness: Bathed daily, washed hair with gugo and water, kept homes clean.

5. Natural Courtesy and Politeness:

• Respectful gestures: Removing putong when meeting equals, addressing superiors with "po",
walking behind women, polite language.

6. Amusements:
• Banquets, games (carabao races, wrestling, fencing, etc.), music, and dances (kumingtang,
mahinhin, dandansoy, etc.).

7. Marriage Customs:
• Marrying within ranks but not strictly prohibited against intermarriages.
• Dowry (bigaykaya) given by groom to bride's family.
• Divorce grounds included adultery, desertion, loss of affection, cruelty, insanity, and
childlessness.
8. Government:
• Each settlement: Independent kingdom called barangay.
• Ruler: Datu (also known as hari or raja), inherited position, leader in peace and war.

9. Religion:
• Supreme God: Bathala.
• Worship: Anitos or diwatas (ancestral spirits), sacrifices offered, belief in afterlife.

10. Superstitions:
• Belief in witches (asuang, mangkukulam, tianak, tigbalang), magical items (anting anting,
gayuma, odom, uiga).

11. Languages:
• Different languages and dialects originating from Malayo Polynesian language.

12. Writing and Literature:

• Writing materials: Banana leaves, tree barks, bamboo tubes, iron instrument (sipol) as pen.
• Oral literature: Myths, legends, songs, poems, fables, proverbs, riddles.
• Written literature: Very little preserved due to Spanish conquest.

13. Education:
• Informal education at home or in barangays.
• Formal education in certain regions like ancient Panay (bothoan).

14. Arts:
• Architecture, tattoo art, carving (likha or lagdong).

15. Sciences:
• Medicinal knowledge, astronomy (navigation by stars), engineering (forts, rice terraces).

16. Weights and Measure:

• Talaro for weighing, kaban, salop, kaguitna, gating for capacity, dipa, tumuro, sandamak, sandal
for length.
17. Calendars:
• Bisayan calendar: 12 months, 30 days each, with 356 days a year.
• Ifugao calendar: 13 months, 28 days each, with 364 days a year (365 in leap years).

18. Coinage:
• Ancient coins: Cone shaped gold pieces (piloncitos), with Malayan letter M on flat bases.

19. Domestic and Foreign Trade:

• Domestic trade: Barter system between barangays.
• Foreign trade: With China, Japan, Siam, India, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and other Oriental lands.

20. Agriculture and Industries:

• Farming: Kaingin method, irrigation, public and private ownership of land.
• Other industries: Sculpting, weaving, fishing, etc.
Chapter 5: Our Heritage from India, China, and Arabia

Early Relations with India

• Hindus from the Asian mainland and nearby islands arrived in the Philippines as early as 900
AD. They came peacefully as traders and immigrants, not as conquerors. Evidence of their
presence includes various Hindu artifacts found throughout the country, such as the Gold image
of Agusan, Copper image of Ganesha, and Gold pendant of Garuda.

Hindu Antiques
• Gold image of Agusan: Found in Ezperanza, Agusan Province, 1917.
• Copper image of Ganesha: Discovered in Mactan, 1843.
• Gold pendant of Garuda: Unearthed at Brooke’s Point, Palawan, 1961.

Other Hindu Heritage

1. Religion: Introduction of polytheistic worship and spirits. The word "Bathala" has Indian origins.
2. Jobs: Influence on various industries like mining, weaving, and agriculture.
3. Writing: Sanskrit influenced the ancient alphabet.
4. Language: Pilipino language has 375 Sanskrit words, including "ama" (father) and "asawa" (spouse).
5. Customs: Influence on traditional practices and superstitions.
6. Race: Traces of Hindu ancestry in Filipino ethnic groups.

Early Relations with China

• In 982 AD, Filipinos traveled to Canton, South China, to trade. Chinese merchants later came to
the Philippines, trading in regions like Lingayen Gulf, Manila Bay, and Mindoro. The Chinese
praised Filipinos for their honesty. Cultural exchange occurred through trade and intermarriage.

Filipino Visitors to China

• In 1417, a group of more than 340 Filipinos, including three Mindanao kings, visited Beijing. They
exchanged gifts with the Chinese emperor. One king, Paduka Pahala, died during the journey
and was buried in China. Some of his descendants still reside in Beijing.

Our Chinese Heritage

1. Economic: Transfer of knowledge in various industries and crafts.
2. Social: Influence on customs, clothing, and social practices.
3. Language: Approx. 1500 Chinese words integrated into Tagalog vocabulary.
4. Costumes: Introduction of traditional clothing and accessories.
5. Customs: Adoption of Chinese customs like respect for elders and arranged marriages.
6. Vices: Negative influences such as the use of firecrackers and gambling.

Early Relations with Arabia

• Arab missionaries and traders arrived in the Philippines in ancient times, spreading Islam. Key
figures include Mukdum, Abu Bakr, and Kabungsuwan, who played crucial roles in the
establishment of Islam in Sulu and Maguindanao.

Our Arabic Heritage

1. Religion: Introduction of Islam, influencing politics and social life.
2. Politics: Adoption of the sultanate form of government and laws.
3. Social Life: Muslim customs, festivals, and cultural practices.
4. Language: Integration of Arabic words into Filipino vocabulary.
5. Bloodline: Some Filipinos have Arab ancestry.
6. Literature and Arts: Influence on epic poems, dances, and traditional arts.

Early Relations with Other Asians

• Filipinos had contact with various Asian nations, including Borneo, Malaya, Thailand, Cambodia,
and Indonesia. Trade and settlements were established, contributing to cultural exchange and
economic prosperity.
Chapter 6: The Coming of Spain

Why the Spaniards Came

1. God: Spain aimed to spread Roman Catholicism, being a champion of Catholicism in the world.
2. Gold: Spain sought control over the spice trade in Asia to become the richest nation in the world.
3. Glory: Conquering the Philippines would enhance Spain's political power, making it the greatest
empire in the world.

Magellan’s Voyage
• Magellan planned to find a rich land and secure Spanish interests in Asia.
• After being rejected by the Portuguese king, he persuaded the Spanish monarchs to fund his
expedition.
• On September 20, 1517, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships and 265 men.
• They landed in Homonhon, Leyte Gulf, on March 17, 1521, and reached Masao, Butuan, on
March 28.
• The first mass in the Philippines was held in Masao, Butuan, on March 31, 1521.

Magellan Claims the Philippines for Spain

• Magellan planted a cross in Butuan, claiming the Philippines for the Spanish king.
• Lapulapu of Mactan resisted Spanish conquest, defeating Magellan in battle on April 27, 1521.
• Lapulapu's victory marked the first battle between Filipinos and Europeans.

Results of Magellan’s Voyage

1. It was the first voyage around the world by sea, proving the Earth's roundness.
2. It expanded geographical knowledge, discovering new lands and the Pacific Ocean.
3. It sparked Spain's interest in colonizing the Philippines.

The Legazpi Expedition

• In 1564, King Philip II ordered a new expedition to the Philippines.
• Led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the expedition sailed from Mexico on November 21, 1564.
• They arrived in the Philippines on February 3, 1565, and established friendly relations with local
leaders.
• Legazpi made Cebu the first Spanish settlement and later proclaimed Manila as the capital in
1571.

Why Philippines Fell to Spain

1. Filipinos were divided into tribes, allowing the Spaniards to exploit their disunity.
2. Legazpi's wise and generous leadership won the friendship of Filipino kings.
3. Spanish conquistadors had superior military technology.
4. Filipinos were influenced by Spanish missionaries and converted to Christianity, facilitating Spanish
conquest.
Chapter 7: Our Country as a Colony of Spain

Central Government under Spain

• Spain established a centralized government in the Philippines, replacing the independent
barangays.
• This unified the country for the first time, leading to its recognition as "FILIPINAS" (Philippines)
worldwide.

Philippine Territory in Spanish Time

• Philippine territory included islands like Guam, Marianas, Carolines, and Palaus, which are now
separate.
• Most of Mindanao and Sulu were excluded, with only coastal areas under Spanish control.
• Interior mountain regions of Luzon and Visayas remained independent.

Monarchy under Spain

• Spain operated under a monarchy, where the king or queen held supreme power.
• The Spanish king appointed colonial officials and issued royal decrees.

The Mexican Viceroy

• Until 1821, the Philippines were ruled by the Spanish viceroy in Mexico, representing the king.
• After Mexico gained independence, direct rule from Madrid began.

The Spanish Governor General

• The governor general represented the Spanish king in the Philippines and had extensive powers.
• They could make laws, appoint officials, and command the colonial armed forces.

The Royal Audiencia

• The Royal Audiencia served as the highest court during Spanish times, similar to the Supreme
Court.
• It ruled temporarily in the absence of the governor general and decided important cases.

Local Government
• The country was divided into provinces, each with towns and cities.
• Cities had their own government, while provinces were ruled by appointed Spanish officials.
• Towns were governed by Filipinos, with a system of elections for some local officials.
Christianity and Spanish Colonization
• Spanish success in colonization was attributed to the spread of Christianity.
• Christianity appealed to Filipinos and brought about positive changes in their way of life.
• Missionaries introduced European arts, sciences, education, and infrastructure to the
Philippines.

The Power of the Church

• The Catholic Church was the official religion, and no other religions were allowed.
• Church leaders had significant influence in government affairs.
• Parish priests held power in local communities, often acting as representatives of the king.

Why Spain Kept the Philippines

• Despite economic losses, Spanish kings decided to keep the Philippines.
• Queen Isabel I's testament and appeals from priests convinced kings to maintain the colony.
• The Philippines was seen as a symbol of Spain's glory and honor, ensuring its continuation as a
colony.