Historical Negationism

Negationism
- the denial and distortion of the historical record. Also known as illegitimate revisionism.
Revisionism
- the reinterpretation of a historical account, especially in light of new facts, evidence, or
interpretation. Revisionism could be legitimate (the work of professional historians) or illegitimate
(negationism, mainly functions as propaganda).
Historical negationism
- an attempt to rewrite the past using unacceptable techniques
3 Historical Revisionism
1. Rizal 's Sa Aking mga Kabata
2. Marcos & History
3. The Jabidah Massacre
Ambeth Ocampo
- Filipino public historian, academic, cultural administrator, journalist, author, and independent
curator
Hermenegildo Cruz
- Filipino writer and prominent trade union organizer.
Nilo Ocampo
-Rizal scholar
In 1991, historian Ambeth Ocampo noted that the documentation of the poem is lacking, and the
original manuscript does not exist.
The poem's earliest appearance was in 1906, when Hermenegildo Cruz a nationalist writer and
union organizer, included it in his book Kun Sino ang Kumatha ng "Florante," a biography of
Francisco Balagtas."
National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario traced the use of the words laya or kalayaan to mean
"freedom" or "liberty" and found that the term was not used until del Pilar used it in 1882.
Word maharlica for libertad (liberty) and timaua for libre (free).
Kalayaan only appeared in a dictionary in 1889.
Marcos & History
Ferdinand Marcos
Was the only official dictator that the Philippines ever had consolidated from the United States in
1946. Martial Law in 1972
He employed topnotch Filipino historians to write a multi-volume Philippine History under his name.
The series was entitled Tadhana: The History of the Filipino People. The project started in 1974 and
was headed by several historians from the University of the Philippines
Historian Reynaldo lleto
- dubbed as the Unfinished Revolution of 1898.

The Jabidah Massacre

The Moros or Muslims in the Philippines have had a long history of resistance against foreign rule
from the Spanish to the Americans, and later against the Philippine government.
Operation Merdeka
- was led by General Eduardo Martelino of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Jibin Arula
-One of the members of the Jabidah unit, and a lone survivor
What is Jabidah?
- It is the codename for a supposedly super-secret, twin-goaled operation of President Marcos to wipe
out the opposition-literally
- Jabidah 'massacre' was the Yellow's first big fake news.
 Multiperspectivity
It is defined as a way of looking at historical events, personalities, developments, cultures and societies
from different perspectives.
Historical Context:
Spanish Historian Jose Montero y Vidal
- Provided a biased account portraying the mutiny as an attempt to overthrow Spanish rule.
- Criticized for his biased interpretation of events.
Governor-General Rafael Izquierdo
- Implicated native clergy and leaders in the mutiny, emphasizing subversion against Spanish rule.
- Account corroborated with Montero’s, providing additional perspective.
GOMBURZA (Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora)
- Executed on February 17, 1872, for alleged involvement in the mutiny.
- Seen as martyrs by some, immortalized for their role in the Filipino nationalist movement.
Filipino Soldiers and Laborers
- Express dissatisfaction with Spanish policies, including the abolition of privileges and prohibitions
on education and trade.
Pardo de Tavera’s Account
- Highlights the mutiny as a response to draconian policies and political tensions between the friars
and Spanish residents.
French Writer Edmund Plauchut’s Account
- Suggests reforms as a solution to the underlying issues, including changes in governance and
educational policies.
Balintawak Meeting Attendees (August 26, 1896)
- Key figures in the Katipunan, including Bonifacio, Jacinto, and other leaders.
Santiago Alvarez
- Provides insight into the preparations and fears leading up to the Balintawak meeting.
Pio Valenzuela
- Offers details about the refuge and gathering places of Katipunan leaders.
The Philippine-American War Insurrection
- Marks the shift from resistance against Spain to resistance against the United States.
- Aguinaldo's government challenged U.S. sovereignty, leading to conflict and guerrilla warfare.
 Representation in History
Social history
- a subdiscipline of history that deals with particular social sectors.
Patriarchy
- a social system where men hold more power compared to women.
Secessionism
- the act of or advocacy for independence from and no longer being part of a country.
Historical injustice
- past moral wrong committed against a group of people
Misrepresentations in history can lead to misunderstandings, discrimination, fear, anger, and social
divisions.
History as something that is "written by victors" is already an outdated cliché.
History From Below
The history of history has traditionally focused on the affairs of the state, church, monarchy, and other
significant institutions.
Focused at the belief that great men move history, known as the Great Man Theory.
Reynaldo Lleto's Pasyon and the hymns of the Cofradia de San Jose.
- shown inventiveness in selecting primary sources that align with the authentic voices of the
masses,
Professor Reynaldo C. Ileto
- For him, the authentic voices of the masses cannot be fully captured if we continued to rely on
sources that originated from the elite or from above.
William Henry Scott
- argues that historians can reflect the experiences of the masses and ordinary people
- historians must locate cracks in the "parchment curtain" to gain a clearer view of the past.
- uses an example of a 1571 document that formalized Legazpi's occupation of Manila, where the
native datus refused to seal the pact using sandugo, indicating their insincerity.
Sandugo
- considered the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos. "Sandugo" is a Visayan
word which means "one blood".
WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Gender Inequality- has been constant at various periods since the Spanish colonization.
Gender Egalitarian- Men and women were both recognized as equally valuable members of the society
Babaylan ( visayan) or Catalonan ( tagalog)
• Spiritual leaders, who performs significant and sacred rituals, and communicates with deities and
the community’s dead ancestors.
• Also perceived as the community’s healer.
• Accused of being mangkukulam or manggagaway.
Good Women
- where the ones who devoted themselves to prayer and the church.
- they should demonstrate primness all times.
In World War II, women were subjected not only to violence, hunger, and death, but also sexual abuse.
MOROS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Moro in the context of Philippine history begins with basic Spanish history that tells us of the Moorish
rule of Spain from 711 to 1492
 Moro was not an indigenous name of the inhabitants of Mindanao who were Islamized,
Murillo Velarde
- describes Muslims in Mindanao as "tenacious in their errors their dealings, discriminating with
regard to convenient to them, and fearless in war...rather than valorous, they are rash..."
Najeeb Saleeby
- the Americans inherited from the Spaniards what historian would later coin in 1913 as “the Moro
Problem”
John Pershing
- a governor of the Moro province “the only good Moro is a dead Moro.”
J. Ralston Hayden
- wrote about the impact of American rule on the Moros in 1928.
- The Islamic concept of the ummah (community) was encapsulated in the term "bangsa" or nation,
hence Bangsa Moro.

Unit 3: Lesson 10: Problems in interpreting Philippine History

History as a Dialogue: History is more than just a record of past events
Interpretation vs. Theory: Historians offer interpretations, not theories. Cannot simply be
lifted straight from the source material.
Oversimplification: Oversimplification occurs when interpretations lack sufficient detail.
Inadequate Evidence: Inadequate evidence perpetuates potentially erroneous readings of the
past.
Tentativeness: Historical interpretations are tentative and subject to change.
Dynamic Nature of History: The quality of historical accounts lies in their complexity,
adequate sourcing, and openness to revision based on new evidence.

The Battle of Mactan

Magellan's Involvement in Local Conflicts
Lapu-Lapu's Evasion of Spanish Control
Gaspar Correa's Description of Lapu-Lapu
Immediate Cause of Battle
Personal Involvement of Magellan
Pre-Battle Negotiations
Tactical Maneuvers
Imbalance in Forces:
Magellan's troop of 49 faced Lapu-Lapu's 1,500 warriors
Description of Battle
Injury of Magellan
Magellan was pierced by a poisoned arrow in his right leg, leading to a gradual retreat of his
men.
Magellan's Death
The First Catholic Mass in the Philippines
Pre-Spanish Era
Before the arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines, the archipelago was inhabited by
various indigenous communities with diverse cultures and languages.

Trade and Cultural Exchange

The Philippines had a thriving trade network with neighboring countries

Arrival of the Spanish

The arrival of the Spanish in the Philippines marked a significant turning point in the
history of the region.
Spanish Arrival and Impact
First Catholic Mass
Colonial Rule
Trade and Commerce
Language and Education

Conversion to Catholicism

Historical Background
- The conversion of the Filipino people to Catholicism took place during the Spanish
colonial period in the 16th century.
Role of Spanish Missionaries
Fray Andres de Urdaneta and Fray Martin de Rada
- played a crucial role in the conversion process.
- they established churches, conducted baptisms, and taught the Filipino people
about the Catholic religion.
Indigenous Beliefs and Practices
- This syncretism allowed for a blending of traditional Filipino customs with Catholic
rituals and traditions.
Impact on Filipino Culture
- The conversion to Catholicism had a profound impact on Filipino culture,
influencing art, music, language, and religious practices.
Catholicism
- remains the dominant religion in the Philippines.
The First Mass
- the first Catholic mass in the Philippines was held on March 31,1521, on the
island of Limasawa.
- it was officiated by Father Pedro de Valderrama, a member of the expedition
led by Ferdinand Magellan.
Magellan, introduced Christianity to the Philippines, leading to the conversion of the
indigenous population.
The first mass is considered a symbol of the beginning of Spanish colonization and the
long-lasting influence of Catholicism in the Philippines.
Albos Log
- provides an account of the first Catholic mass in the Philippines, which took place
on March 31, 1521, on the island of Limasawa.
- describes the presence of Ferdinand Magellan and his crew, as well as the
conversion of the locals to Christianity.
Pigafetta's Testimony
- written by Antonio Pigafetta, a member of Magellan's expedition, also documents
the first Catholic mass in the Philippines.
Bernard’s Account (1981)
- the first Catholic mass in the Philippines was held on March 31,1521. It took place
on the island of Limasawa and was officiated by Father Pedro de Valderrama.
- provides a detailed description of the mass, highlighting the rituals and prayers
conducted during the ceremony.
Who is Antonio Pigafetta?
- an Italian scholar and explorer
- was part of Ferdinand Magellan's voyage.
 - born in Vicenza, Italy in 1491 and died in 1531.
- best known for his detailed account of Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.
- the natural phenomena he witnessed have greatly contributed to the knowledge
and understanding of the world during that time.
- His work has been studied and referenced by historians, geographers, and scholars
for centuries.

Seven Days in Mazaua

- a significant event during Ferdinand Magellan's voyage to the Philippines in 1521.
Mazaua Island
- located in the Visayas region of the Philippines,
- is believed to be the site where the first Catholic mass was held in the country.
Bernard's Analysis
- raises questions about the reliability of Pigafetta's account of the seven days in
Mazaua.
- Bernard argues that Pigafetta's narrative may have been influenced by personal
bias or political motivations.
- he suggests that Pigafetta's account should be scrutinized and corroborated with
other historical sources to determine its accuracy.
- highlights potential inaccuracies in Pigafetta's account.
- he points out inconsistencies and contradictions in the descriptions of events and
locations.
- suggests that further research and analysis are needed to validate the accuracy
of Pigafetta's narrative.
- reveals the significant cultural interactions that took place during the seven days
in Mazaua.
- the account highlights the exchange of gifts, rituals, and ceremonies
- sheds light on the historical significance of the events in Mazaua.
- it provides valuable insights into the early encounter
Jose Rizal
- was born on June 19,1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines.
- he pursued higher education in Manila and later studied medicine in Europe.
- a prolific writer, poet, and novelist, known for his works such as Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo.
- his writings exposed the injustices and abuses of the Spanish colonial
governmentNational Hero
- is considered the national hero of the Philippines
- his execution by the Spanish authorities on December 30,1896, further fueled the
desire for freedom among Filipinos

Retraction document
- is a letter allegedly written by Jose Rizal
- he renounced his previous writings against the Catholic Church.
- expresses remorse for his past actions and seeks forgiveness.
- was supposedly written on the eve of Rizal's execution in 1896
- It is believed to have been signed under duress