Module 2 Lesson 3 Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary

Sources

Objectives

1. To properly interpret primary sources through examining the content and

context of the documents; 2.To familiarize oneself with the primary documents in
different historical periods of the Philippines;

3. To determine the contribution of different kinds of primary sources in

understanding Philippine history; and

4. To learn history through primary sources.

Lesson Proper

A. Background of the Author/Creator

First the researcher must provide brief biographical sketch of the author or
creator of the primary source. Family background, educational attainment,
religion and many others shall be given priority in presenting the biography of the
author. Special attention must also be given to the first four steps of the test of
credibility discussed in the previous module.

B. Background of the Document/Primary Source

Basic background of the source like the type of primary source, how many parts
or chapter, how long is the document shall be given attention. Next is to locate
where the primary source can be found. The repository of primary sources may
be found in the library, archive, museum, historical society or special collection of
private individuals. To check the authenticity of the source, check the
provenance or origin of the said document. Determine also the intended audience
or the people the author wants to convey their ideas with. If it is a letter the
recipient in the address will be the audience while if it is a diary the author is the
audience. While it is easy to determine the audience of the aforementioned
sources, most of the time you have to guess. What to do? A researcher must find
out who are the creator and the time of creation. Most of the sources have
unique type of audience like academic journal is for students and other university
audience or books is for general public. Next task is to look for the purpose or
motive of the source. How do you discover the purpose or the reason it was
originally made? First understand the historical context. Next is to do a
background research. Then look at important historical event at the time the
source was made. Finally ascertain intended audience.

C. Content Analysis of the Important Historical Information Found in the

Document

First look for corroboration between the research you gather from the internet
and the primary source that your instructor has given to you. They may not use
exact the same word or they can express the same information in different ways
and we can still use as corroboration. Look also if your source agrees with
information from another source. Attention also must be the given to the
intended audience and purpose. Next, in order to analyze the primary source,
look for bias. There is a bias when a source’s information is unbalance or
prejudiced. There are two kinds of bias: either it is strongly positive (strongly in
favor of) or strongly negative (strongly against). If you’re looking for a bias in
written source you’ll need to find word choices that are extreme in their
description. If it is a visual source you’re looking for a depiction that is clearly
exaggeration (see the example of cartoon in module 1). Most of the primary
source we will encounter is written documents so we will focus our attention to
that kind of primary source. How can we find bias in word choices? If it is too
positive that provides little negative information then there is an extreme positive
bias. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95FQZhtpwcs)

Example of this is the Gunita ng Himagsikan of Emilio Aguinaldo. It too much

negativity that provide little positive information on the person, then there is
extreme negativity. Example of this is the Filipino Grievances Against General
Leonard Wood. If the document is silent or when the source intentionally leaves
important information of which you are aware from other sources. Example of
this silent bias is the Declaration of the Philippine Independence The author of
this document intentionally leaves important information about the Katipunan.
The last if is there are obvious errors or when the source provides information
that you know to be false from alternative sources. How do you point out the bias
in your analysis? First provide a direct quote. Then explain the creator’s
perspective and lastly explain the creator purpose.

(https://www.youtube. com/watch?v= 95FQZhtpwcs)

Next is to analyze the historical perspective or a point of view a creator describe

the event. To accomplish this, do a background check of the author with regards
to his nationality, social status, political persuasion, cultural background, religion
or education. Last task is to analyze the historical context of the document.
Context is the awareness that sources were created at times which were very
different to our own. Historical empathy understands the past without judging it
by modern standards. To determine historical context, we must look when the
source is made (preferably the exact date). Next is where was it created. Third,
what event occurred at the time and then read the source to identify specific
language

D. Contribution and Relevance of the Document in Understanding the Grand

Narrative of Philippine History.

In this activity look for the cause and consequences of the primary sources. A
cause is a person or thing that makes something happens while a consequences is
a direct result of the cause. Example is the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan. That
event is the cause while being converted to Catholicism is the effect or the
consequence. In this part of the analysis look also for the turning point or
dramatic moment of change that was cause by the event or primary source.

E. Relevance of the documents to the present time.

Look for the historical significance or what modern people consider to be

important from the past. There are many events in our history we have to choose
but few people, events or ideas to focus on. Since significant is a decision we
make, it means different people can decide different thing are particularly the
most important. They can disagree also the reason why particular event is
important. How to determine significance of the event? We have to follow the
acronym NAME or Novelty, Applicability, Memory and Effect. Novelty or when
something is new or never been seen before. Example is when Cory Aquino
became President; it is significant because she is the first female president of the
Philippines. Applicability or when it is similar to the present. The Spanish Flu of
1918 suddenly became important topic because of Covid-19. Memory or how it
has been remembered over time. The typhoon Yolanda is remembered because it
is the strongest weather disturbance that hit the country. Lastly the Effect or how
people have been affected. Taal Volcanic Eruption is significant particularly in
Batangas area because many were affected.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EWlZzuQ-3Y)

Example of Content and Contextual Analysis Type of Primary Source: Images

Painting- Juan Luna’s The Parisian Life

Background of the Author -Juan Luna (1857-1899)

He was born on October 24, 1857 in Badoc Ilocos Norte. He is the third among
seven children of a well to do couple Joaquin Luna ad Laureana Novicio. He took
the Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo de Municipal and Marine Transportation (sailor)
from Escuela Nautica de Manila. He took drawing lesson from Lorenzo Guererro
and Agustin Saez. He went to Europe in 1877 and took painting lessons in Escuela
de Bellas de San Fernando (Madrid) but dropped out to work with the painter
Alejo Vera. With the opening of Exposicion National de Ballas Artes 1878, his
artistic talent was established. From them on, Luna became engrossed in painting
and produced a collection of painting that he exhibited from several expositions
from 1881. He won a gold medal from Madrid Exposition for his Spoliarium while
after his death in 1904 The Parisian Life won the silver medal at the St. Louis (USA)
Exposition. In 1883 Luna started the painting Blood Compact to fulfill his
pensionado obligation from the Ayuntamiento (Manila Council). He also
developed a friendship with the king of Spain so that the Spanish Senate
commissioned the painting La Batalla de Lepanto. During this period he became
part of propaganda movement and befriended several members of the
organization like Jose Rizal and Trinidad Pardo de Tevera. He married Maria de la
Paz Pardo de Tavera. They had one son Andres and a daughter Maria de la Paz
who died when she was three year old. After the death of his daughter the couple
had marriage difficulties. It culminated in the killing of his wife, mother in law and
wounding of Felix, one of his brothers in law. On September 16, 1896, he and his
brother Antonio were arrested by Spanish authorities for being involved with the
KKK. He was pardoned by the Spanish court on May 27, 1897 and he travelled
back to Spain in July. In 1899 he was appointed by the Malolos Republic as a
member of Paris delegation which was working for the diplomatic recognition of
the Republic. He travelled back to the Philippines upon hearing the death of his
brother, Antonio. He travelled to Hongkong but died there aged 42 on December
7, 1899 from a heart attack.

Historical Background of the Primary Source

The Parisian Life is also known as Inside a Café. It is 1892 oil on canvas painting
that measures 22”x31” which was made in Paris, France. Considered to be one of
the last major works Luna has done during his post academic and life in Paris. The
painting is housed in the National Museum. Provenance of Dr. Ariston Bautista
Lin, one of the three audience to the woman pictured in the painting. It is now
owned by the GSIS (brought from Christie’s Hong Kong in 2002 for Php
46,000,000) Apparently the painting is for European audience. The woman in the
painting is a Caucasian and this work of art belong to the impressionistic
movement originated with the group of Paris-based artist whose exhibition
brought them to prominence during the 1870’s and 1880’s. But some
interpretation points that the painting is really for Filipino’s. The first owner of
this primary source was a Filipino and the woman symbolizes the Philippines.
What is the motive of the painter? If we look at the historical context, the year
1892 was the year when Rizal went back to the Philippines to established La Liga
Filipino because he was disappointed with the Propaganda movement. Juan Luna
also experience personal difficulties at that time with his insulares wife Paz. Soon
after the La Liga foundation, Rizal was arrested and deported to Dapitan.
Thereafter Juan Luna must be affected by what happened to his best friend and
his disappointment with his wife so that the subject matter of this masterpiece
must had been the result.
One interpretation claims the lady as the mirror image of the Philippine
archipelago. Superimposition of the Philippine map’s mirror image on the lady
highlights the following: the contour of Northern Luzon follows the same contour
of the lady’s bodice; the distance between Infanta, Quezon and San Antonio,
Zambales is exact to the small waistline of the lady ; all islands of Visayas and
Mindanao are evenly spread out within the pink gown of the lady; the island of
Palawan has exactly the same incline and shape as the arm of the lady; the
mountain range that separates Surigao from Agusan and Davao is exact to the
dark fold of the lady’s gown from north to south; the site of the birth of 1898
Philippine Independence, Kawit Cavite, is exact on the lady’s womb, site of a
woman’s birthing; the site of the declaration of 1899 Constitution, Malolos,
Bulacan, is exact on the navel of the lady. Constitution is the bloodline of the
nation and the umbilical cord is the infant’s bloodline to his mother; and Cebu
covers a knee of the lady. Cebu is the site of the first Christianization in the
country. Simply the interpretation contends the lady as our motherland. The
motherland is awkwardly poised, disturbed with a blank stare, unsure whether to
stand up or remain seated. With this contention, it integrates cohesively other
elements in the painting. ORDER FORM The three heroes are discussing the
disturbed state of the motherland in 1892. It is the exact year when La Liga
Filipina was formed (July 3); when the Katipunan was formed (July 7) and when
Jose Rizal was banished to exile in Dapitan (July 7). The year 1892 was the eve of
the Philippine Revolution. The newspaper L’Echo De Paris is folded behind the
lady. The newspaper signifies the Cry of Bastille or French Revolution, inspiration
of the Philippine Revolution. The French aspirations of Liberty, Fraternity and
Equality were identical to the longings of the Filipinos. Thus, the French
revolution, the echo of Paris, figures clearly behind the disturbed state of
Philippine motherland in 1892.

https://philippine-trivia.com/trivia/trivias-about-the-parisian-life- by-juan-luna/

For more interesting interpretation watch Xiao Time: Mga interpretasyon ng

Parisian Life ni Juan Luna Part 1 and 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUDbg_QEy2M

 and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_8M4qYmPgU

Contribution and Relevance of the Document in Understanding the Grand

Narrative of Philippine History (Juan Luna) was able to convey multitude of
message in a very limited space in an otherwise simple subject.

(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317329012_Parisian_Life_Luna's_Call
_for_Temperance)

Although his character was not heroic for he has many character flaws. But then
he used his great talent to advance the Filipino cause. This painting and other
visual arts can be use as a primary source to motivate our students to do move for
our nation. The message of this painting can be a cause while a simple compliance
of the new normal can be the consequence.

Relevance of the Document to the Present Time The significant of this work of art
is that it is one of the products of the genius of Juan Luna. He was one of the first
international celebrities that highlight Filipino talent. He was the Manny Pacquiao
and Hidelyn Diaz of the 19th century. The year of 1892 is one of the turning
point in our history. The failure of the propaganda movement and the
establishment of the katipunan are very important in our history. Many of the

propagandists like Juan Luna and Rizal contributed their talents to advance the
Filipino aspirations. In doing so many of them suffered personal tradegies
(download Xiao Chua blog about Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena).
As to the katipuneros, many of them died in their quest for freedom. Today 2020
is another turning point in our history, the Covid 19 pandemic cause death and
economic downturn never seen in our history. If the katipunero and propagandist
gave their lives for our freedom, we can contribute by cooperating with the
guidelines of government agencies. The painting causes controversies when it
was purchase by GSIS in 2002. Many members of GSIS accused Winston Garcia
(then President of GSIS) of corruption. Now 2020, another government own and
controlled corporation is in the midst of scandal. Philhealth President Ricardo
Morales was forced to resign because of the so called Mafia inside the agency.
The painting is not the most recognize of Juan Luna many painting. But by
spreading its massage, the painting could encourage us to be patriotic and
nationalistic. And maybe the message of this painting can also influence students
to understand history better and love it as well.