Readings in Philippine History

Lesson 1: Introduction to History: Definition, Issues, Sources, and Methodology

Module Overview:
This lesson will require students to read and analyze materials from different media-documents,
pictures, videos, audio-visual recordings, digital sources, pictures that have to do with the Philippine history and
culture. Using various techniques, the students are expected to study and analyze the sources much like the
classic detective work.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to:

1. Define the term history.

2. Apply knowledge in historical methodology and philosophy in assessing existing historical narratives.

3. Assess critically the value of historical evidences and sources.

What is History?

■ To make sense of history, it is necessary to first understand what it is all about. Many people think that history
is merely lists of names, dates, places, and “important” events. However, history or the study of history is more
than just knowing and memorizing facts. It is a historian’s duty to draw insights from the ideas and realities
that have shaped the lives of men and women and the society. And in understanding these ideas, a historian
(or, in fact, a student of history) can comprehend how situations happened, identify their elements, and think
of how these Situations can solve today’s predicaments and help plan for the future. The study of history,
therefore, is the study of the beliefs and desires, practices, and institutions of human beings. With this definition,
history becomes an active factor in the study of Philippine society. It also includes a look into the development
of Philippine culture through time especially with the influences of the colonial period that would eventually
shape the present Philippine identity.
■ The word was derived from the Greek word “historia” meaning “knowledge acquired through inquiry and
investigation”.

Two Definitions of History

1. Traditional Definition of History

▪ History is the record of the past.
▪ History is a record of the human past from the time written records began to appear.
▪ The above definitions are weak because they view history as based merely on written records.
▪ Interviews or oral history and oral traditions and cultural artifacts are not considered.
▪ This notion of “no written record, no history” has confined history to the literate and articulate
and has resulted in the production of historiographies from upper-class male perspectives.

2. Modern Definition of History

▪ It is the reconstruction of the past based on written records, oral history, cultural artifacts and folk
traditions.
▪ It is the imaginative reconstruction of the past, the study of events concerning people in the past.
▪ Therefore, history is the interpretative and imaginative study of surviving records of the past, either
written or unwritten, in order to determine the meaning and scope of human existence.
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 Who is the “father of history”?

• Herodotus is known as the “father of history”. He wrote the book “The Histories”, a compilation of war
stories.

• Thucydides is also known as one of the early historians. He wrote and was present during the
Peloponnesian War.

Historical knowledge limited by incompleteness of the records

“Only a small part of what happened in the past was recorded. And only a part of what was observed in the past
was remembered by those who observed it; only a part of what was observed was recorded; only a part of what
was recorded has survived; only a part of what has survived has come to the historians’ attention; only a part of
what has come to their attention is credible; only a part of what is credible has been grasped; and only a part of
what has been grasped can be expounded or narrated by the historian.”

What are the sources of history?

1. Primary Source
• A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time
under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside
view of a particular event.
• Lifeblood of history.
• Testimony of an eyewitness.

Four major categories of Primary sources

• Written Sources
• Images
• Artifacts
• Oral Testimony

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EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY SOURCES INCLUDES:
⮚ Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII
⮚ The Constitution of the Philippines- the 1986 Constitution
⮚ A journal article reporting NEW research or findings
⮚ Weavings and pottery - Native American history
⮚ Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece
⮚ ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts,
letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records
⮚ CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art
⮚ RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

2. Secondary Source
• A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more
steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of
primary sources in them.
• Examples of secondary sources includes:
• A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings.
• A history textbook.
• A book about the effects of WWII in the Philippines.

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CRITICISM OF HISTORICAL SOURCES

THE ROLE OF HISTORIANS AND STUDENTS OF HISTORY

• Both primary and secondary sources are useful in writing and learning history.
• However, historians and students of history need to thoroughly scrutinize these sources to
avoid deception and to come up with the historical truth.
• Historians should make use of external and internal criticism of these sources esp. the
primary ones which can age in centuries.

EXTERNAL CRITICISM
• The practice of verifying the authenticity of evidence by examining its physical characteristics; consistency
with historical characteristic of the time when it was produced; and the materials used for evidence.
• Examples: quality of the paper, the type of ink and the language used in the material, among others.
⮚ Examination of the truthfulness of the evidence.
• Looks at the content of the sources and examines the circumstances of its production.
• Looks at the factuality of the evidence by looking at the author of the source, its context, the agenda
behind its creation, the knowledge which informed it and its intended purpose.
• For example: Japanese reports and declarations should be taken as a historical fact hastily.

INTERNAL CRITICISM
• Internal criticism entails that the historian acknowledge and analyze how such reports can be
manipulated to be used as war propaganda.
• Validating historical sources is important because the use of unverified, falsified, and untruthful historical
sources can lead to equally false conclusions.
• Without critical examination, historical deceptions and lies will be highly probable.

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Major views or philosophies in the study of History

1. Cyclical View
• History repeats itself.
• All human events occur in cycles.
• Famous proponents: Herodotus and Spengler
• Popular from the time of Herodotus (5th century B.C.)
▪ Herodotus
▪ Oswald Spengler likens civilizations to living organisms that pass through phases
of growth, then eventual decay and death.
2. Providential View
• History is determined by God.
• Consists of recording the death struggle between good and evil
• Man is likened to the role of a pawn in a game of high stakes.
• Widespread during the Middle Ages.
• Famous proponent: St. Augustine of Hippo
3. Progressive or Linear View
• Mankind is responsible for the advancement of civilization.
• Places complete faith on human abilities rather than in divine intervention.
• Mankind is getting better and better.
• This view hold that each new generation should build upon the achievements of the
preceding; it must be better because it has more with which to start.
4. Relativist View
• This view states that one does not have a fixed theory or fixed position against which
historical data could be measured.
▪ History can be viewed in different angle.
▪ Meaning, we all have different definition and perspectives of history.
▪ History repeats itself vs. People repeat history.

Why Study History?

1. Bridging the gap between the present and the past

⮚ The nature and the extent of contemporary problems in the country can be best understood in the
light of their historical roots. Thus, knowing the past improves the understanding of the present.

2. Explaining causes of things and events

⮚ No other discipline can provide explanations for causes and/or developments. For example, there is no
way to explain why there exists conflict between the Christians and Moslems in Mindanao. The
question is “What was in the past that caused this event?”

3. Projecting the future

⮚ Events and developments in the future may be envisioned using lessons of history as bases. Taking
stock of similarities or parallels between the past and the present also leads to consideration of likely
possibilities or scenarios in the future.

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 4. Interpreting conditions of a given space and time
⮚ History is the only branch of knowledge that can provide information and corresponding interpretation
of periods of history.
For example: US Imperialism can be best explained by tracing back the events before 1898 and study
the factors that contributed to the rise of US as an imperialist power.

5. Promoting nationalism and patriotism

⮚ Best area of knowledge that can help in promoting the sense of nationalism and patriotism. It
develops a sense of national pride and a sense of devotion to country by studying the efforts of our
ancestors to win independence and freedom.

REPOSITORIES OF PRIMARY SOURCES

1. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)/ Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan
ng Pilipinas

It is a government agency of the Philippines. Its mission is "the promotion

of Philippine history and cultural heritage through research, dissemination,
conservation, sites management and heraldry works."
As such, it "aims to inculcate awareness and appreciation of the noble deeds and
ideals of our heroes and other illustrious Filipinos, to instill pride in the Filipino
people and to rekindle the Filipino spirit through the lessons of history."

2. The National Archives of the Philippines/ Pambansang Sinupan ng Pilipinas (NAP)

It is an agency of the Republic of the Philippines mandated to collect, store, preserve and
make available archival records of the government and other primary sources pertaining to the
history and development of the country.

3. National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines is the repository and guardian of

the Philippines' natural and cultural heritage. As one of the lead
government cultural agencies, it is tasked to achieve the goals of instilling
cultural consciousness and a sense of pride and nationalism among Filipino
citizens through its activities covering the sciences, education and culture.

Established in 1901 as an ethnography and natural history museum, and

subsequently housed in its present building, which was designed in 1918 by the American Architect, Daniel
Burnham, the National Museum has since then broadened its concerns in the arts and sciences. Today, it occupies
the main building (former Old Congress Building) where the arts, natural sciences and other support divisions are
housed and the adjacent former Finance building in the Agrifina Circle of Rizal Park now called The National
Museum of the Filipino People where the Anthropology and Archaeology Divisions are housed.

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 4. National Library of the Philippines

Established as the Museo-Biblioteca de Filipinas through the royal

decree of August 12, 1887. The Library was revived with the donation made
by the American Circulating Library Association and the consolidation of all
libraries belonging to any branch of the Philippine government. In 1916, all
branches were merged into one entity and then they called the Philippine
Library and Museum. Twelve years later, the Philippine Legislature
separated the museum from the library and the Public Law 3477 states that
the National Museum is under the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and changed the name of
the Philippine Library and Museum name into the National Library of the Philippines.

5. Library of Congress

The Library of Congress was created under the direct supervision of the
Secretary-General of the House of Representatives.
Its primary purpose is to provide adequate and timely information,
limited consultancy and reference services to members, their staff, and
secretariat researchers.

6. University of Sto. Tomas (UST)

The University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in the

country, and the university library can be considered as the oldest in the
country founded on April 28, 1611. The Pontifical and Royal University
of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines, or simply the
University of Santo Tomas, is a private, Catholic research university in
Manila, Philippines

ACTIVITY

1. Research one example of a primary source and give at least three corresponding secondary sources
derived from it.
Title of the primary source: _________________________________________________________________
Titles of the corresponding secondary sources:
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. What is history? How is your understanding of history different from what is explained in this lesson?
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 3. As a student of history, what do you think will be your “duties” especially that nowadays, historical
revisionism is increasingly prevalent?
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4. What role does history take in the study of Philippine society, culture, and identity?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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5. As a student, why do you need to study history?

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References:

Antonio, E. et al. (2010). Kayamanan (Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas). Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
Funtecha, H. & Padilla, M. (2010). A Study Guide in Philippine History. Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.

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