READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY

(OUTCOME-BASED MODULE)

MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION, MEANING AND RELEVANCE OF HISTORY

GENERAL OBJECTIVE:

This module emphasizes the relevance of studying Philippine History in the 21 st. Century. It
focuses on analyzing Philippine history from multiple perspectives based on selected primary sources
from various disciplines and genres.

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY

OBJECTIVE:

This chapter introduces history as a discipline and as a narrative. It presents the definition of
history, which transcends the common definition of history as the study of the past. This also discusses
several issues in history that consequently opens up for the theoretical aspects of the discipline.

Ultimately, this chapter also tackles the task of the historian as the arbiter of facts and evidences
in making his interpretation and forming historical narrative.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this module, the students are expected to:

1. Gather information about Philippine history marked by important events, places and
persons forming the growth of societies and distinctive culture.
2. Incorporate the notable events that took place in our country, unfurling the aspirations of
the people and unfolding the possibilities of the future
3. Appreciate the importance of history in the social and national life of the Philippines
4. Develop a sense of identity and pride in being a Filipino

TOPICS:

1. Definition and Subject Matter

2. Questions and Issues in History
3. History and the Historian
4. Oral and Local History
5. Philippine History: Spaces for Conflicts and Controversies

HOME ACTIVITIES:

A. True or False. Write true if the statement is true. Otherwise, write false in the space provided.

TRUE 1. History is the study of the past.

TRUE 2. The subject of historiography is history itself.
FALSE 3. History has no use for the present, thus, the saying “past is past” is true.
FALSE 4. History is limited to the story of a hero versus a villain.
FALSE 5. The historians are the only source of history.
B. Questions to Answer.

1. How do events happen in history?

The evidence of causes and their consequences was used to write history. Every
historical event occurred as a result of a chain of events that preceded it. Causes are things
that lead directly to another event. Many causes occurred just before the event began,
while others existed several times prior to the event's occurrence.
2. Why did some civilization fail to survive?
Early civilizations on the islands of Southeast Asia that are now the Philippines appear to
have lacked central political power and had few big population centers. Rather than living in
what would be termed a state or kingdom, most of the people lived in tiny groupings under
local political leaders whose power was based on personal loyalty. However, evidence
suggests that trade was a factor. The Philippines had less populated and centralized polities
than other parts of Southeast Asia at the time, but it shared the same cultural and political
realm as the rest of Southeast Asia, sharing the region's hierarchical yet fluid ruling practices
and contacts organized through the Chinese tribute trade. Failure to have a strong
governing body made the former civilizations vulnerable and easily colonized.
3. What is the relevance of history and historian? Explain
History cannot be avoided. It investigates the past and its ramifications in the present.
Rather than being a 'dead' subject, it connects things over time and allows us to see the
bigger picture. Everyone and everything is a living history. To give you a few instances,
consider the following: Communities speak languages that have been passed down from
generation to generation. They live in societies that are highly complicated. They live in
societies with complex cultures, traditions, and faiths that did not emerge out of nowhere.
People make use of technologies that they did not create. And each person is born with a
unique variation of an inherited genetic blueprint known as the genome, which has evolved
throughout the course of the human species' existence.
As a result, comprehending the connections between the past and present is essential
for a thorough comprehension of the human experience. In a nutshell, this is why history is
important. It is not just 'helpful,' but also necessary. The study of history is necessary for
people to be 'rooted' in time.
Historians must hunt for clues about living in the past. They are of great importantance
for they investigate the past by asking questions and gathering evidence. They investigate
the past by looking for clues in the texts and photographs they come across, as well as
clothing, utensils, and ornaments that have survived to this day. All of these hints or bits of
evidence must be deciphered, explained, and recorded. When there is little evidence left
behind, it might be difficult to grasp what happened in the past. It's frequently easier to
learn about famous people than regular people because there are more pieces of
information about rich people left behind than there are about poor people.
4. Do you agree that Philippine history is a story of struggle? How conflicts and controversies
affect our history?
The Philippine may be half a story of struggle but also half a story of success for in the
end, we were able to stand alone as an independent country. There were many conflicts and
controversies that affected our history, leaving negative and positive results which turned as
into what we are now. The series of wars and remarkable heroes, opened opportunities for
trading abundant natural resources and spices, being a colony and influenced by other
countries in many ways molded our history and left long lasting results.
5. How can total history be achieved by oral and local history?
Oral histories have been said to as "history's first sort." They're the oral transmission of
knowledge, memory, and experience. They can range from folklore, myths, and stories
passed down through the generations to a formal interview with someone about a specific
event that is recorded and archived as a historical resource. They're a way of collecting,
documenting, and conserving a wide range of personal experiences that aren't adequately
documented in written sources or traditional Western history. Their personal aspect makes
them an excellent primary source for individuals interested in learning more about a specific
event or era, since they provide insight into the impact events had on those who were
present.
 Whereas local history highlights the reality that certain places shape our lives and that
our physical location in the globe has a significant impact on how we live our lives. Local
history is the study of common people's daily struggles and victories.
Because both disciplines contribute to a nation's overall history, local and oral history
complement each other. Knowing our own local and oral history is vital since these are
factors that can contribute to nation-building and the development of local culture and
tradition.

REFERENCES:

 Carr, E. (1991). What is History. London, United Kingdom: Penguin

 Lemon, M. (1995). The Discipline of History and the History of Thought. New York,
United States of America: Routledge
 Tosh, J. (2002). The Pursuit of History: Aims, Methods and New Directions in the Study
of Modern History (Revised 3rd Ed.). London, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Ltd.
 Maria Christine N. Halili. (2015). Philippine History (2 nd Ed.). Rex Bookstore, Inc.
 John Lee P. Candelaria, Veronica C. Alphora (2018). RBS Readings in Philippine History
(1st. Ed.). Rex Bookstore, Inc.
 Nestor M. Asuncion, Geoffrey Rhoel C. Cruz, Bernardino C. Ofalia. Readings in Philippine
History. C & E Publishing, Inc., 2019