STUDY NOTES

1. Ang Bayan Muna Bago ang Sarili (Presentations 1 & 2)

Core Message

 Patriotic call: Nation before self-interest

 Inspired by Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

 Emphasizes unity, self-sacrifice, active citizenship.

 Selfishness and indifference = barriers to progress.

Key Ideas

1. Criticism with Purpose

o Ninoy: “We must criticize in order to be free because we are only free when we are
critical.”

o Ex: Exposing corruption in local government.

2. Action and Involvement

o Citizens must actively participate, not just complain.

o Ex: Taking part in solving garbage problems in communities.

3. Transformation Starts Within

o Real change begins with self-examination and attitude change.

o Ex: Overcoming discrimination and division in society.

Cardinal Sin’s Homily Points

 Ask: Has Ninoy’s sacrifice been fulfilled?

 True unity (K.K.K. of Katipunan) vs. false K.K.K. (Kanya-kanya, Kurukot, Kanya-kanyang
Asikaso)

 Filipinos act like the “three monkeys” – ignoring truth.

 Selfishness destroys unity, like crabs pulling each other down.

 Media & politics → “bazaar of blame.”

 Leaders alone can’t succeed, citizens must help.

 Need new leadership style + personal sacrifice.

 If Filipinos truly live “Bayan Muna Bago ang Sarili” even for a year → transformation possible.

2. Dead Water – Wen Yiduo (Presentation 3)

The Poem

 Symbol: Hopelessly stagnant ditch.

 Themes: Decay, transformation, sarcasm, possibility of unexpected beauty.

 Uses irony and nature imagery to reflect China’s corruption & hopelessness under old regimes.

Historical & Literary Context

1. Overview of Chinese History

 Spans several millennia across a vast geographical area.

 Regions experienced unity, fracture, prosperity, strife.

 Geographic core: Yellow River valley + Yangtze basin.

 Rich ethnic and linguistic diversity.

 Traditional lens: Dynastic Cycle → dynasties rise & fall, each credited with achievements.

 Civilization viewed as an unbroken thread → one of the cradles of civilization.

 Extent of control at different times:

o West: Tian Shan, Tarim Basin, Himalayas

o North: Sayan Mountains

o South: Red River delta

2. Early Chinese Civilization

 Neolithic Period: complex polities in Yellow & Yangtze rivers.

 Erlitou culture: central plains, linked to Xia dynasty (3rd millennium BC).

 Earliest writing (~1250 BC):

o Oracle bones (divination).

o Bronze inscriptions (ritual texts to ancestors).

 Early literature: poetry, divination texts, official speeches.

 China as a cradle of writing: independent invention, already mature language.

3. Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC)

 Known as China’s Axial Age.

 Introduced Mandate of Heaven.

 Foundations for philosophies:

o Confucianism

o Taoism

o Legalism

o Wuxing (Five Elements theory)

4. Qin Dynasty (221 BC)

 First unification under Qin Shi Huang.

 Standardized: orthography, weights, measures, laws.

5. Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD)

 Classical era of China.

 “Han language” & “Han people” named after this dynasty.

  Expansion → empire reached far geographical extents.

 Confucianism officially sanctioned, core texts compiled.

 Rise of wealthy landholding families (outside aristocracy).

 Technology & culture:

o On par with Roman Empire.

o Paper mass production → spread of documents.

o Sericulture (silk production) → international fame.

Collapse of Han

 After 4 centuries → long period of disunity.

 Buddhism gained major influence.

 Arts flourished: calligraphy, historiography, storytelling.

 Wealthy families grew stronger than central govt.

 Yangtze valley incorporated into cultural sphere.

6. Sui Dynasty (581)

 Restored unity after disunity.

7. Tang Dynasty (608–907)

 Regarded as a Golden Age.

 Developments: science, technology, poetry, economy, geography.

 Empress Wu Zetian (only female emperor).

 Buddhism adopted by emperors.

 Han people also called Tang people.

8. Song Dynasty (960–1279)

 Peak of cosmopolitan development.

 Innovations:

o Mechanical printing (wood-block prints survive today).

o Imperial exam system → structured bureaucracy.

o Neo-Confucianism (integration of Confucianism & Taoism).

 Scientific advancement led the world.

9. Yuan Dynasty (1271)

 Established by Mongols.

 Start of increased contact with Europe.

10. Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

  Achievements:

o Global exploration.

o Fine porcelain production.

o Public works: Grand Canal restoration, Great Wall repairs.

 Literature: 3 of 4 Classic Chinese Novels written.

11. Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)

 Ruled by Manchu people.

 Qianlong Emperor (1735–1796): commissioned encyclopedia (nearly 1 billion words).

 Reached greatest territorial extent.

 Increasing conflict with Europe → Opium Wars + Unequal Treaties.

12. 20th Century to Present

 1911 Xinhai Revolution → Republic of China (Sun Yat-sen).

 Civil War (1927–1949): Chiang Kai-shek’s Republicans vs. Communist Red Army.

 Interrupted by Japanese invasion (WWII).

 1949: Mao Zedong proclaimed People’s Republic of China (PRC);

ROC retreated to Taiwan.

 PRC gradually gained international recognition.

 Cultural Revolution (1966–1976): consolidated Mao’s power.

 After Mao: Deng Xiaoping’s reforms → fastest-growing economy.

 Population: Most populous nation until overtaken by India in 2023.

13. Wen Yiduo’s “Dead Water” (1928)

 Symbol: stagnant ditch = China’s troubled political state.

 Themes: decay, hopelessness, but also potential transformation.

 Wen’s life:

o Classical education, studied in Chicago.

o Poet, professor, reformer.

o Advocated modernizing poetry (accessible language, strict form).

o Assassinated 1946 → blamed on Nationalists; Mao hailed him as a revolutionary

martyr.

 Written in 1928, during the early Republic era.

 Reflects semi-feudal, semi-colonial corruption in old China.

 Wen Yiduo: Poet, reformer, nationalist.

o Studied at Art Institute of Chicago (1922).

 o Published Red Candle (1923) and Dead Water (1928).

o Advocated reforming poetry → more accessible, socially relevant.

o Killed in 1946 for his political stance.

Poem Analysis

 First Part: “Dead water” = corruption, despair, hopelessness.

 Middle: Junk and filth thrown in = sarcasm, anger, hatred. Suggests only bad can grow from bad,
but maybe “new things” can grow stronger.

 Last Part: Curse of reality, but also hope for change.

 Expresses both despair and patriotism → desire for new China.

Meaning

 “Dead water” = symbol of old China’s darkness.

 Still shows hope for rebirth and transformation.

 Patriotism, criticism, and reform all tied together.

3. Dr. Nicanor Tiongson & Four Values in Filipino Drama and Film (Presentation 4)

Biography

 Dr. Nicanor Tiongson (Philippine Studies scholar-author)

 BA Humanities (Ateneo), MA & PhD Philippine Studies (UP).

 UP Film Institute professor emeritus.

 Leadership roles:

o VP & Artistic Director, Cultural Center of the Philippines (1986–1994).

o Dean, UP Mass Communication (2003–2006).

o Chair, MTRCB (2001).

 Contributions:

o Edited CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.

o Authored The Women of Malolos (2004).

o Playwright: Noli at Fili Dekada 2000, Mabining Mandirigma, etc.

o Film scholarship: Cinema of Manuel Conde.

Four Values in Filipino Drama & Film

1. Maganda ang Maputi (White is Beautiful)

o Rooted in colonial mentality (Spanish + American influence).

o Fair skin = beauty standard → whitening obsession.

o Harm: Inferiority complex, loss of Filipino identity.

o Remedy: Maganda ang Kayumanggi – celebrate brown race & authentic Filipino beauty.

2. Masaya ang may Palabas (Entertainment is Best)

o Tradition: sarswela, komedya, bodabil → films focus on spectacle.

o Harm: Escapism, ignores real issues.

 o Remedy: Masaya ang Palabas na may Laman – entertainment with depth (satire,
realism, meaningful action films, socially critical musicals).

3. Mabuti ang Inaapi (Hurrah for the Underdog)

o Tradition: Poor = virtuous, rich = evil.

o Harm: Encourages passive suffering, romanticizes oppression.

o Remedy: Mabuti ang May Sariling Isip at Gulugod – critical thinking & resistance.

4. Maganda pa ang Daigdig (All is Right with the World)

o Tradition: Happy endings = false worldview.

o Harm: Hides poverty, inequality, corruption.

o Remedy: Gaganda pa ang Daigdig – realistic hope, not false romanticism.

4. The Digital Divide: Challenge of Technology and Equity (Presentation 5)

Integration of Technology

 Computers & internet now essential:

o Jobs, shopping, research, booking, communication.

 Shapes daily life at home and workplace.

Global Inequality

 Developing nations: Only 6% with telephones.

 USA: 94% households have phones, 56% have computers, ~50% internet.

 Native American reservations: 60% telephone access.

 Cost of equipment = barrier.

Factors Influencing Digital Divide

 Income:

o 85% (>$75,000) vs. <20% (<$15,000).

 Education:

o 80% of college grads online vs. 13% of dropouts.

 Family type:

o 72% two-parent vs. 40% single-mother households.

 Race/Ethnicity:

o White: 55%

o Black: 31%

o Latino: 32%

o Asian/Pacific Islander: 68%

o Native American: 39%

 Geography: Urban & rural > inner cities (slight 6% gap).

Employment Inequality

 Women = only 20% of tech jobs, <30% CS degrees.

  Minorities underrepresented in IT careers.

 Results: Loss of high-paying opportunities.

Education Divide

 98% of US schools have internet access, but:

o Wealthy schools → many connected classrooms.

o Low-income schools → limited connections.

 Students from poor families disadvantaged.

Solutions

 Access is essential but not enough.

 Must provide meaningful opportunities to use tech.

 Need inclusivity for women & minorities.

 Schools must integrate tech into all subjects despite costs.

 Proper use of tech = tool for equality, not division.