BLESSED TRINITY COLLEGE

Talibon, Bohol

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

LESSON 2. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND NATION-BUILDING

Brief History Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back before
the country gained its independence from the American colonizers. Before the coming of
the Spanish colonizers, the early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture and
traditions. They had their own belief system and indigenous knowledge system that keeps
them organized and sustained their lives and communities for many years.
Science, in pre-Spanish Philippines, is embedded in the way of life of the people.
Scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that provide them food,
in taking care of animals to help them in their daily tasks, and for food production. Science
is observed in the way they interpret the movements of heavenly bodies to predict
seasons and climates, and in organizing days into months and years. They use science
in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes and like any other ancient cultures, they
discovered the medicinal uses of plants.
Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing
tools that they can use in everyday life. They developed tools for planting, hunting,
cooking, and fishing; for fighting their enemies during war or tribal conflicts; and for
transportation, both on land and on waterways. They also developed technologies in
creating musical instruments.
The different archeological artifacts discovered in different parts of the country also
prove that the Metal Age also had a significant influence on the lives of early Filipinos.
The sophisticated designs of gold and silver jewelry, ceramics, and metal tools proved
that their technological ideas helped in the development of different tools. Also, trading
with China, Indonesia, Japan, and other nearby countries have influenced their lives by
providing different opportunities for cultural and technological exchange.

All these ancient practices in science and technology are considered now as
indigenous science or folk science.

When the Spaniards colonized the country, they bought with them their own culture
and practices. They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of
subjects and disciplines. It was the beginning of formal science and technology in the
country, known now as school of science and technology.

Life during the Spanish era slowly became modernized, adapting some Western
technology and their ways of life. The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology
brought by the Spaniards using indigenous materials. Medicine and advanced science
were introduced in formal colleges and universities established by the Catholic orders.

The galleon trade has brought additional technology and development in the
Philippines. Although it is only beneficial for the Spaniards, these trades allowed other
ideas, crops, tools, cultural practices, technology, and Western practices to reach the
country. Some Filipino students who were able to study in Europe also contributed to the
advancement of medicine, engineering, arts, music, and literature in the country.

The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia during
that time, was considered to be one of the most developed places in the region. Although
the country is blessed with these developments, the superstitious beliefs of the people
and the Catholic doctrines and practices during the Spanish era halted the growth of
science in the country.
 The Americans have more influence in the development of science and technology
in the Philippines compared to the Spaniards. They established the public education
system, improved the engineering works and the health conditions of the people. They
established a modern research university, the University of the Philippines, and created
more public hospitals than the former colonial master. The mineral resources of the
country were also explored and exploited during the American times. Transportation and
communication systems were improved, though not accessible throughout the country.
The Americans did everything to “Americanize” the Philippines. They recognized
the learning of science and introduced it in public and private schools. In basic education,
science education focuses on nature studies and science and sanitation, until it became
a subject formally known as “Science.” The teaching of science in higher education has
also greatly improved and modernized. Researches were done to control malaria,
cholera, and tuberculosis and other tropical diseases.
The desire of the Americans to develop the human resources of the Philippines to
serve their own interest is, somehow, beneficial in the country. These allowed American
scholars to introduce new knowledge and technology in the country. The Protestant
church missions in different places in the country also brought hospitals and schools to
far-flung areas. Little by little, these efforts built a stronger foundation for science and
technology in the country.
However, World War II has destabilized the development of the country in many
ways. Institutions and public facilities were turned into ashes, houses were burned, and
many lives were destroyed. The country had a difficult time to rebuild itself from the ruins
of the war. The human spirit to survive and to rebuild the country may be strong but the
capacity of the country to bring back what was destroyed was limited. The reparation
funds focused on building some institutions and public facilities like schools, hospitals,
and transportation systems. The reparation money from Japan was also concentrated on
building highways and in providing technological training and human resource
development in the country.

Since the establishment of the new republic, the whole nation has been focusing
on using its limited resources in improving its science and technological capability. It has
explored the use of ODA or Overseas Development Allocations from different countries
to help the country improve its scientific productivity and technological capability. Human
resource development is at the heart of these efforts focusing on producing more
engineers, scientists, technology experts, doctors, and other professionals in the country.

The development of science and technology in the Philippines, based on its brief
history, is shaped by several factors and influences. Like in the history of science in other
countries, it is always shaped by human and social activities, both internal and external.

Internal influences: Survival, Culture, and Economic activities

External influences: Foreign Colonizers, Trades with Foreign Countries and

Science and Technology may have significant impact on the lives of the people
and in the development of the Philippine society. However, improving the quality of
science education still remains as a big challenge in the country. School science from
basic education to graduate education is improving slowly, and there are only few
students enrolling in science and technology courses.

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Exercise:
1. What are the significant contributions of the Spaniards and Americans to the
development of science and technology in the Philippines?
2. What can you say about the state of science and technology during the Spanish
and American period?
3. How does school science shape science and technology in the country?