01.

1 Meaning and Relevance of

History
Hello students! Welcome to GEC 002 Readings In Philippine History. I know that you are both
excited and curious about this course and so am I. To start off, I want to ask a question: Why is
studying history important? Or what is the importance of history to us from the past to the
future?
We all know that as a learner or student , history means boring or very hard to study. History
contains a lot of years, names, and such to memorize when the examination is getting nearer. But
what you did not know is that HISTORY helps us develop a better understanding of the world. It
helps us understand other people and makes us good decision-makers from learning from our
past to create a brighter future for ourselves.
I assume you are ready to embark on this whole new different learning journey. I believe you
can make it through this whole new change in our lives. Once again, welcome in GEC 002
Readings in Philippine History. May your dreams become your present. Enjoy!

What is History?
The best way to know what history is is to consult what historians, experts in the study of
history say about history. Then, let's contrast it with what non-historians say about it. Let's begin:

What is and what is not history?

History to Historians and Non-Historians
Non-Historians Historians
 Non-historians often say that “history  History is the study of change over
repeats itself” or that “things were time, and it covers all aspects of
always this way.” human society.

 Non-historians often romanticize the

 History is exclusively as a story of
past and speak of the “good old days”
progress with everything
when they believe that things were
constantly improving.
generally better than at present.

 Non-historians derive information

 Historians know that all sources,
mainly from television, movies, and
even those original to a particular
the internet as well as some books or
historical time period, have some
magazines. They generally accept any
biases, omissions, contradictions,
sources uncritically as long as the
or various other limitations.
source is interesting.
  Historians read books or watch
 Non-historians read books or watch
documentaries go to archives in
documentaries of their choice.
search of original records.

 Historians know that the

 Non-historians assume that historians
philosophy and methodology of
have always approached history the
history have changed over time
same way.
and will keep changing.

 Historians tend to focus more on

 Non-historians often make broad
the specific, detailed developments
generalizations about people, ideas,
that underpin the generalizations,
events, or time periods in
and sometimes question or reject
history.
the generalizations themselves.

 Historians have various ways of

 Non-historians may assume that time
organizing history thematically
periods are fixed and absolute.
and chronologically.

Meaning and relevance of history

History was derived from the Greek word historia which means "knowledge acquired through
inquiry or investigation." Historia became known as the account of the past of a person or of
group of people through written documents and historical evidences.
History is the study of the past. Events occurring before the invention of writing systems are
considered prehistory. History is an umbrella term that relates to past events as well as the
memory, discovery, collection, organization, presentation, and interpretation of
information about these events.

Scholars who focus on history are called historians. The historian's role is to place the past in
context, using sources from moments and events, and filling in the gaps to the best of their
ability. Written documents are not the only sources historians use to develop their understanding
of the past. They also use material objects, oral accounts, ecological markers, art, and artifacts as
historical sources.
History also includes the academic discipline. which uses narrative to describe, examine,
question, and analyze a sequence of past events, investigate the patterns of cause and effect that
are related to them. Historians seek to understand and represent the past through narratives. They
often debate which narrative best explains an event, as well as the significance of different
causes and effects. Historians also debate the nature of history and its usefulness by discussing
the study of the discipline as an end in itself and as a way of providing "perspective" on the
problems of the present.
Stories common to a particular culture, but not supported by external sources (such as the tales
surrounding King Arthur), are usually classified as cultural heritage or legends. History differs
from myth in that it is supported by evidence. However, ancient influences have helped spawn
variant interpretations of the nature of history which have evolved over the centuries and
continue to change today. The modern study of history is wide-ranging, and includes the study of
specific regions and the study of certain topical or thematic elements of historical investigation.
History is often taught as part of primary and secondary education, and the academic study of
history is a major discipline in university studies.

Links to an external site.Links to an external site.Herodutus, a 5th-century BC Greek

historian (pictured above) is often considered (within the Western tradition) to be the "Father of
History," or, by some, the "Father of lies." Along with his contemporary
historian Thucydides (pictured on the right), he helped form the foundations for the modern
study of human history. Their works continue to be read today, and the gap between the culture-
focused Herodotus and the military-focused Thucydides remains a point of contention or
approach in modern historical writing.
History is and should be a science ... History is not the accumulation of events of every kind
which happened in the past. It is the science of human societies.
No historian can be 100% objective, but historians try to recognize their own limitations and
biases. Historians try not to place the values, beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of the present onto
the topics they study. Historians try to understand their topics in the context of how and why
people of that era thought and behaved, and not how people think and act today.
Many different interpretations of all historical topics exist. Historians must work to recognize the
difference between facts and interpretations in their field. Historiography refers to the study of
history, philosophy, and methodology of history. Historians must be familiar with the
historiography of their particular area of study.
Now, at least we are able to clear some misconceptions about history. Please bear in mind that
history is also a scientific field of study that involves a lot of critical thinking, analysis, statistics,
and more. Don't fall into the traps of pseudo-historians who profess to be historians proliferating
in the social media, okay?

Importance of History
The slogan of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Institute (formerly
National Historical Institute) in their official website that reads: "A Filipino society with
citizens informed of their history, who love their country and are proud of their cultural
heritage" speaks volumes emphasizing how important it is for you to know history. So, do not
be wondering why you are here in the collegiate level enrolling in this Readings in Philippine
History, okay?
For our academic discussion, the following are the reasons why we study history, courtesy of
Peter N. Stearns (1998) of American Historical Association:

1. History Helps Us Understand People and Societies. In the first place, history offers
a storehouse of information about how people and societies behave. Understanding
the operations of people and societies is difficult, though a number of disciplines
make the attempt. An exclusive reliance on current data would needlessly handicap
our efforts. How can we evaluate war if the nation is at peace—unless we use
historical materials? How can we understand genius, the influence of technological
innovation, or the role that beliefs play in shaping family life, if we don't use what we
know about experiences in the past? Some social scientists attempt to formulate laws
or theories about human behavior using history as one of their bases.
2. History Helps Us Understand Change and How the Society We Live in Came to
Be. The second reason history is inescapable as a subject of serious study follows
closely on the first. The past causes the present, and so the future. Any time we try to
know why something happened—whether a shift in political party dominance in the
Philippines, a major change in the teenage suicide rate, or a conflict in the Cordilleras
or the siege of Zamboanga and Marawi—we have to look for factors that took shape
earlier.
3. History is Important in Our Own Lives. History well told is beautiful. Many of the
historians who most appeal to the general reading public know the importance of
dramatic and skillful writing—as well as of accuracy. Biography and military history
appeal in part because of the tales they contain. History as art and entertainment
serves a real purpose, on aesthetic grounds but also on the level of human
understanding.
4. History Contributes to Moral Understanding. History also provides a terrain for
moral contemplation. Studying the stories of individuals and situations in the past
allows a student of history to test his or her own moral sense, to hone it against some
of the real complexities individuals have faced in difficult settings. People who have
weathered adversity not just in some work of fiction, but in real, historical
circumstances can provide inspiration.
 5. History Provides Identity. History also helps provide identity, and this is
unquestionably one of the reasons all modern nations encourage its teaching in some
form. Historical data include evidence about how families, groups, institutions and
whole countries were formed and about how they have evolved while retaining
cohesion.
6. Studying History Is Essential for Good Citizenship. A study of history is essential
for good citizenship. This is the most common justification for the place of history in
school curricula. Sometimes advocates of citizenship history hope merely to promote
national identity and loyalty through a history spiced by vivid stories and lessons in
individual success and morality.
7. History Develops in the Students the Ability to Assess Evidence.The study of
history builds experience in dealing with and assessing various kinds of evidence—
the sorts of evidence historians use in shaping the most accurate pictures of the past
that they can. Learning how to interpret the statements of past political leaders—one
kind of evidence—helps form the capacity to distinguish between the objective and
the self-serving among statements made by present-day political leaders.
8. History Develops in the Students the Ability to Assess Conflicting
Interpretations. Learning history means gaining some skill in sorting through
diverse, often conflicting interpretations. Understanding how societies work—the
central goal of historical study—is inherently imprecise, and the same certainly holds
true for understanding what is going on in the present day.
9. History Is Useful in Your Career and in the World of Work. History is useful for
work. Its study helps create good business people, professionals, and political leaders.
The number of explicit professional jobs for historians is considerable, but most
people who study history do not become professional historians. Rather, it the
professionals from various fields become later on historians by building on the
concrete foundation of historiography during the academic preparation as what you
are doing right now.

Play the video below to give you more ideas and interest in studying history.
Why is it important to study history

01.2 Historical Sources

When the news on the discovery of the discovery of fossilized remains of a rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros philippinensis) in Kalinga province erupted, the local and world news heralded a
change on how world history is to be viewed. Such discovery has a tremendous impact not only
in the academic world but also in the greater society due to its historical, anthropological,
societal, as well as economic, to name a few. Undoubtedly, historians have to rewrite their pages
of history in order to accommodate this primary source of history. This is our topic, the historical
sources.
The remains of a butchered rhino.

What is Historical Source?

Any leftover of the past can be considered a source. It might well be a document, and we often
think of history as a textual discipline, based on the interpretation of written texts, but it might
also be a building, a piece of art or an ephemeral object – a train ticket, say, or perhaps a pair of
shoes. These are all 'sources' because they all provide us in different ways with information
which can add to the sum of our knowledge of the past.
Sources only become historical evidence, however, when they are interpreted by the historian to
make sense of the past. In the case of the Kalinga rhinos, it would just be a piece of debris during
the excavation process that would be dumped elsewhere had it not preserved, analyzed, and
reported by the experts.
It all depends on what the historian wants to know. This is why it makes little sense to ask if
something is 'good historical evidence', without knowing what evidence it's supposed to provide.
For us, students of history, we need to classify these historical sources so we know their
historical value.

Primary and secondary sources

With the past as history's subject matter, the historian's most important research tools are
historical sources. In general, historical sources can be classified between primary and secondary
sources. The classification of sources depends on the historical subject being studied.

1. Primary sources are those produced at the same time as the event, period, or subject
being studied. For example, if a historian wishes to study the Commonwealth
Constitution Convention of 1935, his primary sources can include the minutes of the
convention, newspaper clippings, Philippine commission reports of the U.S.
representatives, among others. Other examples of primary sources include:
 o Autobiographies and memoirs
o Diaries, personal letters, and correspondence
o Interviews, surveys, and fieldwork
o Internet communications on email, blogs, listservs, and newsgroups
o Photographs, drawings, and posters
o Works of art and literature
o Books, magazine and newspaper articles and ads published at the time
o Public opinion polls
o Speeches and oral histories
o Original documents (birth certificates, property deeds, trial transcripts)
o Research data, such as census statistics
o Official and unofficial records of organizations and government agencies
o Artifacts of all kinds, such as tools, coins, clothing, furniture, etc.
o Audio recordings, DVDs, and video recordings
o Government documents (reports, bills, proclamations, hearings, etc.)
o Patents
o Technical reports
o Scientific journal articles reporting experimental research results
2. On the other hand secondary sources are those which are produced by an author
who used primary sources to produce the material. For example, on the subject of the
Philippine Revolution of 1896 students can read Teodoro Agoncillo's Revolt of the
Masses: The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan published originally in 1956.
Other examples of secondary source include:
o Bibliographies
o Biographical works
o Reference books, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlases
o Articles from magazines, journals, and newspapers after the event
o Literature reviews and review articles (e.g., movie reviews, book reviews)
o History books and other popular or scholarly books
o Works of criticism and interpretation
o Commentaries and treatises
o Textbooks
o Indexes and abstracts

Click this link to watch a short clip explaining primary and secondary sources

01.3 Criticisms of Historical Sources

Hello my dear students! This topic will teach you how to criticize a historical source. In this
time and age of proliferation of fake news, this skill is very much indispensable. So, join me now
and let us begin to learn how to criticize a historical source and see whether these are historically
accurate or not. Here we go!
Historical studies on the meaning of past events in an attempt to interpret the facts and explain
the cause of events, and their effect in the present events. In doing so, historians rely heavily on
primary historical data (direct accounts of events, archival data - official documents, personal
records, and records of eyewitnesses) and less frequently on secondary historical data
(information from persons who didn’t witness the event; e.g. textbooks, newspapers,
encyclopedias).
Although the Greek historian Herodotus was acknowledged as the "Father of History", it
was Thucydides (photo on the right, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons), an ancient Greek
historian, is the pioneer of historical criticism of historical data. Hence, he was acclaimed as the
"Father of Scientific History" due to his splendid work on "The History of Peloponnesian Wars."
When we read a piece of historical work, we have to be critical and discerning. We may utilize
criticism of historical data as explained below.

Criticism of Historical Sources

The historian should be able to conduct an external and internal criticism of the source, specially
the primary sources which can age in centuries.
Evaluation of historical data and information is often referred to as historical criticism and the
reliable data yielded by the process are known as historical evidence. Historical evidence is
derived from historical data by the process of criticism, which is of two types: external and
internal criticism.

1. External criticism is the practice of verifying the authenticity of evidence by

examining its physical characteristics of the time when it was produced; and the
materials used for the evidence.
o Here, evidence is examined based on physical characteristics like
materials used for the evidence, the structure, layout and the design are
scrutinized also.
o Involves finding out if the sources material is genuine and if passes
textual integrity. External criticism in historical research evaluates the
validity of the document this is, where and by whom it was produced.
 2. Internal criticism, on the other hand, is the examination of the truthfulness of the
evidence.
o It looks at the truthfulness and factuality of the evidence by looking at the
author of the source and its context.
o Internal criticism evaluates the meaning accuracy and truth worthiness of
the content of document.
o Internal criticism concerned with the accuracy and meaning of the data
contained in the document.

How to Criticize a Historical Source

In the advent of social media as a very ubiquitous platform of airing self-expressions and views,
it is your job, as student-historians, to evaluate and criticize the historicity of these posts /
websites / blogs and even YouTube videos proliferating around. This task requires you criticize
and evaluate historical website and any other website which publishes events in history with their
accompanying interpretations, explanations, assumptions, and even predictions.

Criteria in Analyzing a Historical Source

Criteria Things to evaluate/analyze
 The historical event posted and accompanying interpretation is accurate
and verifiable
Accuracy  Make sure author provides e-mail or a contact address/phone number.
 Know the distinction between author and Webmaster.

 What credentials are listed for the authors? Are they educated to be or
Authority trained in historiography?
 Where is the document published and verified?

 Determine if page is a mask for advertising; if so information might be

biased.
 View any Web page as you would an infomercial on television. Ask
Objectivity yourself why was this written and for whom?
 Check if there are monetary matters or motivation behind the motive of
posting

 Is the post current or latest?

Currency  When was it produced? When was it updated'

 Is it free or is there a fee, to obtain the information?

 Is there an option for text only, or frames, or a suggested browser for
Coverage
better viewing?
Adapted from: Kapoun, Jim. "Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library
instruction." C&RL News (July/August 1998): 522-523.

01.4 Historical Context and Analysis

Welcome to this topic on Historical analysis! After knowing the meaning and relevance of
history, we have actually answered the question "what?" in history. It is now time for us dig into
the question "why?" and at the same time, learn the surrounding circumstances or sort of the
"history of the history". Sounds interesting, right?
So, let us begin by learning first what is historical context.

Historical Context
Historical context is an important part of life and literature, and without it, memories, stories, and
characters have less meaning. Historical context deals with the details that surround an
occurrence. In more technical terms, historical context refers to the social, religious, economic,
and political conditions that existed during a certain time and place. Basically, it's all the details
of the time and place in which a situation occurs, and those details are what enable us to interpret
and analyze works or events of the past, or even the future, rather than merely judge them by
contemporary standards (Fleming, 2019).
Here is a very helpful resource on studying historical resource from Mometrix.com (2019) about
Historical Context. Click the video below:
Historical context is the social, political, cultural, economic, and environmental situations that
influence the events or trends we see happen during that time. Therefore, if we are unfamiliar
with the traditions, culture, thinking, or events happening at any time in history, we could
misinterpret or lose the meaning of a piece of writing we are reading.
Therefore, in order to fully understand a source, you must place it within the context of the time
period in which it was produced. This process is called contextualizing. Contextualizing a
historical source involves paying attention to the people who produced it, the time in which they
worked, what was going on during that time, and how what was going on may have influenced
the production of the source. It also involves understanding how the source's language, concepts,
and terms were used within that historical context, since meanings change over time.
In short, contextualizing a source increases a writer's credibility since it demonstrates the writer’s
willingness to understand the source and its time period on its own terms.

Why is Context Important?

The word “context” has a pretty large and abstract definition. From the Merriam-Webster
dictionary, context is “the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw
light on its meaning" (2020). It is abstract because this definition implies that “context” can be
anything providing meaning. It can take any shape or form as long as it clarifies what one is
trying to say. Context adds specificity to your reading of historical events and directs the your
attention to a particular train of thought.
Thus avoiding, to a certain extent, unwanted interpretation (Samson, 2019). Maybe that is why,
Gary Vaynerchuck said that: "Content is king, but context is God!" It is like looking at a wider
range of visible horizon, not just looking through a tunnel.
In summary, context is information that helps the message of a history text make sense. Whether
it’s a novel, a memoir, or a collection of short stories, a piece of writing can be interpreted
variably depending on the contextual factors provided by the author. Some context is obviously
stated and some requires a close reading of the history work—so it’s important for every student
of history to know what context is and how to use it in their readings of Philippine history.

02.1 First Voyage Around the Globe

by Magellan
Now that you know what is historical context and its importance in your readings of Philippine
history, it is now time for you to do analysis of a sample historical event in Philippine history.
For this activity, we will use a sample of historical account of Antonio Pigafetta's "The First
Voyage around the World (1519-1522): An Account of Magellan's Expedition" which is pictured
below:
This document reveals several insights not just in the character of the Philippines during pre-
colonial period, but also on how the fresh eyes of the European regard a deeply unfamiliar
terrain, environment, people and culture. Published after Pigafetta returned to Italy, his work
became a classic that prominent literary men in the West like William Shakespeare, Michel de
Montaigne and Giambattista Vico referred to the book in their interpretation of the New World.
Pigafetta's travelogue, when published in Europe in 1535, became a worldwide sensation.
Situated during the time when Europe, known as the Old World, is actively seeking for lands to
discover and conquer motivated by Gold, Glory, and God (Three Gs), this historical account
became a bestseller, teasing the imagination of the European readers about raw tropical beauty of
Oriental lands, beautiful women, bountiful lands awash of gold, spices, and natural resources.
Thus, this book became of one of the most important primary sources in the study of precolonial
Philippines. Importantly, his account was also a major referent to the events leading to
Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the hands of
Lapulapu’s forces in the Battle of Mactan and in the depature of what was left of Magellan’s
fleet from the islands. Thus, completing what was known as the first circumnavigation of the
world.
This is the historical context that we are going to analyze in this module.
Doing Historical Analysis
In order to fully understand a source, you must place it within the context of the time period in
which it was produced. Contextualizing a historical source involves: paying attention to
the people who produced it, the time in which they worked, what was going on during that
time, and how and what was going on may have influenced the production of the source.
It also involves understanding how the source's language, concepts, and terms were used within
that historical context, since meanings change over time. In short, contextualizing a source
increases a writer's credibility since it demonstrates the writer’s willingness to understand the
source and its time period on its own terms.

Questions to Consider in doing Historical Context Analysis

1. Who produced the historical source? In this part, you need to provide a brief
description of the author/writer/publisher of the historical event. Include
photos/images and other ways to introduce the source.
2. What is the genre of the source? In the case of Pigafetta's work, it is considered as
a travelogue, an account of the voyage as the official chronicler of Magellan's
expedition. Other historical sources may include diary entry, an eyewitness
account, a published book, a receipt, a log in the train ride, among others. You
need to identify the genre of the source you are reading.
3. How might this genre shape its content and viewpoint? In the case of Pigafetta's
travelogue, it highlighted his own personal viewpoint, judgment and biases towards
the things that he saw, people that he met, as well as customs, traditions, and other
cultural highlights he witnessed in his travels. In your analysis later on, you need to
consider the genre because there is difference in the way or the approach in which the
historian may write the historical event..
4. When was it produced? How does the timing of its production relate to other
events? Pigafetta's travelogue was published in 1535 and it received critical acclaim
worldwide during that time. Spain was the most powerful empire on Earth during that
time and its publication further glorified its name and the death of Magellan on the
hands of the natives headed by Lapu-lapu was portrayed as a sacrifice in the
attainment of Spain's greater glory. Its timing was significant to the growing interest
and fascination of Westerners towards the Eastern people, its culture, its natural
resources, riches, and treasures. You need to situate the time and surrounding
circumstances during which the event was written.
5. How might political, social, religious, or economic events occurring at the same
time have influenced the production of the source? Pigafetta's book, The First
Voyage Around the World, was published under the auspices of the Roman Catholic
Church. It is noted that during that time, the church was very active in its quest to
christianize undiscovered lands in uncharted territories. Simultaneously, the state
(government) of Spanish empire used th opportunity to further expand its borders,
and in the process, accumulating land, riches, and fame all in the name of God, gold
and glory.
Now let's apply these questions to a sample of historical account of Pigafetta from his book, The
First Voyage Around the World, online version. It is the account of the first ever landing and
arrival of Magellan to the Philippine Islands on march 16, 1521, pages 71 - 75. You can read it
online from this link. This was given to you in advanced as required reading in the beginning of
this module.

03.1 The Katipunan and the Kartilya

ng Katipunan
This discussion tackles the founding of "KKK" or "Kataastaasang Kagalanggalang Katipunan ng
mga Anak ng Bayan" and the rules that our Katipuneros have to include in joining the group. So,
stay active to answer the following questions!

The Founding of KKK

1. Bonifacio founded the “Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipuanan ng mga

Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) on July 7, 1892 in a house on Azcarraga street (now Claro
M. Recto), in Tondo Manila.

2. The Katipunan had colorful beginnings. As a symbol of the member’s loyalty, they
performed the solemn rite of sanduguan (blood compact), wherein each one signed
his name with his own blood..
3. The members agreed to recruit more people using the “triangle system” of enlistment.
Each original member would recruit tow new members who were not related to each
other. Each new member would do the same thing, and so on down the line. Members
were also asked to contribute one Real (about 25 centavos) each month in order to
raise funds for the association.
4. The two principal aims of the KKK as gathered from the writings of Bonifacio: 1.
Unity of the filipino people, 2. separation from spain by means of Revolution
5. Rizal doubtless approved the first aim but refused to accept the second and this was
the reason that he refused to go along with the “Katipuneros” (soldiers’ of the
Katipunan) and voluntarily surrendered that leads him to prison and death. – To
achieve unity of the Filipinos, propaganda work must be done and this was through
massive education and civic trainings of the Katipuneros. To that end, Bonifacio
prepared his now well-known decalogue, and Jacinto his famous “Kartilya ng
Katipunan” (Primer of the Katipunan)
6. These are the rules in Kartilya. The Kartilya can be treated as the Katipunan’s Code
of conduct which contains 14 rules that instruct the way a Katipunero should behave.
“Kartilya ng Katipunan”
Below is a translated version of the rules:

1. The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without a
shade, if not a poisonous weed.
2. To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue.
3. It is rational to be charitable and love one's fellow creature, and to adjust one's
conduct, acts and words to what is in itself reasonable.
4. Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge,
wealth and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by nature.
5. The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel, gain to honor.
6. To the honorable man, his word is sacred.
7. Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered but not time lost.
8. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the field.
9. The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets.
10. On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the children, and if the
guide leads to the precipice, those whom he guides will also go there.
11. Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a faithful companion
who will share with thee the penalties of life; her (physical) weakness will increase
thy interest in her and she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and reared
thee.
12. What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers and sisters, that do
not unto the wife, children, brothers and sisters of thy neighbor.
13. Man is not worth more because he is a king, because his nose is aquiline, and his
color white, not because he is a *priest, a servant of god, nor because of the high
prerogative that he enjoys upon earth, but he is worth most who is a man of proven
and real value, who does good, keeps his words, is worthy and honest; he who does
not oppress nor consent to being oppressed, he who loves and cherishes his
fatherland, though he be born in the wilderness and know no tongue but his own.
 14. When these rules of conduct shall be known to all, the longed-for sun of liberty shall
rise brilliant over this most unhappy portion of the globe and its rays shall diffuse
everlasting joy among the confederated brethren of the same rays, the lives of those
who have gone before, the fatigues and the well-paid sufferings will remain. If he
who desires to enter (the katipunan) has informed himself of all this and believes he
will be able to perform what will be his duties, he may fill out

An Excerpt from the Second Paragraph of the Kartilya which states that “The object pursued by
this association is great and precious: to unite in ideas and purposes all filipinos by means of a
strong oath and from union derive force with which to tear the veil that obscures intelligence and
thus find the true path of reason and light” – The strong oath was documented and signed with
the signed with the blood of the “Katipuneros” (blood (blood compact). They swore at the
Katipunan creed; Katipunan creed; to defend the oppressed, fight the fight the oppressor even to
the extent of supreme self- supreme self- sacrifice.
An Excerpt from the Second Paragraph of the Kartilya which states that – One of the most
important Katipunan documents was the Kartilya ng Katipunan. – The original title of the
document was “Manga (sic) Aral Nang (sic) Katipunan ng mga A.N.B.” Or “Lesson of the
Organization of the Sons of Country”.
Therefore,the KKK members agreed on the following objectives:
▪ The political goal was to completely separate the Philippines from Spain after declaring the
country’s independence.
▪ The moral goal was to teach the Filipinos good manners, cleanliness, hygiene, fine morals, and
how to guard themselves against religious fanaticism..
▪ The civic goal was to encourage Filipinos to help themselves and to defend the poor
oppressed.
It is your turn to interpret this part of history. You may view more inputs about the KKK and
Kartilya in the following presentation. Feel free to click the attached file. Feel free to click the
attached file. How the code of conduct of Katipunan be a reflection of love for country?

katipunan

Tejeros Convention
Discussion 1- Tejeros Convention

The Tejeros Convention, also known as the Tejeros Assembly and the Tejeros Congress, was
a meeting held on March 22, 1897, between Katipunan factions of Magdiwang and Magdalo in
San Francisco de Malabon, Cavite (now General Trias) that resulted in the creation of a
new revolutionary government that took charge of the Philippine Revolution, replacing the
Katipunan. It followed on a previous meeting now known as the Imus Assembly. Filipino
historians consider the first presidential and vice presidential elections in Philippine history to
have been held at this convention, although only Katipuneros (members of the Katipunan) were
able to take part, and not the general populace.
Convention
Purpose

Tejeros Convention Mural, Municipality of Rosario, Cavite.

The revolutionary leaders called the convention in a friar estate residence in Tejeros, ostensibly
to discuss the defense of Cavite against the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution (the
contemporary Governor General, Camilo de Polavieja, had regained much of Cavite itself).
Instead of focusing on the defense of the province, the convention became an election to decide
the leaders of the revolutionary movement, to settle once and for all the issue of governance
within the Katipunan and of the revolutionary effort - the cause of the escalating tension between
the Magdalo and Magdiwang forces of Cavite, and bypassing the existing Supreme Council of
the Katipunan, as represented by Andrés Bonifacio, its "Supremo" (Kataastaasang
Pangulo, Presidente Supremo - often shortened by others to just Supremo, but despite popular
belief, generally not by Bonifacio himself; he instead used Pangulo or the fuller terms) who had
been invited to Cavite months earlier to mediate and had taken the side of the Magdiwang. While
Bonifacio and his allies within Magdiwang maintained that the Katipunan was already sufficient
as their government, the Magdalo people and their own sympathizers within Magdiwang
maintained the need to establish a new government..
Amidst questioning by Severino de las Alas on whether the Katipunan, which already operated
as an alternative revolutionary government, was more like a democracy or a monarchy since he
was not convinced that the Katipunan hardly formed any type of government, Bonifacio
defended that it was republican and democratic in nature. According to him, they were all united
against the King of Spain to have their own free and sovereign government, and that all
Katipunan members of any given rank were meant to serve under the principles of liberty,
equality, and fraternity, upon which republicanism was founded, and that their government stood
for the sovereignty of the people, not only of one or two persons.
Most of the day was spent in debates, and a tumult broke out after the Magdalo side called the
status quo of the revolutionaries no better than that of bandits or wild animals, which the
Magdiwang on Bonifacio's side took offense to. After order was restored, some pushed for the
convention to be adjourned, but Bonifacio prevailed upon them to continue. Jacinto Lumbreras
of Magdiwang, who had served as chairman of the assembly and presided over the proceedings
to that point, then refused to continue as chairman, since if they were to discuss replacing the
Katipunan, then Bonifacio should preside as the "father of the Katipunan and the Revolution".
Bonifacio was thus made chairman. Despite his concern about the lack of officials and
representatives from other provinces and other Katipunan councils, he bowed to the will of the
majority and was obliged to proceed with the elections.

Election results
Bonifacio presided over the election as chairman of the convention. He secured the unanimous
approval of the assembly that the decisions would not be questioned, and the winners be
respected regardless of their stations in life or educational attainment.
Candidate Party Votes %
Emilio Aguinaldo Magdalo 146 57.03
Andrés Bonifacio Katipunan Supreme Council, Magdiwang 80 31.25
Mariano Trias Magdiwang 30 11.72
Total 256 100.00
Valid votes 256 100.00
Invalid/blank votes 0 0.00
Total votes 256 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 256 100.00

The results of the election:

Position Name Faction
President Emilio Aguinaldo Magdalo
Vice-president Mariano Trías Magdiwang
Captain-general Artemio Ricarte Magdiwang
Director of war Emiliano Riego de Dios Magdiwang
Director of the
Andrés Bonifacio Katipunan Supreme Council, Magdiwang
interior

After Aguinaldo was elected president, Severino de las Alas of Magdiwang proposed that
Bonifacio automatically be considered vice president since he had received the second highest
number of votes. Nobody seconded or contested the motion, so Bonifacio as chairman ruled that
the elections should continue. Mariano Trias of Magdiwang was then elected vice president over
Mariano Alvarez, the president of Magdiwang, and Bonifacio. Artemio Ricarte of Magdiwang
was then elected Captain-General over Santiago Alvarez (son of Mariano), also of Magdiwang.
Ricarte, aka "General Vibora", tried to demur and concede to Alvarez aka "General Apoy", but
Alvarez himself insisted that he accept it and vouched for him. Then Baldomero Aguinaldo,
cousin of Emilio and president of Magdalo, suggested that people stand in groups to make the
voting faster so they could finish before it got too dark. This was followed, and Emiliano Riego
de Dios of Magdiwang was elected Director of War over Santiago Alvarez and Ariston
Villanueva of Magdiwang and Daniel Tirona of Magdalo. Finally, Bonifacio was elected
Director of the Interior over Mariano Alvarez.
However, after Bonifacio was elected, Daniel Tirona loudly objected that the post should not be
occupied by a person without a lawyer's diploma. He instead nominated a lawyer, Jose del
Rosario (of Magdiwang), as qualified for the suitable position. Bonifacio was greatly
embarrassed, and demanded that Tirona retract the remark and apologize to the assembly. When
Tirona made to leave instead, Bonifacio drew a pistol and was about to fire at Tirona, but
stopped when Ricarte tried to disarm him. Bonifacio then invoked his role as the chairman of the
assembly and the supreme president of the Katipunan and declared all proceedings that day to be
null and void, and left with his supporters.

Allegations of fraud
In addition to Bonifacio's statement voiding the outcome, the
probity of the election held was questioned, with allegations that
many ballots distributed were already filled out and that the
voters had not done this themselves.
In their memoirs, Santiago Álvarez and Gregoria de Jesús both alleged that many ballots were
already filled out before being distributed, and Guillermo Masangkay contended there were more
ballots prepared than voters present. Álvarez writes that Bonifacio had been warned by a Cavite
leader Diego Mojica of the rigged ballots before the votes were canvassed, but he had done
nothing.

Post-convention events
Emilio Aguinaldo was not present at the convention, but was at a military front at Pasong Santol,
a barrio of Dasmariñas, Cavite. He was notified of his election to the Presidency the following
day, and his elder brother, Crispulo Aguinaldo, persuaded him to travel to take the oath of office.
Leaving Crispulo in command, Aguinaldo traveled to Santa Cruz de Malabon
(now Tanza, Cavite), where he and the others elected, with the exception of Bonifacio, took their
oath of office. Cri spulo Aguinaldo was among those killed in the Battle of Pasong Santol on
March 24, 1897, which ended with a Spanish victory. Aguinaldo surreptitiously took his oath of
office as president in a chapel officiated by a Catholic priest, Cenon Villafranca, who was under
the authority of the Roman pope. According to Gen. Santiago Alvarez, guards were posted
outside with strict instructions not to let in any unwanted partisan from the Magdiwang faction
while the oath-taking took place. Artemio Ricarte also took his office "with great reluctance"
and made a declaration that "dirty or shady" practices in the Tejeros elections had "not been in
conformity with the true will of the people."
After leaving the convention, Bonifacio met on March 28 with 45 of his followers. Convinced
that the election at the convention had been invalid, they drew up a document titled Acta de
Tejeros giving their reasons for having rejected the convention results. They then proceeded
to Naik and drew up another document on April 19, sometimes referred to as the Naic Military
Agreement, repudiating the insurgent government established at Tejeros.
Aguinaldo did not at first fully or openly assume the office of president, though he had secretly
taken the oath of office, and first managed to secure support among Magdalo and Magdiwang
alike. He sent a delegation to contact the increasingly isolated Bonifacio and persuade him to
cooperate. The delegation was able to contact Bonifacio, but was unable to persuade him as he
resolved to move out of the province. Some Magdiwang leaders, led by Pio del
Pilar and Mariano Alvarez, eventually recanted their previous insistence that the result of the
Tejeros convention was null and void, thereby recognizing the validity of the elected leaders
there, and some others later occupying the five vacant positions upon appointment from
Aguinaldo. The newly appointed officials took their oath of office on April 24, 1897, when
Aguinaldo fully and openly assumed the office of president. On the same day, he convened the
first session of the cabinet and issued an official circular informing the town presidents of all
municipalities that he was duly elected by the convention and was assuming his position as
president.
Several complaints against Bonifacio, notably from Severino de las Alas and Jose Coronel, were
then presented to Aguinaldo. He then ordered Bonifacio's arrest before he could leave Cavite,
and dispatched a force to Bonifacio's camp at Limbon, Indang. The unsuspecting Bonifacio
received them cordially on the 25th, but was arrested along with his brother Procopio early the
next day. In the resulting exchange of gunfire and scuffles, despite Bonifacio ordering his men
not to fight and not putting up resistance himself, he was wounded and his other sibling, Ciriaco,
was killed. Andres and Procopio Bonifacio were tried on charges of treason by members of the
war council of Aguinaldo's government. On May 10, 1897, the brothers were executed.

Finalized government]
Tejeros Revolutionary Government:
Philippine Republic
(March 1897)
Republic of the Philippines
(April 1897)
Government of All Tagalogs
(May 1897)
Pamahalaang Panghimagsikan ng Tejeros:
Republica Filipina (March 1897)
Republica de Filipinas (April 1897)
Pamahalaan ng Sangkatagalugan (May 1897)

Flag
Overview
Established March 22, 1897.
Dissolved November 1, 1897
State Philippines
Leader President
Main organ Cabinet
Headquarters San Francisco de Malabon
Official Cabinet of the Tejeros Revolutionary Government
Political
Position Name Term
Faction
Emilio April 24, 1897 [ oath of office taken March
President Magdalo
Aguinaldo 23 ] - November 1, 1897
April 24, 1897 [ oath of office taken March
Vice-president Mariano Trías Magdiwang
23 ] - November 1, 1897
Captain-General Artemio Ricarte April 24, 1897 [ oath of office taken March Magdiwang
 23 ] - November 1, 1897
Emiliano Riego April 24, 1897 [ oath of office taken March
Director of War Magdiwang
de Dios 23 ] - November 1, 1897
Jacinto
Director of State April 24, 1897 - November 1, 1897 Magdiwang
Lumbreras
Director of Baldomero
April 24, 1897 - November 1, 1897 Magdalo
Finance Aguinaldo
Director of
Mariano Alvarez April 24, 1897 - November 1, 1897 Magdiwang
Welfare
Director of Severino de las
April 24, 1897 - November 1, 1897 Magdiwang
Justice Alas
Director of the
Pascual Alvarez. April 24, 1897 - November 1, 1897 Magdiwang
Interior

The finalized revolutionary government lasted from April 24, 1897, to November 1 of the same
year, when it was replaced by the "Republic of the Philippines" (Republica de Filipinas),
commonly known today as the "Republic of Biak-na-Bato . ", which was led by some of the
same people including Aguinaldo as president. During its tenure, the whole of Cavite fell under
Spanish control again and Aguinaldo retreated to Bulacan.
While today Aguinaldo is considered by the Philippine government and conventional Philippine
historiography to be the first President of the Philippines, this is not based on his office
established at Tejeros but upon his being the pr
Unlike the aforementioned later governments, Filipino historians do not have a standardized
name for the earliest revolutionary government headed by Aguinaldo, the Tejeros government.
During the elections, the name Republica Filipina (Philippine Republic, also the formal name of
the "First Republic" of 1899) was mentioned. After Aguinaldo had secured his position among
the Magdalo and Magdiwang alike, it was proclaimed and named in documents as Republica de
Filipinas (Republic of the Philippines, akin to the official name of the present-day Philippine
governmentLinks to an external site.). During Bonifacio's trial, the court referred to their
government as the Pamahalaan ng Sangkatagalugan (roughly "Government of all Tagalogs" or
"Government of the [whole] Tagalog Nation/People"). This last term is akin to the earlier
terms Haring Bayang KatagaluganLinks to an external site. or Republika ng
Katagalugan ("Sovereign Tagalog Nation/People" or "Republic of the Tagalog Nation/People",
called in Spanish sources Republica Tagala) which describes Bonifacio's concept of a Philippine
nation and revolutionary government spanning the entire archipelago, with "Tagalog" serving as
a synonym/replacement for "Filipino", as realized through the Katipunan with him as
president. ("Pangulo ng Haring Bayan"), and predating but superseded by Tejeros.

04.1 The Proclamation of the

Philippine Independence
This discussion is about glimpse and pieces of the historical events happened during Philippine
Declaration of Independence Day. To know about more, read the information below including
the pinned file below. Stay active!
Below are the glimpse and pieces of the historical event:

1. On June 12, 1898 , The Philippine Declaration of independence was proclaimed in

Cavite el Viejo (presentday Kawit, Cavite) by Filipino revolutionary forces under
General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the
Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain.
2. It was 1896 when the Philippine Revolution began. Eventually, the Spanish signed an
agreement with the revolutionaries – Emilio Aguinaldo went into exile in Hongkong.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war.
3. Commodore George Dewey sailed from Hong Kong to Manila Bay leading a
squadron of U.S. Navy ships on May 1, 1898 as the United States defeated the
Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay and the U.S. Navy transported Aguinaldo back to
the Philippines.
4. On June 12,1898, Independence was proclaimed between four and five in the
afternoon in Cavite at the ancestral home of General Emilio Aguinaldo. The event
saw the unfurling of the National Flag of the Philippines, made in Hong Kong by
Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herboza.
5. The performance of the Marcha Filipina Magdalo, as the national anthem, now
known as Lupang Hinirang, which was composed by Julián Felipe and played by the
San Francisco de Malabon marching band and the Act of the Declaration of
Independence was prepared, written, and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in
Spanish.
6. The Declaration was signed by ninety-eight people, among them an American army
officer who witnessed the proclamation who attended the proceedings, Mr. L. M.
Johnson, a Coronel of Artillery. The proclamation of Philippine independence was,
however, promulgated on 1 August, when many towns had already been organized
under the rules laid down by the Dictatorial Government of General Aguinaldo
7. The declaration was not recognized by the U.S. nor Spain and Spain later sold the
Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-
American War. Then came the Philippine-American War as the Philippine
Revolutionary Government did not recognize the treaty or American sovereignty, and
subsequently fought and lost a conflict with United States.
8. When Emilio Aguinaldo was captured by U.S. forces, and issued a statement
acknowledging and accepting the sovereignty of the United States over the
Philippines, following World War II, the US granted independence to the Philippines
on July 4, 1946 via the Treaty of Manila known as Treaty of Paris, (1898)
9. In 1964, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166
designating June 12 as the country's Independence Day.
10. President Macapagal explained why such a move is appropriate in a speech he
delivered on June 12, 1962. Since the nation’s right to liberty is not derived from the
grant or recognition of another but is an attribute it naturally holds, Mr. Macapagal
found it “proper that what we should celebrate not the day when other nations gave
 recognition to our independence, but the day when we declared our desire to exercise
our inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence.”
He further explained that compared to the independence granted by the Americans in
1946, the declaration of independence in 1898 is signified by the determination and
unity of local government leaders to revolt.
He credited General Aguinaldo for galvanizing the entire nation to action, that when
he “formally assumed political command and declared his country free from
[colonizers], a nation came into being.”
“There had been other Asian revolutions before. But the revolution which culminated
on June 12, 1898 was the first successful national revolution in Asia since the coming
of the West, and the Republic to which it gave birth was the first democratic Republic
outside of the Western hemisphere,” he added.
11. President Macapagal’s speech also hinted at reasons why Philippine independence is
worth celebrating. Independence Day obviously stands as a reminder of that long-
fought battle for freedom and the people behind it.Many who are very observant of
our history might see the nuances within the narratives, which are worth exploring. It
still stands true, nonetheless, that the June 12 declaration was a fruit of a united
resolve.
“I moved the observance of the anniversary of our independence to this day,”
President Macapagal spoke, “because a nation is born into freedom on the day when
such a people, molded into a nation by a process of cultural evolution and a sense of
oneness born of common struggle and suffering, announces to the world that it asserts
its natural right to liberty and is ready to defend it with blood, life and honor.”
The nation’s rough yet triumphant journey to freedom is one of those things Filipinos
should never forget. This commemoration is an admonition for Filipinos to cultivate a
thirst for knowing the rich history of the country, including its struggle for
independence.
Mr. Macapagal, in fact, recognized in his speech the heroes whose “acts of patriotism
and nationalism” contributed towards gaining the independence that the nation now
enjoys.
He cited heroes such as Lapu-Lapu; Rajah Soliman; Rajah Lakandula; Francisco
Dagohoy; Diego and Gabriela Silang; Apolonario de la Cruz; Fathers Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora (more known as GomBurZa); and Dr. Jose Rizal, among others.
Independence Day also serves as an apt moment for Filipinos to reflect on who they
are in light of all these, and of what they could give in return as benefactors of this
emancipation which took pains to be attained.
“[I]t is fitting that as we commemorate the anniversary of the declaration of our
independence and as we recall the glorious events surrounding it,” the late statesman
said, “we should examine ourselves and ask if we have been worthy of the heritage of
freedom which our heroes bequeathed to us and for which thousands of our patriots
 so willingly shed their blood. Let independence day therefore be an occasion not only
for commemoration, but for spiritual self-examination.”
For President Macapagal, the heroes have a right to ask of Filipinos how strong their
Republic is today. This evokes a sense of responsibility left for us to be productive
and truthful citizens.
These heroes, he added, might well ask the businessman if he did his best to improve
his methods of production and to increase his marketing efficiency. They also might
well ask students if they have been diligently studying “not only for high marks, but
for the sake of learning,” in order to fully contribute to the nation’s overall progress.
They might well ask politicians if they are placing the Nation’s greater good above
their “narrow self-interest”.
“Our heroes might well ask us all: What have you done for your country
It is your turn to interpret this part of history. Should you wish to read more; please see the
attached file: Independence discussion.pptxDownload Independence discussion.pptx
Can you say that Philippines was already independent by the time it was declared by
Aguinaldo. Share your thoughts in the discussion page.

05.1 Philippine Political Caricature

(Alfred McCoy)
Hello students! This lesson is about Alfred McCoy and the Philippine Political Cartoons in the
American Era. So stay focused!
Background Information
Alfred W. McCoy was a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was
born on the 8th of June 1945 and was educated at Columbia University, Yale University. He and
other historian took interest in the study of poiltics in the Philippines and represented their
interpretation of the situation by using cartoons.
Philippine political cartoons gained full expression during the American era. Filipino artists
recorded national attitudes toward the coming of the Americans as well as the changing mores
and times. While the 377 cartoons compiled in this book speak for themselves, historian Alfred
McCoy’s extensive research in Philippine and American archives provides a comprehensive
background not only to the cartoons but to the turbulent period as well. Artist-writer Alfredo
Roces, who designed the book, contributes an essay on Philippine graphic satire of the period.
Some of the notable caricature were:
  Vince Sotto, the publisher of the INDEPENDENT, a never missed a chance to attack
the catholic church
 In 1906, the Philippine Supreme Court had ruled that the Roman Catholic Church
was the legal owner of all disputed properties, thus stripping the nationalistic
Aglipayan Church of the Parish Churches it had occupied right after the revolution.
 During the mid 19th century from Alejandro Roces, whose descendants became
publishes of the Manila Times. While Santa Cruz Church still stands, the
controversial parish house became a branch of Phil. Trust, a church owned bank.

 Fernando Amorsolo , gives the illustration his usual racist edge. While the corrupt
Filipino police man is shown with normal features, the chinese are caricatured as
emaciated, leering creatures more rodent than human.
 In 1917 a mysterious informant named Pedro Chua wrote the Philippines free press
alleging that senior police where accepting bribes from chinese gambling houses in
Binondo and Quiapo district."
 Vicente Sotto's independent insisted , in this editorial cartoon, that Chua's charges
were accurate.

 Although the Independent's cartoon depicts Harrison as a hero, his suggested reform
was hardly heroic. Despite the stern rhetoric, which obviously appealed to the paper's
penchant for hyperbole. Harrison's suggested reform was little more than a temporary
palliative.
 1908 the nationalist weekly "El Penacimiento" published an editorial filled Aves de
Rapina (birds of prey) which attacked the Philippine commission's secretary of the
interior, Dean C. Norcester for abusing his office to the exploit the country.
 Eventually the protest reached Malacanang Palace and Governor Francis B. Harrison
made a tentative move towards reform. In a letter to the Director General of the civil
service, the governor denounced the rapacious demans of the landlords. He suggested
passage of a bill which sets rents at 12% of assessed value of the property.

Please click the attached file to gain access to some political caricatures under American
Regime. See for yourself what those artworks had depicted.
A Glance at Selected Philippine Political Caricature.pptx

05.2 Cory Aquino's Speech before the

US Congress
In this discussion, you will learn about a historic speech that managed to sway in our favor the
vote for an emergency $200-million aid appropriation of former President Cory Aquino. So stay
active!
The Scenario
When former President Corazon Aquino spoke before a joint session of the United States
Congress in September of 1986, her speech was interrupted by eleven applause and ended with a
standing ovation. It was her first visit to America since the dictator Ferdinand Marcos had
been deposed in February of the same year, and the Philippines was reckoning with everything
his administration had inflicted. That included $26 billion in total foreign debt, and a communist
insurgency that grew, throughout the Marcos era, from 500 armed guerillas to 16,000.
So Aquino lodged an appeal for help. Addressing the House, she delivered .
You can view her speech inits entirety by visiting the link:
http://rtvm.gov.ph - President Corazon Aquino before the US CongressLinks to an external site.

You can also read the full transcript of her speech through this attachment:
Speech of President Corazon Aquino during the Joint Session of the U.S.
Congress.docxDownload Speech of President Corazon Aquino during the Joint Session of the
U.S. Congress.docx
Have you read the complete speech of the first lady president? It is your turn to interpret this part
of history. Did you find her speech impassioned, deeply personal, and effective?