Readings in Philippine History

Introduction to Philippine Historiography

Definitions

• History: The study of past events.
• Historians: Individuals who record and write about history.
• Historiography: The practice of historical writing.

Methods of Historical Writing

1. Traditional Method
   • Involves gathering documents from libraries and archives.
   • Translates gathered information into a narrative.
2. Modern Method
   • Incorporates methods from related fields like archaeology and geography.

Sources of History

1. Documents

   • Includes handwritten, printed, drawn, designed, and other composed material.
   • Examples: books, newspapers, magazines, journals, maps, architectural designs, paintings, photographs, advertisements, colonial records.

2. Archaeological Records

   • Preserved remains of human beings, their activities, and their environment.
   • Examples: fossils (animal/plant remains), artifacts (clothing, jewelry).
   • Notable examples: Kalo Man, Tabon Man in the Philippines.

3. Oral and Video Accounts

   • Audio-visual documentation of people, events, and places.
   • Typically recorded by media, stored in video/audio cassettes, CDs.

Types of Historical Sources

1. Primary Sources
   • Directly created by individuals present at the event.
   • Examples: documents, physical objects, and oral/video accounts.
2. Secondary Sources
   • Created by individuals not present at the events.
   • Provides interpretation of historical events and can be subjective.

Historical Criticism

1. External Criticism

   • Evaluates the authenticity of a historical source.
   • Considers who composed it, its origin, production date/location, and evidential value.

2. Internal Criticism

   • Examines the credibility and reliability of the content of a source.

Locating Primary Sources in the Philippines

• National Library of the Philippines
  • Contains published materials like microfilm copies of revolutionary records, presidential papers, historical data papers.
• National Archives of the Philippines
  • Holds unpublished materials and catalogs; contains Spanish documents from 1552-1900, 20th-century documents.
• Academic Institutions
  • University of the Philippines, University of San Diego, Silliman University, University of San Carlos, Ateneo de Manila University.

Colonial and Post-World War Historiography

• Colonial Historiography
  • Spanish and American writers portrayed Filipinos as uncivilized to justify colonization.
• Post-World War Historiography
  • Historians like Theodor Agoncillo and Renato Constantino offered alternative perspectives focusing on people's history and cultural narratives.

Modern Historical Narratives

• Political Narratives
  • Focus on political leaders' legacies, often segmented by administration.
• Colonial Narratives
  • Often depict Filipinos as savages, with colonizers as liberators.
• Elite-Centric and Patriarchal Perspectives
  • Historical narratives often emphasize the role of elite figures and men in significant events, with women in supportive roles.

Session Conclusion

• Thank you for attending the session.
• Future sessions will continue to explore these themes in depth.