Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources

Objectives:
 Familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different historical period of the
Philippines.
 Learn history through sources.
 Properly interpret and understand the primary sources through examining the content and
context of the documents.
 To understand the context behind each selected document.
The historian’s primary tool of understanding and interpreting the past is the historical
sources. Historical sources ascertain historical facts. Such facts are then analyzed and interpreted
by the historian to weave historical narrative.

A. Antonio Pigafetta
 Famous Italian traveller
 Great friend of Magellan and accompanied by Juan Sebastian Elcano in the famous
expedition to the Moluccas
 Voyage of circumnavigation
 Magellan’s Cross (first Mass in the Philippines)
 Infant Jesus (Magellan gave this to the Queen of Cebu, this image was made by Pigafetta)

B. The KKK and the “Kartilya ng Katipunan”

 Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or Katipunan
 Most important organization formed in the Philippine history
 The two (2) principal aims of the KKK as gathered from the writings of Bonifacio
o Unity of the Filipino people
o Separation from the Spain by means of revolution.
 Katipuneros (Soldier of Katipunan)
 Andres Bonifacio – Decalogue
 Emilio Jacinto - “Kartilya ng Katipunan” (Primer of the Katipunan)
o Treated as the Katipunan’s Code of conduct which contains 14 rules that instruct
the way a Katipunero should behave.

C. The Proclamation of the Philippine Independence

 June 12, 1898 – The Philippine Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in Cavite el
Viejo (present day Kawit, Cavite)
 Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the
sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain.
  1896 – The Philippine Revolution began. Eventually, the Spanish signed an agreement
with the revolutionaries.
 Commodore George Dewey – sailed from Hong Kong to Manila Bay leading a
squadron of U.S. Navy ships.
 May 1, 1898 – the United States defeated the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bay.
 The Philippine flag – made by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina
Herboza at Hong Kong
 The performance of Marcha Filipina Magdalo (Lupang Hinirang) as the National
Anthem, composed by Julian Felipe
 The proclamation was not recognized by the U.S. nor Spain
 Spain later sold the Philippines to the United States in 1898 ($ 20,000,000)
o Treaty of Paris – December 10, 1898, ended the Spanish-American war
 July 4, 1946 – the US granted independence to the Philippines via Treaty of Manila
 1964 – President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166
designating June 12 as the country’s Independence Day

D. Corazon Aquino: Speech Before the U.S. Congress September 18, 1986
 Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino
 A Filipino politician who served as the 11th President of the Philippines
 The most prominent figure of the 1986 People Power Revolution (ended the 20-year
rule of President Ferdinand Marcos)

E. Commission Independence: Filipino Grievances against Governor Wood

 Gregorio Zaide – Filipino historian, author and politician
o The document as a form of protest (Zaide writes for the constitutional
representatives of the Filipino people)
o The document served as an impeachment request for Governor Wood
o The documents was approved by the Commission on Independence on November
17, 1926
 Major-General Leonard Wood – arrived in the Philippine islands in 1903 after his
services in Cuba
 He was appointed governor of the Mero Province, comprising the southern islands and
Mindanao

F. Emilio Aguinaldo: Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan

 Emilio Famy Aguinaldo Sr.

o Cavite el Viejo (Kawit) o Carlos jamir Aguinaldo and

o March 22,1869 Trinidad famy Aguinaldo
o 7th over 8 children
 o Colegio de San Juan Letran

 Year 1895

o Masoneria 3. fraternidad
o FLAGS:
1. libertad o “Colon”
2. igualdad o Katipunan ng mga anak ng
bayan

 Traitors
o Patino’s Wife
o Teodoro Patino
o Fr. Mariano Gil
 Battles

o First
 September 1896 o Third
 Imus, Cavite  September 3, 1896
o Second o Fourth
 September 2 1896  Talisay Batangas
 Bakood

 Magdiwang
o Monarchy system
o Supremo: andres bonifacion
o “Mahihilig sila sa marangya at magagandang pangalan”
 Magdalo
o Republic system
o President: baldomero aguinaldo
o Sta. Magdalena
 Magdalo and Magdiwang Election
o Emilio Aguinaldo
 President of bagong pamahalaan
o Andres Bonifacio
 Offended and grab a gun then walked out
 Said: Election is not effective because he is the president of it in Tejeros
 The Fall of Andres Bonifacio
 Secret meeting at imprisoned the guards of Aguinaldo
o Hatol:
 Pagtataksil sa bayan (traicion)
  Pagbabangon (sedicion)
 Pagbabanta ng ganting himagsikan (rebelion)
 Reason by Emilio Aguinaldo
o Misunderstanding between two parties
o Supremo reject to help emilio for additional number of guards
 Andres and procopio bonifacio’s punishment
o Death penalty  consejo de guerra
 Revolution

o Bulacan o Pangasinan
o Nueva ecija o Laguna
o Tarlac o Batangas
o Bataan o At iba pa
o Zambales

 Spaniards and Emilio Aguinaldo

o Spaniards and Emilio Aguinaldo to stop revolution in Spain
o Pedro a paterno- Sent by Spaniards
o 1st request- Philippine indenpence
o Agreement- “pakto ng biak na bato”
 Conditions
 Departure of Emilio Aguinaldo and the revolutionaries
 Payment of 800,000 pesos for the damage done from the war

G. Works of Amorsolo and Luna : Paintings

 Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto
o Pedro Amorsolo and Bonifacia Cueto
o Daet, Camarines Norte to Manila
o Date of birth: May 30, 1892
o Fabian de La Rosa
o “national artist for painting”
o Emphasizes light and color
 Paintings:

o Rice Planting o Palay Maiden

o Ginebra San Miguel o The Rape of Manila
o Ina at Anak o The Explosion
o Fruit Gatherer o The Bombing of
o Lavanderas Intendencia
 o The Defence of a
Filipina Woman’s Honor

 Juan Luna Y Novicio

o Don Joaquin Luna de San Pedro y Posadas and Dona Laureana Novicio y
Ancheta
o Birthplace: Ilocos Norte, Philippines
o Date of Birth: October 23, 1857
o Year Of Death: December 7, 1899
o “Ilocano Filipino Painter”
o 1st Recognized “Philippine Artist”
 Paintings:
o Spoliarium
o The Battle of Lepanto
o The Blood Compact
o The Parisian Life
o The Death of Cleopatra
o España Y Filipinas

H. Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1941)

Alfred W. McCoy
 Alfred W. Mccoy
o Birth: June 8, 1945, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
o Age at present: 72 years old
o Citizenship: American
o A professor of History at the University of Wisconsin where he also served as
Director of Center for Southeast Asian Studies
-specialized in Philippine Political History and Global Opium Trafficking
 Historical background of “political caricature of the American era” (Editorial
Cartoons)
o During the American era, 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.
 Content Presentation and Analysis
o The presentation of the cartoons varies from racial to conservative, vivid and
wordy to express the cartoonist’s views and languages used are either in
English or Spanish.
o The victims are presented in a bad and sorry state to convey sympathy from
the readers.
 o The characters to emphasize on the “good side” are shown in normal features
while the “bad” emaciated, leering, laughing creatures, more on animal
features than human, e.g. Chinese men in the cartoon editorial “Is the Police
Force Bribed?”
o The artists, using their cartoons, illustrated not just their opinions, but broad
image of the Philippines under the US.
o The transition from Spanish Colonial period to American Occupation shows
different changes as well as in culture, society, and politics. The drastic
introduction of democracy to a nation not properly oriented about it and its
consequences are far from ideal. Thus, it ushered free press. The rich
remained affluent and powerful, while the poor people remained poor,
desperate, and victims of state repression.
 Contribution/Relevance
o Editorial Cartoons play an important role in understanding the Filipinos'
sentiments concerning the transition of governance from Spain to the
Americans. Pressing issues are clearly illustrated in the caricature of
characters and satirized situations in the Philippine Society during the
American era. Indeed, artists’ works are relevant in the study of Philippine
History. Artists’ free expression of thoughts through their cartoons or
caricatures somehow influenced the Filipinos at that particular period.

I. Juan de Plasencia: Custom of the Tagalogs

 Juan de Plasecia - Born to the illustrious family of Portocarreros in Plasensia in the
region of Extremadura, Spain in the early 16th century
o Fray Joan de Puerto Carrero, del convento de Villanueva de la Serena was his
real name
 Purpose: Relacion De Las Costumbres and Instruccion
o To put an end to some injustices being committed against the natives by certain
government officials
 Historical Background of the Document
o Datu - Chief, captain of Wars, whom governed, obeyed and reverenced
o Nobles or Maharlika - Free-born, they do not pay taxes
o Commoners or Aliping Namamahay - They live their own houses and lords of
their property and gold
o Slaves or Aliping Saguiguilid - They serve their master in his house and his
cultivated lands and can be sold

o Houses - Made of wood, bamboo and nipa palm

o Mode of Dressing
  Male:
 Headgear is called Putong (symbolizes the number of persons the
wearer had killed)
 (Upper) a jacket with short sleeves called kanngan
 (Lower) Bahag
 Female
 (Upper) Baro or Camisa
 (Lower) Saya
o Ornaments - a decorative object or detail that adds quality or distinction to a
person, place or thing
o Government
 The unity of government is called Barangay ruled by a chieftain, and
consist of 30 to 100 families together with their relatives and slaves.
o Administration of Justice
 The chieftain’s executive function includes implementing laws, ensuring
order and giving protection to his subject
 Disputes between individuals were settled by a court made up of the
chieftain and council of elders
o Inheritance
 The 1st son of the barangay chieftain inherits his father’s position; if the 1st
son dies, the 2nd son succeeds their father; in the absence of male heirs, it
is the eldest daughter that becomes the chieftain
o Slaves
 A person becomes a slave by:
 by captivity in war
 by reason of debt
 by inheritance
 by purchase
 by committing a crime
 Slaves can be emancipated through:
 by forgiveness
 by paying debt
 by condonation
 by bravery (where a slave can possibly become a Datu)
 by marriage
o Superstitious Beliefs
 Believe in Aswang, Dwede, Kapre, Tikbalang, Patyanak/Tiyanak
 They also believe in magical power of amulet and charms such as anting-
anting, kulam, and gayuma or love potion
o Marriage Customs
 Men were in general, monogamous; while their wives are called Asawa
 Courtship begins with Paninilbihan
 Prior to marriage the man requires to give a dowry:
 Bigay-kaya (a piece of land or gold)
 Panghihimuyat (a gift for the brides parents)
 Bigay-suso (for bride wet nurse)
 Marriage between couples belonging to different social classes were not
common
 Several grounds of divorce are:
 Adultery
 Abandonment on the part of the husband
 Cruelty
 Insanity
o Religious Belief
 They worship many gods and goddesses:
 Bathala, supreme being
 Idayanale, god of agriculture
 Sidarapa, god of death
 Agni, god of fire
 Balangaw, god of rainbow
 Mandarangan, god of war
 Lalahon, god of harvest
 Siginarugan, god of hell
 Also believe in sacred animals and trees
o Economic Life
 Agriculture in the plane lands: planting of rice, corn, banana, coconut,
sugar canes and other kinds of vegetables and fruits
 Hunting in high lands
 Fishing in river banks and sea
 Shipbuilding, weaving, poultry, mining and lumbering
 Domestic trade of different barangay by boat
 Foreign trade with countries like Borneo, China, Japan, Cambodia, Java
and Thailand
o Language and System of Writing
 Major languages:

 Tagalog  Pangasinan
 Ilocano  Pangpangan
  Sugbuhanon  Magindanaw
 Hiligaynon  Samarnon

 Originated from the Malayo-Polenisian language

 System of writing: the alphabets consisted of 3 vowels and 14
consomnants called Baybayin
 They uses tap of trees as ink and pointed stick as pencil
 They wrote on large plant leaves, bark of a tree or bamboo tubes

J. Film Viewing
 Heneral Luna (2015)
 Write a CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS ESSAY
Creating a Strong Contextual Analysis Essay in 5 Easy Steps

The contextual analysis essay is a kind of work that disintegrates a piece of

writing into small parts, analyzing each one separately. This allows us to point out the
true intentions of the author, and analyze the whole context. Almost anything can be a
subject of such an analysis – a book, a play, a magazine article, etc., but how to write
such an essay? It would be quite an easy task, if you are a pro, but what about the
newbies?

1. Write the introduction.

The introduction is based upon what happens in the piece you are analyzing. It
will make people understand that you’ve found its context. You can complete your
analysis by including some other pieces, if they fit into the same concept. Keep in mind,
that context is a framework, which defines all the specific parts of the piece you analyze.
So be careful while taking something out of the context, as you can be easily
misunderstood.

2. Describe the body of the piece.

After moving on to the body of the piece you are writing about, describe the style,
it’s written in, the theme, etc. Describe characters of the piece if there are any, or a
problem postulated in it. Also, there is no harm in additional research to see what other
people think of this. Maybe you can include some citations in your article (which is
beneficial). Try using trustworthy sources, or get advice from someone with experience.

3. Move on to the theme.

What is the main theme of the piece you are analyzing? Express your opinion on
how the author influenced you through his creation, and what you think is the main
response he originally intended to create. An important part is pointing out whether there
is a specific statement in the context of the piece.

4. Move on to style.
 Describe the style of the piece by pointing out some important elements. Does the
author use first-person interaction? Describe whether it is a plain narrative, or if it is
dialogue based. Describe the imagery and artistic methods that the author used, and the
effect he is trying to achieve.

5. Write a conclusion.

The conclusion is the part where you express your opinion on whether the author
achieved his goal. Try pointing out whether the piece has a dramatic impact, and whether
it fully expresses the depth and the value of the topic discussed. For a literature piece, for
example, there can be some discussion about the cultural value of the piece and its impact
on the creativity of future authors.