Understanding History

History defined
History is the study of the past as it is described in written documents. It
provides us significant records of the past, a meaningful story of
mankind depicting the details of what happened to man and why it
happened.
Relevance of History
The light of the past teaches us to understand our very own culture our
society and our identity. In addition, studying history provides moral
understanding of historical events which is essential for acquiring good
citizenship.

Primary Source vs. Secondary Source

Meaning of Source
Source or historical sources are any documents, remains, artifacts,
scholarly writings, pictures etc., that tell us about history. Basically, there
are two types of source – primary source and secondary source.
Primary sources are firsthand evidence or original materials. Examples
of primary sources include: photographs that may perceive a certain
social conditions of a historical events; sketches, paintings, and
drawings; maps; political cartoons; artifacts such as tool, clothes, coins,
furniture; fossils; chronicles; memoirs; autobiography; census statistics;
city directories; audio recordings; speech; hearings.
 On the other hand, secondary sources are not firsthand evidences,
usually these are the materials created by someone using primary
sources. It includes books, magazines, articles, journals, reviews.

Primary and Secondary sources

History is being written based on the actual evidence, manuscripts, and
written documents which provide sources of historical information. There
are two categories of historical data:
Primary Sources:

 It provides direct or first-hand about an event, object, person, or the

work of art.
 It contains "first-hand" knowledge about historical events, figures,
and people.
 It provides compelling and direct evidence of human activity.
 These are the things that were created or in use during the period
which is being studied.
 These sources are actual records that have survived from the past.
Secondary Sources:

 It is something that was not made by someone or by a group of

people who participated in the historical era which is being studied.
 These are usually created by historians and scholastic writers
based on their interpretation of the primary sources.
 These are sources of historical data which are created later or after
the historical event which is being studied and provided by the people
who were not present in that event.
 It describes, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate,
summarize, and process primary sources
 EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES:

Internal and External Criticisms

Evaluating Historical Data
There are two ways on how to examine historical data/sources for the
scholastic writers and historians. Validate the authenticity of the sources
that they have collected and used to be as the reference of the historical
account that they are going to publish. These are Internal and External
Criticism.
Internal Criticism:

 It looks within the data itself to try to determine the truth-facts and
the reasonable interpretation.
 It includes looking at the personal data provider's apparent or
possible motives.
 It indicates the accuracy, trustworthiness, and integrity of the
materials to which historical data will be based.
 External Criticism:

 It applies experimental science to certify authenticity of the material

that holds the data in which historical information will be based.
 It entails such physical and technical tests as the dating of paper
when a document is written.
 It involves knowledge of when certain things existed, or it supports
the claim whether it is possible or impossible to exist.
 It evaluates the authenticity and genuineness of data.

Age of Exploration
An excerpt of Antonio Pigafetta’s The First Voyage Around the
World
The narrative of the voyage which was translated by Lord Stanley is
presented on cited reference below. However, only the necessary and
important details of the narrative were taken based on what is useful for
the students. In brief, the narrative as it was written began with the
description of the preparation for the voyage, the captain and his men,
the dates as to when it left Spain, the time when they crossed the
Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean. In particular, Pigafetta
wrote relating to the description of the different places he had seen, the
people he met and their diverse and fascinating culture. The historic
expedition began in 1519 and was successfully completed in
1522 (Ligan, et.al. 2018)
Who is Ferdinand Magellan?
Ferdinand Magellan was famous as the great explorer who led 5
Spanish ships and 251 men in the first voyage around the World.
 Short Biography of Ferdinand Magellan

 Date of Birth: Born in 1480

 Place of Birth: Saborosa in Villa Real, Province of Traz os Montes
in Portugal
 Parents: Mayor Pedro Ruy de Magallanes (Father) and Alda de
Mezquita (Mother)
 Background Facts, Information & Ancestry : Came from a wealthy
family who had strong connections with the Portuguese court.

Timeline of the first circumnavigation of the world

 1480
Born at Saborosa in Villa Real, Province of Traz os Montes in Portugal.
Well tutored at home and then spent his early years at the Portuguese
court.

 1505
Ferdinand Magellan joined the expedition of Francisco d'Almeida to
India.

 1512
Took part in the Portuguese expedition to Morocco and was badly
wounded.
Has a serious disagreement with a commanding officer and leaves the
service without prior permission.

 1513
Requests permission from King Manuel of Portugal to sail to the Spice
Islands in the Far East but is refused following the unfavorable reports
from Morocco.
 Resumes his studies in Portugal for a couple more years but fails to gain
favor with the Portuguese court and therefore renounces his Portuguese
nationality.

 1518
Magellan leaves Portugal and heads for Spain.

 1519
March 22: Magellan convinces King Charles I of Spain to support his
voyage to the Spice Islands and the King promises Magellan one-fifth of
the profits from the voyage to the Spice Islands

1. Spain provides five ships for the expedition:

2. Magellan commands the Trinidad
3. Juan de Cartagena commands the San Antonio
4. Gaspar de Quesada commands the Conception
5. Luis de Mendoza commands the Victoria
6. Juan Serrano commands the Santiago
7. Leads the five Spanish ships with 251 men in what was to become
the first voyage around the World
8. 20 September: The fleet sail across the Atlantic Ocean to South
America and Rio de Janeiro and then start to search for a passage to the
Pacific Ocean

 1520
March: The fleet anchor for the winter at Puerto San Julian in Southern
Argentina

1. September: A storm destroys the Santiago and a mutiny breaks out

2. October: Ferdinand Magellan and his crew resume their voyage on
the remaining ships
3.  21 November: Enters the straits which would be named the
Magellan Straits becoming the first Europeans ever to sail across the
Pacific Ocean

 1521
3 February: Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Equator

1. 1521 March 6: Magellan reached the Pacific island of Guam

2. 16 March: Discovers the Philippines
3. April 27: Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives on the island of
Mactan
4. Only 110 of the original crew members remained so they
abandoned one of the ships - the Conception. The Trinidad tried to return
back to Spain the same way they had come but was forced to return to
the Spice Islands where they were imprisoned by the Portuguese. The
Victoria was the last remaining ship.

 1522
September 6: The Victoria reached Sanlucar de Barrameda in Spain
with only 18 survivors

Customs of Tagalog by Juan de Plasencia

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juan de Plasencia, a Franciscan Missionary in the Tagalog region in
1578 to 1590, was tasked by the King of Spain to document the customs
and traditions of the colonized (―natives‖) based on, arguably, his own
observations and judgments. Notably, de Plasencia wrote the Doctrina
Cristiana, an early book on catechism and is believed to be the first book
ever printed in the Philippines and The Customs of the Tagalogs
describing the way of life of the Tagalogs. Such initiatives were an
accustomed practice of the colonizer during the Age of Discovery to
enhance their superiority over the colonized and validity of their so-called
duties and legacies to the World. It is a common fact that during this era,
the Spanish colonizers, spearheaded by missionaries, drew a wide
variety of texts ranging from travel narratives and accounts of the colony
to even sermons. (Mapanoo, 2015).
Mandatory Reading/s: Customs of the Tagalog by Juan de Plasencia on
Ligan, et.al., (2018). Readings in the Philippine History. Mutya
Publishing House, Inc. Malabon City. pp. 30-34.

Kartilya ng Katipunan (Declaration of the

Principles)
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born on December 15, 1875. He was one of the highest-ranking officers
during the Philippine Revolution. At the age of 19, he joined KKK
(Kataastaasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng
Bayan), also known as ―Katipunan‖ a secret society established by
Andes Bonifacio. He authored ―Kartilya ng Katipunan‖ and recognized
as the ―Brain of the Katipunan‖ (Martinez et. al, 2018).
Mandatory Reading/s:
Katipunan ng mga A.N.B. Sa May Nasang Makisanib Sa Katipunang Ito
by Emilio Jacinto cited on this book - Martinez, Rodolfo et.al (2018)
“Readings in Philippine History” Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc. pp. 83 –
84.
Mga Aral ng Katipunan Ng Mga A.N.B by Emilio Jacinto cited on this
book - Martinez, Rodolfo et.al (2018) “Readings in Philippine History”
Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc. pp. 84 – 86.
Adopted from: Readings in the Philippine History by Martinez et.al
(2018)

Mga Gunita ng Katipunan (Memoirs) by

Emilio Aguinaldo
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In 1895 Aguinaldo took up with a secret society of revolutionaries
headed by fellow lodge member Andres Bonifacio. When a rival faction
executed Bonifacio in 1897, Aguinaldo assumed total leadership of the
revolution against Spain. By December 1897, Aguinaldo had managed
to reach the Truce of Biak-na-Bato with Spain. He and his rebels agreed
to a surrendering of arms and accepted exile to Hong Kong in exchange
for amnesty, indemnity, and liberal reform. However, neither side kept up
their end of the bargain. The Spanish government did not deliver in full
all that was promised, and the rebels did not truly surrender arms. In
fact, Aguinaldo's revolutionaries used some of Spain's financial
compensation to purchase additional arms for the resistance. From
Hong Kong, Aguinaldo also made arrangements to assist Americans
fighting against Spain in the Spanish-American War. As neither peace
nor independence had been achieved, in 1898 Aguinaldo returned to the
Philippines to resume his rebellion against Spanish rule.

Retrieved from: https://www.biography.com/political-figure/emilio-aguinaldo

Mandatory Reading/s: 

  Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan by Emilio Jacinto cited on this book - Martinez, Rodolfo et.al (2018)

“Readings in Philippine History” Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc. pp. 89 – 92.

Declaration of Philippine Independence from National Historical
Institute
National Historical Institute
The National Historical Institute (NHI) undertakes research and
publication of Philippine historical works and educational activities on
historical events and personages; restoration, preservation and
conservation of movable and immovable objects of historical value; and
implementation of the National Historic Act of the Philippines (PD 260
and PD 1505); administration of historic sites, structures and
memorabilia of national heroes; and implementation of Republic Act
8491 or ―The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Political Caricatures of the American Era

by Alfred McCoy
Another way to understand the political and social conditions during
American regime is through the use of cartoons or caricatures. This was
used to express public opinions about a significant event in our history.
In his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era
(1900-1941). Alfred McCoy, together with Alfred Roces, compiled
political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the
aforementioned time period. For this part, we are going to look at
selected cartoons and explain the context of each one.

Further Reading/s: Political Caricature of the American Era by Alfred McCoy cited on this book - Martinez,

Rodolfo et.al (2018) “Readings in Philippine History” Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc. pp. 95 – 98.
Speech of her excellency President Corazon C.
Aquino during the Joint session of the US
Congress on September 18, 1986.
President Corazon C. Aquino
Corazon C. Aquino functioned as the symbol of the restoration of
democracy and the overthrow of the Marcos Dictatorship in 1896. The
EDSA People Power revolution, which installed Cory Aquino in the
Presidency, put the Philippines in the international spotlight for
overthrowing a dictator through a special means (Candelaria, et.al.,
2018).
When Former President Aquino gave her speech to the US Congress on
September 1986, a little more than half a year after assuming the
presidency, she called on America to help the Philippines in preserving
the freedom which the Filipinos have won for themselves. Calling to,
―restore democracy by the ways of democracy,‖ she aggrandized the
role of America in the world as the promoter of a righteous system of
governance and further strengthened the reputation of said country as a
model for greatness (Rodrigo, 2018)

Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the Site

of the first mass
There are two conflicting claims as to its identity: one of school of
thought points to the little island south of Leyte which in the maps is
called Masao at the mouth of the Augustan River in northern Mindanao,
near what was then the village (now the city of Butuan).
In an Island named Mazaua, universally accepted today as Limasawa
found in Southern Leyte, the first mass in the Philippines was held.
It was ordered by Ferdinand Magellan on March 31, 1521, it was Easter
Sunday. Near the shores, the mass was celebrated by Father Pedro
Valderrama, the only priest that time. The first mass marked the birth of
Roman Catholicism in the Philippines.
The Evidence for Limasawa
The evidence may be outlines as follows:
1. The evidence of Albo’s Log-book
2. The Evidence of Pigafetta
3. The evidence of Albo and Pigafetta
4. Confirmatory evidence from Legazpi expeditions.
The Butuan Tradition claims rest upon a tradition that was almost
unanimous and unbroken for three centuries, namely the 17th, the 18th
and 19th. On the strength of that tradition embodying it, a monument
was erected in 1872 near the mouth of the Agusan River at a spot that
was then within the municipal boundaries of Butuan, but which today
belongs to the separate municipality of Magallanes, named after
Ferdinand Magellan.

Why then the Butuan Tradition?

First, it must be remembered that the tradition is based on secondhand
information. Second, suggested by Pastells. Magellan’s and his men got
to know the rajah of Butuan at Masaua. There is the Third reason. It
must be remembered that the Butuan traditions, while erroneous as to
the site of the Mass, is not entirely without validity.

Cavite Mutiny
Governor General Rafael Izquerdo y Gutierrez assumed control over the
archipelago in 1871. Upon his arrival he declared ―I shall govern with a
cross and the sword in hand. But it seemed that the emphasis was more
on the sword.
At that time, the Spanish government subjected the natives to forced
labor and the payment of an annual tribute. The workers assigned to the
navy yard and the artillery engineers and the arsenal of Cavite, however,
were exempted from these obligations. But general Izquerdo removed all
these privileges when he issued a decree requiring them to pay taxes,
render forced labor and remove the rights acquired from retirement. The
decree resulted to widespread dismay. Among those affected staged a
mutiny.
The mutiny was quickly crushed, but the Spanish regime under the
reactionary governor Rafael de Izquierdo magnified the incident and
used it as an excuse to clamp down on those Filipinos who had been
calling for governmental reform. A number of Filipino intellectuals were
seized and accused of complicity with the mutineers. After a brief trial,
three priests—José Burgos, Jacinto Zamora, and Mariano Gómez—
were publicly executed. The three subsequently became martyrs to the
cause of Philippine independence.

Retraction of Rizal
 One of the most intriguing of all was the issues of Jose Rizal was his
alleged retraction which was all about his reversion to the Catholic Faith
and all other issues.
In an article authored by Romberto Paulo, Rizal’s affiliation in Masonry
was accounted to have caused drastic change to his religious ideas. It
was in the moment Rizal set foot on European soil when he was
exposed to a great deal of distinctions between what was happening to
his country, the discriminations, abuses, partialities, injustices and some
other things made to cause sufferings to his countrymen.
Rizal retracted his anti-Catholic ideas through a document which stated:
―I retract with all my heart whatever in my words, writings, publications
and conduct have been contrary to my character as a son of the Catholic
Church.
Historians also refer to 11 eyewitnesses when Rizal wrote his retraction,
signed a Catholic prayer book, and recited Catholic prayers, and the
multitude who saw him kiss the crucifix before his execution.

Rizal’s retraction that had surfaced

 The first version of the Text was published in La Voz Española

 The second one came from an anonymous writer who revealed
himself years later as Fr. Balaguer
 The third one that was said to be the ―original‖ text
 The text appeared in El Imparcial on the day after Rizal’s
execution.

Cry of Balintawak or Pugadlawin

Bonifacio called a meeting of all provincial councils to start the armed
uprising. The venue was at the house of Apolonio Samson at a place
called kangkong in Balintawak. A bout 1,000 katipuneros were present
but they were not able to settle the issue.
August 23, 1896, at the yard of Melchor Aquino, the second meeting
took place. It was in this meeting that the katipuneros agreed to start the
armed uprising. After tearing their cedulas as a sign of disloyalty as a
sign of disloyalty to Spain, Anders Bonifacio and his katipuneros cried
out, “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Katipunan” and
“Mabuhay ang Republika ng Pilipinas.”
Spanish Civil guards discovered the meeting and inevitably, the first
battle Happened, the battle of Pasong Tamo. In the early stage of the
battle, katipuneros were winning but the Spanish civil guards turn the
fight around. Bonifacio and his troops retreated to Marikina via Balara,
then proceeded to San Mateo and captured the town.

August 30

 The Katipuneros attempted to capture the Spanish garrison at San

Juan, in the Battle of Pinaglabanan.
 153 katipuneros were killed and the Katipunan need to retreat due
to the arrival of Spanish reinforcements.
 More than 200 katipuneros were taken prisoners.

Agrarian Reform Policies

This is a timeline of the history of the Philippine land and agrarian reform
programs. It includes historical background of various agrarian reform
programs, that date back to Spanish period up to the present times, will
enable the Filipinos to understand the present Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program. (Manapat, et.al, 2010).

Agrarian Reform History

Pre-Spanish Period
-This land is Ours God gave this land to us
Before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, Filipinos lived in villages
or barangays ruled by chiefs or datus. The datus comprised the nobility.
Then came the Maharlikas (freemen), followed by the aliping
mamamahay (serfs) and aliping saguiguilid (slaves).
However, despite the existence of different classes in the social
structure, practically everyone had access to the fruits of the soil. Money
was unknown, and rice served as the medium of exchange.

*Source: Department of Agrarian Reform

https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-reform-history/

Spanish Period

―United we stand, divided we fall

 When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the concept of encomienda
(Royal Land Grants) was introduced. This system grants
that Encomienderos must defend his encomienda from external attack,
maintain peace and order within, and support the missionaries. In turn,
the encomiendero acquired the right to collect tribute from
the Indios (native).

The system, however, degenerated into abuse of power by

the encomienderos The tribute soon became land rents to a few powerful
landlords. And the natives who once cultivated the lands in freedom were
transformed into mere share tenants.

*Source: Department of Agrarian Reform

https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-reform-history/

First Philippine Republic

When the First Philippine Republic was established in 1899, Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo declared in the Malolos Constitution his intention to confiscate
large estates, especially the so-called Friar lands.

However, as the Republic was short-lived, Aguinaldo’s plan was never

implemented.

*Source: Department of Agrarian Reform https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-

reform-history/

American Period

―Long live America

Significant legislation enacted during the American Period:

 Philippine Bill of 1902 – Set the ceilings on the hectarage of private

individuals and corporations may acquire: 16 has. for private individuals and
1,024 has. for corporations.
 Land Registration Act of 1902 (Act No. 496) – Provided for a
comprehensive registration of land titles under the Torrens system.
 Public Land Act of 1903 – introduced the homestead system in the
Philippines.
 Tenancy Act of 1933 (Act No. 4054 and 4113) – regulated
relationships between landowners and tenants of rice (50-50 sharing) and
sugar cane lands.
The Torrens system, which the Americans instituted for the registration of
lands, did not solve the problem completely. Either they were not aware of
the law or if they did, they could not pay the survey cost and other fees
required in applying for a Torrens title.

*Source: Department of Agrarian Reform https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-

reform-history/

Commonwealth Period

―Government for the Filipinos

President Manuel L. Quezon espoused the "Social Justice" program to

arrest the increasing social unrest in Central Luzon.

Significant legislation enacted during Commonwealth Period:

 1935 Constitution – "The promotion of social justice to ensure the

well-being and economic security of all people should be the concern of the
State"
 Commonwealth Act No. 178 (An Amendment to Rice Tenancy Act
No. 4045), Nov. 13, 1936 – Provided for certain controls in the landlord-
tenant relationships
 National Rice and Corn Corporation (NARIC), 1936 – Established the
price of rice and corn thereby help the poor tenants as well as consumers.
 Commonwealth Act. No. 461, 1937 – Specified reasons for the
dismissal of tenants and only with the approval of the Tenancy Division of
the Department of Justice.
 Rural Program Administration, created March 2, 1939 – Provided the
purchase and lease of haciendas and their sale and lease to the tenants.
Commonwealth Act No. 441 enacted on June 3, 1939 – Created the
National Settlement Administration with a capital stock of P20,000,000.
*Source: Department of Agrarian Reform
https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-reform-history/

Japanese Occupation

―The Era of Hukbalahap

The Second World War II started in Europe in 1939 and in the Pacific in
1941.

Hukbalahap controlled whole areas of Central Luzon; landlords who

supported the Japanese lost their lands to peasants while those who
supported the Huks earned fixed rentals in favor of the tenants.

Unfortunately, the end of war also signaled the end of gains acquired by
the peasants.

Upon the arrival of the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942, peasants and
workers organizations grew strength. Many peasants took up arms and
identified themselves with the anti-Japanese group, the HUKBALAHAP
(Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon).

*Source: Department of Agrarian Reform https://www.dar.gov.ph/about-us/agrarian-

reform-history/

Philippine Republic

―The New Republic

 After the establishment of the Philippine Independence in 1946, the
problems of land tenure remained. These became worst in certain areas.
Thus the Congress of the Philippines revised the tenancy law.

President Manuel A. Roxas (1946-1948) enacted the following laws:

 Republic Act No. 34 -- Established the 70-30 sharing arrangements

and regulating share-tenancy contracts.
 Republic Act No. 55 -- Provided for a more effective safeguard
against arbitrary ejectment of tenants.

Elpidio R. Quirino (1948-1953) enacted the following law:

Executive Order No. 355 issued on October 23, 1950 -- Replaced the
National Land Settlement Administration with Land Settlement
Development Corporation (LASEDECO) which takes over the
responsibilities of the Agricultural Machinery Equipment Corporation and
the Rice and Corn Production Administration.

Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957) enacted the following laws:

 Republic Act No. 1160 of 1954 -- Abolished the LASEDECO and

established the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration
(NARRA) to resettle dissidents and landless farmers. It was particularly
aimed at rebel returnees providing home lots and farmlands in Palawan
and Mindanao.
 Republic Act No. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954) --
governed the relationship between landowners and tenant farmers by
organizing share-tenancy and leasehold system. The law provided the
security of tenure of tenants. It also created the Court of Agrarian
Relations.
 Republic Act No. 1400 (Land Reform Act of 1955) -- Created the
Land Tenure Administration (LTA) which was responsible for the
acquisition and distribution of large tenanted rice and corn lands over 200
hectares for individuals and 600 hectares for corporations.
 Republic Act No. 821 (Creation of Agricultural Credit Cooperative
Financing Administration) -- Provided small farmers and share tenants
loans with low interest rates of six to eight percent.

President Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961)

Continued the program of President Ramon Magsaysay. No new
legislation passed.

President Diosdado P. Macapagal (1961-1965) enacted the following

law:
Republic Act No. 3844 of August 8, 1963 (Agricultural Land Reform
Code) -- Abolished share tenancy, institutionalized leasehold, set
retention limit at 75 hectares, invested rights of preemption and
redemption for tenant farmers, provided for an administrative machinery
for implementation, institutionalized a judicial system of agrarian cases,
incorporated extension, marketing and supervised credit system of
services of farmer beneficiaries.
The RA was hailed as one that would emancipate Filipino farmers from
the bondage of tenancy.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965-1986)

Proclamation No. 1081 on September 21, 1972 ushered the Period of
the New Society. Five days after the proclamation of Martial Law, the
 entire country was proclaimed a land reform area and simultaneously the
Agrarian Reform Program was decreed.
President Marcos enacted the following laws:

 Republic Act No. 6389, (Code of Agrarian Reform) and RA No.

6390 of 1971 -- Created the Department of Agrarian Reform and the
Agrarian Reform Special Account Fund. It strengthen the position of
farmers and expanded the scope of agrarian reform.
 Presidential Decree No. 2, September 26, 1972 -- Declared the
country under land reform program. It enjoined all agencies and offices of
the government to extend full cooperation and assistance to the DAR. It
also activated the Agrarian Reform Coordinating Council.
 Presidential Decree No. 27, October 21, 1972 -- Restricted land
reform scope to tenanted rice and corn lands and set the retention limit at
7 hectares.

President Corazon C. Aquino (1986-1992)

The Constitution ratified by the Filipino people during the administration
of President Corazon C. Aquino provides under Section 21 under Article
II that ―The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and
agrarian reform.
On June 10, 1988, former President Corazon C. Aquino signed into law
Republic Act No. 6657 or otherwise known as the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Law (CARL). The law became effective on June 15,
1988.
Subsequently, four Presidential issuances were released in July 1987
after 48 nationwide consultations before the actual law was enacted.
President Corazon C. Aquino enacted the following laws:
 Executive Order No. 228, July 16, 1987 – Declared full ownership
to qualified farmer-beneficiaries covered by PD 27. It also determined the
value remaining unvalued rice and corn lands subject of PD 27 and
provided for the manner of payment by the FBs and mode of
compensation to landowners.
 Executive Order No. 229, July 22, 1987 – Provided mechanism for
the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP).
 Proclamation No. 131, July 22, 1987 – Instituted the CARP as a
major program of the government. It provided for a special fund known as
the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), with an initial amount of Php50 billion
to cover the estimated cost of the program from 1987-1992.
 Executive Order No. 129-A, July 26, 1987 – streamlined and
expanded the power and operations of the DAR.
 Republic Act No. 6657, June 10, 1988 (Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law) – An act which became effective June 15, 1988 and
instituted a comprehensive agrarian reform program to promote social
justice and industrialization providing the mechanism for its
implementation and for other purposes. This law is still the one being
implemented at present.
 Executive Order No. 405, June 14, 1990 – Vested in the Land
Bank of the Philippines the responsibility to determine land valuation and
compensation for all lands covered by CARP.
 Executive Order No. 407, June 14, 1990 – Accelerated the
acquisition and distribution of agricultural lands, pasture lands, fishponds,
agro-forestry lands, and other lands of the public domain suitable for
agriculture.

President Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998)

 When President Fidel V. Ramos formally took over in 1992, his
administration came face to face with publics who have lost confidence
in the agrarian reform program. His administration committed to the
vision ―Fairer, faster and more meaningful implementation of the
Agrarian Reform Program.
President Fidel V. Ramos enacted the following laws:

 Republic Act No. 7881, 1995 – Amended certain provisions of RA

6657 and exempted fishponds and prawns from the coverage of CARP.
 Republic Act No. 7905, 1995 – Strengthened the implementation of
the CARP.
 Executive Order No. 363, 1997 – Limits the type of lands that may
be converted by setting conditions under which limits the type of lands
that may be converted by setting conditions under which specific
categories of agricultural land are either absolutely non-negotiable for
conversion or highly restricted for conversion.
 Republic Act No. 8435, 1997 (Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Act AFMA) – Plugged the legal loopholes in land use
conversion.
 Republic Act 8532, 1998 (Agrarian Reform Fund Bill) – Provided
an additional Php50 billion for CARP and extended its implementation for
another 10 years.

President Joseph E. Estrada (1998-2000)

―ERAP PARA SA MAHIRAP’. This was the battle cry that endeared
President Joseph Estrada and made him very popular during the 1998
presidential election.
President Joseph E. Estrada initiated the enactment of the following law:
 Executive Order N0. 151, September 1999 (Farmer’s Trust Fund) –
Allowed the voluntary consolidation of small farm operation into medium
and large scale integrated enterprise that can access long-term capital.
 During his administration, President Estrada launched the
Magkabalikat Para sa Kaunlarang Agraryo or MAGKASAKA. The DAR
forged into joint ventures with private investors into agrarian sector to
make FBs competitive.
 However, the Estrada Administration was short lived. The masses
who put him into office demanded for his ouster.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2000-2010)

The agrarian reform program under the Arroyo administration is
anchored on the vision ―To make the countryside economically viable
for the Filipino family by building partnership and promoting social equity
and new economic opportunities towards lasting peace and sustainable
rural development.
Land Tenure Improvement - DAR will remain vigorous in implementing
land acquisition and distribution component of CARP. The DAR will
improve land tenure system through land distribution and leasehold.
Provision of Support Services - CARP not only involves the distribution
of lands but also included package of support services which includes:
credit assistance, extension services, irrigation facilities, roads and
bridges, marketing facilities and training and technical support programs.
Infrastructure Projects - DAR will transform the agrarian reform
communities (ARCs), an area focused and integrated delivery of support
services, into rural economic zones that will help in the creation of job
opportunities in the countryside.
KALAHI ARZone - The KALAHI Agrarian Reform (KAR) Zones were also
launched. These zones consists of one or more municipalities with
concentration of ARC population to achieve greater agro-productivity.
Agrarian Justice - To help clear the backlog of agrarian cases, DAR will
hire more paralegal officers to support undermanned adjudicatory
boards and introduce quota system to compel adjudicators to work faster
on agrarian reform cases. DAR will respect the rights of both farmers
and landowners.

President Benigno Aquino III (2010-2016)

President Benigno Aquino III vowed during his 2012 State of the Nation
Address that he would complete before the end of his term the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), the centerpiece
program of the administration of his mother, President Corazon Aquino.
The younger Aquino distributed their family-owned Hacienda Luisita in
Tarlac. Apart from the said farm lots, he also promised to complete the
distribution of privately-owned lands of productive agricultural estates in
the country that have escaped the coverage of the program.
Under his administration, the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity
and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) project was created to
contribute to the overall goal of rural poverty reduction especially in
agrarian reform areas.
Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) provided credit support for
crop production to newly organized and existing agrarian reform
beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) and farmers’ organizations not
qualified to avail themselves of loans under the regular credit windows of
banks.
The legal case monitoring system (LCMS), a web-based legal system for
recording and monitoring various kinds of agrarian cases at the
provincial, regional, and central offices of the DAR to ensure faster
resolution and close monitoring of agrarian-related cases, was also
launched.
Aside from these initiatives, Aquino also enacted Executive Order No.
26, Series of 2011, to mandate the Department of Agriculture-
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Department of
Agrarian Reform Convergence Initiative to develop a National Greening
Program in cooperation with other government agencies.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (2016 – present)

Under his leadership, the President wants to pursue an ―aggressive‖
land reform program that would help alleviate the life of poor Filipino
farmers by prioritizing the provision of support services alongside land
distribution.
The President directed the DAR to launch the 2nd phase of agrarian
reform where landless farmers would be awarded with undistributed
lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Duterte plans to place almost all public lands, including military reserves,
under agrarian reform.
The President also placed 400 hectares of agricultural lands in Boracay
under CARP.
Under his administration the DAR created an anti-corruption task force to
investigate and handle reports on alleged anomalous activities by
officials and employees of the department.
The Department also pursues an ―Oplan Zero Backlog‖ in the
resolution of cases in relation to agrarian justice delivery of the agrarian
reform program to fast-track the implementation of CARP.

Evolution of the Philippine Constitution

Constitution is a written instrument which serves as the embodiment of
the rules of a political or social organization. These rules and regulations
lay down the base of the nation This lesson includes the evolution of
Philippine constitution.

Biak-na-Bato Constitution
This Constitution was patterned or copied after the Cuban Constitution
immediately after the transfer of government from Cavite to Bulacan.
Filipino revolutionaries adopted this Constitution to cater the needs of
the present time. Hence, it did not last long.

The Malolos Constitution

This is considered to be the first Constitution in Asia written by People’s
Representative. The making of the Malolos Constitution was pursuant to
the provisions of the Tydings-Mcduffie Law, which provides that the
Philippines must draft its own Constitution as a precedent condition for
the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The 1935 Constitution

At its onset, the Legislative Department was a unicameral form and with
the emergence of later improvements, the same became a bicameral
form. This is considered to be a preparatory step in granting complete
and absolute independence of the Philippine in July 4, 1946.

The 1973 Constitution

The legislative Department was merged to become a unicameral form. It
functions as authoritarian Presidential system having all the powers in
the hands of the President. This is manifested along with the declaration
of Martial Law.

The Freedom Constitution

It took place by virtue of Proclamation No. 3 of the then President
Corazon Aquino. It lasted for only 60 days. During this period, prior laws
which are in conformity with the goals of the current administration are
adopted and anything that transgressed the rights of the Filipino people
were left behind.

The 1987 Constitution

This is the present Constitution of the Philippines, wherein the branches
of the government is divided into three main departments, to wit: (a) The
Executive, (b) The Legislative, and (c) The Judiciary. The primordial
principles adopted under this Constitution are the principle of checks and
balances and separation of powers with the introduction of the three
Constitutional Commissions.

Taxation in the Philippines

 It is impossible for a nation to survive without a tax. Government use the
tax collected to fund projects related to health care systems, education
systems, and public transports.
Direct and indirect taxes were also imposed. Another source of income
by the government is monopoly. This made it possible for the colony to
create a surplus of income that made it self-sufficient without the need
for the situado real and even contributed to the Treasury of Spain.
(Candelaria, 2018)

National Taxes
National taxes are fees that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
collects from taxpayers all over the Philippines.
Here are the national taxes imposed on different incomes and
transactions in the Philippines:

 Capital gains tax – Tax on profits from selling an asset (property,

jewelry, stocks, etc.) in the Philippines
 Documentary stamp tax (DST) – Tax on documents, loan
contracts, and papers that serve as proof of sale or transfer of ownership
of a property
 Donor’s tax – Tax on a gift or donation, in which both the sender
and recipient are living when the gift is given
 Estate tax – Tax paid by the legal heir before the estate from a
deceased person is transferred to their name
 Excise tax – Tax on the production, sale, or consumption of goods
in the Philippines
 Income tax – Tax on a person’s or business’ income or profit
 Percentage tax – A business tax imposed on non-VAT-registered
individuals or corporations that sell or lease goods and services with
gross annual sales or receipts not exceeding PHP 3 million
 Value-added tax (VAT) – A sales tax on consumption imposed on
the sale, lease, or importation of goods, properties, and services in the
Philippines, which may be passed on to the consumer
 Withholding tax – Tax withheld from an individual’s income to
promote tax compliance and prevent tax evasion

History of Manila
Manila's history begins around 65,000 BC the time the Callao Man first
settled in the Philippines, predating the arrival of the Negritos and the
Malayo-Polynesians. The nearby Angono Petroglyphs are then dated to
be around 3,000 BC and the earliest recorded history of Manila; the
capital of the Philippines, dates back to the year 900 AD as recorded in
the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. By the thirteenth century, the city
consisted of a fortified settlement and trading quarter near the mouth of
the Pasig River, the river that bisects the city into north and south.

 Manila became the seat of the colonial government of Spain when

it gained sovereignty over the Philippine Islands in 1565.
 In 1762 the city was captured and then occupied by Great Britain
for two years as part of the Seven Years' War.
 In 1898, Spain ceded control of the Philippines after over three
hundred year of colonial rule to the United States after the Treaty of Paris
(1898), which ended the Spanish–American War.
 During World War II, much of the city was destroyed during the
Battle of Manila (1945) the last of the many Battles fought in Manila's
history, but the city was rebuilt in after the war.
 The rule of the Spanish conquerers of the ―City of Soliman‖was
full of dangers, since the people were opposed to foreign sovereignty

Prehistory

 Austroneian As with virtually all the lowland peoples of Maritime

Southeast Asia, the Tagalog people who would eventually establish the
fortified polity of Maynia were Austerians
 They had a rich, Complex culture, with its own expressions
oflanguage and riting, religion, art, and music.

Spanish Rule 1571-1762

 February 13, 1565 - General Miguel Luiz de Villalobos another

Spanish explorer reached Cebu And claimed the island from Spain.
 March 16, 1565 - Blood compact was contracted between Legazpi
and Rajah de
 January 1, 1571 - LaVilla de San Miguel was renamed Ciudad del
Santissimo Nombre de Jesus in honor of Sto. Nino. It became the first
Spanish permanent settlement in the Philippines
 June 24, 1571 - Manila was named ―Distinguished and Ever
Loyal City‖ by Legazpi, and made himself the first Governor - General in
the Philippines
 May 16, 1584 - The Royal Audiencia referred to as the Supreme
Court during Spanish period was established to provide check and
balance
 October 5, 1762 - Manila was conquered by the British forces
under General William Draper and Admiral Samuel Comish
 June 19, 1591 Lopez de Legazpi made overtures of friendship with
the Lakandula of Tondo, which was accepted.
 June 3, 1571, Sulayman led his troops and attached the Spaniards
in a decisive battle at the town of
Bangkusay

British Occupation (1762-64)

 British forces conquered Manila in October 1762 and the city was
occupied from 1762 as a result of the seven Years’ War.
 Spain become Britain’s enemy when it sided with France due to
ties between their royal families.
 The terms of surrender dated 29 October 1762 signed by
Archbishop Rojo, and sealed with the Spanish royal seal,
 In January 1798 during the French Revolutionary Wars a British
naval squadron entered Manila for reconnaissance, seizing three
gunboats in the bloodless Raid on Manila. American Period (1898-1942)
 April 25, 1898 - The United States of America declared war against
Span
 May 28, 1898 General Emilio Aguinaldo waved the Philippine Flag
for the first time to celebrate its victory
 June 12, 1898 Proclamation of Philippine Independence by Emilio
Aguinaldo in Cawit, Cavite
 June 12, 1898 Military government was established by the
American colonizers under General Wesley Merit

World War II and Japanese Occupation

 December 8, 1941 - The bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Us Naval

Station in Asia-Pacific
 March 29, 1942 - The creation of HUKBALAHAP
 April 9, 1942 - The Japanese led their captives on a cruel :
―Death March from Bataan to San Fernando Pampanga
 May 6 1942 - The Fall of Corregidor
 August 6, 1945 - The First atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima,
Japan
 August 9, 1945 - Three days after, the second atomic bomb was
dropped in Nagasaki, Japan

Ateneo de Manila University

 The Ateneo de Manila University began in 1859 when Spanish
Jesuits established the Escuela Municipal de Manila
 The school was thereafter known by the name of ―Escuela
Municipal de Manila‖, the forerunner of Ateneo De Manila 1559 - the
system of Jesuit education
 Dr. Jose Rizal, then a perspective 11 years-old boy, Entered
Ateneo in 1872 for the Bachelor of Arts Degree.
 The first Filipino rector, Fr. Francisco Araneta, S.J. was appointed
in 1958. And in 1959, its centennial year, the Ateneo became a
university.
 As Fr. Leo Cullum recalls, it was in 1932 when the Ateneo de
Manila in Intramuros transferred to Padre Faura after a disastrous fire hit
it.
 The College of Law and the Grade School reopened at Padre Fura
and the Following year, the Graduates School opened its doors to those
who wanted to pursue their studies further.
 In March 1969, Fr. Pacifico Ortiz S.J. was elected president by the
board of trustees, marking the first time that a president was not
appointed.
 Mabini Shrine
 The shrine is located in Barrio Talaga, Tanauan Batangas, Tucked
right in the middle of the community rests the solemn Mabini Shrine.
 It is dedicated to Apolinario Mabini, a Tanaueno, the Sublime
Paralytic and Brain of the Revolution
 Paco was declared a national historical shrine in 1968,it was
already as celebrated as its former occupant.
 Mabini’s House reflected the brave and unyielding spirit of his
adviser of Emilio Aguinaldo and the first Republic
 Shrine is also a park where children’s laughter and playful
innocence penetrate the atmosphere.

Kadayawan Festival

KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL

The Kadayawan Festival is a yearly celebration in the city of Davao in the

Philippines its name is derived from Davaoeños’ friendly greeting
―Madayaw, called from the word dayawa meaning good, valuable,
superior or beautiful.

This ritual serves as their token of gratitude to the gods particularly to the
―Manama‖ (the Supreme Being) and Bulan (a moon deity) that the first
gathering was on a night of a full moon. It is believed that long time ago,
ancient Visayans and Davaoeños ethnic tribes residing at the foot of Mount
Apo would coverage during a bountiful harvest and had to celebrate the full
moon because they believed: the ―diwata‖ came to earth at all time ―so
did the other islanders and tribesmen.
 1970s

Mayor Elias B. Lopez, a Bagobo, initiated tribal festivals featuring the

Lumad and the Muslim tribes of Davao City where they showcase their
dances and rituals of Thanksgiving.

1988
City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte renamed the festival as: Kadayawan sa
Dabaw‖ to celebrate the bountiful harvest of Davao’s Flowers, fruit, and
other produce as well as the wealth of the city’s culture.

Kadayawan Festival is a celebration that interfaces the three aspects:

 Tribal
 Industrial
 Arts and entertainment.
The festivities are highlighted with floral floats, street dancing
competitions and exhibits that showcase the island’s tourism products
and services.

Pahiyas Festival
Lucban Quezon, south of Luzon, Pahiyas Festival is gaining popularity
not just from the town folks of Quezon , but even residents from the
metropolitan cities, find their way to join the colorful feast celebrated
every 15th of May.   

The celebration is an honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of

farmers. The farmers of Lucban, Quezon express their thanksgiving for a
bountiful harvest with a grand display of colorful rice wafers, fruits,
vegetables, and handicrafts adorning every house in the town.  
The word “pahiyas” means “precious things” as connoted by the
word “hiyas” which means “jewel” Since then, the people of Lucban and
nearby towns and provinces excitedly await the summer month of May
when Pahiyas Festival is held.  
The streets of Historic Lucban come to life and vibrant colors as people
adorn their houses with local agricultural harvest - fruits, vegetables, rice
grains rice stalks flowers and ferns. The celebration’s culminating event
is a grand food  sharing among the residents and the guest.  
Pahiyas Festival is the people of Lucban’s way of saying ―thank you‖
for a bountiful harvest.  
Pahiyas is a festival that takes a long time to prepare and celebrated
only for a short  
The people of Quezon believed that the practice started when farmers
offered foods at the foot of Mount Banahaw. The Lucban church, known
to be the oldest church in the town, soon became the place where
the Pahiyas festival was held.