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Readings in Philippine History

Module 3

Topics: The Philippines and its people

Overview: This module is designed and written in consideration of you and your level of
knowledge as well as your capacity to learn and apply the necessary skills needed. It is made to train
your mind appreciating the History of the Philippines. To further your ideas and imagination in
relation to the topic, this module offers various activities that are contextualized and simplified.

At the start of the module, you are to take the pre-assessment test to see how much
background information and knowledge you have about the topic. This module is self instructional.
You can read, analyze the concepts and ideas presented and reflect on them. The activity help you
assess how you progress as you go through the module. Remember you are to work on this module
independently. It is expected that you will make the most of this module and grow academically.

This module is intended for Midyear Class. After studying and scrutinizing this module please
submit your answers on the assessment in our LMS group. The deadline of submission will be on July
17, 2021 at exactly 4 in the afternoon.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the topic, you are able to:
1. Identify the different natural wonders of the Philippines;
2. Appreciate the Filipino character traits that distinguish them from other people of the world; and
3. Compose a song featuring the country’s numerous tourist attractions.

Pre – Assessment
Lesson Opening:

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How come Filipinos have such varied physical features? Such diverse economic activities?
Observers say, one’s geography (e.g. archipelagic and tropical) can help shape not only a people’s
physical appearance but also their economy, character traits, history and development.
The Philippines is a tropical and archipelagic country found in Southeast Asia. Endowed with
rich natural resources and warm, hospitable people, it has its own share of political and economic
challenges to meet.

Guiding Questions:
1. How can we inculcate among Filipinos the value of discipline?
2. Enumerate the bad traits good traits of the Filipino people and explain each
3. Give at least 10 beautiful scenes or spots in our country and where they are found or located.
4. Give 5 other important information about the Philippines
5. Explain the difference between physical environment and social environment
6. Narrate the evolution of the name Philippines
7. What is the northernmost isle and southernmost isle of the Philippines
8. What is present population of our country?
9. What are the reasons that make the Philippines a great nation?
10. Why is the Philippines considered a unique nation?

Discussion/Lesson Proper:
Class, we live in the Philippines, our native land. It is one of the more than 180 countries in the
world. The people who live and belong to their country are called “Filipinos”. If is your parents were
born here, then very likely you are a Filipino, as Filipinos we should love and know our country well.
Now in order to know a country well, we study its history because history if the study of a country
and its people.

There are three important parts about knowing a country’s history. These are God, People, and Land.

God – loves the Filipinos and put them in a rich and beautiful land. God also gave the Filipinos the gift
of faith” to know him and to serve him.

People – Men, women, and children who make up the Filipino nation. Only the Filipinos have a unique
cultural heritage of Asian, Latin, European nation in Asia.

Land – We are one of the most beautiful and richest lands in the world. The Philippines
is rich in natural resources.

The name Philippines

What is the name of our country and why did we get this name? When the Filipinos were not
yet united as a nation, we were separated into clans and tribes. These groups of people lived in areas,
each with their own names. So when outsiders came to visit, they heard many different names about
our country. Early Chinese traders who visited Mindoro called our natives “Ma-yi”. This means land
of gold. A greek mapmaker named Claudius Ptolemy called our Islands “Maniolas” in his ancient map.
When Magellan came in 1521, he called the Philippines “Archipelago of St. Lazarus.” Actually, a
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foreigner named our country in 1543, a Spanish explorer named Ruy Lopez de Villalobos gave the
name “Filipinas” to the Philippines in honor of Crown Prince Felipe 9Philip) who later became King
Philip II of Spain. The “Felipinas” later became “Filipinas” during the Spanish colonial era. Then it
became the “Philippine Islands” during the American colonial era. Them the “Republic of the
Philippines,” after our independence in 1946. The most popular nick-name of the Philippines is “Pearl
of the Orient Seas.” This was the romantic name given to our country by two famous writers. One of
them was a MISSIONARY-HISTORIAN NAMED Fr. Juan S. Delgado in 1751. But the Filipino who
popularized this name was Dr. Jose Rizal, who wrote it in an article in 1892.

The Philippines is in the Southeast Asia, a little above the equator between latitudes 40’N and
21’25’N and longitude 116’E and 127’E. It is bounded in the East by the Pacific Ocean, in the west by
the South China Sea, in the north by the Bashi channel, and in the South by the Sulu and Celebes Seas.

The northernmost island is Y’ami aisle and the southernmost island is the Sauag aisle. The total
land area of the Philippines is 300,780 sq. km. The land area of the Philippines is bigger than that of
the United Kingdom almost as large as Italy and slightly smaller than Japan. Having 7,107 islands, it is
one of the worlds largest archipelagos. Th biggest island group is Luzon, the 2nd is Mindanao and the
3rd is Visayas. With regards to topography, the Philippines is an inverted Y-shaped archipelago of
numerous islands and islets, coral reefs, abundant rivers, lakes and bays, mountains and valleys, cool
plateaus and scenic volcanoes. Our country has the longest discontinuous coastlines in the world –
34,600 km. It has 61 natural harbors and 20 landlocked straits. Manila bay is the finest harbor in Asia
and also the largest bay in the Philippines. The narrowest strait in the world is the San Juanico strait
between Samar and Leyte. The lowest place in the country is the” Philippine deep”. It is said to be
the deepest place on earth. Mount Everest the tallest mountain in the world. There are seven major
mountain ranges, the longest being the Sierra Madre mountain from Cagayan Province. The highest
mountain is Mt. Apo in Mindanao. The second highest peak is Mt. Pulag on the Ifugao-Benguet. There
are 4 major lowland plains – The Central Plain and Cagayan Valley in Luzon, Agusan Valley and the
Cotabato Valley in Mindanao.

The Central Plain is the “rice granary” of the Philippines. Cagayan Valley the greatest tabacco
producing region in Asia, is also the largest valley. The summer capital of the Philippines known as
the “City of Pines” is Baguio. About 13 main rivers in the country. Its longest and alrgest river is the
Cagayan river, the Rio Grande de Mindanao is the 2nd largest river and most historic of the Philippine
rivers is Pasig river. Out of 59 natural lakes, the largest is Laguna de bay. There are many springs that
are valuable for their medicinal waters and for geothermal power. These springs and waterfalls
provide tourist attractions and geothermal hydroelectric power. The Philippine climate is tropical and
monsoonal in character. There are 2 distinct seasons – the dry season (Dec. to May) and the wet
season (June to Nov.). The coldest month is January, the hottest is May. The Philippines is on the
Pacific “Ring of Fire” where most calamities happen. These natural calamities are typhoons,
earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. There were more than 50 volcanoes in the country, the most
famous and scenic of the Philippine volcanoes is Mt. Mayon in Albay, Bicol. Taal, the smallest and
most unusual volcano, being surrounded by a lake in Batangas. The most volcanic eruption in history
happened at Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales in June 1991. The natural resources of a country include soil,
plant and animal life, fish and marine resources, minerals, energy sources and scenic beauties of
nature. Soil is the country’s most important natural resource because most of the people earn a living
from tilling the land. The Philippines ranks first in world production of coconuts and hep products,
second is sugar and fifth is tobacco. God has blessed our country with the greatest diversity of plant
and animal life in earth. The country has a rich plant and animal life. According to agricultural experts,
8,120 species of plants grow in the country. About 1,000 varieties of orchids, 1,000 species of rice,
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3000 species of tress. The “Queen of Philippine Flowers” is the “Sampaguita”, the national flower.
With regards to animal life, about 850 species of birds are found in the country. The biggest is the
Eastern Sarus Crane, known as Tipol in Luzon and Labong in the Visayas. The Philippine or mnkey
eating eagle, the world’s largest eagle, which is now the “national bird.” The most useful of thee
animals is the carabao. Four of the unique animals are Tamaraws of Mindoro, tarsier of Bohol, the
smallest Monkey in the world, the mouse deer of Balabac Island which is the smallest deer oin the
orld and the zebronky which is half Zebra and half donkey. The forest lands have a total area of
16,633,000 hectares. In Asia, the Philippines ranks third in forest resources. Indonesia being the foirst
and Japan the second.

More than 3,000 species of trees are found in our forest, 1,000 are commercial timber. The
most famous of forest tress is the Narra, the “Queen of the Philippine Wood.” It is a national tree.
The Philippine seas, bays, gulfs, rivers, and lakes teem with fish and other marine resources. There
are many fishing grounds in the archipelago. At least 2,000 species of fish are found in the waters of
the archipelago. Both the world’s largest fish and the world’s two smallest fish are found in the
Philippines. The huge whale shark is the largest fish in the world. The Pandaca Pygmea and Tabios,
two smallest fish found in the Philippines. Of the world 60,000 species of shells, some 20,000 are
available in the Philippines. The world’s rarest and most expensive shell is called “glory of the sea.”
In Philippine waters are the world’s largest shell, “tridacna gigas” and the world’s smallest shell,
“pisidium. Today the Philippines is one of the world’s richest sources of shells. The wolrd’s largest
natural pearl, the Pearl of Allah” was found in 1934 by a Muslim Diver. Many minerals (metallic and
non-metallic) are found in the country. Metallic minerals like nickel, copper iron, and gold are
relatively abundant. Minerals maybe used as precious metals (gold and silver) or as based metals
(copper and nickel) for industry. Gold mining is an ancient industry for the people. Copper mining is
also one of the ancient industries.

The Philippines is richly endowed by God with scenic beauties and natural wonders. As Dr.
Rafael Palma an eminent Filipino scholar and statesman said, “our country is one of the most poetic
countries in the world.” Some of the scenic spots are Banaue Rice Terraces acclaimed as the 8 th
ownder of the world. The crowning glory of the Philippine natural wonders is the world’s famous Mt.
Mayon in Bicolandia. The lovely Manila Bay sunset is another enchanting wonder of the country,
considered the most beautiful sunset in the world. The other beautiful sights in the land is the
Pagsanjan Falls. Taal volcano reputed to be the smallest and lowest volcano in the world. Hundred
Islands of Lingayen gulf, the fabulous chocolate hills in Bohol, the magnificent Maria Cristina Falls in
Lanao del Norte and the mysterious underground river in Palawan.

Social environment, like physical environment influences the life and progress of any country.
The term social environment means the people and their character and culture. The racial ancestry,
the population, religion, customs, language, arts and sciences, the government and the economy
shape the lifestyles of the people. Of all features of a country – people, land, government and
independence – the people matter most of all. The people is the most important element in a nation.
This is because God made man to have dominion over nature and society.

The Filipinos are a great nation because of the following:

1. We are a unique nation with cultural heritage from four of the major civilization in the world. Asia,
Europen, Latin American and North American.
2. We are a nation with gift of faith and a gift of music that other Asian nations do not have.
3. We were the 1st Republic in Asia
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4. We received training in self-government and democracy
5. We led the Asian world in building schools, and universities roads and bridges, hospitals,
telephones and other western style technology.
6. We are the largest English speaking nation in Asia.

Regarding our population, the government has a family planning and birth control program.
However, many Filipinos, now agree that it is the quality of a person and not the number or quantity
of people that matters most in life. There are three social classes in the country based on income and
share of the national wealth. 1 the rich, 2 the middle and 3 the lower income groups or poor. Our
country is the only Christian nation in Asia 93% are Christians (83% Catholics, 7.6% Aglipayan, 2.3% are
protestants and other sects). Catholicism was Spain’s greatest legacy to the Philippines. The Aglipay
church is a unique Filipino protestant church founded by Isabela delos Reyes in 1902 with Gregorio L.
Aglipay as its first bishop. The Iglesia ni Kristo, founded by Felix Manalo in 1914. Islam is the country’s
second largest religion. Other religions are pagans, Buddhism and Shintoism.

The Philippines is a nation of many languages and dialects. Of the eight principal native
languages, Cebuano ranks the first, second is the mother tongue Tagalog. English is the most widely-
used language in the country, especially for education. President Quezon is known as the “Father of
National Language”. The 1987 constitution provided that the national language is Filipino. Tagalog is
the basis of the National language. The Filipino people are fond of education. As the honorable Frank
Murphy, American governor General of the Philippines said “no people ever accepted the blessings
of education with more enthusiasm than the Filipinos.” The oldest university is the ountry is
University of Santo Tomas in Manila. The Philippines is now 8.9% the highest among Southeast Asian
countries. The Filipinos like all peoples in the world have bad and good character traits. As a people
the Filipinos have certain traits that are bad.:

1. Gambling and betting – ex. Cockfighting, horseraces and card games

2. Fatalism is other bad trait
3. Pakikisama which often leads to nepotism influence peddling or cheating
4. Lack of discipline. They are usually easy going and will not work well without strict supervision.
5. lack of perseverance. They begin a task with enthusiasm but quickly lose interest in the job. This is
called “ningas cogon”.
6. Manana habit. Bad trait of putting aside the work which can be done right away and doing in the
following day.
7. Extreme family centeredness. The use of one’s family results in the utter lack of concern for the
common good
8. Colonial mentality. Lack of patriotism and the strong preference fr imported goods
9. Passivity and lack of initiative. They can tolerate inefficiency, poor service and even violation of
human rights.
10. Kanya-kanya syndrome. Most Filipinos have a selfish and self-serving attitude that generates a
feeling of envy towards others. The “kanya-kanya” syndrome often results in the non-cooperation of
emebrs of the community

As for good character traits of the Filipinos

1. Hospitality. Unique trait that commends itself to a friend or a foreigner.

2. Close family ties. The Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for the family
3. Respect for the elders. Respect to show regard on consideration for others is always observed
4. Loyalty. Faithful to commitments on matter relating to personal relationships.
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5. Superstition. The Filipinos believe that faith can move mountains
6. hard Work. Filipinos have the capacity for hard work if given the opportunity and better working
conditions
7. Flexibility, adaptability and creativity. Filipinos have the capacity to adjust and to adapt to
conditions and circumstances in a given environment.
8. Pakikipagkapwa tao. Filipinos have a deep sense of concern for one’s dignity and respect
9. Joy and humor. Filipinos have a propensity to cheer and laugh and have a fun loving approach to
the ups and downs of life
10. faith and religiosity. Filipinos have a deep sense of faith in God
11. Palabra de Honor (word of Honor). Is the virtue that defines rthe sanctity of commitment and
obligation is contractual and personal relations
12. Delicadeza. The virtue that determines the person’s sensitivity to what is wrong and right
13. Kaayusan. Is a Filipino character trait of orderliness
14. Kagalingan. Is the Filipino trait which relates to the spirit and compulsion for competence in
whatever job or profession a person is working at whether manual or mental.

The Filipino possesses different regional traits due to different regional environment.

1. The Ilocanos of Ilocandia are the most adventurous, hardworking and frugal of Filipinos
2. The Tagalogs, who inhabit Manila and the Provinces around it. They feel superior to other Filipinos
because they live in a region blessed with rich farm lands and also because of their major
participation in history.
3. The Bicolanos of Bicolandia. Are religious, mild tempered, musical people
4. The Bisayans particularly those from Ilo-ilo and Negros Occidental are extravagant, carefree and
jolly.
5. The Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao and Sulu are fierce. They are valiant warriors on both land and
sea. Born fighters and sea farers. They are adventurous and proud of their Islamic heritage.

Among our cultural minorities live in the remote areas particularly the high Cordilleras of
Luzon, the hills and mountain forest of Mindanao and on isolated lakes and seashores. In the
constitution, the Cordilerras in Luzon and the Muslims in Mindanao have autonomous (semi-
independent) regions. These special regions preserve their tribal laws, culture and traditions. Among
the northern tribes are: Ifugaos, Bontocs, Kankanays, Ibalois, Tinggians, Kalingas, Gaddangs and
Negritos.

Southern tribe of Mindanao and Sulu are the Marano, Ilanun, Tausug and Samal, Badjao,
Yakan, Subanon, Bagobo mostly pagan tribes. The Badjaos and the Samals are primitive fishermen
and often live in boats.

Filipinos are creative people, they have produced outstanding artists, writers, painters,
sculptors musicians etc.

Since 1978. Several national scientist awards have been conferred on outstanding scientists in
the Philippines, medicines, chemistry, engineering, physics, botany, Filipins are among the best
inventors and scientists in the world.

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Post – Assessment
Option 1: Compose a song featuring the country’s numerous tourist attractions. (By Group)

BSA 2A
Group 1:
Aecee CALATI
Alwayne DOMALANTA
Brian James ABAD
Bryant ABAIRO
Francesca Marie GALIZA

Group 2:
Gaile Anne TULALI
Grace C. FRANCISCO
Harold OPENA
Haydee S. IBANEZ
Jenie Rose SOLITO

Group 3:
Jenielyn T. GARCIA
Jericho CACAL
Jerome Paul ANDRADA
Jhunnel LANGUBAN
Joemarie MENDOZA

Group 4:
Joseph BOAC
Kathleen LAUAYAN
Kymberelie TUNGPALAN
Legie COROS
Leilanie MACARILAY
Marie-Kris BALANGAT

Group 5:
Mark Angelo PINOY
Mary Joy CAOILI
Melody PASTOR
Norielyn CAUILAN
Polo Marc B. UY

Group 6:
Riena MEDRANO
Roy LAGRANA
Vicie G. BACCAY
Zarina Joy BALA

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BSA 2B
Group 1:
Aldea Jane DE VILLA

Anthonette FERNANDEZ

Cheryl N. LAMBENICO

Chyrille Joy PARCIANO

Group 2:

Decna GARCIA
Diana Mae LAGUNAY
Francine Jan P. RANJO
Ivy B. ANTONIO

Group 3:
Jessa QUITOLA
John Ian Jim J. UY
Kathlene Ann ROSCAL
Kevin Klein M. RAMOS

Group 4:
Lhairyz Francine RAMIREZ
Marcel Mae B. BERMUDEZ
Maryclare Francesca CUREG
Niemer Joy PASCUAL
Prudence Mark SAGABAEN

Group 5:

Rizza Christine Thereza USBAL

Rovic A. TANGONAN
Shaina April SOMERA
Sheena Marie IGNACIO
Tintin HOU

The following criteria shall be used in judging:

COMPOSITION - 50% (catchy melody, lively music)
RELEVANCE TO THE TOPIC - 20%
LYRIC CONTENT - 15% (originality and clarity of message)
CREATIVITY - 15% (use of structure, videos, pictures, instruments and vocals)
APPEAL/IMPACT - 10%

Sample:
https://www.facebook.com/mikeybustos/videos/361231991604120
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bNw-Z2ibYw

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Option 2: Feature 3 Beautiful Places in the Philippines. (Individual)

The following criteria shall be used in judging:

Originality: 40%
Creativity: 30%
Content/Presentation/Explanation: 20%
Deadlines: 10%

Note: Upload your output/s in our Facebook Group.

Deadline: July 17, 4:30pm

Generalization/Summary:
1. We are a very important and unique nation in the world because God made us to have a gift
of faith, the arts, sciences, communication and culture
2. The many natural calamities – earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic eruptions develop
character traits and endurance, resiliency and great faith in God.
3. Filipinos have both good and bad characteristics like any other nation on earth. We must
appreciate he good character traits of our people and we must do something to remove the
bad traits.
4. We must appreciate our cultural minorities not oppress or look down on them

Note: Generate your own generalization at least three.

1.
2.
3.

Feedback:
What difficulty that I encounter in using this module?
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References:
Books:
1. Batis: Sources of Philippine History, By Jose Victor Torres, 2018, C&E Pubishing Inc.
2. Philippine History: By Maria Christine N. Halili, Published and distributed by Rex bookstore
3. Philippine History and government. By: Gregorio F. Zaide, Sonia M. Zaide, Copyright 2011 by
All Nations Publishing Co. Inc.

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