Module 3

Controversies in Philippine History

What this module is about?

This module is created for you to have a glimpse of Philippine Historical events that marked the
change in the Philippine society in the pre-colonial, colonial times and post-colonial era. As we try to
understand different primary sources base from their content and context, now we are expose to the
conflicting perspective regarding the most controversial topics in Philippine History, some of these topics
are the site of the first mass, the main cause of the Cavite Mutiny, Retraction of Rizal and the Cry of
rebellion. These topics in our own history remain open for research and study due to the conflicting sides
and other sources claiming a different answer to the questions about the past. And as a student in the new
curriculum it is important to sift all the necessary and essential content in Philippine History and not just
rely merely on the works of authors. What is needed today is to be mindful and not to be easily convince in
relation to the analysis of different primary sources presented.

Objectives:

After reading the module you are expected to;

1. Critic varying perspectives on selected controversial topics in Philippine history;

2. Compare and contrast the different primary and secondary sources related to the controversial
topics.
3. Discuss the different perspectives presented in the controversial topics.
How are you going to learn?

1. Read carefully the module objectives and content.

2. After a thorough understanding of the information in the module, answer the quiz at the end.
Answer to the quiz should be submitted to the faculty concerned.
3. Accomplish the assignment at the end of the module.

Module: Conflict and Controversies in Philippine History

Lesson 1: What is a controversy?

Lesson 2: Historical Interpretation

Lesson 3: Multiperspectivity

Lesson 4: Controversial topics in Philippine history

Introduction:

Every day we are faced by new challenges. These problems we faced today are the products of our
decisions in the past, this is the same with the problems regarding our history. We must understand that
history is different from the past. The past is not history. Things may have happened in the past but not all
are observed and recorded. History in this sense is the subset of the past. History is the study of the past but
it will only reveal a portion of the past. In studying about the controversies in Philippine History you will
be presented by a lot of historical sources.

Given that these are primary sources they serve as a firsthand experience of the author who actually
witness the event under study, but this recorded information must also undergo a critical examination since
it might give us a different view especially if the author is not a native of the land, that can create his/her
own side of the story without considering the other. Given this situation there is a need to look for other
sources that talks about the same topic. One must also note that a topic or event can be controversial because
there are a lots of different claims pertaining to the event. There is still no consensus on the issue that is
why it is still open for more answers to support the claim.

A claim can be back up by the primary sources used but needs a critical way in order to use the
right primary sources. In some instances, the absence of primary sources makes it hard for the historian to
revisit the past, that is why more and more gaps can be seen in the study. Tracing back what really happened
in the past is just like sewing a cloth with a lot of holes, some holes might not be fix but other holes takes
time.

Despite the conflicting views and controversies, the significance of those events and the Filipino
heroes and martyrs to the independence of the Philippines from the colonizers should not be downgraded.
Their vital roles in the development of Philippine nationalism should always be recognized.

What is a controversy?

According to Merriam dictionary, a controversy is a “discussion marked especially by the

expression of opposing views”.

In this case there is still no consensus on a given subject understudy. With a lot of opposing views,
it manifested that a certain event is not fully accepted by the majority. It is still open for study, given this
situation a lot of events in our history have a lot of gaps. Those gaps are there due to the conflicting views
of the different historians, eyewitnesses and different historical sources. It is important to note that given
this situation an individual who is studying about history must be aware of all the possible sources he or
she can use. Through the use of multiples sources of information, you will be presented with a lot of
information to compare and to evaluate to give you a better picture of the event.

Historical Interpretation

Geoffrey Barraclough defines history as “the attempt to discover on the basis of fragmentary evidence,
the significant things about the past”
He also notes “the history we read, through based on facts, is strictly speaking, not factual at all but a series
of accepted judgement.” such judgements of historians on how the past should be seen make the foundation
of historical interpretation.

Interpretation of the past, therefore, vary according to who reads the primary source, when it was
read and how it was read. And to recognized different types of interpretations and how to carefully sift
through historical evaluation. Most of the things we accept as “true” about the past might not be the case
anymore. History is not set in stone; history is after all is a construct. As construct it is open for
interpretation. So it important to subject it to some evaluation not just in the case of the primary source but
also the historical interpretation to ensure that it is reliable to support the events of the past.

Multiperspectivity

This can be defining as a way of looking at historical events, personalities, developments, culture, and
societies from different perspectives.

• Historians may misinterpret evidence.

• Historian may impose a certain ideology to the subject.

• Historian may also provide a single cause for an event.

So with multiperspectivity as an approach in history we understand that historical interpretation

contains discrepancies, contradictions, ambiguities and often focus of dissent. And to explore the multiple
perspective it is important to incorporate different views of the events. Since a singular historical narratives
do not provide for space to inquire and investigate.

Different kinds of sources also provide different historical truths. For example, a memoir has a
different aspect from an official document, given that they are both primary source the content of the latter
might have been too personal and with strong emotions unlike the other. So different historical sources can
create different historical truths.

Multiple perspectives give a more complete and richer understanding of the past.

The history of the Philippines is divided into three periods the pre-colonial, colonial and post-
colonial. Within the colonial period it has three parts the Spanish, American and the Japanese periods. Our
present day society is actually the product of many colonial influences from cultural to politics. In our rich
colonial past is riddled with so many conflicting perspectives that leads to a lot of controversies.

One of the controversy is the actual site of the first mass. A lot of history books suggested that it
was actually held in Limasawa. But in 1995, Agusan del Norte Butuan City representative filed a bill in the
Congress contesting the accepted fact that Limasawa was the site of the first mass. The bill asserted that
the first mass actually held in Masao Butuan based from the findings of historian Sonia Zaide. Another
controversy is the real story behind the Cavite Munity that ended with the execution of the three Filipino
priest to which Dr. Jose P. Rizal dedicated his novel El Filibusterismo. Furthermore, the Retraction of Rizal
against the Catholic Church, remains a controversy since there is no solid proof that he did retract, and if
in case concrete findings can be made regarding this controversy it will be considered a very valuable in
understanding Rizal. And lastly is the “Cry of the Rebellion” marked by the historical tearing of cedula,
remain in question. Different accounts, provide conflicting venues and dates of the historical cry of
rebellion.

But despite the existence of such conflicting views the significance of those events should not be
downgraded. Their role in the development of Filipino nationalism should always be recognized.

Controversial topics:

1. The Site of the First Mass

2. Cavite Mutiny
3. Rizal’s retraction
4. The Cry of the Rebellion: Balintawak or Pugadlawin?

Now here are some of the controversial topics in Philippine History, so to better understand the
different views regarding these topics look for the different claims presented in each one. For example, the
site of the first mass, if someone claim that it happened in Limasawa what are the sources available for that
claim, or if it tends to favor Butuan, what are the basis of saying so. In these controversial topics you will
look for more sources and readings regarding the different claims. And to be guided there is a table below
to help you organized all the information gathered through your research. Also there are some suggested
readings that can help you with some of it.

Suggested Readings:
The First Voyage Around the World by Antonio Pigafetta
Butuan or Limasawa? The Site of the First Mass in the Philippines: A reexamination of the
Evidence by Miguel A. Bernard
The Two Faces of the 1872 Cavite Mutiny by Chris Antonette Pieda-Pugay
Text of Rizal’s alleged retraction
Forging Rizal, 1 by Gemma Cruz- Araneta
Analysis of Rizal’s Retraction, Jose Rizal Universiy, 2004
Balintawak: The Cry for a Nationwide Revolution by Guerrero, Encarnacion & Villegas
Cry of Pugadlawin by Pio Valenzuela
Cry of Balintawak by Guillermo Masangkay
Chua, X. (2016, December 29). Retraction ni Jose Rizal: Mga Bagong dokumento at pananaw.
GMA News Online.