MIDTERM EXAMINATION

GE-RPH Readings in Philippine History

Name: Kate Andrea P. Santos Course & Section: BSA 1A Date: November 16, 2022

Directions: Answer the given questions comprehensively. Kindly write all your answer on separate sheets of
paper. Note: Then send your answers to this examination to your respective individual google drives make sure
to give me an access: (Total points 100)

1. Discuss the important highlights and significance of the following controversies in

Philippine History: (10 each = 60 points)
1.1 Code of Kalantiaw
In the story of Maragtas, there is a mythological legal code called the Code of Kalantiaw. Datu
Kalantiaw is credited with producing the first written legal code in 1433. It gained popularity as a result of
people spreading the myth that the Philippines had its own laws, and beliefs prior to Spanish invasion. Jose E.
Marco, the greatest fraudster in Philippine history, forged documents and made up several untrue narratives
about how he acquired them while remaining silent about their creator. Early historians in our nation gradually
accepted his illogical and contradictory accounts, which is precisely why Teodoro Agoncillo, a Filipino
historian, included The Code of Kalantiaw got published to one of the books of Teodoro Agoncillo, a Filipino
historian. It took 50 years for a doctoral candidate at the University of Santo Thomas by the name of William
Henry Scott to realize that this code was not historically accurate. His Doctoral research disproved this
unfounded law. Additionally, it took a while for the Code of Kalantiaw to be taken out of school textbooks. One
of the most widely believed hoaxes in our history is this fraudulent effort by Jose E. Marco. Each of us has to be
informed that this legislation has no factual support and was simply invented by a fraud. This serves as a
reminder to us all that in order to establish the veracity of a claim, proof must always be sought for.

1.2 Jose Rizal’s poem “Sa Aking Mga Kabata”

Jose Rizal, our national hero, wrote "Sa Aking mga Kabata." According to history textbooks, he penned
it when he was just eight years old. It is generally known, particularly to us as students during elementary
school. However, a lot of historians question if Rizal actually wrote this poem. It's because the poem contains a
lot of information that an eight-year-old child could not have written. Additionally, the word "Kalayaan," which
means independence in the poem, was barely emerging at the time Rizal is claimed to have written it. When
Rizal was already 20 years old, in 1887, it only started to gain popularity. In addition, neither he nor his siblings
ever claimed that he wrote it during those times. According to certain historians, Gabriel Francisco and
Hermenehildo Cruz wrote the "Sa Aking mga Kabata" in its original form. However, a few historians do
consider that Rizal is the legitimate author of it. It's possible that he's simply rewriting an earlier piece on 1887
in which he changed a few terms, including "kalayaan." Even though there has been much debate over who the
true author of this poem is, it remains an important part of our literature and history. This outstanding piece is
undoubtedly a masterpiece that represents a strong sense of pride for our nation. It has a vast array of ideology
that the younger generation should be aware of. It still makes a significant contribution to our history and
extensive literature.\

1.3 The Cavite Mutiny

Filipinos revolted for their privileges during the Cavite Mutiny in 1892, which took place in the Cavite
Arsenal. One of the most significant episodes in our history, the Cavite Mutiny, occurred when the Spanish
government increased taxes on Filipino laborers and removed the exemption granted to them under "Polo y
Serbisyo." Filipinos rebelled because they believed that the Spaniards were taking away their independence and
liberties. Unfortunately, the Spanish government executed everyone who took part in the uprising in order to
reduce the likelihood that revolts might occur again. On the other hand, the "GOMBURZA" group of secular
priests, Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, got involved in this revolt. It is due to their
secularization campaign, in which they are battling for their ability to perform religious obligations in our
nation. Regular priests or Spanish priests use this as an occasion to punish them with "garote," which results in
death. Jose Rizal witnessed this immoral behavior on the part of Spaniards, which inspired him to write "Noli
Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," two works that expose the brutality of Spanish priests. He gave the three
martyrs who sacrificed their life for our country a place in his creative works. This historical occurrence made
us aware of how Filipinos struggle to achieve the freedom that we are enjoying right now.

1.4 Jose Rizal’s retraction

The retraction of Jose Rizal is regarded as a dispute in our history. It's because many historians believe
Jose Rizal won't apologize since doing so would imply making peace with the church, which would run counter
to the themes of his books like "Noli me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," that discuss the brutality of Spanish
priests. He definitely does not oppose the church, but rather the mistreatment of Filipinos by Spanish priests. He
undermines his claim to be a revolutionary by publishing a retraction. His ability to object to the illegal Spanish
activities will be taken away as a result. However, some historians believe that Rizal may have actually written
the retraction since they have claimed that there is an eyewitness named Fr. Vicente Balaguer, Cuerpo de
Vigilancia. Additionally, it's possible that he composed it despite not wanting to in order to wed Josephine
Bracken. Additionally, historians question the veracity of his signature on the aforementioned document.
Typographical flaws led people to believe that Rizal did not actually write it. In conclusion, both statements are
reasonable given their significance to Rizal's position. This dispute has forced us to consider carefully which
claims are real and which are false.

1.5 Secrets of the Juan Luna's painting the "Parisian Life"

Juan Luna, a rebel and Filipino painter, painted "Parisian Life" in 1892 in Paris, France. A
woman wearing a stylish outfit and lounging on a couch may be seen as the painting's central subject by just
glancing at it. Three men are observing the woman on the left side of the image. There are several
interpretations of this amazing piece of art, and they vary from person to person. He had to deal with the deaths
of his young daughter and his wife during his time in Paris because he killed her due to jealously or a suspected
affair with Paz de Tavera, his wife. On the other hand, Fine Arts students were given the task to identify and
extract the most significant meaning and historical interpretation of this painting. After delving into the details
of the artwork, they have already developed a geographic interpretation, according to which the woman's pose
or the way she sits on the couch is a reflection of a map of the Philippines. Additionally, she is with someone
else because of the chair in front of her and the coat and hat on her right side. They see it as evidence of Spanish
colonialism in our nation. The woman is also wearing a rope around her neck, which just indicates that she is
being controlled, similar to what was going on in the Philippines at the time "La Liga Filipina" and "Katipunan"
were developed. The three men on the left side of the panting are the heroes Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, and Bautista
Lim, talking about the situation in our country by looking at her. It indicates what we can do in order for our
country to be free. This controversy in our history inspires us to be detailed and to seek greater messages from
appreciating artworks.

1.6 The Americans Used Pigs’ Blood and Body Parts On Moro Insurgents
The American-Philippine War lasted from 1899 until 1902. When this happened in Mindanao with
Muslim soldiers, Americans created a method to combat them. They learnt this from Spanish troops who
insisted that before shooting at Muslim warriors, gunshots must first soak in pigs' blood. This is due to Muslim
traditions' beliefs and rituals, according to which contact with pigs' blood is a strong indicator that you will burn
in hell after death. During the conflict, American troops exploited their convictions. This was done in an effort
to intimidate the Muslim warriors into surrender. However, there are claims that this information is untrue and
that American forces never used this method in the aforementioned conflict. They said that there is no concrete
proof that the shooting of bullets dipped in pig's blood actually took place. Our convictions are being used in
this controversy in an effort to bring us down.

2. Do you agree that studying controversies (hoaxes, cases and debunked) in Philippine History is
important? Kindly explain your answer. (10 points)

I agreed that studying controversies in Philippine History is integral part of every learner’s
journey because we must be knowledgeable enough about certain issues in the history of our country
in order to be informed which are facts and which are fake. Through learning about this, we are able
to discover the details in every controversy which we can also utilized in order for others to also be
aware about these issues. By being informed, we are able to share this information to different
platforms such as social media, especially during the current times where fake news are widespread.
This can also teach us to be media and information literate who are equipped of factual information
based on existing evidences. Moreover, providing enlightenment to others is one of the advantages of
studying this kind of lessons. It can potentially help to minimize biases in our society. Every Filipino
deserves to know the truth, especially us, the youth. We can promote elimination of misinformative
articles which only delivers negative impact to our countrymen. Additionally, we can influence others
that they must first conduct fact-checking and intensive research before they believe to a news,
especially if it is about Philippine History. Credible sources of information must also be established
before believing to a specific issue. Our history is an evident reminder that we Filipinos must be wiser
and information literate in order to eliminate misinformation and to reveal the truth which strengthens
our nationalism.

3. Describe and discuss the effects of the colonization of the following countries in the Philippines
as a nation. (10 pts each = 20 points)
3.1 America
Our history makes the love-hate connection between the Philippines and America quite clear.
Filipinos believed they had freed us from Spanish oppression when they paid 20 million dollars to buy our
nation at the signing of the Treaty of Paris. We had no idea that they were only doing it so that their government
might conquer our nation as well. When William Greyson, an American soldier, killed a Filipino, the American
war officially began. During the conflict, several forms of brutality occur. These include the Balangiga
Massacre, in which American rape victims and their male relatives fought back, the Battle of Bud Bagsak, and
Parity Rights, which asserts that the US has the right to control our resources. On the other side, they also
brought positive impacts to our nation. These include providing free education to all people, irrespective of their
socioeconomic status or gender, and constructing facilities like roads and hospitals. They also support us when
the Japanese colonize our nation. This demonstrates the warmth of the Philippines' connection with us because,
despite everything they have done to our nation, they continue to help us when we need it.
3.2 Japan
Our nation was seriously destroyed by Japanese colonization in many ways, including our society,
politics, and economy. When they initially arrived in our nation, they had already impacted negatively on the
economy and caused a terrible catastrophe for the people. Because they are forced to suspend operations and
output production, it destroys our economy. Additionally, they seized the vehicles used for transportation,
which caused all market prices to rise dramatically. Our administration was affected by Japanese colonization,
which is why it has been dubbed a "Puppet government." This only pertains that Japanese people do not want
Filipino to be the leader of our country, thus they really want to invade our entire republic. It led to the
formation of different organizations such as HUKBALAHAP, KALIBAPI, PCPI which all aim to fight against
Japanese colonization. Also, their impact in our society really makes a negative effect on its people, especially
to women, because they did sexual assault to them, which did not receive the justice that they deserve.
Furthermore, many people died because of various diseases which are not treated well considering that the
health care is not a priority that time. All in all, I can say that Japanese colonization did not contribute to the
advancement of us as a nation because they only give a catastrophe in Filipino people which can never be
erased by anything. All in all, I can say that Japanese colonization did not contribute to the advancement of us
as a nation because they only give a catastrophe in Filipino people which can never be erased by anything, nor
healed by anyone.

4. Describe on how you can better improve the not so good things that had happen in the past in
Philippine History specifically with regards to the controversies. (5 points)

If I could travel back in time and be there when our nation was embroiled in controversy, I believe I
would be a good leader and follower who would frequently seek out the advice of our hero, particularly
Jose Rizal, and abide by it in order to reduce the possibility of losing more lives. For instance, even if the
Katipunan prepares to carry out the Philippine Revolution with insufficient weapons and military supplies, I
will be the one to speak with and persuade the organization to avoid engaging in battle with insufficient
force. I'll outline for them the worst-case scenario that may occur if they carry out the revolt. My role will
be to be an effective communicator in order to preserve the strength of our countrymen and prevent wasting
the lives of those who are adamantly fighting for their freedom and rights.

5. Explain this statement “Towards a new era of positive change and new hope for the Philippines
“ ( 5 points)

The rich history of our country, Philippines, is obvious evidence on how our country overcome
its major challenges. This history of us is a documentation on how tough our countrymen are, even
centuries ago. Learning our history is like getting all the lessons that we can acquire in order to be
knowledgeable and wise on the further challenges and decisions our country will face and make. As
the famous quote says, “History repeat itself”, this only applies when we let our country suffer again
from its previous mistake. If we will not utilize the significant messages from our history, we will
never learn and be progressive. We will always be stuck on the unprogressive cycle that we also
made. Being a responsible citizen can help in order for our country to enter a new era of positive
change and new hope. We, Filipinos, are the heart of our country. The condition and future of our
country lies in our own hands. We must be aware on the practices that can help our country to strive
in order for previous challenges to not occur again, and to avoid practices that can develop more
problems. Now is always the right time to act accordingly towards the progression of our country. I
hope that we never waste the present time to showcase our nationalism and build a better future for
the Philippines.