Philippine History & Governance

(Summer Class)

Submitted By: Aaron BadonSubmitted To: Prof.Penn T.

Larena Jr.

THE PHILIPPINES IN ANCIENT TIMES(200,000 B.C. – 1300 A.D.)

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Philippines may have been inhabited many thousands of years before then, but that can't be stated with certainty. The oldest human fossil found so far is 22,000 years old.) Little is known of the early human settlement of the Philippines. Scientific evidence remains inconclusive. There is much written on the Austronesian peoples of the Southeast Asia area and their descendants. These peoples were the seafaring people who traveled to distant parts of the world during this period of history.

THE EARLY SETTLERS

The Pleistocene EpochIt is generally accepted that the first

significant human settlement occurred sometime during the most recent ice age. At that time, 300 000 yrs. ago sea levels were lower, creating land bridges that connected the Southeast Asian mainland to some of the present-day islands of the Malay Archipelago, south of the Philippine Islands.

Paleolithic hunters from the mainland are said to have followed herds of wild animals across these land bridges, later finding their way to the Philippine Islands. Aeta and Agta tribes

These people, ancestors, continue to be primarily hunters and food gatherers, much as their ancestors were thousands of years ago. They are one of the world’s few remaining populations of Pygmies, who are characterized by shorter-than-average height. The Spanish colonizers of the 16th century called them Negritos, a term that is still widely used today.About 3000 B.C.

People of Malay and Indonesian descent, who now make up the majority of the population, are believed to have settled in the Philippines in several waves of migration after the 3rd century BC. Their languages developed independently because they settled in widely scattered villages, or balangay. Each balangay included from 30 to 100 families and was ruled by a datu, or chieftain. The economy was one of subsistence, with each village producing most of what it needed, and land was held in common. The villagers engaged in both shifting (slash-and-burn) and settled agriculture. Religion was animistic, or based on the worship of ancestors and other spirits, such as nature deities.1300s A.D.

Prehistoric Tabon Man, found in Palawan in 1962 was, until 2007, the oldest human remains discovered by anthropologists in the Philippines. Archaeological evidence indicates similarities with two early human fossils found in Indonesia and China, called the Java Man and Peking Man

Skull Cap

POPULATION HISTORY

Peking Man. In 2007, a single metatarsal from an earlier fossil was discovered in Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan. That earlier fossil was named as Callao Man.

JAVA MAN and PEKING MAN

  Before the coming of the Spaniards in 16th century, economic activities were already taking place in the islands. The Pre-Hispanic settlers of the archipelago were economically self-sufficient. In addition, native products reached neighboring countries like Cambodia, China, India, Japan, and Borneo. The ancient Filipinos practiced Agriculture, which was the main source of their livelihood. Rice, corn, coconut, sugar, fruits and vegetables were raised for them to have food to eat.

They prefer using the kaingin system and tillage system with it comes to land cultivation. The kaingin system was the burning of shrubs and bushes, the cleared land was followed by planting, while the tillage system was plowing and harrowing of land followed by planting.

ECONOMIC LIFE

AgricultureIt is believed that the Banaue rice terraces may have been

built starting 10,000 B.C. which proves the early Filipinos' skills in agriculture. Agriculture was the main source of livelihood in the pre-colonial Philippines. There was an abundance of sugar cane, coconut, rice, cotton, hemp, and many species of fruits and vegetables. The daily food consisted of rice, which is considered as the 'daily mainstay for the entire country', together with boiled fish pork or meat of wild buffalo or carabao.

FishingDue to the country's long coastline and bodies of water, the

early settlers always had an abundant catch of fishes, crustaceans, shrimps and shells. They used three-pointed spears, cages and fishnets in fishing. They used only large mesh nets in fishing which protected the young. The Tausugs, Samals , and Badjaos were pearl divers and they hunted for the eggs of sea turtles.

SHIPBUILDING and SEAFARINGWhen the Spaniards arrived, they found the early

Filipinos' ship to be of excellent quality. They also learned that the Filipinos, specifically the Visayans, used a compass similar to that found among the Chinese and the people of Borneo.

WEAVINGPhilippine weaving involves many threads being measured,

cut, and mounted on a wooden platform. The threads are dyed and weaved on a loom. Before Spanish colonization, native Filipinos weaved using fibers from abaca, pineapple, cotton, and bark cloth. Textiles, clothes, rugs, and hats were weaved. Baskets were also weaved and used as vessels of transport and storage, and for hunting. These baskets were used to transport grain, store food, and catching fish.

However, during Spanish colonization, Filipinos used fabric called nipis to weave white clothing. These were weaved with decorative, flower designs.

POTTERYTraditional pottery-making in certain areas of the

Philippines would use clay found near the Sibalom River. Molding the clay required the use of wooden paddles, and the clay had to be kept away from sunlight. Native Filipinos created pottery since 3500.They used these ceramic jars to hold the deceased.

Filipino pottery had other uses as well. During the Neolithic period of the Philippines, pottery was made for water vessels, plates, cups, and for many other uses.

The family was the smallest unit of society. Each member had an important role to play. The father stood as Head of the family, the mother took care of the household, the son accompanied his father in hunting or farming; and the daughter stayed home to learn the household chores. Members of the nobility were addressed with the title Gat or Lakan among the Tagalogs.

The Society is divided into three classes Maharlika which composed of the Datu and his family Timawa or freemen Alipin or Slaves

SOCIAL LIFE

Composed the third class and divide into two: a.AlipingNamamalay- servants to a datu and timawas and

had the right to own propertyb.AlipingSaguiguilid- enjoyed no rights and freedom, were

considered properties of their master.in the Visayas, dependents were of three kinds :

tumataban, tumarampok, and the ayueyTumataban – who worked for his master when told to do

so.Tumarampok- who worked one day a week for his master.Ayuey – who worked for his master three days a week.

MAHARLIKA They are the nobles, rich and powerful people in every community. Maharlikas are the rulers and their relatives. Among them were

the datu, sultan and hadji. Men who belonged in this class were called Lakan or Gat. The

wife of the datu was called dayang or dayang-dayang.

MAGUINDANAO’S MAHARLIKAS, NOBLES, AND SLAVES

MARRIAGE CUSTOMSThe men were in general, monogamous; while their wives

are called asawa, while concubines are called “friends”. In order to win the hand of his lady, the man has to show his patience and dedication to both the lady and her parents. The courtship usually begins with paninilbihan.

If the man wins the trust of the parents, he does not immediately marry the woman, but he has to satisfy several conditions:

- give a dowry or bigay-kaya- pay the panghihimuyat- pay the wet nurse bigay-suso- pay the parents himaraw- bribe for the relatives called sambon (among the

Zambals)Once he had settled all of the above requirements, he

brings his parents to meet with the bride-to-be’s parents to haggle and make the final arrangements; this is called pamamalae or pamamanhikan or pamumulungan.

CHEWING OF UNCOOKED RICE

The unit of government was the barangay. The barangay varied in population from 30-100 families. The early barangays were independent of each other. The head was called datu and was the chief executive, legislator, judge and military commander. He made laws, enforced them and judged all cases and trials brought by the villagers. However, he had a council of elders who assisted him in his administration. A person could become a datu through inheritance, wealth, wisdom and bravery.

The Philippines was divided into hundreds of independent barangays. For mutual protection and cooperation, several barangays formed a confederation. The confederation of Madya-as under DatuSumakwel was formed in Panay during the 13th centure.

The barangay had both oral and written laws. Oral laws were the customs and traditions which were handed down through generations. The early Filipino namedLubluban, the great granddaughter of the first Filipino man and woman, was the legendary law-giver.

The written laws were promulgated by the datu and council of elders. A town crier called umalohokan announced the laws to the people. The contents of ancient laws involved family relations, property rights, domestic affairs, inheritance, marriage conflicts, murder and business problems. Punishment for serious crimes was death, slavery or heavy fines. Minor crimes were punished through with exposure to ants, long hours of swimming, whipping or fines.

THE GOVERNMENT

Relationships between barangays are developed through commerce and treaties. The "Sandugo" is performed as a sign of agreement, alliance and unity. Representatives of the barangay draw blood by wounding their arms and mixing it into a cup of "tuba" (coconut wine) that both then drink. From thereon they are blood brothers.

The men wore loin cloths (akin to shorts) and short sleeved collarless shirts in different colors that state their social status, red for the datu, blue for nobles and black for the maharlikas. The "putong" was a piece of cloth rolled over the head like a turban. A red putong means that the wearer has already killed a man and one with knitting means that he has killed many men. The women wore "baro" (shirt) and "saya" (skirts) commonly known as "patadyong". Both were barefoot. Jewelry in the form of bracelets, rings and earrings was usually made out of gold. They even used gold to adorn the teeth. Tattooing the body on the arms (women), chest and even the face was considered beautiful and proudly displayed. Tattoos on the Filipinos were so common that the Spaniards upon seeing them dubbed the islands "La Isla de los Pintados" (island of the painted ones). Houses were raised above ground and are made out of bamboo and rattan ideal for the warm tropical climate. Inside the "silid" (sleeping areas) is the "banig" (weaved sleeping mats) and pillows. The "batalan" serves as a sink to clean and wash plates and pots. Beneath the house is an enclosed space to raise chickens and often used as a place for beating grain. The "Kalingga" and "Ilonggot" of Northern Luzon build houses on top of trees as do the "Bagobo" and "Mandaya" of Mindanao. The "Badjaos" live entirely on their boats.

CULTURE OF ANCIENT FILIPINOS

There was education in the Philippines in ancient times. The children were taught by their parents or by the old men of the barangay. The subjects taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, tribal traditions and custom and some vacation, such as agriculture, carpentry, metal work, poultry, fishing and weaving.

EDUCATION AND SYSTEM OF WRITING

Early Filipino ancestors valued education very much. Filipino men and women know how to read and write using their own native alphabet called alibata. The alibata was composed of 17 symbols representing the letters of the alphabet. Among these seventeen symbols were three vowels and 14 consonant.

Educational System during Spanish PeriodThe educational system of the Philippines during the

Spanish times was formal. The Religious congregations paved the way in establishing schools from the primary level to the tertiary level of education. The schools focused on the Christian Doctrines. There was a separate school for boysa nd girls. The wealthy Filipinos or the Ilustrados were accommodated in the schools. Colonial education brought more non-beneficial effects to the Filipinos. The first educational system for students in the country was established by virtue of the Education Decree of 1863. In furtherance, the decree required the government to provide school institutions for boys and girls in every town.

Ancient and pre-Spanish EraIt is believed that the first inhabitants of the Philippines arrived

over many thousands of years ago. It is commonly thought that they migrated over a land bridge, which existed at that time; from the Asian mainland. The next known inhabitation is when the Negrito or Aeta arrived in the islands. However, they were driven back by several waves of immigrants from Indonesia, only to be followed by the maritime peoples of the Malayan islands.

ARTS

Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials, typically stone such as marble, metal, glass, or wood, or plastic materials such as clay, textiles, polymers and softer metals.

POTTERY

Potteries are objects that are first shaped of wet clay, and then hardened by baking. Pottery includes both decorative and practical items such as bowls, vases, dishes, and lamps.

Pottery is the material from which the pottery ware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery (plural "potteries"). Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery.

PALAYOK

PHYSICAL ORNAMENTS

Bontoc, Ifugao, and Kalinga tribal textileswith a variety of silver and brass"LINGLINGO" Fertility Charms

Bontoc Warriors ritual “Boaya” headhunting necklace: shell, boar tusk, rattan, fire band bone

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

RELIGIOUS BELIEFSOur ancestors believed in a supreme being whom they called BathalaMaykapal. They also believed in lesser gods or spirits called anitos whom they also invoked. There was anitos every place they went to-fields, forest, sea, home.

The Manunggul Jar is a secondary burial jar excavated from a Neolithic burial site in Manunggul cave of LipuunPoint,Quezon, Palawan dating from 890-710 B.C. The two prominent figures at the top handle of its cover represent the journey of the soul to theafterlife.The Manunggul Jar is widely acknowledged to be one of the finest Philippine pre-colonial artwork ever produced and is a considered as a masterpiece. It is considered as a national treasure and it is designated as item 64-MO-74by the National Museum of the Philippines. It is now housed at the Museum of the Filipino People and is one of the most popular exhibits there. It is made from clay with some sand soil.

Ancient Indigenous Belief

During pre-colonial times, a form of animism was widely practiced in the Philippines. Today, the Philippine is mostly Catholic and Christian, and only a handful of the indigenous tribes continue to practice the old traditions. These are a collection of beliefs and cultural mores anchored more or less in the idea that the world is inhabited by spirits and supernatural entities, both good and bad, and that respect be accorded to them through nature worship. These spirits all around nature are known as "diwatas", showing cultural relationship with Hinduism (Devatas).