READINGS OF THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY just as valid.

A few of these are oral

traditions in forms of epics and
History has always been known as the study of songs, artifacts, architecture, and
the past, yet it does not give justice to the memory.
complexity of the subject and its importance to  With the aid of archaeologists,
human civilization. historians can use artifacts from a
 Derived from the Greek word Historia bygone era to study ancient
(knowledge acquired through inquiry or civilizations that were formerly
investigation) ignored in history because of lack of
 The term ‘historia’ then adapted to documents.
classical Latin where it acquired a new  Linguists can also be helpful in
definition tracing historical evolutions, past
 Historia- known as the account of the connections among different
past of a person or a group of people groups, and flow of cultural
through written documents and influence by studying language and
historical evidences (the meaning stuck the changes that it has undergone.
until the early parts of the twentieth  Biologists and Biochemists can help
century) with the study of the past through
 Became an important academic analyzing genetic and DNA patterns
discipline of human societies.
 It became the historian’s duty to write
about the lives of important individuals QUESTIONS AND ISSUES IN HISTORY
like monarchs, heroes, saints, and What is history? Why study history? And
nobilities. history for whom?
 Also focused on writing about wars, Historiography is the history of history.
revolutions, and other important Difference between history and
breakthroughs. historiography. History is the study of
 Traditional historians lived with the the past, the events that happened in
mantra of “No document, no history.” the past, and the causes of such events.
(unless a written document can approve Historiography is history itself (How was
a certain historical event, then it cannot a certain historical text written? Who
be considered as a historical fact) wrote it? What were the sources used?)
 Some were keener on passing their  Students do not only get to learn
history by word of mouth. historical facts, but they are also
 Restricting historical evidence as provided with the
exclusively written (burning or understanding of the facts’ and
destroying the events of war or the historian’s contexts.
colonization) is also discrimination  Historiography is important for
against other social classes who were someone who studies history
not recorded in paper. because it teaches the student
 Nobilities, monarchs, and even the to be critical in the lessons of
middle class would have their birth, history presented to him.
education, marriage and death as ROLES OF HISTORY
matters of government and historical - States use history to unite a nation.
record. - Used as a tool to legitimize regimes and
PEASANT FAMILIES or INDIGENOUS GROUP forge a sense of collective identity
 Other kind of historical sources. It through collective memory.
may not be in written form but were
 - Lessons from the past can be used to - His interpretation of the historical fact is
make sense of the present. affected by his context and
POSITIVISM. Is the school of thought that circumstances.
emerged between the eighteenth and - His subjectivity will inevitably influence
nineteenth century. Requires empirical and the process of his historical research: the
observable evidence before one can claim that a methodology that he will use, the facts
particular knowledge is true. that he shall select and deem relevant,
- Entails an objective means of arriving at his interpretation, and even the form of
a conclusion his writings. Deeming history as
- In the discipline of history, the mantra subjective.
“no document, no history” stems from Historical research requires vigor. Despite
this very same truth, where historians the fact that historians cannot ascertain
were required to show written primary absolute objectivity, the study of history
documents in order to write a particular remains scientific because of the rigor of
historical narrative. research and methodology that historians
- Positivist historians are also expected to employ.
be objective and impartial not just in Historical methodology comprises certain
their arguments but also on their techniques and rules that historians follow in
conduct of historical research. order to properly utilize sources and
POSTCOLONIALISM. Is a school of thought that historical evidences in writing history.
emerged in the early twentieth century when Historians and the arguments that they
formerly colonized nations grappled with the forward in their historical writings, while
idea of creating their identities and may influenced by the historian’s
understanding their societies against the inclinations, can still be validated by using
shadows of their colonial past. reliable evidences and employing correct and
- Looks at two things in writing history: tell meticulous historical methodology.
the history of their nation that will ANNALES SCHOOL OF HISTORY. Is a school
highlight their identity free from that of of history born in France that challenged the
colonial discourse and knowledge; to cannons of history. This school of thought
criticize the methods, effects, and idea did away with the common historical
of colonialism subjects that were almost always related to
- A reaction and an alternative to the the conduct of states and monarchs.
colonial history that colonial powers - Annales scholars studied the history of
created and taught to their subjects. peasantry, the history of medicine, or
HISTORY AND THE HISTORIAN even the history of environment.
The historian’s job is not just to seek - They advocated that the people and
historical evidences and facts, but also to classes who were not reflected in the
interpret these facts. history of the society in the grand
“facts cannot speak for themselves.” manner be provided with space in the
- To give meaning to these facts and records of mankind.
organize them into a timeline, establish - A historian needs to validate the claims
causes, and write history. of his informant through comparing and
- A person who is influenced by his own corroborating it with written sources.
context, environment, ideology, - While bias is inevitable, the historian can
education, and influences, among balance this out by relying to evidences
others. that back up his claim. Thus, the
historian need not let his bias blind his
judgment and such bias is only
 acceptable if he maintains his rigor as a NOTE: Validating historical sources is important
researcher. because the use of unverified, falsified, and
HISTORICAL SOURCES untruthful historical sources can lead to equally
Historical sources – historian’s most important false conclusions. Without thorough criticisms of
research tools historical evidences, historical deceptions and
Can be classified between primary and lies will be highly probable.
secondary sources – depends on the historical Historian’s task:
subject being studied - To look at the available historical
Primary Sources. Produced at the same time as sources, and select the most relevant
the event, period, or subject being studied. and meaningful for history and for the
(minutes of the convention, newspaper subject matter that he is studying.
clippings, records, drafts, and recordings, - To organize the past that is being
eyewitnesses, memoirs, archival documents, created so that it can offer lessons for
artifacts, census, and governmental records) nations, societies, and civilization.
Secondary Sources. Produced by an author who - To seek for the meaning of recovering
used primary sources to produce the material. the past to let the people see the
Can be historical sources, which studied a certain continuing relevance of provenance,
historical subject. memory, remembering, and historical
NOTE: The classification of the two depends not understanding for both the present and
on the period when the source was produced or the future.
the type of the source, but on the subject of PHILIPPINE HISTORIOGARPHY. Underwent
historical research. several changes since the precolonial period
External Criticism. The practice of verifying the until the present.
authenticity of evidence by examining its - Filipino historian Zeus Salazar,
physical characteristics; consistency with the introduced the new guiding philosophy
historical characteristics of the time when it was for writing and teaching history:
produced; and the materials used for the pantayong pananaw (for us – from us
evidence. perspective).
- Examples of the things that will be - This perspective highlights the
examined when conducting external importance of facilitating an internal
criticism of a document include the conversation and discourse among
quality of the paper, the type of the ink, Filipinos about our own history, using
and the language and words used in the the language that is understood by
material, among others. everyone.
Internal Criticism. The examination of the
truthfulness of the evidence.
- Looks at the content of the source and
examines the circumstance of its
production.
- Looks at the factuality of the evidence by
looking at the author of the source, its
context, the agenda behind its creation,
the knowledge which informed it, and its
intended purpose.
- Entails that the historian acknowledge
and analyze how such reports can be
manipulated to be used as war
propaganda