Pre-colonial Philippine Tech & Society

Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology

Pre-Colonization Period

• Before the Spanish arrival in 1521, Philippine society had distinct cultural, technological, and economic systems.
• Early settlers from mainland Asia formed communities around 50,000 years ago.
• They used copper, bronze, gold, and iron to make tools and built caracoa warships.
• By the 10th century, trade with China, Champa, Borneo, and Malacca was recorded.
• Royal intermarriages, such as those between Manila and Brunei rulers, occurred.
• Coastal areas like Manila, Cebu, and Mindoro had advanced technology due to foreign influence.
• Agriculture thrived, with crop cultivation, livestock raising, and production of wine, salt, and bee products.
• Gold mining was common.
• Filipinos lived in houses made of wood, bamboo, or nipa and wore colorful clothing and intricate jewelry.
• They had their own writing, measurement systems, tracked time using lunar cycles, and harvests.

Baybayin

• The early writing system of Filipinos is the pre-colonial beautiful ancient writing script of the Islands of the Philippines.

Spanish Regime (1521-1898)

• The Spanish regime marked the start of modern science and technology, influenced by religious orders.
• Politics, Education, Medicine, Agriculture, and the Economy saw advancements during Spanish colonization.
• The Reduccion system from Latin America was adopted due to a shortage of Spanish missionaries.
• Datus and their hereditary successors became heads of cabezas de barangay.
• Compulsory sale of local products to the government was implemented.
• The Philippine colonial educational system began with religious orders.
• Technological development and scientific research were promoted.
• Primary education was mainly religious.
• Higher education initially offered for priesthood and government clerical positions.
• In the 19th century, Spaniards introduced B.A. degrees in science and established technical/vocational schools.

Different Religious Orders Established Schools in Manila

• Jesuits:
  • Colegio de San Ildefonso, Cebu City (1595)
  • Colegio de San Ignacio, Manila (1595)
  • Ateneo de Manila (1859)
• Dominicans:
  • University of Santo Tomas, Manila (1611)
  • Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, Manila (1640)

Filipino Students Who Pursued Professional Advanced Studies in Europe

• Jose Rizal studied Medicine & Ophthalmology in Spain & Germany.
• Graciano Apacible studied Medicine in Madrid.
• Antonio Luna studied Pharmacy in Madrid.
• Jose Alejandrino studied Engineering in Belgium.

Medicine During the Spanish Regime

• Spanish missionaries documented Philippine medicinal plants.
• The Manual de Medicinas Caseras by Father Fernando de Sta. Maria was produced in 1763.
• The University of Santo Tomas opened medicine and pharmacy schools in 1871.
• Leon Ma. Guerrero, a BS Pharmacy graduate, is known as the "Father of Philippine Pharmacy."
• Laboratorio Municipal de Ciudad de Manila was established in 1887 for biochemical analyses and disease studies.

Agriculture During the Spanish Regime

• Manila's opening in 1789 led to increased agricultural exports.
• Foreign capital allowed for modernization in 1829.
• The Manila School of Agriculture was established in 1887 to promote agricultural development.
• The agricultural sector underwent minimal development.

Economy During the Spanish Regime

• Spanish colonizers relied on profits from the Galleon (or Manila-Acapulco) trade (1565-1813).
  • Included Chinese goods (silk, cloth, porcelain, etc.) to Latin America in exchange for Mexican silver.
  • Goods also came to Manila from Japan.
  • Portuguese ships from Siam, India, Malacca, Borneo, and Cambodia carried items to Mexico.
• Galleon Trade, Domestic Economy, Bourbon Dynasty, Foreign Capital Operations in Manila, Introducing Modern Facilities, and Economic Development factored.
• There was very little development in the country's agricultural sector during the first two centuries.

American Regime (1898-1935)

• The American period had encouragement and support of the government for an extensive public education system.
• Scholarship grants in science and engineering occurred.
• Organization and establishment of science research agencies happened.
• Establishment of science-based public services spurred the advancement of science and technology.

Activities Paved Way for the Development of Science and Technology (American Regime)

• The Americans introduced secularized public education.
• The Department of Public Instruction and the Philippine Normal School were created to train Filipino teachers.
• Secondary schools were opened in 1902.
• Professional and technical institutions became part of the University of the Philippines (UP) and Filipinos were sent abroad for advanced training.
• The Philippine Commission provided financial support for students pursuing teaching, engineering, medicine and law.
• UP struggled to meet the demand for professional education, leading to the rise of private schools.
• The Private School Act of 1917 regulated these institutions.
• Institutions were overseen by the Office of Private Education, which improved educational facilities & administration.
• The Bureau of Science, founded in 1901, led research efforts in biology, chemistry, vaccine production, mineral testing, and food nutrition until World War II.

Offices Organized Who Had Contributed To the Development of Scientific Researches

• Bureau of Health
• Bureau of Mines
• Bureau of Forestry
• Bureau of Agriculture
• Weather Bureau
• Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey
• Bureau of Plant Industry
• Bureau of Animal Industry
• The National Research Council of the Philippine Islands (NRCP) was established in 1933 to promote scientific research.

Commonwealth Period (1935-1946)

• Government expanded the public school system, abolishing Grade VII as the terminal grade,.
• The Office of Private Education was also re established after ceasing operations in 1932.
• The Bureau of Mines was created to assist Filipino businessmen.
• The Bureaus of Science, Plant, and Animal Industry had increased funding.
• The Japanese occupation severely damaged institutions dedicated to science and technological development.

Independence / Post-Colonization Period (1946-1965)

• The programs in science and technology continued after achieving independence from the colonizers.
• Ferdinand Marcos ushered in science and technology advancements.
• Under his term, many science and technology agencies were strengthened:
  • Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
  • National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)
  • National Science and Technology Authority (now the Department of Science and Technology).
• Marcos emphasized science and technology as key to nation-building.
• In 1946, the government sustained scientific research and education.
• An expansion significantly increased the number of college graduates.

Various Science Agencies of the Government

• Institute of Science (1947)
• Institute of Nutrition (1947)
• Science Foundation of the Philippines (1952)
• Commission on Volcanology (1952)
• Science Act of 1958 (R.A. 2067)
• National Science Development Board (NSDB)
• Institute of Science and Technology
• Philippine Inventors Commission (1964)
• Philippine Coconut Research Institute (1964)
• Philippine Textile Research Institute (1967)
• Forest Research and Industries Development Commission (1969)
• The NSDB was reorganized becoming the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA).

Agencies Under NSDB for Policy Coordination

• Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC)
• Science Foundation of the Philippines (SFP)
• Philippine Science High School (PSHS)
• Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research (PCARR)

Expanded Science Agencies

• Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)
• Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research Development (PCIERD)
• Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PDHRD)
• National Research Council for the Philippine (NRCP)
• Many Philippine science constitutions increased opportunities for local science manpower.
• Six new science institutes were opened:
  • National Institute of Physics
  • National Institute of Geological Sciences
  • National Institute of Natural Sciences Research
  • National Institute of Chemistry
  • National Institute of Biology
  • National Institute of Mathematical Sciences
• The Civil Service Commission introduced the Scientific Career System.
• Executive Order 128 elevated the NSTA to the DOST.

Intellectual Revolutions That Defined Society

• Refers to the significant shifts in thinking, knowledge, or philosophical perspectives.
• Intellectual history evolved in ways that altered social norms, influencing the course of history.

Copernican Revolution

• Introduced by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century.
• Replaced the Earth-centered (geocentric) model with a Sun-centered (heliocentric) model.
• Challenged traditional views and shifted humanity's understanding of its place in the cosmos.

Darwinian Revolution

• Triggered by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
• Presented in On the Origin of Species in 1859.
• Proposed that species evolve over time through natural selection,.
• Revolutionized biology and impacted fields like philosophy, theology, and social theory.

Freudian Theory

• Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and founder of the Psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) Theory.
• The theory explains human behavior and a method of treatment for mental illnesses.
• Psychoanalysis continues to play an important role in a wide variety of disciplines within and outside psychology.

Three Components of Psyche:

• Id
• Ego
• Super ego

The Psychosexual Stages of Development:

• Oral stage
• Anal stage
• Phallic stage
• Latency stage
• Genital stage

Information Revolution

• Transition with a big impact on people's lives.
• It started in the 20th century.
• There has been a big contribution to society technology over time.

Meso-American Civilization

• Described comprehensive agricultural and architectural calculations.
• Describes the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca Empires.

Maya Civilization

• Religious Structures for Astronomical Observation
• Calendar System and Measuring Time
• Machineries and Hydraulic System
• Weaving Cloth
• Mayan Hieroglyphics
• Number system based 20 and concept of zero

Inca Civilization

• Roads paved with stones
• Calendar (12 months)
• Irrigation System
• Stone Buildings
• Quipu, knotted ropes used for records
• Inca textiles
• First Suspension bridge

Aztec Civilization

• Mandatory Education
• Chocolates
• Antispasmodic Medication
• Chinampa

Asia

India

• Manufacturing iron and metallurgic iron
• System of traditional medicine
• Mathematics (Trigonometry, Standardized measurement, Hindu-arabic Numeral System)

China

• Traditional Medicine (acupuncture)
• Compass
• Papermaking
• Gunpowder
• Iron Plough
• Lunar Calendar
• Dry Dock Facility
• Seismological Detector

Middle East

• The Islamic Golden Age lasted from the 8th to the 13th century.
• Significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy happened.
• This period saw the establishment of libraries, universities, & institutions

Africa

• The African renaissance was the period of cultural, intellectual, artistic growth.
• Civilizations like the Mali Empire & the kingdom of Axum helped this.
• There were significant advancements in science, mathematics, literature, and art.

Ancient Egypt

• Geometry
• Egyptian Pyramid
• Early Dams
• Egypt - Center of Alchemy, Medieval Forerunner of Chemistry
• 3 Types of Calendar
• Metallurgy - Iron technology

Science As a:

• Idea
• Intellectual Activity
• Body of Knowledge
• Personal and Social Activity

Scientific Revolution

• Science Ideas
• Human
• Society
• Variables That Influence the Development of Science Ideas, Discoveries and Technology Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Science Ideas

Scientists who had shaken the world:

• Nicolaus Copernicus
• Charles Darwin.
• Sigmund Freud.

Science, Technology and National Building

• The harmonized rational R&D Agenda (HNRDA) - It was prepared by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
• The HNRDA is organized into 5 sectors:
  • Basic Research
  • Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources
  • Health, Industry Energy
• First National Integrated Basic Research Agenda
• Collaborating agencies in health research and development agenda:
  • The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)
• The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research is responsible for industry, energy and emerging technology.
• The agenda for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Agencies Responsible for The Implementation of The Harmonized R&D Agenda

• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Is the lead agency
• The project Noah through collaboration of three agencies
  • (PAGASA, PHIVOLCS .ASTI) develop disaster prevention
• Balik scientist program and agriculture council
• Cara vita organic fertilizer by agriculturist scientist

Before Spanish colonization in 1521, the Philippines had advanced systems. Early settlers used various metals for tools and built warships. Trade flourished, agriculture thrived, and Filipinos had unique writing and measurement systems.