Science, Technology, and Society in the Philippines - PDF

Science, Technology and Society  HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES 50,000 to 40,000 B.C.  In Palawan and Batangas, Filipinos first made simple tools or weapons of stone flakes, and then eventually developed techniques for sewing, drilling, and polishing har...

Science, Technology and Society  HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES 50,000 to 40,000 B.C.  In Palawan and Batangas, Filipinos first made simple tools or weapons of stone flakes, and then eventually developed techniques for sewing, drilling, and polishing hard stones. 3,000 BC  Producing ornaments or seashells and pottery of various design were the prominent  2,000 B. C. Manufacture of pottery becomes well developed and flourished in the archipelago, but eventually subsided after China porcelain exports takes over. 2nd/3rd BC – 10th A. D. Appearance of Iron Industry, where Filipino’s were engaged in extraction of iron from ore, smelting, and refining it. But it also did not survive as defeated by iron industry by Sarawak and China 1st Century Filipinoswere weaving cotton, smelting iron, making pottery, and glass ornaments, and were also engaged in agriculture, particularly in Cordilleras, terraces fields were built. 10th Century Buildingboats, such as the refine plank built warships known as “Caracoa” for several trade has emerge into a highly develop technology.  10th Century A. D. Regular trade relations between the counties of Champa (Vietnam) to Butuan, Ma-l (Mindoro) to China. Mindanao and Sulu to Borneo, and other parts of the country has firmly established. Some common trading items of the people of Ma-I and San-hsu are beeswax, cotton, , true pearls, tortoise shells. Medicinal betel nuts, yu-ta cotton and coconut heart mats, iron pots, lead fishnet sinkers, colored glass beads, iron needles, and tins. An alliance was formed by Manila and Borneo by political marriage of the Hindu-Buddhist, Malay- Sanskirt, Arab-Muslim cultural and technologies spread and influenced Philippines. Autonomous Village  In 1565, Spaniards discovered multiple and scattered autonomous village communities (Barangays) all over archipelago. These communities show uneven technological development, settlements near the shores as Manila, Mindoro, Cebu and more have attained development  During Spanish Regime  Beginning of modern science and technology traced in the Spanish Regime 1521 C. E.  The beginning of Spaniards Taking over the Philippines, where reduccion (reduction) were implemented resulting to creation of towns, the foundation of Philippines present system of local government, centralized political control all over the country, collection of tribute tax, enforcement of compulsory labor services for the locals, and compulsory sale of local products for the government. Resistance were natural to reduccion resulting to the contry’s socio-economic dislocation and decline in agricultural production and traditional crafts.  Education Through religious orders colonial education system was enable to establish in the Philippines and influence development of technology and promotion of scientific research. At first the implementation of science were not effective due to lack of qualified teachers, textbooks, other instructional materials, and limited to elite only. By 19th century, Bachiller en Artes (Bachelor of Arts) were offered. and the later 19th Century, technical/vocational schools were established. At the end of this period, Baciller en Farmacia (Bachelor of Pharmacy) were granted.  1565 – 1813 C. E. The Galleon trade or Manila Galleon brought little development in Philippine agriculture and industrial. The Filipino’s hardly benefited from it, and eventually lead to the neglect of agriculture and mining, and declared of native handicrafts and industries. Only the local shipbuilding industry continued to prosper due to the necessity to build galleons and other ships required for internal commerce and the defense. Religious Orders Ittook lead in the technological innovation and scientific research. Spaniards introduced town planning and building with stones, brick and tiles. Construction of the walls of Manila, churches, convents, hospitals, schools, and public buildings were completed in 17th Century. Year 1789 Manila was opened to Asian shipping. This inaugurated an era of increasing Philippine exports of rice, hemp, sugar, tobacco, indigo, and others, and rising imports of manufactured goods in 1814. Manila was officially opened to world trade and commerce; subsequently other Phil ports were opened. Year 1865 Meteorological studies were promoted by Jesuits who founded in Manila observatory. It collected and made available typhoons and climatological observations. There grew in number and importance so that by 1879, it became possible fo Fr. Federico Faura to issue the first public typhoon warning  19th C. E. - 1901  Prosperity aroused from expanded world trade and commerce has led to Manila’s rapid development as a cosmopolitan center. Modern amenities – a waters system, steamways, electric light, newspapers, banking system were introduced into the city by the latter half of 19 century 2nd Half of 19th Century  Thestudy of infectious diseases such as small fox, cholera, bubonic plague, leprosy, and malaria were intensified with the participation of graduates of medicine and pharmacy of University of Sto. Tomas, College of Medicine  1901 C. E.  In1901, the observatory was made central station of the Philippine weather Bureau which was set up by the American colonial authorities and provided meteorological and seismological and astronomical studies.