Issues and Problems in Philippine Historiography PDF

Republic of the Philippines TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY San Vicente, BLVD Tarlac City, Tarlac Tel. No. (045) 493-0182; Fax No. (045) 982-0110 Re-accredited Level III by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Phil...

Republic of the Philippines TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY San Vicente, BLVD Tarlac City, Tarlac Tel. No. (045) 493-0182; Fax No. (045) 982-0110 Re-accredited Level III by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACUP), Inc. Issues and Problems in the Philippines Historiography SS1C - Readings in Philippine History Prepared by: AMPALAYOHAN, MA. CHRISTINA F. NICDAO, LOVE MARIE PRINCESS A. PIMENTEL, PRINCESS JOY S. HM 2-1 Checked by: JOANNA MARIE R. RIVERA Subject Lecturer SETYEMBRE 2024 ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORIOGRPHY Historiography refers to the study of history itself Philippine Historiography has undergone several changes since the pre- colonial period until present At a larger part, Philippine history was originally written and documented by foreign historians, in fact even at present most primary chronicles are mostly written in Spanish and English A. Correcting the errors of published historical work Since most of the primary sources were written in foreign language, errors in translation have happened and have affected much the writing of history. There was therefore the need to correct errors in publication Language plays a vital role in the preservation and interpretation of history. In the case of the Philippines, many primary sources were composed in languages such as Spanish, English, or other colonial languages. When these documents are translated into Filipino or other local languages, nuances and contextual meanings may be lost or altered. Such language barriers can lead to a skewed understanding of historical events, figures, and cultural practices. For instance, a misinterpretation of a colonial administrator’s report might cast an event in a light that diminishes its significance or distorts the motivations of the individuals involved. The inaccuracies that arise from translation can have profound implications for historiography. Any error in translation can significantly skew historical narratives, leading to flawed interpretations that can perpetuate misconceptions. B. Filling the gaps in Philippine History There were very few anthropologists and archaeologist in the Philippines hence there are still gaps in some account or parts of the Philippine history. One of the major problems in the writing of Philippine history stems from inadequate knowledge of historical conditions in the rural Philippines. Viewing society as a monolithic structure that is open to outside influence and changes at a constant pace only contributes to compounding the issue. C. Reinterpretation of historical facts & events Historical Revisionism is a practice in writing history in which historians reinterpret views of causes and effects, decisions, explanations and evidence. Stated by Sofia Bulle under observatory tec “Why look at the past with the eyes of the present?” As the name implies, historical revisionism consists of revisiting the sources of a historical record or period with a different perspective or new data that could alter how we see it. Historical revisionism refers to any reinterpretation of recorded history, but whether this practice is beneficial, harmful, or somewhere in between is hotly contested. While allowing newly discovered evidence and facts to enter the historical record may seem benign, the reinterpretation of existing facts to reflect contemporary morality is a far more controversial aspect of the topic. D. Rewriting History in the Filipino Point of view The biggest problem that was raised is the fact that writers were foreigners therefore Philippine history was mostly written in a foreigner’s point of view and not on the point of view of the Filipinos A significant challenge in understanding Philippine history lies in the dominance of foreign perspectives. For centuries, writers from outside the Philippines have shaped the narrative of the country's past, often neglecting or misrepresenting Filipino experiences. This has resulted in a historical record that is biased and incomplete, failing to capture the full complexity of Filipino culture, struggles, and triumphs. The call for rewriting Philippine history from a Filipino perspective is a crucial step towards reclaiming the true story of the nation. This involves prioritizing Filipino voices, perspectives, and interpretations. By centering Indigenous narratives, the historical record can be enriched with diverse experiences, cultural practices, and societal structures that have been marginalized for too long. This process is essential for achieving a more accurate and inclusive understanding of Philippine history.