Definition of History bases of historical work are the original documents
The word "history" means the search for knowledge ur remains, the first witnesses to a fact" (Good, cited
and truth, searching to find out. "History is any by Good and Scates 1972). For instance, the
integrated narrative or description of past events or stenographic notes of a court trial and the news
facts written in a spirit of critical inquiry for the whole reporter's account of the trial are primary sources. All
truth" physical objects, including photographs and cultural
History is defined as "any integrated narrative or institutions and practices, are primary sources
description of past events or facts written in a spirit themselves and all accounts written about them by
of critical inquiry for the whole truth". those who had actually seen and experienced are
Encyclopedia Brittanica defined history as primary sources.
"the discipline that studies the chronological order All writings by people who have never experienced
of events (as affecting a nation or people), based on nor observed personally the objects and have based
a critical examination of source materials and usually their writings upon information gathered from those
presenting an explanation of their causes who have knowledge of the events are secondary
sources.
Why Study History?
Sources of Data from Primary and Secondary
Dizon et al (2011) citing Perry (1999) enumerated Sources
the reasons why we need to study history, these are Amante et. al (2008) citing Cooper (2003) identified
1. To learn about our past. Studying history enables sources of data from primary and secondary
us to learn about the lives of our ancestors, their sources.
struggles, and their achievements. What we have
and what we enjoy today are the products of their The primary sources are as follows:
innovation, hard work and sacrifices 1. Individual persons.
2. To understand the present. The traditions, system 2. Organized groups or organizations such as
of government cultural heritage, and many other associations, fraternities, schools, business firms,
things are products of the past. Most of the things churches, army, navy, air force, government,
have historical original and not just products of fads lawmaking bodies, family, tribe, etc.
and crazes. 3. Established practices such as marriage, religious
3. To Appreciate our heritage from a broad rites, legal system, economic system, democracy
perspective. Our belief system, patriarch tradition, system, etc.
common values including our material culture can be 4. Documents in their original forms such as the
understood and appreciated well if we have a full constitution, laws, orders, proclamations, treaties,
understanding of our past. contracts, census and all kinds of original records,
4. To acquire background for critical thinking. The letters, desires, etc.
issues, situations, and challenges that our country is 5. Living organisms such as animals, fowls, lower
presently facing can mostly be attributed in the past, forms of living organisms.
for these, are encountered before, history provides 6. Man-made material things such as buildings,
us details to understand, predict and provide machines, weapon, artifacts, appliances, roads,
solutions to these bridges, dams, radio, television, electricity, etc.
7. Natural objects and phenomena such as rain,
wind, typhoon, water, earthquake, mountain, snow,
etc.
Secondary sources are as follows:
1. Books including dictionaries, encyclopedias,
almanacs, etc.
2. Articles published in a professional journal,
magazine newspaper, and other publications.
3. Unpublished master's theses and dissertations,
and other studies.
4. Monographs, manuscripts, etc.
5. All other second-hand sources.
6. Verbal or written data.
Classification of Historical Sources
Internal and External Criticisms
Historical sources may be classified as primary or
•
secondary (Fox, 1969). A primary source iS
External Criticism – the genuineness of the
regarded as the source of the best evidence. This is
documents a researcher used in a historical study;
because the data come from the testimony of able
where the authenticity of documents is established.
eye and eyewitnesses to past events. They y consist
of actual objects used in the past which you can
directly scrutinize or examine. The secondary source Internal Criticism – looks at the content of the
is information supplied by a person who was not a document to determine its authenticity; where
direct observer or participant of the event object or credibility is established.
condition (Sevilla et al, 1992).
Auxiliary Sciences Determining Authenticity and
The Distinction between Primary Sources and Genuineness of a Document
Secondary Sources
The distinction between Primary Sources and Epigraphy – the study of inscriptions and the art of
Secondary Sources Primary sources, the only solid deciphering them
Diplomatics – the science of charters and diplomas Accounts at the End of the 19th Century and
and includes knowledge of the practices and of the Start of the 20th Century Supporting Butuan as
forms used in them. the Site of the First Mass.
Fred Atkinson, author of "The Philippine Islands"
Paleography – the study of writing published in 1905.
Philology – determination of dates and its John Ford , author of "Additional Pages from an
authenticity American Cruiser in the East" which was published
in 1898
Archaeology – the scientific study of life and culture
of the past, especially ancient people. Written also in the Military Notes on the Philippines
in September 1898 at the United States Adjutant-
Anthropology – the study of humans, especially of Generals's Office recognition of Butuan as the site
the variety, physical and cultural characteristics, of the first mass in the Philippines.
distribution, customs, social relationships of
Limasawa Law
humanity
On June 19, 1960, Republic Act No. 2733, called
Prehistory – the history before recorded history the Limasawa Law was enacted without the
learned from archaeology signature of the President of the Philippines. This
law recognized Limasawa as the site of the first
Chemistry - analyze materials such as coins and mass in the Philippines. Obviously, some would
medals to determine their historical value question if an act of Congress is the proper
measure to correct or change our history.
Arguments in Favor of Limasawa, Southern
Leyte
Arguments favoring the Retraction
Francisco Albo's Account
A journal or log of Magallanes voyage was written La Voz Espanola and Diario de Manila's Narration
by Francisco Albo, covering the voyage from Cape
San Agustin in Brazil until the "Victoria" (the first Vano (1985) presented the four text in his book
ship to circumnavigate to globe) returned to Spain entitled "Light in the Rizal's Death Cell". The first
(Blair de Robertson, 1975) The log begins was published in La Voz Espanola and Diario de
November 29, 1519, and ends September 4, 1522. Manila on the very day of Rizal's execution,
December 30, 1896.
Miguel Lopez De Legaspi and/or Hernando
Riquel (Court Clerk of the Home Office) The second is from Father Balaguer's text dated
Account January 1897.
O Based on the May 1564 Report of the Father Manuel Garcia's Text
Occurrences on the Voyage and Journey of the
Armada of His Majesty under the Command of The third is alleged "original" text from Father
General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in the Discovery Manuel Garcia dated May 18, 1935.
of the Islands of the West. The expedition as we Letters of Josephine Bracken
know was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who
was on board the Sarn Pedro, together with head According to De Viana (2013), in 1961, the Jose
technician navigator Andres de Urdaneta and Rizal National Centennial Commission published
Hernando Riquel court derk of the Home Office Rizal's letter to his friends and relatives. Included
(San Agustin Museum & Jose Ramon de Miguel among these letters was one made by Josephine
2009). Bracken in 1897 which was a brief description of
her life.
Pigafetta's Account
In Antonio Pigafetta's account "Primo Viaggo
Intorno Al Mondo" (First Voyage Around the World) Arguments against Retraction
events of 1519-1522. He narrated the Magellan's Statement of Baron Fernandez
voyage while James Alexander Robertson
translated it into English language. The transcript is Manoling Morato's "Expose"
made from the original document, which exists in
the Biblioteca Ambrosiana Milan, Italy. The Josephine Bracken Failed to Produce Marriage
narration of Pigafetta's account was taken from Contract
Blair & Robertson (1975).
Jose Arcilla, Historian
Jose Arcilla, author of 'Introduction to Philippine
History', maintained that Magellan never stepped
on the grounds of Butuan where the alleged first
mass took place.
Arguments in Favor of Masao, Butuan City
Gregorio Zaide (2002) provides narration of what
transpired during the first mass in the Philippines.
