LESSON 15 Social History Lesson Objectives By the end of this lesson, the students will ‘be able to: define social history and identity sociat issues in Philippine history: explain how the state or social institutions influenced the status of distinct or marginalized sacial groups; and critique a historical government program on a particular minority group. Key Concepts Minority group. A group of people singled out fram society because of their Physical, social, or cultural characleristics and who experience differential and unequal treatment than the majority. Marginaiization. The act of treating semeone or a group ol people as if they are not important which suppresses them to powerlessness. indigenous. Pertaining to unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment, retaining much of social, cuftural, economic, or polilical characteristics distinct fram dominant societies in which they jive. Ethnography. The systematic study of individual cultures. Lesson Introduction Philippine history has been framed first and foremost within political developments from the pre-sixteenth century barangay, to the Spanish pueblos, the U.S. colony, Japan's “puppet” republic, 10 the Third Republic administrations. We have memorized all too well these political changes that resulled in today’s kind of politics. We can compare administrations based on the programs thal presidents implemented during their term. But, is history limited to knowing what happened when and caused by whom? Is there more to Philippine history, especially atter the colonial period, than the ebb and flow of presidents, one afer the other? Social history is essentially an expansion of the historian’s concern beyond the fee of social and political elites. In the 1920s, the Annales school pioneered and economic developments and looked at these in the i it jal history aims to describe the experience of hich spanned centuries. Social eee icialgrouns {its initial focus being women and ethnic groups); and fragmented into historical demography, labor history. and urban and rurat history, among others. acti the attention to greater social UNITIV ISSUES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY = 201Social history was categorized by the social group it discusses, and later by subject matter (such as education, crime and deviance, and growth of towns}. tackle three social groups that have been viewed as “outsiders” by mainstream Society: the Filpina woman. who had as much Fight t5 Concern herself with political issues bul was relegated by a patriarchal colonial rulg: ihe ethnic Chinese and Tsinay, who became key players in Phikppine economy; and Ine indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, whose struggle for ancesteal somaing dre drowned by mainstream politics. We must all learn how social institutions treated these social groups, how they actively responded, and how their experiences sontributed to their current status. Women's History In the previous unit, we discussed the portrayal of women in history. We talked about how women were portrayed and marginalized al diferent Pptiods in the past. However, it must be emphasized that Fiffgina women did not merely remain victims In this lesson, we A critical example of a babaylamied revolt was the Tambiot uprising in 1622. Lamblot was a babaylan despite being known as amale Tristan can be confusing, but there are two possibie explanations. First, histerian Zeus Salazar argued that fron could become babayian if they look like women, asciem Filipinas believed thal the capacity to communicate with the divinities wae Teserved for women, of for men who had feminine characteristics. Second, same historians contend thi Tamblot was not a babaytan per se, but was a descendant of ane. Hence, he-was: live in aburidance and prosperity, and be free from Tibutes and ¢ if i, lor rise against the Spaniards. and reject the Catholic faith, go to the ns laber i they temple. Since these promises resonated with te peopie ang their ‘experiences, 202 A COURSE MOOULE FOR READINGS IN FHILIPINE HsTomy2.000 Echolanos fose in revolt, umed villages and churches, disposed of their rose fies an crossés, and destroyed the image ol the Virgin Mary. Ii took mors than @ thousand meén from the colonial goverment to quel! this uprising. As mentioned in the previous unit : i iced i i | v i, weoTTreN's CONduct was strictly Doliced in colonial society. However, despite the inculeations of whatit meani to be 900d and ideal woman, Filipino wornen Still cesisteg coonization, For exampis, the Silang revott was continued by Gabriela Silang after her husband's assassination. Apart from actualy taking part in Chinese mestizo clang in Malolos. The authorities intially Gsapproved, but the 1 . , women did not lose heart and continwed to appeal unti! they wera granted permission. This event was a significant “Victory because Spanish authorities were not inclined to let the spheres. The importance of this petition did not @scape the notice of the Propaganda Movernent in Europe, so much so that Rizal, upon the request of Marcalo H, del Par, Witte a congratulatory lelter te these women for thew tenacity and desire to leam. Rizal omphasized the importance of mathers in raising sons who would fight for the county. He argued that women shoud not remain bound to her rosaries and scapulars, and sheuld demonstrate higher aspirations beyond the home and the church, When the Katipunan was formed and the Revolution started, women took up integral rates in the struggle. The Katipunan, despite being a predominantly male organization, accepted women members and established a women’s chapter. Some of the most prominent were Josefa Rizal who was elected president of the said chapter, Gregoria De Jesus whose fife was put in danger many times in Julfilling her task as a katipynera, and Marina Dizon whe wok charge of the initiation rites of women applicants in the Katipunan, ept the organization's records, and led the crientation for new members. The membership of the women’s chapter was limited lo close relatives of katipuneros, perhaps as precautionary measure, given tha secret and illegal nature of the organization at the time, Melchora Aquino, a rich old widow when the revolution erupted in 1896, provided food and medicine to the exhausted and embattled Katinuneros: For this, she was imprisoned and exiled to Guam. The courage and selflessness of Tandang Sora, shown inher utter willingness to assist an illegal organization, were heroic. However, itstrould be emphasized that women in the time of the revolution were not imited to the roles outside the battlefield, Indeed, several women exhibited sidiis in battle and combat and s0$e in the ranks of the revolution’s hierarchy: Teresa Magbanua, who led revolutionary armies in Capiz; Trinidad Tecson, wha founded the Katipunan’s women chapter and gained a repul for her skills inthe batileheld: and Agueda Kahabagan who was recognized as @woman general of the republic and fought fiercely in Laguna, among others. Some lass VANITY ISSUES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 203known datiouneras Marcela Marceto ali Philip nationalistic Hibik Namin Himagsik, ©. who fought alongside men and at times martyred in combat wars as Selang Bagsik, Valeriana Elises, and Gregoria Montoya. Lesser known ‘contributions by women for the revolution and Jats paeaiuent Pine-American War were on literature and pootry. Women posts published Pieces in revolutionary newspapers like E/ Heraldo. A poem entitled was collectively written by Victoria Lactaw, Feliza Kahatol, Patida ‘olores Katindig, Felipa Kapuloan, and Victoria Maisig, names. tha ‘Sounded like natlonalistic pseudonyms. The poem can be read below. 204 Halina at tayo'y manandatang lahat itanghal ang dangal nitong Filipinas. Sa alinmang nacion at huag ipayag na mapangharian tayong manga anak. Ang pagsasarili‘y ating ipaglaban hanggang may isa Pang sa ati'y may buhay. Atdito’y wala na slang pagharian kung hindi ang ating manga dugo’t bangkay. Masakop man tayo ng kanilang Yankis” ay mamatay rin sa mga pasakit. Mahalaga’y mamatay $a pagtangkilik Nang dapat igalang na ating matowid Dahil 6a ating Santong Katowiran ay atin an [ubos na pagtatagumpay, Ang awa ng langit ay pagkaasshang tutulong sa ating viang pakikilaban, "Americans Come, let us all take up our arms showcase the honor of the Philippines. Whatever nation we must not geant to lord over us children of the land. Our independence we must defend as long as one of us continues to live: Until no one is left for them to rule over just the blood and bones of defenders. + If the Yankees* invade our ?and they will also suffer and die in ourhands. What is important 35.10 die if we must while showing respect to what we know is just. Because of cur holy justice the fullest success is ours to achieve, ‘The grace of heavens is on our side and wit be with us 88 we strive to fight, English translation supptied. & COURSE MODULE FOR READINGS [i PHILIPPINE HISTORYThese struggles and others that came in the following periods demanstraled how women, despile the restrictions imposed by social norms. far exceeded the prescribed roles 1o them and defied expectations. Their valing participation showed that women could claim as fmany stakes as men do on certain issues which involved the ration and society. Nevertheless, specific experiences of women necessitated specific responses from them, too. Nobody can deny that ihe women's experience ig unique and distinct from that of men. Because of the patriarchat status quo, both the opportunities of women and the spheres where they could thrive and lead were limited. Tro kinds of responses could be observed in these moments. The first response was fo make the most out of the space allowed to them. Despite the existence of wamen soldiers who fought alongside men in actual combal, many maintained the view that the women’s place was notin the battlefield. Alot of women concurred with this, and instead initiated organizations such as the Associacion Flantropiea de la Cruz Aoja ar the Philanthropic Association of Red Cross. The objective of Cruz Aajawas to collect lunds tor the wounded soldiers and war victims. Atthis juncture, a few women also started articulating the place of wemen inthe revolution and how they should participate and conduct themselves in the struggle. Rosa Sevilla Alvero published an essay in the revetution’s paper La Independencia tiled Lo Que Debe Ser Myer en 1a Sociedad (What a Woman Must Ge in Society). In this essay, Alvero asserted that women are nol silent and docile beings and are vital to the development of the human race. The tail end of the earliest years of the twentieth century also witnessed how women stared asserting their space outside traditional roles ascribed to them. In the same periodical, Juana Castro wrote another article titled Rehabilitacion dela Mujer (Rehabilitation of the Woman), which aigued that women shguld be allawed to venture into other professions outside of teaching and care, such 28 law and medicine. She appealed for the revolutionary government to establish schools in every pablacién for boys and girls. “These early indicators of a Dlossor feminisi discourse crystallized with the struggle for women’s sulfrage. as the United States consolidated the Philippine colgnial state. As the farmer colony was introduced to democracy, Women fought for their right to vote and political equality as early 85 4907. The women who lobbied for their suffrage were mostly composed of upper and middle-class women thal included Canstancia Poblete, Concepcion Felix Rodriguez, Rosario Lam, Nieves Hidalgo, Rosa Sevilla Alvaro, Paz Policarpio Mendez, and Encamacion Alzona. They came from different fields and professions some were doctors, lawyers, writers, students, and factory workers. Some historians would reter to the women's suttrage campaign as the first expression of a modern teminist movement in the Philippines. The struggle was fought for decades. They had to battle against a herd of conservative male politicians who argued that women did nat betong in politics and that giving them the right to vote would lead to the disintegration of family life. Filipino tawyer and politician Perfecto Laguic, for example, wrote a book titled Our ifodem Woman: A National Problem, where Ne argued that to allow women io vale is against their nature and innate quality a5 wives and mothers. He insisted thal their UNIV ISSUESIN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 205righttul place shauld be at home: Participating In polltics would lead tham into galling Ibeir bodies tor votes and other polilical favors. Although these were ludicrous and absurd claims, tt sill took women dacades to gain advances fn the Phillopina Jegisiature. Sulfragisis went 19 public hoarlngs 19 argue thelr case. These hearings were manifestations of thelr cloguence SS Bdvocates of equality, Ong of the most used arguments by anl-sutfage pollticlane was that waman did not like Io vote; ance, it would be wrong to force thom ini this duty. The advocates retottad that “the proof of the pudding Is In the ating” as such & Claim did not have any concrete basis, For the years that the sullrage movement had been active, the majority of women's clubs in tho atchipelago supportad the cause. They insisted that the Ofly way te prove the argument of the ant-sutirage legislators was if hey graried women the righl 19 vale, In 4833, women’s suffrage was finally approvad inig law. However, Commonwealth Constitutional Gonvantion of 1934, this law would be during the etfactively In the next Gocades of the century, Fillpins women would further advance thé feminist movement. If tha Generation of tha suttragists were mainly composed of of Feminists In the Philippines would ba more inclusive, boll, In membership and struggle. They already started articulating socio-economic equally and altcacted Tembers from the working class. This articutatlon was further emphasized during the period of activism tram the 1960s and 1970s, Groups like MAKIBAKA (Malayang In the 1980s, tha women’s Movement also started tackling the unlqua experiences of women In the third world, which included issuas related to national identity, gander identity, peace, and children’s rights. Organizations like the Kilusang Kababaihang Pilipina (FILIPINA) and Katipunan "a Kalayaan para sa Kababaihan (KALAYAAN) emarged. They saw the nead lo address issues, not Just on the social level, but on the personal level as well, They initiated campaigns that condemned Sexism In media, Violation of tha feproductive righis of women, gender violence, Prostitution, and gender inequaiity in employment Opportunities. By the following 206 A COUNSE MOOULE FOR READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORYgecage, the movement for gender equality in the Philippines would expand lo the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) sector. At present, wornen and LGBT organizations continue to grow and gain stength as they fight Jor their rightiul place in the Prilippine state and society amidst pushback from the conservalive seclors in different secial institulions. . Activity: Trinidad Teeson, the “Mather” of Slak-na-Balo, Pick a partner and read the oxcorpt below, Keeping in mind the following questions: (1) Hove were women revolutionaries depicted in history?; (2) What does the excemt say about the role of women in'society7; and (3) Is the way women viewed in the excermt comparable ta how women are viewed loday? Prepare ta share your insights with the class. A revealing example is the process of containment and damestication of the popular reputation of Tranidad Tecson. Despite her military exploits during the entire revolulionacy period, in total fighting in pveive bales under five Filipino generals, eeson is remembered mostly for her work as a nurse in the soldiers’ hospital. It was this role that eamed her the tile “Mother of Biak-na-Bato.” Aguinaldo himself is supposed to have paid tribute to her nursing work 2s the basis for her reputation as such. Tecson has thus beca identified in revolutianary mythology as # nucturer rather than a fighter Though acknowtedging her active military career, hez suctesses asa soldier, and the important strategic rele she played as quartermasuu, biographical accounts have directed emphasis to her- gentle, maternal qualities which became apparent cxpectilly during the brlet period when she serves ass murse to wounded soldiers, Gregorio Zaide, for instance, comments that “Because of her mainly expicits, che came to be known as a babaeng-lalaki (masculine woman). Itwas, however, her humanitarian nucsing services at the mevahutionary hospital in Biak-na Bato thal have her lasting-glogy in Phitippine history.” Far a wom, participating in actual military engagements during revolution could east doubt on ber femininity and thus detract from her claims to post-revolutionary glarification: whereat for aman this strengthened claisns for recognition as a national hero. Christine Doran (1998). Wamen in the Philippine Revolution. Philippine . Studies 46(3), pp. 370. Chinese im the Philippines ‘There are more mentions ol Chinese in the Bair and Roberlsen collection jnan the Moros, which refiect how extensive the Chinese have been part of our country's histary. Same clarifications afé in order: by Chinese, we refer to thase who migrated to the Philipgine islands trom the age of trade in the ointn century to Ihe period of colonization until the late nineteenth: century, they may or may not have married into Filipin families, but in general, they identity themselves as and UNIT (7 ISSUES PHILIPPINE HISTORY 207are legally Filipinas. The Chinese have lang settled in the Philippine islands that they have become a distinct group of people with set economic and socio-cultural Characteristics. Al present, we refer to them as Tsinoy (Zsino + Pinoy). Robert Fox's Archeological Record of Chinese influences establishes the trade between China and the Philippines. The earliest Chinese to come to the Philippines wore ihe ones who looked at the archipelago as the greener pasture and settled in soastal communities to remain.active in trade, The Ghinese who married into the native population would be classified iater an by ihe Spaniards as Chinese mestizp. During ihe Spanish rule, the Chinese settied close to the Spanish goverment to secure such jobs as provisioners of tood, retail traders, and artisans, which no one elsa coult monopolize. Three distinct groups were involved in econemic activities: the Chinese whe supplied money, the indios who mainly produced agricu!tural materials and labor, and the Chinese mesiizo who was involved in either or both. These three were taxed differently, and the Spanish imposed restrictions onty on the Chinese in terms of geographic mobility. praperty ownership. and political participation. Realizing the economic importance of the Chinese to the Philippines. the Spaniards encouraged them to convert to Christianity. Also, Chinese men married native women, resulting in the growing Chinese mestizo population in the Phitippines. The Spanish dilemma was that they distrusted the Chinese but needed them for essential economic activities. The Spanish kept a clase eye on them by establishing distinct communities, the most important of which was Binondo, established in 1594. Binondo was awarded to the Chinese by then Governor-General Dasmarifias to keep them near but Separated. fram Intramuros. The Dominicans could also proselytize Christianity in an already organized community, Binondo lived semi- autonomously trom Spanish rule and had their municipal corporate council of 10 Chinese and 10 mestizos. There was a socio-political struggle among the three groups in Binende. Soon after, the cguncil transformed from being predominantly Chinese to Chinese mestizo, leading to ihe breakaway council Gremio de Mestizos de Binonde in 1741. This council established them as a distinct group in Philippine society. Padre Murillo Velarde generalized this new social group as “a querulaus group of mestiza,” whom he believed could cause contllicts in society. In 1800, the Chinese mestizos numbered at 120,000, while indios were at 2.4 million. Several nineteenth century sources confirm the increasing participation of Chinese mestizos in the country’s economic life. As Tomas de Comyn in 1810 noted, the Chiness mestizo was “an industrious caste... master of mast of the wealth... with intelligence and energy to increase their funds... they are found in possession of the best lands and most lucrative intemal trading,” and that there was no denying that “this industrious and keewledgeable people will be able.ta draw itself a mass of money of very great significance.” Spanish diplomat Sinilbado de Mas also observed in 1842 inat the Chinese mestizos could be counted as the Philippines’ migele class, as they are ‘proprietors, merchants, and educated people of the country.” He also predicted that within a century, they will grow to at least a million in population and ‘will possess the greater part of the wealth of the tstands.” 208 A COURSE MODULE FOR READINGS ’N PHILIPPINE HISTORYUpon visiting the Philippines around the 1840s, medical docter and traveller Jean Maliat noted that the Chinese mestiza went on to olher coastal communities of the Philippines to expand their commerce. A significant development was establishing a community in Cebu that traded with Leyte and Samar (cacao, coconut Gil, and tobacco) to the east; Caraga and Misamis (gold. coffee, wax, and cacao) to the south; and Negros and Panay (tobacco, sea stugs, and mother-of-pearl) to the west. Negros also had cacao, rice, pearl, fish, wax, and other products. Mallal’s description of the Chinese mestizo clothing reftected a hispanized Fitipina or an urbanized indio. From then on, ane could not tell them apart. For instance, Rizal descended from a Chinese mestizo lineage. Towasd the end of Spanish rule, they were quite known for having contributed to the Philippine revolutionary movement, they were seen as disloyal ta Spain, scheming and seditious. Spanish historian Jose Montero did not mince words when he described the mestizos as “the major enemy of Spain,” and that the mestizos were “conceited, petty, crafty, and as citizens, discontented.” The United States came into the picture in 1898 by purchasing the entirety of the Philippine Islands and bringing in U.S. colonial policies to the country. One significant policy was the 1902 Chinese Exclusion Act (CEA). First, ethnic Chinese immigration to the United States and its territories was aiready disallowed then as it should be in the Philippines, the newest US. possession. The CEA was to be implemented in the Philippines because the Chinese were a threat to U.S. economic _ interests and a hindrance to pacifying the Filipine insurgency. In 1902, Brigadier General Arthur MacArthur reported to the U.S. Congress that if the Chinese were to be admitted in the country during its “formative period which is now in progress at evolution,” they would scan have “direct or indirect control of pretty nearly every productive interest, to the absolute exclusion” of Filipinos and Americans. The United States claimed that the CEA brought about a more pro-Filipino economy. On the contrary, the CEA strained Filipine-Chinese relations because the United States failed to see the unique experience of the Chinese in the Philippines. Uhimatety, ihe CEA was a failure and resulted in the influx of Chinese merchants leaving a less-engaged Filipino to Be more interested in politics and the Chinese gaining substantial control of the economy. i anese occupation, several Chinese guerrilla groups fought the Jopancce wih | us “Tatu regarding them with high esteem. Aside from snippets af political or social undertakings, the Chinese in the Philippines ate centered on economic activities ever at present, It is posited that since they could not vote, hold office, express dissent, comment on politics, oF hold Filipina citizenship, they appear apolitical. But there are Chines elite or elders who seem to have connections with and tund campaigns of officials and boreaucrats, They nave organized the Federation of Filiping Chinese Chambers of commerce and In sty. nic Chinese are suspected to be disloyal to he Philippines and more {oy to Communist China; they also suffer as ‘scapegoats in local political problems, as a unit $SSUESIN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 209| their Hes wilh China are more cultural hey would afso not be inclined jhe image of exclusivism since product ot generalizanon and bias. Howeve than political. Having thrived in a capitalist syster. 1 to communist lendencies. Add le these suszicions is they are culturally bourd to marry within the Chinese community. The ethme Chinase. hile a minority group in the Philippines, Nave became selt-suffiaent and aclively paftitipated in civic activities. History showed the societal change in the influx and economie occupations of ihe Chinese mestiZ0 and Ihe ethnic Chinese; they have become embedded into Filip:no society. Today's Chinese may refer ta the Tsinoys, wha descended trom Chinese mestizos anc ate Fripino citizens alteady, and the ethnic Chinese who are not yet naturaized as Filipino Cilizens. They rose to become the wealthiest corporate owners nthe courtry. They do: interact with each other and the Fiipino society in a dynamic and chang ng demograpnic soumney. Activity: Pair, Search, Share. By pairs, list he challenges faced and values exhibited by the Tsinoys throughout Philippine history. Browse the internet to chaose a Tsinay in the top 10 richest in the Philippines and find out ine success stary behind his wealthy business. Does his story reflect the Tsinoy history? Discuss your respense to be shared in class. indigenous Peoples and Ethnie Minorities The plight of Phitippine indigenous peontes (IP) has come to light in the late twentieth century with the heightening af the concepts of human fights and inclusivity. Inthis section, we shall atlemptto surtace social issues faced by these IPs. Historical saureas on IPs are limited, but elhnographies help illustrate the image of the IPs and how they fared in history. Generally, IPs are those with “distinc! characteristics such as the conservation {to some extent) of thew vernacular languages, Iraditional socio-economic inslitutions, and cultural ang reigious practices: self-identification as dislinct societies; subsistence-oriented economies: and a special relationship with their ancestra‘ lands.” Current IP struggles are deeply rooted in history, These struggles need lo be addressed primarily because the {Ps are not given the platiorm 10 articulate their plight to the rest of the country, Sometimes because of preemptive biases that legistators and policymakers hold. When the Spaniards arrived in coastal and plain areas, they left groups who chase te avoid Spanish rute for he mountains. The Spanish used several descriptors to reter la the peoples of the Philippines. For example, Francisco Gotin noted that the “Negrillos, Zambals, and other nations” were "uncivilized," yet had more languages aS ‘almost every river has its own language.” He noted that the multiplicity of languages caused their “tack of civilization and communication.” and that these groups had nothing written about their religion, government, or history. except for their tradition preserved in customs, and “songs thal they retain in their memory.” In an unsigned 219 MODULE £04 READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HStORYSO ene rece a Spaniard described the “Negtillos" (Negritos, Luzon) as belonging 12 tiny ar 2 People... who live farthest in tha interior and most rugged parts” y are the “aborigines” while the rest of the natives were “immigrants who aonquared them." They were “brutal and averse to civ! ization” as they offen “cut off (he heads of their own fathers and brothers as a pastime.” e omint me Spaniards, these ethnic groups were notworthy of seeking out to convert ty and resetting through reduccion. As the Philippines was passed on to the United States, who had a particular interest in the mountainous areas: where these ethnic groups lived, the ethic groups were Classified az “non-Christian tribes” iNGT}. Accarding te @ 1918 population census, NCTs totaled around 500,000 of 10.5 million inhabitants in the Philippines. The largest of ha NCTs were Ine Moros of Sulu and Mindanao, then those in the Mountain Province and Nueva Vizcaya in Luzon. The Americans believed that the “tittle brawn’ Filipinos needed them to advance in civilization and politica’, socio-cultural development. Dean Worcester was one prominent 7oolagist who taok and published unflattering photographs of IPs te ilustrate how the Filipinos, especially the NOTs, needed the U.S- guidance. _In 1908, the United States passed a Mining Act nat authorized U.S. cifizens to mine public lands, They aimed ta Gevelop and advance the NCTs in civilization,” and created the Bureau of Non-Ghristian Tribas thraugh the Jones Law. Section 22 in 1917. The Bureau aimed “to foster by all adequate means and in a systematic, rapid and complete manner the moral, material, economic, social, and political development of the regions inhabited by non-Christian Filipinos, always having in view the aim of Tendering permanent the mutval intetigence between and complele fusion of all the Christian and non-Christian elements populating the provinces of the Archipelago.” in carrying this aut, the Secretary of the Interior adopted the following measures: a closer seillement policy ta push the NCTs te settle in organized communities: extend the public school and public healih systems in regians where there are NCTs; extend public works throughout Moro regions to “lacifitate their development and the extension of government contre I": construct roads and trails to promote "social and commercial imercours® and maintain amicable relations" among NCTs and Christian peoptes: pursue the development of agriculture; and encourage the “wnmigration into, and investment of private capital in, the fertile regions of Mindanao and Sulu" The Bureau seemed to have concentrated on the Moros of Mindanao, bul generally, the United States did implement some of its eotonial programs among the NOTs, specifically in Baguio ia the Mountain Province. Baguio had a cool climate and was perfect as a “summer capital” where the U.S. colonial government could retreat to during the hot Philippine summers Designed by Danie! Burnham, Baguio encapsulated the Americanizalion ot a pocket of rural space and made it appear aS a benchmark developed city fot others ta imitate. But the Americans were nol able to penetrate NCTs living in ‘one mountainous areas, who were able to maintain their cultural identity wilh little of no foreign influence. Unit oy SSSUES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 214The establishment of the Gammission an National integration (CN) wttieey qr Frepublie Act Mo. 1886 weS'a turing polnl as the PnP a eect cralted this program of integration, Belaw ara the long litte and relavant sections of the taw: ‘AN ACT TO EFFECTUATE IN A MORE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, MORAL AND , i OF THE NON-CHRISTIAN FILIPIXOS OR NATIONAL | Se aNeaT MINORITIES AND TO RENDER REAL, COMPLETE AN PERMANENT THE INTEGRATION OF ALL SAID NATIONAL CULTURAL KONG INTO THE BODY POLITIC, CREATING THE COMMISSION ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION CHARGED WITH SAID FUNCTIONS See. 1. it ie hereby declared to be the policy of Congress t¢ [oster, aceelneate and accomplish by all adequate means and ina systematic, rapid and complete manner the niorai, material, ctenomic, sociat and political advancement of the Nor-Christian Filipinos, hereinafter calted National Cultural Minorities, and to render real, complete and permanent the Integration of all the said National Cultural Minorities into the body politic... See. 4, The Commission shall have the following powers, functions, and duties: (a) Te engage in inetustrial and agricultural enterprises and establish processing. plants and cottage industries to lead communities of the National Cultural Minorities in engagmng in such purruits and, upon the attainment of this objective, tosell such enterprises or industries to them at cost, fe} Te construct operate and maintain irrigation systerns and dams, power structures or generating plants, electric transmission and distribution lines or systems for the furnishing of electric tight heat and power to Lhe inhabitants in the areas not receiving the service of cuch plants er systems. fe) ‘Yo cooperate with Government agneulniral experiment stations er demonstration farms and agricultural supervisors in assisting farmers to ire knowledge of modem farming or better methods of cultivation of RAPID AND COMCLETE MANNER POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT (d) To effectuate the setdement of all landless members of Uke National Cultural Minorities by procuring homesteads for them or by resetting them in resetifement projects of the National Resetllement and Rehabilitation Administration The GNI 1957 was a program of modemization as can be read from the integtal section of the Act. The way to Inlegrate the national minenties was ta modemize: their lifestyias and “develop” thelr civilization through infrastructure so they can be: on the same level as the cunural majonity, that is, everyone else in the Philippines. The CNUs long litle mentions the words “rapid and complete” which mean that the: minorities have not been integrated,and it had ta be gone fast; “economic, social moral and political advancement” which hint at the eppesite view that the minorities. were backward; and “real, complete ang permanent” which connotes fo fumi back to old ways. These statements creala the concapt that uniformlty is-to. £ Imposed more than diversity; that the minority had to adjust io the Majarity, Fi it undermined and pariially altered the rich cultural heritage of the minorities. Int decades that followed, researchers became engrossed in collecting what emalned 212 A COURSE MODULE FOR READINGS IM PHILIPPE MeSTORYof ine indigenous cultures and recorded ther lor posterity because ine minoritles™ cultures were drastically changing. For inslance, and mare in the tale pwentieth: century, the children of the farmers of the grand llugac rice terraces opted to get 4 city education than Inherit their piece of cultivated land Four decades after the CNi, the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act aPRA} of 1997 was signed into law. The IPFA soughl to “recagnize, protect and promote the fights of indigenous cultural commuritiesfindigenous peoples” through ihe ereation of the National Commission on indigenous Peapies. However, despite the IPRA, IP issues remain, These issues may De because PAA exists in.astruciure of modern means: affisming indigenelty through laws. working with comtemporary world nongove: mmental organizations, and government agancies. How strangly the IPs ae recognized and accorded their rights depand on the larger structure where the IPs aim to be atfimed; that, in itsell, influences IP indigeneity. There are several dimensions to indigenelty: political, economic, and cultural. Several tactors have also affected indigeneity, such as migration, socioeconon’™ change, and feligious conversion. Good governance demands thal these diverse communities be nail represented in the bureaucracy, which should provide the IPs an authentic voise for equitable policies that benefit them. This representation is most urgent, especially inthe discourse on ancestral domains. the anchor of their history and traditign. These ancestral lands have been slow!y eroded by business interests, as laws and political Tepresentation proved superficial and powerless in protecting IP sights. Many have specialized in IP studies in the pursuit of preserving IP heritage, quiture, and tradition. The Nationa! Commissionon Indigenous Peoples (NCIP},created through the IPRA, is tasked to protect the IPs trom research faligue as academics would extract information from the IPs, complete their theses, and graduate without going back to the ‘community to discuss the results of their stody and how these results: could direct palicies. As such, being subjects o1 research sludies, the IPs somehow feel that they are different [ram the majority, which drives them further 10 stereotypes. Interestingly, the term indigenous has been shitting from the 1997 IPRA. Perhaps in goodwill, programs such as university scholarships faciftate IP education. But since the indigenous quafifications allow altering definitions, Some non-IPs may avail of the award. On the other hand, IPs are at imes foreed 10 “showcase their culture” through “cultural performances” in events, with the purest of intentions, yet furthers the notion that IPs are “athers,” and that they are not part af the yhole, The issues of authenticity and commodification ‘of IP culture and tradition remain a continuing debate, and the only way to end it is te continue the conversation. The struggte that ethnic minorities had te endure through the centuries was reacting to policies designed to tegrate (hem into tha mainstream and then losing iheir precious mitennium-old intangible cuhural heritage. However, what is most tangible today is their struggle to keep their ancestral domains that are rich not only in culture, but also in minerals and resources. AS they siowly {ose their iands to business interests, they too lose their cullure and tradition, a vital part of our Filipino heritage. UNITY ISSUES IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY 213.Activity: Analyzing Laws. ; Divide: the efass into thice Groups: each is assigned toa‘ law! ihe* Commission on Nationa! lategration of 1257: the Mining Act of 1995; andthe Indigenous Peoples’ Fights At of 1997. Each group would jot dawn the:main themes of the law to be: shafed in class. Look out ler contradictions to-ba: | Fecorded by the class documenter: Lesson Summary . Social history aims to narrate the experiences of minority groups that were. seen as “outsiders” by mainstream society. . Filipino women were active and significant players in every struggle faced by the nation at various points in time, They also bravely fought against gender inequality and violence and asserted their rights as Filipinos. ° The ethnic Chinese who married inte Fuipino tamilies became the Chinese Mestizo of today’s Tsinoy; hey played vital rates in the Philippine economy through the centuries Io become the wealthiest social group in the country. * The indigenous communities of the Philippines have continued to struggle to keep thelr cultural identity and ancestral dornain from colonial policies to present-day development programs. + The-social history of minority groups in the Phiippines should highlight their historical experiences that the mainstream has lett out, so that we can recognize and empathize wilh minority groups and advocate for their rights. References Blair, E., & Robertson, J. (1903). The Phifippine stands, 1493-1898 Volume 1@and 40. ‘Ohio: The Arthur H. Clark Company. : Camagay. M. L. (7989). Women through Philippine History, In The Filipino Woman in Focus: A book of readings ed. Amarytiis T. Torres. Bangkok: UNESCO. Camagay, M. L. (1996). Kababaihan sa Rebolusyon. Kasarinian: Philippine Journal Of Third World Studies, 14 (2): Chu, R. T. (2015). More Tsinoy than we admit, Ed. Quezon City: Vibal Foundation, inc. Constantino, A., Constantin, L. (1975). The Phitiopines: a past revisited. Quezon City: Tala Publishing Services. Eder, J. F. (2013). The future of indigenous peoples in the Philippines: sources’ ef cohesion, forms of difference. Philippine Quarterly of Cutture and Sotioty. 41(3/4), 273-294, Gera, W. (2015). The politics of ethnic representation in Philippine bureaucracy. Ethnic and Racial! Studies 2015, pp. 1-20. _ 214 A GOQUASE MODULE FOR READINGS (N PHILIPPINE HISTORY