which populated the Earth.

On the Bilocano myth, it is narrated differently in a way that

there were different kingdoms who ruled the Earth.

• What is the significance of a creation or origin myth to a community? Myths are a

reflection to the society, identity and worldview. It is a story of mankind on their
relationship with nature and the deities. Its significance is to know where we come from
and it is connected to our ancestors’ traditions and beliefs which we need to honor.

CHAPTER III

6.• What was the role of the barangay in the political and social life of the natives?

The barangay was the primary political, economic, and sociocultural institution in

the Philippines before the Spanish colonization. The baranganic society allowed social

mobility and ruled the community for order.

• How did early Filipinos classify the people in the barangay?

The early Filipinos classify the barangay into three socioeconomic classes. The

first, is the ruling class or nobility they are known as maginoo in Tagalog and kadatoan

in Visayas. Second, commoners or freeman which is known for maharlika in Tagalog

timawa in Visayan. The third classification and the last, are the slaves.

• How was justice served in the barangay?

In the barangay, justice is served by the judgement of the datu, which serves as

the arbiter of law. The datu determines whether the violator is innocent or guilty and the

datu is assisted by the elders of the barangay.

7.• How did Loarca describe the system of slavery of the Pintados?

He described the different kinds of slaves and how they became slaves. The

most common way to become a slave was through debt bondage. The values of slaves

can be equivalent to pesos depending on what kind of slave they are.

• How similar or different was Loarca's description of the slaves in the early
Filipino society from other native societies in history?

Loarca’s description is different to the slavery systems in other societies in

history. The system of slavery in the Philippines is different from other native societies

since the slaves are not properties. On the kind of slavery in the Philippines, it has a

high possibility that the slaves can become a free man.

8.• How did Juan Francisco de San Antonio describe the Visayan marriage

tradition?

On the account of Juan Francisco de San Antonio on the Visayan marriage

system, he narrated it thoroughly from the marriage rituals, ceremonies and the dowry

system. He said that it is unusual for early Filipinos to have more than one wife and one

husband.

• How did the Visayan dowry system work?

The dowry also called as bigaycaya, is given by the groom to the bride’s parents.

It is set according to the rank of contracting parties, if the parents of the bride ask more

than the ordinary sum, they were under obligations to bestow some gift to the married

couple.

• Has this dowry system persisted up to now? Explain your answer.

In these modern times, dowry system is not really necessary compared before.

After being colonized, some of our traditions are no longer persisted.

9.• How did the author describe the tattooing and clothing customs of the

Visayans?

In the account, it is described that the tattooing and the clothing of the Visayans

are normal for them. It is described that the women only painted the hands and, on the
men, it serves as their clothing.

• What is the significance of tattoos and body ornaments to the Visayans?

For the Visayans, tattoos signify bravery and strength. On the men, it is also a

representation that the men are experienced in war. Body ornament signifies elegance.

10.• What are the ingredients in preparing betel chew?

It is made from a tree which bears fruit that resembles an oak acorn and it is

white inside. The fruit is cut into lengthwise strips, wrapped it in leaf and it is thrown into

a powder of quick lime.

• How widespread is the "consumption" of this delicacy?

Betel Chew also known as buyo, is a staple in every household in the early

Filipinos. It is served as refreshments and even the laymen and Spaniards eat it at

mornings and afternoons.

• What is the importance of betel chew in the lives of early Filipinos?

It is important for them because it is very beneficial for them. It strengthens the

stomach for various diseases and also believed to preserve the teeth and gums from all

inflammation, decay and aches.

1. •What was the role of the catolonan in the spiritual life of the community?

The catolou served as a type of spiritual “ambassador” to the outside world,

acting as a liaison between the monks and the laity. They were responsible for carrying

any correspondence that required the monks’ signatures, and they were also

responsible for answering any questions or concerns that the monks might have

regarding the direction of the Church or the teachings of the Bible. The catolou also
assisted the abbot and priors with the day-to-day operations of the monastery, including

the distribution of food to the monks, the upkeep of the oratory and gardens, and the

maintenance of the buildings. The catolou were also responsible for the monastery’s

finances, and were often in charge of the monastery.

•As a friar, how did Juan de Plasencia describe the religious beliefs of the early

Filipinos?

As a friar in the early 1500s, Spanish priest and chronicler Juan de Plasencia

came into frequent contact with the beliefs and practices of the ancient Filipinos. In his

writings, he described the religious practices of the ancient Filipinos, many of which are

still practiced today. One of the most interesting of these practices was the worship of

their ancestors. He described Filipinos who would “sacrifice, sing, and shout for joy,

when they have found a human bone, or piece of wood, or shell, or seed of a plant,

which they say has been touched by a former generation.” The religious beliefs of the

early Filipinos, as described by Juan de Plasencia, were characterized by a

preoccupation with the here and now, a lack of formal dogma, and a focus on self-

improvement through meditation and contemplation. Plasencia also noted that the

Filipinos practiced a “natural religion,” which consisted of “superstition and fable,” and

“superstitious observances and rites.”

2. •As a Spaniard and Christian, how did the biases or prejudices of Antonio de Morga

manifest in the document?

The biases and prejudices of Antonio de Morga, the author of the document, are

evident throughout the text. The opening sentence of the document refers to the

Spanish monarchs as "the most serene. A man whose name has been
synonymous with the Philippines for hundreds of years, Antonio de Morga was a

Spanish friar, lawyer, and governor of the Philippines. Born in the Kingdom of Valencia

in 1533, de Morga studied at the University of Alcala de Henares before joining the

Order of Saint Dominic. He later became a lawyer, serving in various judicial and

political roles in the Philippines. While he is primarily remembered as a governor, de

Morga also wrote one of the most important works on the Philippines in the early

modern period: Description of the Philippines.

•How did Morga describe the religious beliefs of the early Filipinos?

The religious beliefs of the early Filipinos are described by Morga as a mixture of

paganism, animism, and Christianity. He describes pagan idols and temples throughout

the archipelago, many of which were still being worshiped in de Morga’s time. He also

describes the practice of animal and human sacrifice, which at the time was often

associated with pagan rituals and festivals. Morga also describes the practice of

animism, the belief that all objects, animals, and natural features have a soul or spirit.

3. •How did Loarca describe the religious beliefs of the Pintados?

The explorer Loarca described the religious beliefs of the Pintados in the 1519

chronicle. He said they believed in a single God who had created the world and

everything in it. They also believed that the souls of men lived on after death. They

called the God of the Christians El Dios, the God of the Muslims Allah, and the God of

the Jews Yahweh. The Pintados had a wide range of religious beliefs, which Loarca

described in detail. He described the religious beliefs of the Pintados as a kind of

polytheism, in which many different gods were worshipped. Some of the Pintados

believed in a creator god, who had created the universe and everything in it. Others
worshipped the sun and the moon, or nature spirits like trees and mountains.

•How similar or different was Loarca’s description of the baylanas from the accounts of

Plasencia and Morga?

The religious beliefs of the Pintados described by Loarca seem similar to the

religious beliefs of the baylanas described by Plasencia and Morga. Both groups

believed in a single God who had created the world and everything in it. The baylanas,

however, also believed in a creator god. They worshipped the sun and the moon, or

nature spirits like trees and mountains. Loarca’s account of the religious beliefs of the

Pintados was similar to, but not identical to, the descriptions of the baylanas by

Plasencia and Morga. Whereas the accounts of Plasencia and Morga described the

baylanas as worshipping a single God, Loarca described the baylanas as worshipping a

plurality of gods. The accounts of Plasencia and Morga also spoke of the baylanas

having a creator god, who had created the universe and everything in it. The accounts

of Plasencia and Morga, however, did not mention that the baylanas worshipped a

single God.

4. •How similar or different were the descriptions of Chirino from Plasencia’s account of

early Filipino religious beliefs?

Francisco de San Antonio de Chirino’;s account provides an interesting

perspective on the indigenous people of the Philippines and their religious beliefs at that

time. It is worth noting that the account of Plasencia, a Spanish friar who spent time in

the Philippines at the same time as Chirino, also provides an account of indigenous

Filipino religious beliefs. Plasencia’s account is similar to Chirino’s in many ways, but

also differs in significant ways.

•Was Chirino’s observation of the early Filipinos’ religion influenced by his being a friar?

It seems likely that his religious education and training may have contributed to

his observations of the religious practices of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines.

As a member of the Catholic Church, he would have been taught about the missionary

work of the Spanish friars in the Philippines; he may have been surprised to learn that

these friars did not convert everyone they came into contact with. Instead, the friars

followed a policy of cultural relativism, which meant that they limited their interactions

with the local cultures to avoid influencing the people too much.

5. •How different were the descriptions of this narrative from the Spaniards’ account

of early Filipino religious beliefs?

Chirino’s observations of the early Filipinos’ religious practices differed from the

Spanish friars’ accounts of these practices. For example, in his account of how the early

Filipinos worshipped their gods, Chirino described how they performed elaborate

dances and chanted prayers in their native languages. The Spaniards, on the other

hand, described the indigenous peoples of the Philippines as idolaters, who worshipped

wooden statues and stones. Chirino’s description of the early Filipino religions was

PHILIPPINE PRE COLONIAL

Pre-colonial Philippines refers to the era before the arrival of Spanish explorers and
colonizers in the 16th century. During this time, the Philippines was composed of
various indigenous societies and cultures, each with its own distinct social structures,
economies, and belief systems.

1. **Political Organization**: The Philippines was not a single unified entity but rather a
collection of chiefdoms, city-states, and barangays (villages). Each community was
often led by a datu or a local leader.
2. **Social Structure**: Society was stratified, with social classes ranging from the ruling
elite (datu class) to commoners and slaves. Kinship ties were important, and
communities were often organized around extended families.

3. **Economic Activities**: Agriculture was the primary economic activity, with

communities cultivating crops such as rice, sugarcane, and root crops. Fishing, hunting,
and trade also played significant roles in the economy.

4. **Religion and Beliefs**: Animism and ancestor worship were prevalent, with belief in
spirits (anitos) and supernatural forces shaping religious practices. Rituals and
ceremonies were central to everyday life, influencing social events and agricultural
activities.

5. **Trade and Cultural Exchange**: Trade networks existed among different islands
and with neighboring Southeast Asian countries. The Philippines served as a hub for
regional trade, exchanging goods such as gold, ceramics, and textiles.

6. **Arts and Culture**: Indigenous cultures produced intricate craftsmanship in pottery,

weaving, and metalwork. Oral literature, epics, and dances were also part of the rich
cultural heritage.

PIGAFFETTA

1. **First Impressions about the Text**: The text provides a concise overview of the
pre-colonial era in the Philippines, highlighting key aspects such as political
organization, social structure, economic activities, religion, trade, and culture. It portrays
a vibrant and diverse society with complex social dynamics and rich cultural traditions.

2. **Why did Pigafetta write about the voyage of Magellan?**: Antonio Pigafetta was an
Italian scholar and explorer who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on his voyage to
circumnavigate the globe. Pigafetta wrote about the voyage primarily to document the
journey's details, including geography, encounters with indigenous peoples, and natural
phenomena. His writings served to record the historic voyage and contribute to
European understanding of the world's geography during the Age of Exploration.

**II. Vocabulary**

Here are some words you may not be familiar with from the text:

- **Barangays**: Villages or communities in pre-colonial Philippines.

- **Datu**: A local chief or leader in Filipino societies.

- **Animism**: Belief in spirits or supernatural forces inherent in all objects or living

things.
- **Ancestor worship**: Reverence or veneration of deceased family members.

- **Epics**: Long narrative poems or stories that typically reflect the cultural identity of a
people.

- **Hub**: A central point of concentrated activity or influence.

**III. Dates and Places Mentioned in the Text** Dates: The text doesn't specify particular
dates but refers to the pre-colonial era generally, which predates the arrival of the
Spanish in the Philippines in the 16th century. Places: The text mentions the Philippines
as a collection of chiefdoms, city-states, and barangays, indicating the geographic
spread of indigenous communities across the archipelago.

**IV. Synthesis and Conclusion** The synthesis of the text reveals a complex and
diverse pre-colonial Philippine society characterized by decentralized political
structures, intricate social hierarchies, thriving economic activities, rich cultural
expressions, and active trade networks. This era laid the foundation for the subsequent
cultural interactions and transformations brought about by Spanish colonization in the
16th century. In conclusion, understanding the pre-colonial Philippines helps
contextualize its rich cultural heritage and societal structures, providing insights into its
development before external influences significantly reshaped its history and identity.

1941 - 1942
December 7th, 1941: Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

December 8th, 1941: Japanese Attack on Clark Field

January 2nd, 1942: Japanese occupy Manila and declare it an open city

January 1942: Filipina guerrilla Yay Panlilio broadcasts her first acts of televised
resistance via radio station in Manila

March 29th, 1942: Philippine Communist and Socialist leaders meet to establish the
Hukbalahap (Huks) to fend off the Japanese and all forms of imperialism in the
Philippines

April 9th, 1942: Bataan Death March

May 5th-6th, 1942: Japanese Attack on Corregidor

1942: Wendell Fertig’s Filipino Christian and Moro guerrilla establishment begins taking
shape on Mindanao

1942: Young Philippine Military Cadets establish the guerrilla organization, the Hunters
ROTC

1944 - 1946

October 20th, 1944: Return of General MacArthur to the island of Leyte

October 26th, 1944-December 1944: The U.S. Navy defeat the Japanese in the Battle
of Leyte Gulf

December 16th, 1944: Liberation of Mindoro and other Mindanao regions by Moro
guerrilla units

February 4th, 1945: The Retaking of Manila by the Allied Forces and Guerrillas

August 15th, 1945: The Japanese Imperial Army officially surrender in Baguio City,
Philippines

September 2nd, 1945: Official liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese

July 4th, 1946: Philippines celebrate their official independence