Readings in Philippine History W1 - 3 : (1) Introduction to History, (2) Historical Criticism, & (3) Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources

History

the study and interpretation by a historian of past human activity, societies, and civilizations, based on data and historical sources.

Historical sources

documents and data that provide evidence of past events, used by historians.

Historia (Greek root of "history")

inquiry or investigation of the past.

Historian

an expert or student of history who seeks, interprets, and gives meaning to historical facts, organizing them chronologically.

Duties of a historian

to recognize evidence, assess its usefulness, draw conclusions, and reconstruct the past.

Gottschalk's view of history

historians are often removed from events since only fragments of what was observed, remembered, recorded, survived, and grasped can be narrated.

Urban legend

a story about the past not supported by evidence, often gossip or myth rather than history.

Historical sources

tangible remains of the past or testimonies concerning the past used by historians to create depictions of history.

Primary sources

testimonies of participants or direct witnesses of an event; documents or physical objects created during the time under study.

Written sources

example of a primary source that is published or unpublished documents such as newspapers, journals, travelogues, speeches, letters, diaries, and archival materials.

Numerical records

an example of primary source numerical data in printed or handwritten form, such as statistics, tables, and graphs.

Oral statements

example of primary source that are spoken accounts or testimonies by eyewitnesses, preserved through recordings or transcriptions.

Relics

examples of primary sources that are physical objects that provide information about the past, such as artifacts, ruins, and fossils.

Images

examples of primary sources that are visual materials like photographs, posters, paintings, drawings, cartoons, and maps.

Secondary sources

interpretations and analyses of primary sources created by individuals who were not direct witnesses of the events.

Examples of secondary sources

history textbooks, biographies, journals, magazines, newspapers, works of criticism and interpretation.

Tertiary sources

sources that provide third-hand information by reporting ideas and details from secondary sources.

Examples of tertiary sources

encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries, Wikipedia, YouTube, message boards, social media sites, search sites.

Historical Criticism (Historical-Critical Method)

A method of evaluating historical texts or sources to determine their origin, authenticity, and meaning by placing them in their original historical and cultural context. It aims to separate fact from forgery and reconstruct the situation of the author and audience.

Goal of Historical Criticism

To understand the text in its original context by asking: Who wrote it? When? For what purpose? Under what conditions? It also seeks to reconstruct historical situations and uncover the author's intended meaning.

External Criticism

The process of testing the authenticity of a source by examining its physical form, writing style, date, language, and history of custody. It asks whether the document is genuine, altered, forged, or anachronistic.

Test of Authenticity

The steps used in external criticism to verify a document, including:

Anachronism

The presence of words, ideas, objects, or events out of their proper historical time, which signals inaccuracy or forgery.

Handwriting/Signature/Seal Analysis

Comparing handwriting, seals, or signatures to known samples to confirm authorship and detect forgery.

Anachronistic Style

Examining idioms, expressions, and orthography (spelling, punctuation, writing conventions) to see if they fit the claimed period.

Anachronistic Reference

Identifying if the text refers to events or knowledge that happened only later, which would expose it as fake.

Provenance

Establishing the origin and chain of custody of a source to verify where it came from and how it has been preserved.

Semantics

Analyzing the meaning of words and phrases in their historical context to check if they align with the time period.

Hermeneutics

Interpreting ambiguous, figurative, or ironic passages to uncover their intended meaning within context.

Internal Criticism

The process of testing the credibility of a source by examining its content, logic, accuracy, and the trustworthiness of its author. It asks whether the source is believable and reflects what really happened.

Test of Credibility

The steps used in internal criticism, including:

Identification of the Author

Checking if the author is reliable by studying their consistency, knowledge, mental capacity, and possible biases.

Approximate Date

Determining whether the timing of the account matches the historical event it describes.

Ability to Tell the Truth

Assessing if the eyewitness was close to the event, competent (education, social status, health), and attentive enough to report accurately.

Willingness to Tell the Truth

Determining if the author might be biased, coerced, threatened, or motivated to conceal or exaggerate facts.

Corroboration

Verifying information by comparing it with independent, reliable accounts from multiple credible witnesses or records.

Content Analysis

The process of examining primary sources to identify corroboration, bias, perspective, and context in order to better understand their historical value.

Corroboration

Comparing information from the given source with other sources (primary or secondary) to see whether they agree or describe the same event, even if expressed in different words.

Bias

The presence of imbalance or prejudice in a source's account, either strongly positive (too favorable), strongly negative (too unfavorable), silent bias (omitting key facts), or erroneous bias (containing false information). Bias can be detected through extreme word choices, exaggeration in visuals, or selective silence.

How to Point Out Bias

(1) Provide a direct quote, (2) explain the creator's perspective, and (3) explain the creator's purpose.

Historical Perspective

The point of view expressed by the creator of a source, shaped by factors such as nationality, social status, politics, culture, religion, and education.

Historical Context

The background conditions in which a source was created, including when and where it was produced, what events were happening at the time, and the specific language or references used. Historical empathy means understanding the past without imposing modern standards.

Contribution and Relevance of a Document in Philippine History

The importance of a source in explaining causes (what made an event happen), consequences (the results of an event), and turning points (moments of dramatic change) within the larger narrative of Philippine history.

Relevance of Documents to the Present

The significance of past events or sources in today's society, determined by the acronym NAME:

Novelty

When something is new or groundbreaking (e.g., first female president Cory Aquino).

Applicability

When a past event parallels present circumstances (e.g., Spanish Flu compared to COVID-19).

Memory

When an event is remembered over time for its lasting impact (e.g., Typhoon Yolanda).

Effect

When an event directly affects people's lives (e.g., Taal Volcano eruption's impact on Batangas).

Juan Luna (1857-1899)

A Filipino painter, sculptor, and political activist born in Badoc, Ilocos Norte on October 24, 1857. He was the third of seven children of Joaquín Luna and Laureana Novicio. Educated at Ateneo Municipal (Bachelor of Arts) and Escuela Náutica de Manila (Marine Transportation). He studied painting under Lorenzo Guerrero, Agustín Sáez, and later Alejo Vera in Spain.

Juan Luna's Achievements

Won gold medal for Spoliarium (Madrid Exposition) and silver medal for The Parisian Life (posthumously, St. Louis Exposition, 1904). Commissioned to paint La Batalla de Lepanto by the Spanish Senate.

Juan Luna's Personal Life

Married María de la Paz Pardo de Tavera; had two children, Andrés and María de la Paz (died young). Their marriage ended tragically when Luna killed his wife and mother-in-law in a fit of jealousy.

Juan Luna's Political Involvement

Friend of Rizal and the Propaganda Movement; imprisoned in 1896 for alleged involvement with the Katipunan but later pardoned. In 1899, served the Malolos Republic.

Spoliarium

Juan Luna's most famous painting, won gold medal at the Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts in 1884.

The Parisian Life (1892)

Oil-on-canvas painting by Juan Luna, also called Inside a Café; housed in the GSIS collection; symbolizes the Philippines during the eve of revolution.

Provenance of The Parisian Life

Originally owned by Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin; bought by GSIS in 2002 for ₱46 million at Christie's Hong Kong.

Style of The Parisian Life

Impressionist painting created during Luna's post-academic life in Paris.

Symbolism of the Woman in the Parisian Life

Represents the Philippine archipelago and motherland; body parts correspond to regions and historic sites.

Mood of the Woman in the Parisian Life

Blank stare and awkward pose reflect the disturbed state of the Philippines in 1892.

Three Men in the Painting in the Parisian Life

Represent Filipino reformists discussing the nation's condition.

L'Echo de Paris Newspaper

Symbol of the French Revolution ideals (Liberty, Fraternity, Equality) which inspired Filipinos.

Context of 1892

Year of La Liga Filipina's founding, Rizal's exile to Dapitan, and Katipunan's establishment.

Contribution of Juan Luna

Used art to convey nationalistic messages and support Filipino aspirations despite personal flaws.

Relevance of The Parisian Life

Highlights Filipino talent globally; reflects revolutionary sentiment in 1892; encourages patriotism today.

Controversy of 2002 Purchase

GSIS acquisition of The Parisian Life stirred corruption allegations against then-president Winston Garcia.