Philippine History — Primary & Secondary Sources

History: Meaning & Relevance

  • History = totality of past events + the scholarly study of those events.
  • Only constant element: change.
  • "One past, many histories" ➔ interpretations can conflict.
  • Studying history develops informed perspectives on current issues.

Source Types

Primary Sources

  • Created during the time being studied; firsthand/eyewitness evidence.
  • Written: letters, government records, parish & court documents, business ledgers, archival papers.
  • Non-written: artifacts (buildings, clothing, jewelry, tools, paintings), photographs, audio/video, film.
  • Repositories: libraries, museums, archives, cemeteries.

Secondary Sources

  • Produced after the events; offer analysis, interpretation, synthesis.
  • Forms: textbooks, scholarly books & journal articles, monographs, dissertations, conference papers, magazine pieces.

Evaluating Sources

Contextual Analysis

  • Determine time & place of creation and prevailing historical conditions.
  • Assess author’s background, intent, and authority.
  • Judge present-day relevance and meaning.

Content Analysis

  • Identify author’s central thesis or argument.
  • Compare differing viewpoints; detect bias.
  • Test claims against the evidence provided.
  • Basis for constructing your own evidence-based arguments.

Skills & Objectives

  • Verify credibility, authenticity, and provenance of sources.
  • Apply contextual & content analysis to deepen understanding of Philippine history.
  • Cultivate critical thinking and argumentation using primary evidence.

Quick Distinctions

  • Primary = contemporaneous, firsthand evidence.
  • Secondary = retrospective, interpretative commentary.
  • Both require rigorous contextual & content analysis.

Diagnostic Examples (PS vs SS)

  • Memories ➔ PS
  • Governor-General annual reports ➔ PS
  • Philippine history textbooks ➔ SS
  • Newspaper clippings ➔ PS
  • Online journal on World War II collaborators ➔ SS
  • Artifacts & relics ➔ PS
  • Documentary reports ➔ SS
  • Photo exhibit ➔ PS
  • Editorial cartoons ➔ PS
  • Paintings ➔ PS