Honor our history

On the eve of a long holiday vacation because of the ASEAN Summit, I suggested to my readers to spend their time reading books. I suggested a list of  books to start with. This coming holiday is a celebration of our national heroes. It would be a great time to start reading books that would help us understand our history and the lives of Filipinos during that period we now call as the War for Philippine Independence.

When one talks about Philippine history, the usual references are textbooks. But there are history books that go beyond dates, names and events. One such book is A History of the Philippines: From Indios Bravos to the Filipinos by Luis H. Francia published by The Overlook Press, Peter Meyer Publishers Inc.

The author says the book is not a definitive history; but summarizes clearly and concisely the different forces that have transformed, for better or for worse, an archipelago into a republic. Here is an excerpt from the Introduction that gives a taste of the book:

“Who were the Indios Bravos? Brilliant nineteenth polymath, doctor, bon vivant, and writer Jose Rizal and his friends gave themselves the name, half in jest and half in all seriousness after having watched a Wild, Wild West show in Paris in 1899. Indio of course was the disparaging term the Spanish used for the indigenous population in their colonies. Rizal, and those expatriate ilustrados , “enlightened ones,” as they were referred to, admired both the excellent horsemanship and the dignity of the Native American performers – and recognized them as kindred spirits. 

They were indeed brave Indians , their peculiar status in the world mirroring somewhat that of the Filipinos themselves who were highly critical of Spanish colonial regime in Manila and who in Madrid and Barcelona advocated far-reaching reforms at the same time they professed loyalty to Mother Spain. By appropriating the term meant to put them in their place, Los Indios Bravos were signalling the Spanish their intent to take charge of their destiny. It was a highly symbolic act, representing a paradigmatic shift in the burgeoning nationalist consciousness. “ 

The book begins with Pre-Spanish period  and ends with the term of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

A group of books that are fascinating reading are published memoirs of people who visited the Philippines or lived in the Philippines during the 19th century. The National Historical Institute has done a monumental job in discovering, preserving and publishing these memoirs. These books have no literary pretensions but they give insights and glimpses into the daily lives of Filipinos during that time.

The Philippines and Round About by George John Younghusband and published by the National Historical Institute is a first hand account of the Philippine Revolution and the Spanish American War from the eyes of a British military observer. This “eyewitness” accounts has to be accepted as an obviously biased view.  The British supported the American colonial policies and were considered allies. 

The author is all praises for the Americans and paints a dreary picture of life in Manila. But there are times when Younghusband unknowingly compliments the Filipinos. He compares the demeanor of Filipinos with those in British and Dutch colonies. He says: “With the current and well authenticated history of two centuries of Spanish cruelty and atrocity, it would be natural to find in the Philippines a downtrodden and ultrasubservient race. But this is not all the case and may be taken as one more proof of the entire unsuitability of the Latin races for the work of colonization , the spread of civilization or call it what you may. ” He found Filipino waiters to be insolent and feckless.

Another interesting book is The Philippine Islands, a compilation of reports written by M. J. Lannoy, the consul general in Manila in 1849. It has a breakdown of the 8,000-man Spanish armed forces in the Philippines including their pay scale. 

It also shows population figures that showed there were 3,987,781 souls in 1840  with 140,000 over the age of 60 years. Surprisingly, there were only 458 regular members of the clergy composed of the four orders: Augustinians, Dominicans, Recollects and Franciscans.

The Tayabas Chronicles (The Early Years) 1886-1907) is a narrative in English based on Fragmentos de Mi Juventad, the original memoir in Spanish by Ma. Concepcion Herrerra Vda. De Umali and edited by Karen Berthelsen Cardenas.

This is an autobiography which actually is a narrative of the daily life of Conchita as translated by her daughter and edited by her granddaughter. It documented life in 19th century Philippines specifically in the town of Sariaya in the province of Tayabas (now Quezon). 

In many parts of the book, it reads like historical fiction even detailing conversations. It reads like a storytelling book. One has to really read this book to truly appreciate its wealth of details of life  in colonial society in rural Philippines from the viewpoint of a prominent family.

Two of my favorite Philippine historians are Teodoro Agoncillo and Cesar Adib Majul. Agoncillo’s The Revolt of the Masses: The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan is, to my mind, still the quintessential book on Andres Bonifacio. 

For those who have not read Majul’s books, a good place to start is Mabini and the Philippine Revolution published by the UP Press. The author says: “This book is not exclusively a biography or a history. It is mainly an attempt to view and analyze the great and dramatic events of the Philippine Revolution through the eyes and mind of an intellectual leader...”

The best way to honor our heroes is to educate our youth about our history and our heroes. 

Writing classes for kids/teens 

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on December 2 and December 9 (1:30-3pm/independent sessions).  All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0945-2273216 or email [email protected].

Email: [email protected]