REFLECTION PAPER
(A brief summary of the first voyage around the world by Magellan & The Laguna copper plate inscription)
Ferdinand Magellan is considered as the first man to circumnavigate the world. He is one of the great sailors of all time and set sail all the way from Portugal to Moluccas island to search for spices. His adventure brought him to the Philippines that’s why he conquered it for almost three centuries due to the abundance of the country in spices and resources. The 16th of March 1521 is the most important history of our country since our archipelagic nation was discovered by the western conqueror. This nation would have been having a different culture, traditions and beliefs, different language or even religion if it weren’t for them. For me, the exploration of Magellan in the Pacific Ocean brought many influences in our nation, one of those are Education, Christianity and Culture and Tradition. I think if we are not discovered by the explorers of the 16th Century led by Ferdinand Magellan; we will not adopt the way of living that we have right now.
The Laguna Copperplate Inscription was found in 1989 near the mouth of the Lumbang River near Laguna de Bay, by a man who was dredging sand to turn into concrete. It is an artifact that of some important contribution to our history. The Laguna Copperplate, which would probably not attract instant public attention as gold or silver artifacts would, is in fact an immensely important object. This seemingly insignificant artifact has sparked a re-assessment of the history of the Philippines prior to the coming of the Spanish, in particular the 0th century AD, and the archipelago’s relationship with the rest of Southeast Asia. The artifact only suggests that before the arrival of the late conqueror of nation, we actually do have a culture and tradition of our own. We have our own way of living but not as clear as of what the Spaniards have influenced us. However, it is an important matter for us Filipinos since the discoveries of the artifacts and other evidences proves that even though we are not a rich country, our ancestors seem to have their own practices in living that we can be proud of.
(The KKK and The Kartilya ng Katipunan & Ang Pag-Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa)
The Kartilya was printed as a small pamphlet that was distributed to the members of the Katipunan. Its term was derived from the Spanish cartilla which was the primer used for grade schools during the Spanish period. And like the cartillas, this document served as a primary lesson for the members of Katipunan. The foundation of the Katipunan is not just by accident, it is an organization that was led by the great Andres Bonifacio. He idolized Rizal and also wanted to give the Philippines that it deserves in the hands of the foreign conquerors. I was just so proud and amazed by the Nation’s hero because they have offered themselves just to fight for our freedom and give our land to our own hands. All their love for our country especially Andres Bonifacio always moves me because even though we’re in the middle of different catastrophes at that time, he courageously faced the enemies, which is the Spaniards. Moreover, the writings and in the Kartilya that was authored by one of the great minds our country have had shows all the affection and true concern to the nation. The document has many teachings that even now is being practiced because of its good deeds and intention for oneself and for others. It also exhibits the nationalism and patriotism to our own country. The Kartilya was not just a document for the Katipunan. Its importance today is predicted on the teachings that embodied the moral and nationalistic principles of the nation that fought for independence. These principles are relevant as the sense of nationhood still holds true when the cultural and historical values of every Filipino are threatened by onslaught of foreign influences brought about by today’s globalization.
The poem "Ang Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” is written by one of our country’s hero in tagalog. After I read the poem i have realized much more about being a filipino than being just a citizen. We can live by ourselves but one thing that this literary piece wants to manifest to us filipinos is the much love that we must be offering to our country. I know Bonifacio by book not personally but knowing that he himself didn’t finish a higher degree of education, he made a quite good and classic poem about the love for one country. I can feel the heart that he put while writing the poem and I realized that when you truly love your country, you offer yourself fully, to serve and help others, to fight and give justice, to be loyal and committed in times of good or bad. Overall, this poem is all about being proud of one’s country and being nationalistic. We have to love, praise and fight for our own nation and appreciate all the things that it has to offer for us.
(A glance at selected Philippine political caricatures of the American era (1900-1941) & The speech of KALIBAPI acting director Camilo Osias on 7 December 1943)
The unique way that a caricature represents opinions and captures the audience’s imagination as reason enough for historians to examine these political cartoons. Commentaries in mass media inevitably shape public opinion and such kind of opinion is worthy of historical examination. Cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through heavy use of symbolisms, which is different from verbose written editorial and opinion pieces. In the Philippines, the student of different schools was doing an extra-curricular activity that is being participated by selected students. This is the Journalism, and one of the categories there is the editorial cartooning and based from what I know, this is a drawing by which the characters are exaggerated visually and it is all related to politics, media and other issues in the society. I think this activity was adopted from the American era in which we have known different issues in the society especially the politics and how the government is run. This piece of representation or the Political cartoons serve as primers for engaging in the prevailing opinions of that time. One positive effect of political cartoon is that it becomes the representation of the current conditions of our country- it lets us see the problem.
The KALIBAPI functioned as the single political party in the Philippines after the Japanese Military Administration had forced all other parties to dissolve. Osias was first Assistant- Director-General and later became Aquino’s successor as Director-General of the party. He delivered his speech through radio broadcast. Camilo mentioned that Kalibapi as an organization of, by, and for Filipino, will continually try to give accounts of their activities and plans to help the Filipinos grasp the idea of what they are doing. He also mentioned that during this time people seems to be chronic kickers, habitual complainants and grumblers, in connection with this he clarifies that he wanted to use the word Longanimity. His speech was to awaken the Filipino people of that time to use their time and efforts on doing good for themselves and the country. Camilo wants to transform the virtue he was seeing from Filipinos during that time from Negative (Chronic Kickers, Habitual Complainants and Grumblers) into something that will ignite their determination to lift themselves including our country, Philippines.
(The Proclamation of the Philippine Independence & The Declaration of Martial Law in 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos)
The Proclamation of the Philippine Independence is seemingly the most wanted thing to hear by every Filipino of that time. This declaration is, of course, the sole document that proves the value Filipinos place on their freedom. Every now and then we are being haunted by our past and it is heart breaking to know that we were controlled by foreign blood without having a power to live on our own. So, this proclamation is one of the significant awakening for Filipinos in the real condition of the nation under Spain. At the same day it was the first moment that we have waved the Philippine flag symbolizing our freedom. The struggle that Emilio Aguinaldo and the revolutionaries have suffered is fulfilling because all they’ve ever wanted was peace and freedom for the Philippines.
The Declaration of Martial Law in 1972 is under the president Ferdinand Marcos who had at most 21 years to serve the republic of the Philippines. The martial Law had been in effect for more or less 14 years and there comes a good and dark side of the story, it is the imposition of direct military control of normal civilian functions by a government, especially in response to a temporary emergency such as invasion or major disaster, or in an occupied territory. The declaration, I think, do not intend to have a power over the “mamayang Pilipino” since during that time there are serious bombings and terrorist attacks that lead the country to chaos. One of the purposes of this is to protect the fellowmen and if possible, provide a full safety using the military force. However, the purpose, as time passes by is being unreasonable because some says that the government and military forces are the one that has a control, holding a power against over the citizen. This might be the downside of the law since it lasted for how many years and not all the people do not favor this kind of leadership. To sum up, I couldn’t agree more with the implementation of the Law since it can be pulled down a little earlier than 14 years because the officers, government officials and army have been abusing their power.
Group 5 (Revisiting Corazon Aquino’s speech & The 1943 Constitution)
The speech that Cory Aquino delivered in the US, had been the center of issue here in the Philippines even across the world. Cory Aquino’s speech gives a great impact in the history of the Philippines. It is an important event in the political and diplomatic history of the country, because it has arguably cemented the legitimacy of EDSA government. Due to the Marcos’ regime, people of that time have revolutionized and fight for their freedom that had been on hold by the government itself and its officials. I think one thing that drives the people to fight and express themselves of the situation they’re in is the motivation that they get from Cory. Because of Cory, the anti-Marcos group had a rally at the EDSA for the purpose of taking down the late president Ferdinand Marcos out of his seat in a peaceful manner.
The president of the second Republic of the Philippines, Jose P. Laurel, which is a former KALIBAPI member. He is one of the founders of the 1943 Constitution which talks about the rules and regulations that is sided on the Japanese. This is the time where the Japanese took over the power in the Philippines from the hands of the American. Because of the power that the Japanese had over the Filipino, the KALIBAPI, which is the only existing organization that time elected Jose P. Laurel as the President of the Philippines. This whole thing just shows off that Jose P. Laurel allied with the Japanese and let himself be controlled. He is a failure as a president for me because he let his fellowmen be dragged down in the situation. Various violence, wars, and chaos have happened and he let himself be under the control of Japanese. No wonder why he is named the “Puppet President”. As a Filipino, we should not tolerate this kind of act, putting their selves first without considering others’ situation. It is a total waste for me to let other country run our own homeland, what more if the leader which must the one to fight for the freedom of the nation serves as a puppet and let his fellowmen suffer from his hypocrisy.
nyc!!