Queenie Ann S. Valdehueza Professor Marwah M.

Camama

Truth to be told subjects relating to History are my least favorites. I can say that I have
learned much from my junior high years just enough for me to fill my exam papers and quizzes.
The perfect line from the song to describe it was “Easy come, easy go. That’s just how you leave
oh.” Bruno mars was always right about that. Memorization works fine for me for just a matter
of days and after that retention never followed. I was only today years old when I realized my
way of learning before would cost me so much today.

I was really anxious about having a History in my units. It was really true that if I would
have given the chance to choose, I would like to avoid History as much as possible. Let there be
peace on earth. Surprisingly! I was also ready to give this subject a chance. I've decided that it's
time for me to make up for my study and learning habits for the past years. It’s a challenge and at
the same time responsibility for my lack of interest before. It’s time for me not to be ignorant and
try as much as possible to cope up. Done with those days with memorizing names, dates, places
and etc because Im planning that my college years will be about learning with essence.

Fast forward to the day we already met our official teacher for the subject Readings in
Philippine History. I can clearly remember that first meeting, the air was surely intimidating. I
try to observe the class of Professor Camama and think of the ways I can survive this subject
somehow. The first question that Professor Camama asked was about the name of the first
teacher that was assigned before her. No one really knows and Professor surely tried to describe
him. I realized that maybe Maam Camama was really particular with names because she really
spelled out her name letter by letter. I don’t know if Maam Camama has observed that everyone
of us was barely breathing. Maybe because the aura and the way our Professor carry herself
professionally. I think it’s not a bad thing although the only problem was us students thinking
how we could go out from our comfort zones. We were really afraid of what will happen to our
History journey.

Reporting will never be a thing for me. Talking ideas in front of many people and them
looking at you are my weakness. The only thing that boggles me was the oral exam. I kept
thinking of the possibilities of what was it but all I could say was I will never do good about that
portion of my grades. The first oral exam was a presentation about Philippines by group. All
groups have prepared well and during the final presentation I was shocked with the results.
Everyone really pull off every presentation and the variety of showcasing our talents. We
enjoyed ever part of it but I don’t know what to put with Maam’s expression if she was pleased
or bored. Nevertheless we did our best and we got the grades which Maam Camama thinks we
deserved.

Basic yet the questions we never internalized were “What is history?” and “Why we need
to study History?” History for me before was completely memorization but for now I have come
to realized that History plays a big part of our identity and to our society today. They say “Past is
past and never look back” but this is all about how the past through time shaped our present day.
Just like the trees what we see today is superficial only to what’s really beneath the land. Today
is just a product of whom we are yesterday, knowing facts are not just enough so we need to dig
deeper to see the roots. These enable us to critically analyze further and to see ideas in different
perspective.

Sources are crucial part of anyone’s stories. One cannot give reliable input without
supporting receipts. Just when we are now moving to modern world, credibility is hard to
distinguish with which is which. Not all primary sources equate to credibility, some materials
especially different people at the same issue directly involved may have different accounts.
Someone’s eyes may mean a whole lot different to the other. What I love about material
evidence was it holds a big authenticity of what happened before. Secondary sources are the
testimonies or critical analysis of someone through gathering and interpreting primary sources.
These materials must be preserved in accordingly so that anyone could see what it looks like
living in the past.

The lens of the foreigners is not always the same with the lens of the Filipinos. It’s just a
matter of perspective and knowing which lens we are looking at. For example of this is
Pigafetta’s account on Magellan’s voyage. The contribution of the expedition does not end with
the European historiography but also enriched Visayan historiography. This is a sole proof that
Philippines before is already civilized. The first interaction and resistance of Filipinos from the
Spaniards was put into a detailed account. This led to a narrative of an eyewitness on how were
the Filipinos reaction and the first introduction of Christianity.

Many of what we know about the customs of tagalogs came from Plasencia’s account
which tackles the life of Tagalog Region before the Spanish and Christian influences starting
from the hierarchy up to the precolonial policy of people before. Just like Pigafetta, Plasencia’s
writing also disproves some claims that Philippines lacked in culture.

Kartila’s relevance lies with principle for the citizens and not just only about the rules of
an organization. The beautiful thing about this is even if it is written during the times of
Katipunan but the writings about Kartilya are still relevant to the lives of people today. This is
the simple way of living the life of a nation in fighting for independence.

It is important that we know what’s written in the declaration of independence from the
colonial rule. Today we must numerously question if the dealings with the United States are
achieved or the value which Filipinos fought and died for are not in vain. Acta must be studied
thoroughly today especially that it must enlighten us as to much extent our freedom entails.

The speech of Cory Aquino during the time of People Power Revolution changed the
whole game of Marcos. This proves that a revolution is what it needs to take down someone’s
imposed power over the country. When people unite, the whole world listened.
 Im not an art enthusiast but what I really love about artworks is it gives you the feeling of
what it felt like to be there in the various historical events even if you are not there to begin with.
It preserves the stories with just an illustration. A picture cold paint a thousand stories more than
the words could ever describe.

For me personally I believe that whether Rizal retracted his writings or not, it doesn’t
discredit what the national hero has done for the Philippines. It can’t soley retract the
enlightenment it gives us. This is debatable up until now but the truth is what’s Rizal has done is
done, but the values and learning which Rizal has shared to us are embedded to us Filipinos.
Whether Rizal died as a mason or Christian, the writing of Rizal served it purposes and an
inspiration that led the 1896 Revolution.

It would be lovely to see through places which hold an impact to the history of
Philippines and not just by words. Historical sites which witnessed through time about the stories
that made us who we are today must be protected. Learning isn’t just about knowing facts and
reading textbooks but also for example looking the textures, structures, furniture and etc which
was embedded also with culture. As what stated in the book, it is learning history being in
history. Historical sites and artifacts must be preserved for a better learning of history not just by
the book but what is seen in the lens of the people before. It is important that laws implemented
should protect any of the old sites and artifact which plays a role of determining our identity as
we were before up to the present.

The Philippine Constitution is studied through time to time. Different administration also
has different constitution implemented. These serve as fundamental laws and establish the
principles of our country.

The Philippines is enriched with agricultural and industrial. For a country which is the
rice is a staple food along with other crops, problem arises with the agricultural economy Social
and agricultural issues include the land tenancy of farmers and everything that concerns the
agrarian structure. That’s why agrarian reform must be implemented wisely so that the
government and the local farmers from ends meet. Easier said than done but it must be put to our
mind that our farmers are the ones that plays a big role in our agricultural economy yet the
government benefit from it but our local farmers are robbed with also privilege. In the end our
local farmers are exhaust from day to day to work but some of the rights are not properly
exercised in the agrarian reform that should protect the interest of local farmers from the
capitalism.

I was at awed when History really does tackle everything even if you are an accounting
student. Most of the terms are familiar and surprisingly also discussed in history. Taxation is
what keeps the government. It’s the bloodline that even in an organization without finance it will
malfunction and will not carry out its people.