MAKASAYSAYANG LAHI

Self – identity is very important for a nation to co-exist equally with other nations. Without self-identity that nation will always be a slave to others and will not be able to carve its own destiny. It will just be a follower of world events, and its people become mere so-called cogs in the machine.

Hence it is important for use, the Filipino people to recognize our own self-identity. What distinguishes us from other people? During the Spanish colonization, the Filipino people were considered literally as slaves. Our forefathers and foremothers were not given education, and if there were any at all, they were reserved for children of the social elite. During the American period, our parents were given education but denied full independence not until 1946. Our country was a great source of labour for the Hawaiian pineapple plantations and natural resources – like gold and other minerals -- for the American factories.

After independence in 1946, our sense of identity was still not fully carved. Our consciousness was largely colonized as the books and magazines, as well as films that were shown then heavily put up the stars as white, tall, with aquiline noses. Thus, compared to them, we were patsies – short, dark or kayumanggi, with almost flat noses. It is logical to feel diffident, less confrontational and obedient under that set-up.

Actually, we have many things to feel great about like our own history. Did you know that there were already people in the Philippines way back 250,000 to 500,000 BC, according to the voluminous tome KASAYSAYAN NG ATING BAYAN written by Fe Mangahas and adeptly illustrated by Imelda Cajipe. Although no human bones were found then, yet, some animal bones which could not have existed without humans disciplining them were discovered. The same animals were found in Cagayan Valley and parts of Mindoro.

Why do we say that there were people then at the same time that the animal bones were found? That is because, in other places like the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes and Formosa, the same animal bones had been found together with human bones. And we were connected to the same places via land bridges. At that time, people moved about through these land bridges and so we all belonged to one region without boundaries.

Homo erectus --- meaning capable of standing up -- was the name of the people inhabiting the land then. They were nomads, living off fruits, seeds and plants. They knew how to set fire to cook their food and to keep themselves warm during cold climes. They also lived inside caves when the weather was not so good. For evidence, Fe Mangahas cites stones used by them at Cagayan, Novaliches and Angono, Rizal

Around 100,000 to 30,000 BC human bones had been found in the islands, in the caves of Callao, Cagayan, a female skull in Tabon Cave in Palawan (around 43,000 BC) .

Kasaysayan ng Ating Bayan: Ang Pilipinas Noon at Ngayon is very creative in teaching our history as a people and written in Pilipino, thus understandable to any group in the islands. It is full of illustrations, page by page actually, and can be readily understood even by those with not a full grasp of Pilipino.

The book is composed of four volumes:
Volume I –our roots in the ancient period – 500,000 to 1500 AD
Volume ii –the Spanish period from 1500 to 1898
Volume iii – the American period from 1899 to 1946
And Volume iv – Government and the people from 1946 to 2012

The second volume covers very meticulously how the Filipino people were made completely subservient through religious upbringing. It also mentions the important role of Filipino women revolutionaries in the Katipunan thus revealing that not all had felt at ease with colonial rule and even to the leadership of male revolutionaries. The third volume mentions that the Americans paid Spain $20 million dollars in 1898 as compensation for the turnover of the country to them as well as how the process of Americanization was carried out. The fourth volume covers post-independence, martial rule, and then the various regimes of Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The book is not only full of facts but also has discussion points for those studying by groups. Then after discussion, activities are posited like exhibits, drawing, making dioramas and dramatizing the fight in Mactan between Lapulapu and Magellan, as well as singing of songs that will enhance our idea of being Filipino and Filipina like Florante’s entitled “Ako’y isang Pinoy.” Gary Granada’s song lyrics, “Ang Misyon” is also quoted which talks of the aspirations for justice and the need to answer the call for involvement to obliterate poverty in reality.

Fe Mangahas tackles fearlessly political questions and issues. involving the left, the right and the centrists in Philippine society. Her book tackles the basis for and corruption under martial law, the problems of the Cory Aquino government in strengthening democratic processes in the country, Fidel V. Ramos, the first soldier to become president of the country and how he tried to change the Constitution to extend his term; Joseph Estrada’s unbelievable poll victory at more than 40% of the votes and how he had to leave Malacanang in order to prevent bloodshed that was being foisted by some groups massing at EDSA led by Cory, Ramos and the Church; the unwieldy rule of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who relied on corrupting legislators and the military in order to stay in power; and lastly Benigno Aquino III and the need for his administration to be transparent in fund allocations, among other issues. Fe does not mention that Cory revealed her misgivings later on in supporting the bringing down of Estrada and had even apologized to him for having been a part of the group that sought his toppling.

Imelda Cajipe Endaya has a full article in Volume iv, entitled “Sining Biswal sa Pagbubuo ng Bansa: 1946-1986,” where she discusses indigenous art, and foreign influences in the current crop of artworks - films, sculpture, paintings, and print, as well as women’s art.

For Philippine migrants in other countries with children who find it difficult to related with the roots of their parents, the book will open their (both parents and children) hearts and minds and make them feel proud of our race. No longer will they think that being alive means being subsumed to any other race.

Moreover, the book has spiritual leanings, as it asks questions like: “Paano mo maiuugnay ang ebolusyon ng tao sa kabanatang ito sa Genesis 1:1-31?“

Another is, “Sagabal ba ang sinaunang pananampalataya sa iyong pagiging Kristiyano? Ibahagi ang iyong personal na repleksiyon tungkol dito.”

We must read this book, even just by devoting our chapter a day, in order to understand that in the world history, the Philippines has been part and parcel of that march to full development from the very beginning as all other humans in other countries. By absorbing that thought, there is no way by which we could underestimate our capability to progress at all as other nations.

“Actually it is often the people of faith who preserve their culture and history. Sila iyong ‘people of history.: Kasi tayo ang daluyan ng continuity ng faith natin mula noong unang panahon hanggang ngayon. Mahaba ang kasaysayan natin at mahaba rin ang lalakbayin sa hinaharap.” – Melba Padilla Maggay, Ph.D. Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture.


Ed Lapiz, pastor and active Day by Day Ministries, says “Kailangang matagpuan nating muli ang ating sarili. Hindi ito mangyayari kung ang alam natin sa kasaysayan ay nagsimula lamang sa 1521. Kung ganito, malayo tayo sa simula, malayo tayo sa sarili, sa Lumikha.”

“Ang aklat na ito nawa’y magbigay-daan upang maiwaksi nating ang poot, pait at tinik sa ating buhay at kasaysayan. Bigyan natin ng patotoo ang winika ng Panginoon sa bibig ni Isaias 65:17-25. Gamitin natin ang malalim na pananampalatayang kaloob ng Diyos sa bawat Pilipino. Pagyamanin natin ito sa paglikha natin ng bagong kasaysayan para sa bagong Pilipinas bilang tahanang nagpapahalaga sa katotohanan, katarungan, kaunlaran at kapayapaan.” – Ruth S. Callanta

Kasaysayan ng Ating Bayan makes reading history a living and reflective experience that must be related to our innermost core as beings with faith and understanding of our own roles in society and in the universe.

The book – four volumes all in all – is available at the publisher’s office, Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries headed by Ms. Ruth S. Callanta, president. CCT is located at 5/F Joshua Center, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila with telephones: 632 – 524 1819 or email at ho@ cct.org.ph.