READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

GED0009
At the end of the session, learners are expected to:
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate arguments in favor
or against a particular issue using primary sources

READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

 LESSON #3

EARLY FILIPINOS

READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Many historians and scientists believe that the first inhabitants of the
Philippine islands emerged during the Pleistocene period. There are
two theories on where the inhabitants (first Filipinos) came from
namely: Beyer’s “Migration Theory” and Jocano’s “Evolution Theory”.
Noted social scientist Henry Otley Beyer believes that Filipinos
descended from different groups that came from Southeast Asia in
successive waves of migration. Each group had a distinct culture,
with it’s own customs and traditions. While Jocano believes that
Asians, including Filipinos are the result of a lengthy process of
evolution and migration.
Theories about the Peopling of the
Philippines
 Myths about the Peopling of the Philippines
• Myths:
• Sicalac at Sicavay (Visayans)
• Alimuyo at Aremaya (Igorot)
• Adnato at Andawi (B’laan)

“Malakas” at “Maganda”
 TIME LINE of the Peopling of the Philippines

Homo Erectus
Philippinensis

(500 000 – 250 000)

600 ooo PRESENT

200 000
100 000
500 000 400 000 0 AD
300 000
100 000
Before Common Era (BCE) Anno Domini (AD)
Homo erectus philippinensis
 Homo erectus philippinensis

 From Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg. 31-32

 Evidence of ‘Earliest’ humans in the Philippines
An archaeologist works
at the site of a dig
where a treasure trove
of tools and a nearly
intact skeleton from a
butchered rhinoceros
were found at Kalinga,
on the Philippine island
of Luzon.
Thomas Ingicco / National Museum of
Natural History, France, via AFP — Getty
Images
Retrieved from:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/discovery-suggests-
humans-lived-philippines-much-earlier-believed-n870916
 Evidence of ‘Earliest’ humans in the Philippines
• Remains of slaughtered
rhinoceros and stone
tools were excavated in
Kalinga in 2014.

• Tools are estimated to be

631,000 to 777,000 years
old

Two cut flakes and a rib of rhinoceros at the site of the dig at
Kalinga.Thomas Ingicco / National Museum of Natural History,
France, via AFP — Getty Images
Retrieved from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/discovery-suggests-humans-lived-philippines-much-earlier-believed-n870916
 TIME LINE of the Peopling of the Philippines

Homo Erectus
Philippinensis HOMO SAPIENS :
Callao Man
(500 000 – 250 000) (67 000 )

600 ooo PRESENT

200 000
1,000
500 000 400 000 0 AD
300 000
100 000
 Callao Man (50, 00 - 67,000 BC)
Homo luzonensis

 Discovered in 2007 in the Callao

caves near Peñablanca, Cagayan
Valley

 Possessed knowledge of seacraft-

making
The foot bone 61mm long found by group of Dr. Armand Mijares in Callao cave
http://noypicollections.blogspot.com/2011/08/callao-man-oldest-man-migrate-in.html
 Callao Man (50, 00 - 67,000 BC)
• Homo luzonensis
• Callao Cave, Cagayan
• 50, 000 -67, 000 BCE

Images: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/04/new-species-ancient-human-
discovered-luzon-philippines-homo-luzonensis/
 TIME LINE of the Peopling of the Philippines

Homo Erectus
Philippinensis HOMO SAPIENS : HOMO SAPIENS :
Callao Man Tabon Man
(500 000 – 250 000) (67 000 ) (22 000 – 24 000)

600 ooo PRESENT

200 000
1,000
500 000 400 000 0 AD
300 000
100 000
 Tabon Man (woman)
(24, 000-22,000 BC)
 Discovered in 1962 in Tabon
cave, Palawan

 The skullcap was dated back to

14,500 B.C., the mandible or
jawbones were dated back
29,000 B.C

The skullcap and mandible of woman Tabon Man

http://noypicollections.blogspot.com/2011/07/tabon-man-in-palawan.html
 Artifacts

 From: Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People

Volume 2, pg. 46-47
 From: Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg.
45  From: Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino
People Volume 2, pg. 45
 Artifacts

 From: Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg. 45

 TIME LINE of the Peopling of the Philippines

Negritos
(10 000 – 15 000)

Homo Erectus
Philippinensis HOMO SAPIENS : HOMO SAPIENS :
Callao Man Tabon Man
(500 000 – 250 000) (50 000 - 67 000 ) (22 000 – 24 000)

600 ooo PRESENT

200 000
100 000 AD
500 000 400 000 0 AD
300 000
100 000
 NEGRITOS
• From the Australoid race (dark-skinned)
• Hunters and gatherers
• Ancestors of the Dumagat, Aeta, Agta, Ita

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_native_races_of_the_Indian_archipelago_(Plate_V)_BHL47200724.jpg

 From Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg. 262

 TIME LINE of the Peopling of the Philippines

Negritos
(10 000 – 15 000)

Homo Erectus Austronesians

Philippinensis HOMO SAPIENS : HOMO SAPIENS : (5 000 – 4 000 )
Callao Man Tabon Man Nusantao
(500 000 – 250 000) (50 000 - 67 000 ) (22 000 – 24 000)
(5 000 – 4 000 )

600 ooo PRESENT

200 000
100 000 AD
500 000 400 000 0 AD
300 000
100 000
Theories about the Peopling of the Philippines

Gaillard, J.C. Mallari, J.P. (2004). The peopling of the Philippines: A cartographic synthesis. In Hukay: Journal
 • a.k.a. “cavemen” because they lived in caves; existed about 250,000 years ago
• They did not have any knowledge of agriculture, and lived by hunting and
“Dawnmen” fishing
• Reached the Philippines through the land bridges

• Existed about 30,000 years ago; they crossed the land bridged from Malaya,
Aetas/Negritoes Borneo, and Australia until they reached Palawan, Mindoro and Mindanao.
• Good at hunting, fishing and food gathering

• Came to the islands in boats.

Indonesians • They were more advanced than the Aetas in that: they had tools made out of
stone and steel

• They were believed to have come from Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Malay
Peninsula more than 2,000 years ago. Like the Indonesians, they also traveled
Malays in boats.
• The Malays were brown-skinned and of medium height, with straight black hair
and flat nose
• Renowned Filipino anthropologist Felipe
Landa Jocano disputes Beyer’s belief
that Filipinos descended from Negritoes
and Malays who migrated to the
Philippines thousands of years ago.
According to Jocano, it is difficult to
prove that Negritoes were the first
inhabitants of this country. The only thing
that can positively concluded from fossil
evidence, he says is that the first men
who came to the Philippines also went to
New Guinea, Java, Borneo, and Australia.
Image from: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1098669.F_Landa_Jocano
Instead of the Migration Theory, Jocano advances the Evolution
Theory, as a better explanation of how our country was first inhabited
by human beings, Jocano believes that the first people of Southeast
Asia were products of a long process of evolution and migration. His
research indicates that they shared more or less the same culture,
beliefs, practices an even similar tools and implements. These people
eventually went their separate ways; some migrated to the Philippines,
the others to New Guinea, Java and Borneo. Proof, Jocano says, can
be found in the fossils discovered in different parts of Southeast Asia,
as well as the recorded migrations of other peoples from the Asian
mainland when history began to unfold.
Theories about the Peopling of the Philippines

Gaillard, J.C. Mallari, J.P. (2004). The peopling of the Philippines: A cartographic synthesis. In Hukay: Journal
Theories about the Peopling of the Philippines
Nusantao Maritime Trading and
Out of Taiwan (OOT)
Communication Network (NMTC)
 Theories about the Peopling of the Philippines
Out of Taiwan (OOT) Theory (AUSTRONESIANS)
•Proposed by Peter
Bellwood
• Linguistic evidence
•Direction of movement:
• Southward
• from Southeastern
China downwards

 From Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume II, pg. 262
 AUSTRONESIANS
• “AUSTRO” = South
• “NESIS” = Island
• They are a group of people who speak
Austronesian language and migrated to the
Philippines in 4,000 – 5, 000 B.C.E. from the
southern part of China
• fair-skinned (from Mongoloid race)
• had a cereal based-economy; a broad knowledge
in agriculture, maritime navigation, metallurgy
and pottery
Migration of Austronesians
 AUSTRONESIANS: The Balangay

 From Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg. 262

 AUSTRONESIANS: The Balangay

Image was lifted from: Dimacali. T.J.(22Nov.,2017). Massive Balangay ‘Mother Boat’ Unearthed in Butuan.
http://maritimereview.ph/2017/11/22/massive-balangay-mother-boat-unearthed-in-butuan/
AUSTRONESIANS: Have extensive knowledge in
agriculture

 From Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg. 262

AUSTRONESIANS: Have extensive knowledge in
domestication of animals

Abrera, Ma. Bernadette, et. al. Kasaysayan ng Bayan: Sampung Aralin sa Kasaysayang Pilipino. Pilipinas: ADHIKA ng Pilipinas at National Historical
Institute, 2005. pp. 13
Austronesian language family
 Theories about the Peopling of the Philippines
Nusantao Maritime Trading and Communication Network (NMTC)

•Proposed by Wilhelm
Solheim II

• Anthropological evidence

• Genetics (mtDNA)

•Direction of movement:
• Northward
• from south of the
Philippines
 NUSANTAO
• “NUSAN” = Island
• “TAO” = Man or People
• They are natives of Southeast Asia and have
a maritime-oriented culture
• Cause of migration/movement: TRADE
 Theories about the movement of people in SE Asia
Out of Taiwan (OOT) Theory
Proposed by
Peter Bellwood
Linguistic evidence
Direction of movement:
Southward
from Southeastern China
downwards
Nusantao Maritime Trading
SIMILARITIES and Communication Network
(NMTC)
 Explanation of the Proposed by Wilhelm
peopling of the Solheim
Philippines Anthropological evidence
 Supported by evidence
Genetics (mtDNA)
 Proof that our
ancestors had a complex Direction of movement:
Northward
maritime culture
from south of the Philippines
 Were our ancestors
‘uncivilized’?

What were the distinct features

of the ‘pre-colonial’ society?

Introduction to Programming
The ‘Pre-colonial’ Philippine
culture and society

Instructor
Gringo M. Corpuz
Flow of Discussion
• Settlements
• Political System
• Government and
• Legal System
• Social classes
• Religion and beliefs
• System of Writing
Settlements

Plains

Pre-colonial
settlements

Ilawud Ilaya
PRE-COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS
ILAYA / IRAYA
PRE-COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS
ILAYA / IRAYA
• Derived from ‘i’ which is a
prefix that signifies direction
and ‘laya’ or ‘raya’ which
means mountain.

• Ilaya refers to the settlements

located in mountainous areas.
PRE-COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS
PLAINS
» Refer to the
settlements located in
plains
PRE-COLONIAL SETTLEMENTS
ILAWUD
• Derived from ‘i’ which is a prefix
that signifies direction and
‘lawud’ or ‘laut’ which refers to
bodies of water.

• Ilawud refers to the settlements

located near bodies of water such
as rivers and coastal areas.
‘Pre-colonial’ Society
• Political System
• Legal System
• Economic System
• System of Writing
• Religion and Beliefs
Political System
•BARANGAY (BAYAN)
• It is considered as the basic political
and social unit. It is derived from the
term “balanghai” or “balangay” which
refers to a boat used by the
Austronesians.
• It is composed of 30-100 families and
every barangay was independent and
ruled by the datu.
Image lifted from: Kasaysayan: The Story of Filipino People Volume 2, pg. 262
Political System KARADYAHAN
• It is a large political and economic
system formed by the alliances of
barangays through the ritual of blood
compact (sandugo) of the leaders of
barangays. This inter-barangay relation
carried agreements on commerce,
friendship and alliances.
• The Kardayahan is headed by a Raha
(Rajah).
• An example of a karadyahan during the
Image from:https://xiaochua.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/26-mga-
karakoa-o-ang-malalaki-nating-mga-war-ship.jpg
pre-colonial times is the Karadyahan of
Manila of Raha Matanda and Raha
Sulayman.
Legal System
•Laws
•Customary Laws o Adat
• Written Laws (made by the Datu with
the help of the Council of Elders)
•The laws either customary or written
dealt with various subjects such as
inheritance, divorce, usury,
partnership, crime, punishment,
property rights, family relations,
adoption and loans (Agoncillo, 1990).
Image from:http://www.filipiknow.net/wp-
content/uploads/2014/11/Judicial-and-Legislative-
System-in-Pre-Colonial-Philippines.jpg
Legal System
• Trial by Ordeal
 Employed by the ancient Filipinos
to determine guilt or innocence of
the accused.

 The accused were subjected to

various ordeals or challenges in
order to prove their innocence.

Image from: http://image.slidesharecdn.com/philippinehistory-pre-colonial-period-150630151930-lva1-

app6891/95/philippinehistory-precolonialperiod-35-638.jpg?cb=1435677736
Legal System
• Trial by Ordeal

 The rationale behind this

is the belief that their
gods will always take the
side of the innocent.

Image from: http://contents.pep.ph/images2/guide/b6a5ff5cd.jpg

 Economic System: BARTER

Image from:http://www.filipiknow.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Pre-
Colonial-Period-in-the-Philippines.jpg
Economic System
•‘International Trade’

Image from:https://youronevoicecanmakeadifference.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/a-depiction-of-early-contact-between-pre-colonial-filipinos-and-chinese-merchants-photo-credit-
mandirigma-com.jpg
Social Classes
KARAKOA
 Social Classes

Images were lifted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Codex

 Social Classes

Images were lifted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Codex

 Social Classes (Tagalog)

Alipin
MAGINOO MAHARLIKA TIMAWA • Namamahay
• Sagigilid

Images were lifted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Codex

 Social Classes (Visayas)

ORIPUN
KADATUAN TIMAWA • TUHAY o Mamahay
• AYUEY, Saguiguilid o Halon
• Hayohay

Images were lifted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Codex

 Dato/Datu

Datu

Political Economic

Military
 Babaylan/Katalonan

Image from: https://xiaochua.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/15-na-ang-kahulugnan-ay-e2809csorcerere2809d-

e2809cwitche2809d-at-e2809cghost-e2809d-r-aguilar-at-the-negros-museum-agboiblogspot.jpg
 Babaylan/Katalonan

Image from: https://xiaochua.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/10-tatlo-ang-papel-niya-at-iisa-ang-kanilang-

damdamin-at-patutunguhan.jpg
 Babaylan/Katalona

Babaylan

Spiritual Cultural
Leaders Leaders

Medical Experts
Babaylan/Katalona
Maharlika
• They were warriors who
protect the barangay
from internal and
external threats.

• They were known for

their bravery as
represented by the
tattoos in their bodies.
Image from:
Image from: https://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/85670/385662/f/3636547-
http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/images/tattoo3x/philippineImage_3.jpg Tattooed-warrior-from-Lubo-1.jpg
 Batok/Paltik (Tattoo)

Wang-ud: The last tattoo artist of Kalinga

Image from: http://www.larskrutak.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/fanah-copy.jpg
 Timawa
 They were freemen and dependents (alipin)
who have earned their freedom.

 They were farmers, fisher folks, merchants

and artisans and constituted the largest part
of the population which. They pay tribute or
taxes (in form of crops or products) to the
Datu in exchange for the protection and
liberties they enjoyed.
Alipin
ALIPING NAMAMAHAY ALIPING SAGIGILID
Distinct features

Open Class System

It allows social mobility.

Women have equal or

higher status than
men.
 Religion and Beliefs
ANIMISM

Image from: http://sining101.weebly.com/uploads/5/3/6/1/5361626/380159.png Image from: http://sining101.weebly.com/uploads/5/3/6/1/5361626/380159.png

Religion and Beliefs

Maitum Jars
http://langyaw.com/2011/12/23/maitums-unique-anthropomorphic-burial-jars/
 Religion and Beliefs

Image was lifted from: http://langyaw.com/2011/12/23/maitums-unique-anthropomorphic-burial-jars/

Religion and Beliefs

Maitum Jars
Boat-shaped Coffin
Religion and Beliefs
Sunduk
Sandaigdigan of the Tagbanuas
of Palawan
Religion and Beliefs

ANITOISM

The Bulul
Image from: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/images/5/59/Bulul.jpeg
 ANITOISM

“In some places, and especially in the mountain districts, when the
father, mother, or other relative dies, the people unite in making a small
wooden idol, and preserve it. Accordingly there is a house which
contains one hundred or two hundred of these idols. These images also
are called anitos; for they say that when people die, they go to serve
the Batala. Therefore they make sacrifices to these anitos, offering
them food, wine, and gold ornaments; and request them to be
intercessors for them before the Batala, whom they regard as God.”

[Miguel de Loarca, “Relation of the Philippine Islands,” 1582, in Blair and Robertson 5: 173, 175]
 System of Writing

Image: http://www.mmdcatraffic.interaksyon.com/trends-spotlights/2018/11/19/138510/baybayin-kurdita-at-iba-pa-origins-and-significance-of-native-philippine-scripts/
System of Writing

Image: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/323262/four-things-you-may-not-know-about-our-baybayin/story/
Image: http://www.mmdcatraffic.interaksyon.com/trends-spotlights/2018/11/19/138510/baybayin-kurdita-at-iba-pa-origins-and-significance-of-native-philippine-scripts/
Activity: Decipher the document

Image: choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/2611/philippine-baybayin-logo-asean/
Activity: Write your name in Baybayin

Image: choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/2611/philippine-baybayin-logo-asean/
• Dzhanova, Y. (May 3, 2018). Discovery suggests humans lived in Philippines much earlier than believed. Retrieved from:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/discovery-suggests-humans-lived-philippines-much-earlier-believed-n870916 on 9/24/2018
• Eugenio, D. L. (2001). Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths. Quezon City: UP Press.
• Gaillard, J.C. Mallari, J.P. (2004). The peopling of the Philippines: A cartographic synthesis. In Hukay: Journal of the University of the
Philippines Archaeological Studies Program, 2004, 6, pp.1-27.
• Jocano, F. L. (2001). Filipino Prehistory Rediscovering Precolonial Heritage. Quezon City: PUNLAD Research House, Inc.
• Kasaysayan:TheStory of Filipino People. (1998). Mandaluyong City: Asia Publishing Co. Ltd., Vol. III-VI
• Navarro et. al. (2000). Pantayong Pananaw: Ugat at Kabuluhan Pambungad Pag-aaral sa Bagong Kasaysayan.Lunsod Quezon,
Palimbagan ng Lahi.
• Lectures of Dr. Ma. Serena I. Diokno. Kasaysayan 10 at 195, 1st sem SY 2010-2011
• Wade, L. (May 2, 2018). Ancient humans settled the Philippines 700,000 years ago. Retrieved from:
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/05/ancient-humans-settled-philippines-700000-years-ago-new-fossils-reveal on 9/24/18.

Websites:
• Myths about the origin of the Philippines: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/creation-phil.html
• http://www.history.ac.uk/ihr/Focus/Whatishistory/marwick1.html
• http://www.historyguide.org/history.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLE-5ElGlPM
THANK YOU! 

Have a great day!