Philippine History, Politics and Governance

2. THE PHILIPPINES IN ANCIENT TIMES
(200,000 B.C. – 1300 A.D.)

3. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Philippines
may have been inhabited many thousands of years
before then, but that can't be stated with certainty. The
oldest human fossil found so far is 22,000 years
old.) Little is known of the early human settlement of
the Philippines. Scientific evidence remains
inconclusive. There is much written on the
Austronesian peoples of the Southeast Asia area and
their descendants. These peoples were the seafaring
people who traveled to distant parts of the world
during this period of history.

4. The Pleistocene Epoch
It is generally accepted that the first significant human
settlement occurred sometime during the most recent ice
age. At that time, 300 000 yrs. ago sea levels were lower,
creating land bridges that connected the Southeast Asian
mainland to some of the present-day islands of the Malay
Archipelago, south of the Philippine Islands.
Paleolithic hunters from the mainland are said to have
followed herds of wild animals across these land bridges,
later finding their way to the Philippine Islands. Aeta and
Agta tribes

5. These people, ancestors, continue to be primarily hunters
and food gatherers, much as their ancestors were thousands of
years ago. They are one of the world’s few remaining populations
of Pygmies, who are characterized by shorter-than-average height.
The Spanish colonizers of the 16th century called them Negritos, a
term that is still widely used today.About 3000 B.C.
People of Malay and Indonesian descent, who now make up
the majority of the population, are believed to have settled in the
Philippines in several waves of migration after the 3rd century BC.
Their languages developed independently because they settled in
widely scattered villages, or balangay. Each balangay included
from 30 to 100 families and was ruled by a datu, or chieftain. The
economy was one of subsistence, with each village producing most
of what it needed, and land was held in common. The villagers
engaged in both shifting (slash-and-burn) and settled agriculture.
Religion was animistic, or based on the worship of ancestors and
other spirits, such as nature deities.1300s A.D.

6. Prehistoric Tabon Man, found in Palawan in 1962 was, until
2007, the oldest human remains discovered by anthropologists in
the Philippines. Archaeological evidence indicates similarities
with two early human fossils found in Indonesia and China, called
the Java Man and Peking Man
Skull Cap

7. JAVA MAN and PEKING MAN

8. Before the coming of the Spaniards in 16th century,
economic activities were already taking place in the islands.
The Pre-Hispanic settlers of the archipelago were
economically self-sufficient. In addition, native products
reached neighboring countries like Cambodia, China,
India, Japan, and Borneo. The ancient Filipinos practiced
Agriculture, which was the main source of their livelihood.
Rice, corn, coconut, sugar, fruits and vegetables were raised
for them to have food to eat.
They prefer using the kaingin system and tillage
system with it comes to land cultivation. The kaingin
system was the burning of shrubs and bushes, the cleared
land was followed by planting, while the tillage system was
plowing and harrowing of land followed by planting.

9. Agriculture
It is believed that the Banaue rice terraces may have been built starting
10,000 B.C. which proves the early Filipinos' skills in agriculture. Agriculture
was the main source of livelihood in the pre-colonial Philippines. There was an
abundance of sugar cane, coconut, rice, cotton, hemp, and many species of
fruits and vegetables.
The daily food consisted of rice, which is considered as the 'daily mainstay for
the entire country', together with boiled fish pork or meat of wild buffalo or
carabao.

10. Fishing
Due to the country's long coastline and bodies of water, the early settlers
always had an abundant catch of fishes, crustaceans, shrimps and shells. They
used three-pointed spears, cages and fishnets in fishing. They used only large
mesh nets in fishing which protected the young. The Tausugs, Samals , and
Badjaos were pearl divers and they hunted for the eggs of sea turtles.

11. SHIPBUILDING and SEAFARING
When the Spaniards arrived, they found the early Filipinos'
ship to be of excellent quality. They also learned that the Filipinos,
specifically the Visayans, used a compass similar to that found
among the Chinese and the people of Borneo.

12. WEAVING
Philippine weaving involves many threads being measured, cut, and mounted
on a wooden platform. The threads are dyed and weaved on a loom. Before Spanish
colonization, native Filipinos weaved using fibers from abaca, pineapple, cotton,
and bark cloth. Textiles, clothes, rugs, and hats were weaved. Baskets were also
weaved and used as vessels of transport and storage, and for hunting. These baskets
were used to transport grain, store food, and catching fish.
However, during Spanish colonization, Filipinos used fabric called nipis to
weave white clothing. These were weaved with decorative, flower designs.

13. POTTERY
Traditional pottery-making in certain areas of the Philippines would use
clay found near the Sibalom River. Molding the clay required the use of wooden
paddles, and the clay had to be kept away from sunlight. Native Filipinos
created pottery since 3500.They used these ceramic jars to hold the deceased.
Filipino pottery had other uses as well. During the Neolithic period of the
Philippines, pottery was made for water vessels, plates, cups, and for many
other uses.

14. The family was the smallest unit of society. Each member had an
important role to play. The father stood as Head of the family, the mother took
care of the household, the son accompanied his father in hunting or farming;
and the daughter stayed home to learn the household chores. Members of the
nobility were addressed with the title Gat or Lakan among the Tagalogs.
The Society is divided into three classes
 Maharlika which composed of the Datu and his family
 Timawa or freemen
 Alipin or Slaves

15. Composed the third class and divide into two:
a.AlipingNamamalay- servants to a datu and timawas and
had the right to own property
b.AlipingSaguiguilid- enjoyed no rights and freedom, were
considered properties of their master.
 in the Visayas, dependents were of three kinds :
tumataban, tumarampok, and the ayuey
Tumataban – who worked for his master when told to do so.
Tumarampok- who worked one day a week for his master.
Ayuey – who worked for his master three days a week.

16. MAHARLIKA
 They are the nobles, rich and powerful people in every community.
 Maharlikas are the rulers and their relatives. Among them were the datu,
sultan and hadji.
 Men who belonged in this class were called Lakan or Gat. The wife of the datu
was called dayang or dayang-dayang.
MAGUINDANAO’S MAHARLIKAS, NOBLES, AND SLAVES

17. MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
The men were in general, monogamous; while their wives are
called asawa, while concubines are called “friends”. In order to win
the hand of his lady, the man has to show his patience and
dedication to both the lady and her parents. The courtship usually
begins with paninilbihan.
If the man wins the trust of the parents, he does not
immediately marry the woman, but he has to satisfy several
conditions:
- give a dowry or bigay-kaya
- pay the panghihimuyat
- pay the wet nurse bigay-suso
- pay the parents himaraw
- bribe for the relatives called sambon (among the Zambals)
Once he had settled all of the above requirements, he brings
his parents to meet with the bride-to-be’s parents to haggle and
make the final arrangements; this is called pamamalae or
pamamanhikan or pamumulungan.

18. CHEWING OF UNCOOKED RICE

19. The unit of government was the barangay. The barangay varied in population
from 30-100 families. The early barangays were independent of each other. The head
was called datu and was the chief executive, legislator, judge and military
commander. He made laws, enforced them and judged all cases and trials brought
by the villagers. However, he had a council of elders who assisted him in his
administration. A person could become a datu through inheritance, wealth, wisdom
and bravery.
The Philippines was divided into hundreds of independent barangays. For
mutual protection and cooperation, several barangays formed a confederation. The
confederation of Madya-as under DatuSumakwel was formed in Panay during the
13th centure.
The barangay had both oral and written laws. Oral laws were the customs and
traditions which were handed down through generations. The early Filipino
namedLubluban, the great granddaughter of the first Filipino man and woman, was
the legendary law-giver.
The written laws were promulgated by the datu and council of elders. A town
crier called umalohokan announced the laws to the people. The contents of ancient
laws involved family relations, property rights, domestic affairs, inheritance,
marriage conflicts, murder and business problems. Punishment for serious crimes
was death, slavery or heavy fines. Minor crimes were punished through with
exposure to ants, long hours of swimming, whipping or fines.

20. Relationships between barangays are developed through commerce and treaties.
The "Sandugo" is performed as a sign of agreement, alliance and unity. Representatives
of the barangay draw blood by wounding their arms and mixing it into a cup of "tuba"
(coconut wine) that both then drink. From thereon they are blood brothers.
The men wore loin cloths (akin to shorts) and short sleeved collarless shirts in
different colors that state their social status, red for the datu, blue for nobles and black
for the maharlikas. The "putong" was a piece of cloth rolled over the head like a turban.
A red putong means that the wearer has already killed a man and one with knitting
means that he has killed many men. The women wore "baro" (shirt) and "saya" (skirts)
commonly known as "patadyong". Both were barefoot. Jewelry in the form of bracelets,
rings and earrings was usually made out of gold. They even used gold to adorn the teeth.
Tattooing the body on the arms (women), chest and even the face was considered
beautiful and proudly displayed. Tattoos on the Filipinos were so common that the
Spaniards upon seeing them dubbed the islands "La Isla de los Pintados" (island of the
painted ones). Houses were raised above ground and are made out of bamboo and rattan
ideal for the warm tropical climate. Inside the "silid" (sleeping areas) is the "banig"
(weaved sleeping mats) and pillows. The "batalan" serves as a sink to clean and wash
plates and pots. Beneath the house is an enclosed space to raise chickens and often used
as a place for beating grain. The "Kalingga" and "Ilonggot" of Northern Luzon build
houses on top of trees as do the "Bagobo" and "Mandaya" of Mindanao. The "Badjaos"
live entirely on their boats.

21. There was education in the Philippines in ancient times. The children were taught
by their parents or by the old men of the barangay. The subjects taught were reading,
writing, arithmetic, tribal traditions and custom and some vacation, such as agriculture,
carpentry, metal work, poultry, fishing and weaving.

22. Early Filipino ancestors valued education very much. Filipino men and women
know how to read and write using their own native alphabet called alibata. The
alibata was composed of 17 symbols representing the letters of the alphabet.
Among these seventeen symbols were three vowels and 14 consonant.

23. Educational System during Spanish Period
The educational system of the Philippines during the Spanish times was
formal. The Religious congregations paved the way in establishing schools from
the primary level to the tertiary level of education. The schools focused on the
Christian Doctrines. There was a separate school for boysa nd girls. The wealthy
Filipinos or the Ilustrados were accommodated in the schools. Colonial
education brought more non-beneficial effects to the Filipinos. The first
educational system for students in the country was established by virtue of the
Education Decree of 1863. In furtherance, the decree required the government
to provide school institutions for boys and girls in every town.

24. Ancient and pre-Spanish Era
It is believed that the first inhabitants of the Philippines arrived over many
thousands of years ago. It is commonly thought that they migrated over a land bridge,
which existed at that time; from the Asian mainland. The next known inhabitation is
when the Negrito or Aeta arrived in the islands. However, they were driven back by
several waves of immigrants from Indonesia, only to be followed by the maritime
peoples of the Malayan islands.

25. Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping
or combining hard materials, typically stone such as marble,
metal, glass, or wood, or plastic materials such as clay, textiles,
polymers and softer metals.

26. POTTERY
Potteries are objects that are first shaped
of wet clay, and then hardened by baking.
Pottery includes both decorative and practical
items such as bowls, vases, dishes, and lamps.
Pottery is the material from which the
pottery ware is made, of which major types
include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.
The place where such wares are made is also
called a pottery (plural "potteries"). Pottery also
refers to the art or craft of the potter or the
manufacture of pottery.
PALAYOK

27. PHYSICAL ORNAMENTS
Bontoc, Ifugao, and Kalinga tribal
textileswith a variety of silver and brass
"LINGLINGO" Fertility Charms
Bontoc Warriors ritual “Boaya”
headhunting necklace: shell, boar
tusk, rattan, fire band bone

28. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Our ancestors believed in a supreme being whom they called
BathalaMaykapal. They also believed in lesser gods or spirits called anitos
whom they also invoked. There was anitos every place they went to-fields,
forest, sea, home.

29. The Manunggul Jar is a secondary
burial jar excavated from
a Neolithic burial site in Manunggul
cave of LipuunPoint,Quezon, Palawan
dating from 890-710 B.C. The two
prominent figures at the top handle of
its cover represent the journey of the
soul to theafterlife.The Manunggul Jar is
widely acknowledged to be one of the
finest Philippine pre-colonial
artwork ever produced and is a
considered as a masterpiece. It is
considered as a national treasure and it
is designated as item 64-MO-74by
the National Museum of the Philippines.
It is now housed at the Museum of the
Filipino People and is one of the most
popular exhibits there. It is made from
clay with some sand soil.

30. Ancient Indigenous Belief
During pre-colonial times, a form of
animism was widely practiced in the
Philippines. Today, the Philippine is
mostly Catholic and Christian, and only a
handful of the indigenous tribes continue
to practice the old traditions. These are a
collection of beliefs and cultural mores
anchored more or less in the idea that the
world is inhabited by spirits and
supernatural entities, both good and bad,
and that respect be accorded to them
through nature worship. These spirits all
around nature are known as "diwatas",
showing cultural relationship with
Hinduism (Devatas).