Events of the Past

Life was peaceful and simple during the pre-Spanish period. The ancestors of the Filipinos enjoyed much of the freedom to explore vast open lands, trade with neighboring barangays and come up with their day-to-day life sustance by harnessing all the blessings from nature's bounties. They lived in a simple community under the leadership of a chieftain who, though bestowed with absolute power, ruled with justice and fairness.

However, when the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the primitive society underwent drastic changes. This event in the history of our country marked the Age of Discovery and Exploration. This unknown lands in search of trade routes as well as trading posts.  Spain took the lead and her voyagers bravely explored the land beyond their seas.

Spain's colonial supremacy in the Philippines for more than three centuries left an indelible imprint in the native's way of life. With the use of cross and sword and the policy of divide and rule, pacification was made easy and fast. The primitive society was radically transformed from all its facets. Politically, the centralized government absorbed all the scatterred clusters of barangays, that brought about a limited concept of nationhood. Religiously speaking, monogamy had abolished the pagan worship. Culturally, a new set of value system was introduced that eventually brought about a new breed of generation, that of half-westernized natives. In the field of economics, the barter system paved the way for the use of monetary unit that went along with the introduction of capitalism. Banks were established and roads were built to speed up the delivery of goods from the remote parts of the country to major trading centers. [1]

When the three Filipino priests were executed for national activities, a group of reformists formed the Propaganda Movement that would later paved the way for the Philippine Revolution. A young doctor-writer, Jose Rizal, was arrested and later executed by Spanish officials for his scathing criticisms of Spanish rule in the Philippines through two novels.

The Philippine revolution was launched after Rizal's death and was led by Andres Bonifacio and then by Emilio Aguinaldo. Philippine Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898, on the balcony of Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, Cavite. [2]

Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine. The first official Philippine national flag was made in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo and assited by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza. With the necessary preparations all set, Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the country on the balcony of hi home at Cavite el Viejo (now Kawit, Cavite) on June 12, 1898. During the celebration, the Act of Declaration of Independence was read. The main brain was Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. [3]

Free from invaders. This historical house witnesses how our national heroes sets as free in all the nations that conquer our country.

Manila Cathedral. It is situated at the heart of the walled city of Intramuros has gone several major reconstructions since its inception. The Neo-Romanesque-Byzantine cathedral has long been the seat of archbishop in the Philippines. And it continuous to be one of the most admired churches in the country. [4]

    The beauty of faith. How this Church survived from all the natural calamities is like the faith of the Filipinos that strengthen through the problems that they’ve encountered.

Palacio del Gobernador. Residence and office of the governor general. Although the site for the governor’s palace facing the Plaza Mayor had been determined early on, no structure was built on it until the late 17th century. In the beginning, the governor’s residence was apparently built nearer Fort Santiago, facing Plaza Militar. 

 Palace of authority. Inside this tall palace are the people who exercise authority in our country.

Pasig River. The wharves and quays at the river’s mouth served the early interisland trade during the Spanish colonial period.

Ships coming from Japan and other Eurasian countries and the United States arrived in Manila irregularly. For a safe travel at sea and to serve as a guide to ship mariners, the first lighthouses were built at the mouth of Pasig River in 1846. [5]

River flows. One of the historical rivers that we failed to preserved.

Kalesa. Back in the colonial period, especially the Spanish era, the kalesa was a bourgeois vehicle. The kalesa symbolized high status - a distinction for its elite passengers from the "indios" who walk. But in the early part of the past century, the kalesa was very much part of daily lives of ordinary people - an embodiment of traditional Filipino culture. [6]

Ride on. New generation ignored one of our historical transportation.

Battle of Imus Monument. The battle happened last August 31, 1896 against Spanish rule and is the first major battle won by the Magdalo faction of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and this battle was led by his brother, Baldomero Aguinaldo. This is the battle that turned the tide to Philippine patriotism when the revolutionary forces of Andres Bonifacio's KKK suffered a grueling defeat at San Juan Del Monte, Bulacan. [7]

Statue of Honor. They gave their whole life for the freedom of our country.

Farm. During the Spanish period the Spaniards had given enormous land properties to the Catholic Church. One of the first things the Americans did was to take care for the redistribution of these land properties. 

Farm land. Farming is not easy especially if there’s no farm because of the increasing of subdivisions.

Cañacao Bay. The Bay was port to both the Spanish galleons and the Pan Am Clipper seaplanes.

Bayview. Very helpful bay for our ancestors during their trading.

Position of Women. Women before the coming of the Spaniards enjoyed a unique position in society that their descendants during the Spanish occupation did not enjoy. Customary laws gave them the right to be equal of men, for they could own and inherit property, engage in trade and industry, and succeed to the chieftainship off a barangay in the absence of a male heir. [8]

 Work for a living. Women nowadays are working to help their husband in surviving their family.

Ancient Filipino House. They are built and tiled with wood and bamboos, and covered and roofed with nipa- palm leaves. Each house is separate, and is not built adjoining another. In the lower part are enclosures made by stakes and bamboos, where their fowls and cattle are reared, and the rice pounded and cleaned. [9]

House of yesteryear. This Ancient house represents how our ancestors lived before.

Water- well. This is one of the drinking source during Spanish era.

Wishing Well. Fresh water for dehydrated body.

                                                                                                                                                  

1 Rebecca Ongsotto, Reena Ongsotto, Rowena Ongsotto, The Study of Philippine History, (Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2005) page 90

2 http://park.org/Philippines/centennial/history.htm

3 Rebecca Ongsotto, Reena Ongsotto, Rowena Ongsotto, The Study of Philippine History, (Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2005) page 222

4 http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/117/the-history-of-the-manila-cathedral

5 Rebecca Ongsotto, Reena Ongsotto, Rowena Ongsotto, The Study of Philippine History, (Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2005) page 137

6 http://www.adnu.edu.ph/Centers/SSRC/H3-05.html

7 http://www.s1expeditions.com/2012/12/roadtrip-to-historical-sites-in-cavite.html

8 Teodoro Agoncillo, History of the Filipino People, (Quezon City: Garotech Publishing, 1990), page 36

9 Teodoro Agoncillo, History of the Filipino People, (Quezon City: Garotech Publishing, 1990), page 35

REFERENCES:

Agoncillo, Teodoro. History of the Filipino People, Quezon City: Garotech Publishing, 1990. Print.

Ongsotto Rebecca, Ongsotto Reena, Ongsotto Rowena. The Study of Philippine History, (Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2005. Print.

"Historical Sites", The Official Website of the Provincial Government of Cavite, 26 Feb 2013.

"Endangered Kalesa", Ateneo Social Science Research Center, n.d. Web. 2009.

Jericho Paul C. Santos, “Manila Cathedral: History and Architecture”,  Artes de las Filipinas, The Arts of the Philippines, n.d. Web.

“Roadtrip to Historical Sites in Cavite”, Schadow1 Expeditions, n.d. Web. 19 Dec 2012.