Panganiban, Cyla C. Feb.

10,2019

FSM 1A2

Activity #1

“The Early Filipinos”

1. They are of the opinion that their souls [after death] go down [instead of up] they say
that this is better because it is much cooler down than up, where it is very hot. They
are buried with all of their richest: their clothing, gold, and porcelain; the chief cause
slaves to be killed and buried with them that they might serve in the life beyond. And
if the dead is a seaman and a great chief, they burry him in the ship he sailed in, with
many slaves in the oars, in order that over there he might have wherewith to go out
to sea. ( Horacio, de la Costa, S.J. Readings in Philippine History)

Interpretation: Early Filipinos already had their beliefs before they were colonized by
Spaniards, this selection is one of the examples. They believed that the spirits of their
dead goes down instead of going up because they believe that spirits should be in a
place where it is cool. They even burry all of their dead’s richest even their slaves so
they may have someone to serve them in the life beyond.

2. In the context of pre-colonial era, divorce was allowed and both male and female
had the right to ask for it. However, the long process of marriage could be an
evidence that they value marriage. The parents usually arrange the marriage of their
sons and daughters and it was usually done because of treaty, friendship, and
political and economic affiliation. (Jaime-Francisco, Virlyn. Francisco, Paul Mical.
Philippines History.)

Interpretation: Early Filipinos also had their laws and policies even before the Spanish
colonization. Divorce was allowed back then, both parties, male and female has the
right to ask for it. Maybe the process of marriage before takes long time to give the
future husband and wife the time to think if they are really ready to take the
responsibilities and obligations of a married couple.

3. The wives of chiefs had dresses of crimson silk, sometimes plain, sometimes
brocaded in gold, decorated with fringes and other ornaments around the neck, they
wore chains of perfect craftsmanship called Calombijes; of these there were small
and large ones; some decorated with carnelians, agates and other blue or white
stones were considered of great value. ( J. Mallat. The Philippines)

Interpretation: The level your status in life also existed before colonization period.
Families/person who was able to afford expensive clothes can buy and use them. Just
like the chief’s wives, since she is a rich person she can buy expensive dresses and
accessories compared to the workers.

4. The political unit was the barangay, which was composed of 30-100 families. The
term barangay was derived from the malay8 word ‘balangay’ meaning boat,
which the early Malay settlers used in coming to the Philippines. The barangay
was a monarchy ruled by a chieftain called Datu, Hari, or Rajah (in Muslim
countries). Each barangay was independent and was considered “village state”
for it is the basic element of statehood. ( Maguigad, Rogelio. Muhi, Estrellita.
Brief History of Filipino People)

Interpretation: Early Filipinos also had their concept of governing before being
colonized, every political unit has 30-100 families which is ruled by a chieftain also
known as Datu, Hari, or Rajah. Every barangay is competent enough to be independent
and to make connections to other barangay as well.

5. The Early Filipinos had laws for the common good and for the welfare of the whole
barangay. Early Filipinos had laws that were both oral and written, the oral laws
were the customary laws that constituted the bulk of laws in the barangay and were
handed down from one generation to generation. The written law were written and
promulgated by the chieftain and the elders from time to time when necessity arose
and announced publicly throughout the barangay by the one known as Umalahokan.
These ancient written laws were embodied in the code of Kalantiyaw (1433) and was
 written by Datu Kalantiyaw. It contained various crimes committed and these were
dealt with the corresponding penalties. (Zulueta, Francisco M. Nebres, Abriel M.
Philippine History and Government through the Years)

Interpretation: Laws and rules were also implicated before, they had two types of law;
the oral law which was customary and the written which was promulgated by the
chieftain and elders. Their government also has ‘code of Kalantiyaw’ that contains past
crimes and its corresponding penalties.

6. Men and women, especially the chief people are very clean and neat in their
persons and clothing, and of pleasing address and grace. They dress their hair
carefully, and regard it being more ornamental when it is very black. They was it with
water in which has been boiled in the bark of a tree called “gogo”. They anoint it with
aljon-joli oil, prepared with musk and other perfumes. All are very careful with their
teeth, which from a very early age, they file and render even, with stones and iron.
They dye them black color, which is lasting, and which preserves their teeth until
they are very old, although it is vy ugly to look at. (Zafra, Nicolas. Readings in
Philippine History)

Interpretation: Even without the influence of Spaniards, early Filipinos already have
concept of hygiene. They are already aware that their belongings should always be
clean, so as themselves. They have organic plants and oils to keep their bodies clean
and neat.

7. Early Filipinos were animist who believed in the existence of a supreme being whom
Laon or Aba by Bisayas. This animismwas further strengthened by the early
migrants from island of Southeast Asia who were themselves animist. Like them, our
ancestors worship the sun ( the source of life and energy), the birds, the trees, the
mountains and the hills, and the rivers, brooks and lake. (Alarcon, Norma I. Filipino
Building Beliefs and how they influenced Architecture)

Interpretation: Our ancestors was animist before being influenced by Catholicism. They
worship anything in the nature that they consider helps them in everyday life like the
sun, rivers, trees, etc., which was strengthened by the first migrants from Southeast
Asia who were animist as well.

8. The first group of Malays who landed in the Philippines had their own culture. They
led quietly and orderly live and had their own system knowledge. These natives build
small communities by the rivers, seashores and inland waters, and were easy to
adapt their life to the new environment. (Faustino, Geneva. Early Filipino Culture and
Way of Life.)

Interpretation: Early Filipinos also had their system knowledge where they build
communities where it is more likely to have their source of food like in rivers, seashores
and inland waters where they live quietly and peacefully.

9. In the pre-colonial era, the earliest native men wore waist-length collarless doublet
shirts made of rough cotton. Their loins were covered with a pane designed to hands
between the legs and mid-thigh. The woman wore dresses that were appropriately
short. The women also wore a pane that attached from the waist reaching to their
feet that was accented with a colorful belt. At the top of their fashion sense, the men
and women wore accessories and jewelry that beautified their bodies. (Island
Paradise. “Fashion beyond time”: The Evolution of Philippine Fashion)

Interpretation: In clothing, men wore outfit where they can easily move especially when
haunting. While women wore more conservative and still look beautiful. Both men and
women wore accessories to beautify their bodies.

10. During the Pre-Hispanic era in the Philippines, they preferred Austronesian method
for food preparation were boiling, steaming and roasting. The ingredients for
common dishes were obtained from locally raised livestock. These ranged from
Carabao, Cows, Chickens, and Pigs to various kinds of fish and seafood. In 3200
BCE, Austronesians from Southern China and Taiwan settled in the region that is
now called the Philippines. They bought them knowledge of rice cultivation and other
farming practices which increased the number and variety of edible dish ingredients
available for cooking. (FoodNet PH. History of Philippine Cuisine)
Interpretation: Food preparation also took place on Pre-Hispanic era. Before, the only
preferred food preparation method was boiling, steaming and roasting. Until
Austronesians from Southeast Asia arrived and introduced them the knowledge of rice
cultivation and other farming practices which made a number in the variety od the
dishes available as well as the condements.

Reflection:

In this activity, I found out that early Filipinos already lived their lives even before getting
colonized by a lot of countries. They already know what leadership is, what it is to have
rules and laws, have the process of marriage, to worship, to be clean, to have fashion,
and most importantly, to have the knowledge in terms of cooking which we Filipinos are
known globally.