The Fiction of History

1. Discuss the similarities and differences between the historical methodologies of Renato Constantino and Reynaldo Ileto. It is not related to any religious beliefs. The similarity between Constantino’s and Ileto’s methodology is that they both believed in the idea that Filipino history should also be focused upon the common people. Constantino believed that one of the biggest mistakes committed by historians is that they tend to highlight and let the Filipino History revolve around the great or famous men and the colonizers. Constantino believed that history should be rewritten as a struggle of the people towards freedom and liberty. Ileto had a similar belief of “a history from below” which recognizes the role of the lower social class in participating and molding the Filipino history and culture.

On the other hand, Ileto believes that such historians such as Agoncillo and Constantino belong to the same tradition of “ilustrado nationalists” who relegate the masses in their writings to the background. Ileto believes that Constantino’s writings conveyed that portrayal of the masses as passive individuals who needed the ilustrados to vocalize their sentiments. Constatino’s writings display how the Katipuneros’ fight for political independence during the Spanish colonization was valiant. Ileto disagrees with this as Constatino’s writings may have caused a larger gap in the social classes barring the recognition of the masses. 2.Give our definition of history as worked out in the class then discuss its importance by giving significance in the present times. Cite examples of its use today.

During class discussions, history was defined to be a recreation of the past and a study of believes, practices, institutions, desires and influences of human beings. One of the best ways to understand who and how the Filipino culture came about is by studying its past. History also provides people of the present and the future a record of all accomplishments, struggles and failures the country has experienced and the causes to its success or downfall.

An example of history’s uses is how its study can be used to correct or prevent mistakes the present or future is experiencing or about to experience. It is observed in the Philippines that corruption is posing to be a rapidly growing threat that further widens the gap between social economic classes. Research shows graphs that indicate the Philippine Corruption Index experienced a significant fall from year 2008 – 2009. A study of historical data may help in providing comparative analysis and determining the different courses of action taken upon by the government at that time period and the policies implemented that are responsible for the corruption index to fall.

3.In your opinion, what is the best type of historical writing suite for lay people (students and ordinary readers)? I believe the most appropriate type of historical writing for lay people is the linear historical methodology that follows the chronology of events in time. Since history is a collection or record of factual happenings, it is essential that it is taught or written chronologically. This type of methodology helps provide students and readers understand the causal happenings and transition of events from time A to time B. For example, events during the 1990’s of Filipino history may have been due to the effects of the turn from the year 1970-1980’s, which may never be tackled properly if history was taught thematically or topically.

References

The Fiction of History. Relatively Online. Retrieved from: http://www.relativityonline.com/home/the-fiction-of-history/

F. Beup Jr. (2007). Currents of the Philippine Nationalism. Retrieved from: http://fbeupjr.blogspot.com/2007/04/currents-of-philippine-nationalism.html

V. Bong (2011). Has the Aquino Administration made a dent on Corruption? Retrieved from: http://antipinoy.com/has-the-aquino-administration-made-a-dent-on-corruption/