Reminiscing the Past: A conclusion

Philippine history is really a long story to foretell since our country really has great and undoubted experiences to convey. We, Filipinos, know that the Philippines has a lot to express. That’s why studying Philippine history makes every Filipino appreciative and proud of their identity and country.

The History of the Philippines begun when first humans arrived in the country. As some of us know, Filipino culture in the past was valued and alreay developed even before the colonizers came. The rich culture of Philippine forefathers is evident in their social classes, home, manner of dressing, body accessories, education, music and dance, science, arts and literature, even their way to courtship and marriage, burial and mourning. Filipino forefathers also valued education. Filipinos have their own way of living even before colonizers started controlling our country.

Philippine history basically evolves around colonization. Spaniards were the first colonizers of the Philippines which lasted about 300 years. The Spaniards transplanted their social, economic, and political institutions halfway across the world to the Philippine archipelago. The imposition of the Roman Catholic faith upon the Filipino population permanently influenced the culture and society of the Philippines. By Christianizing the Filipinos, the Spanish Catholic missionaries were in effect remodelling Filipino culture and society according to the Hispanic standard. They would be Hispanizing the Filipinos, teaching them the trades, manners, customs, language and habits of the Spanish people.

American Influences can still be seen in the country's system of education, literature, art, architecture, science, industry, home, food, clothes, religion, pastimes, music and dances. Filipinos took education seriously which resulted to the high social status of some Filipinos. The Filipinos learned how to read, speak and write English in a short matter of time. Education was the most useful means or ways in pursuing a peaceful relationship with the Filipinos. Through education, the Americans influenced the Filipinos and taught them to love the American culture as well as to prioritize American products.

The arrival of the Japanese caused tremendous fear, hardships and suffering among the Filipinos. The Filipinos lost their freedom of speech and expression. The development of art was also stopped. There were Filipinos spies hired by the Japanese to point those who were suspected of being part of the guerrilla movement. Also, the Japanese made some changes in the system of education.

Philippine history gives more light to many Filipinos. But as what was said in the documentary “Siglo Filipino: Odyssey of a Nation”, we can see that the history of the Philippines is a never-ending cycle of a time of hope and of hopelessness. We can view the Philippines as a country which has never had a chance to prove itself to the world because of foreign oppression and internal conflicts. But being a Filipino by heart and loving our country, we can really prove ourselves. It is never impossible for our country to be economically stable. The Filipino people are great and have proven themselves to history itself. So the only thing that’s left is for all the Filipinos to realize that.