Is tomato a vegetable? Is spider an insect? Is panda a bear? Is American Bald Eagle really bald? Is cellophane made of plastic?
We may have been deceived by our senses; but actually tomato is a berry, spider belongs to group of creatures called arachnids, panda is a member of a raccoon family while American Bald Eagle is not really bald for its head is covered with snowy white feathers which, from a distance, appears no feathers at all. Neither cellophane is made of plastic but from a plant fiber called cellulose.
To be deceived by our senses is permissible in our omission to read some important facts but to be misled by a teacher is a mortal sin to the teaching profession, for it is both an acts of commission and omission. How many times some unknowledgeable history teachers have misguided us? Let me ask you these questions and figure them out if they are taught correctly?
Was the Philippines really discovered by Magellan in March 16,1521? Was he the First man to circumnavigate the globe? Did Magellan die in a one-on-one fight against Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan? Did General Gregorio Del Pilar die while riding on a white horse in the Battle of Tirad Pass? Is he (Gregorio Del Pilar) the Youngest General of the Philippine Revolution? Is Katipunan really founded by Andres Bonifacio at Tondo? Is Andres Bonifacio illiterate?
The answers to these questions were taught to us in our history class during the primary period. It is quite disappointing to know that what were taught to us, as answers in those questions by most teachers are incorrect.
Magellan did not discover but "Rediscovered the Philippines" in 1521, for the reason that prior to his arrival, we were already engaging in trade with the Chinese and Arabs. It is indeed proper to say that before his arrival we were already civilized. By the crossing of the International Date Line alone, it is correct to say that it is March 17, 1521 and not March 16, 1521 as Pigafetta diary contains. He (Magellan) is not even the "First Man to Circumnavigate the Globe" for the simple reason that he had been killed already in the Battle of Mactan. How could he circle the globe when he had been already killed in the Philippines? The honor goes to Sebastian Del Cano, the captain of the smallest ship "Victoria" and who sailed back to Spain. In the question about one-on-one battle between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu, it is actually a myth depicted in our comics. Lapu-Lapu did not collaborate with the Spaniards Magellan, decided to employ force, but upon embarking from his ship, he was been shot by a poisonous arrow by one on Lapu-Lapu's soldiers (which penetrated his legs). The helpless Magellan was then slaughtered. But of course, the honor is always given to the chieftain, Lapu-Lapu.
In the Battle of Tirad Pass, Telesforo Carrasco, author of the book "A Spaniard in Aguinaldo's Army" and also an eyewitness in the battle had mentioned that he (carrasco) was handing Del Pilar a carbine and warning him that the Americans were targeting him when the fatal bullet ripped through his neck. Carrasco made no mention of any white horse.
General Goyo or the Boy General (Del Pilar) is not the youngest general in Philippine Revolution but the recognition belongs to General Flaviano Yengko, who died at the age of 22 in the Battle at Perez, Dasmarinas, Cavite on March 3, 1897.
In the story of the founding of Katipunan, which most had taught that it is in No. 72 Azcarraga, (Now Recto) the place where Andres Bonifacio may have been born and lived. Likewise, it was where he, Deodato Arellano, Valentin Diaz, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa and Jose Dizon met together to form the secret society on July 7, 1892. The back is it was actually part of Binondo.
Andres Bonifacio is not illiterate. He had read several books about war and the Life of the Presidents of the United States of America. He also wrote a poem entitled "Pag-Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa" and the rules to be followed by the Katipuneros also known as the "Katungkulang Gagawin ng Anak ng Bayan" Now, who is illiterate?
Let me add some more facts. We have been taught that the largest eagle in the world is the "Monkey-Eating Eagle" found in the jungles of Luzon and Mindanao. It does not principally eat monkeys since flying lemurs and flying squirrels; monkeys are difficult to catch. It thrives on and it can make up only a fraction of its menu. Incidentally, the eagle, despite the wingspan of over two meters, is not the world's largest. The distinction belongs to the "Harpy Eagle" of South America.
Some local primary schools has been celebrating "UN Day" where in pupils are required to bring different countries flags, but some teachers don't even bother to check whether the pupils really bring a flag of a UN Member or a Non- UN member.
Add some makers of posters, they included Emilio Aguinaldo as one of the national heroes, but most historians agree that Aguinaldo should be given only the honor as First Philippine President but not as a hero. He was allegedly responsible for the death of Andres Bonifacio and allegedly spent the money from the Truce of Biak-na-Bato in buying his personal commodities. Makers of these posters may have been a product of an irresponsible history lesson teaching.
As they say "History is a fable agreed upon" but we have to be diligent and sensitive in teaching the subject. History teachers may have common denominator in teaching the subject and that is to develop nationalism and patriotism but hey have to be careful in transmitting facts and re-stating what transpired in the past.
Teaching history subject is not simple as knowing the song "Magellan" by Yoyoy Villame. It is not even as easy as assigning students to draw the Philippine map or even appointing someone to report for the class. Those are least effective methods. The first menu is always the mastery of the subject matter. It supports the premise that "You cannot give, what you don't have" Why do pupils and students hate history class can be rooted on those above mistakes.
As teachers, they have to be well verse and knowledgeable about the past not to be an instrument of falsehood and mistakes. Not all things that are commonly accepted are correct just because they give honor to our country.
There are many factors that contribute to the boredom of students during their history class, but the personality and teaching strategies of the teachers can make a big difference. This serves as the second menu for effective history teaching. We can ask students to make Role-Playing, have Panel Discussion and Debate, write a Eulogy or Essay, etc. We have to ask thought provoking and challenging questions, assign them task and give them responsibilities in order for them to fall in-love with the subject.
A deeper reading and research is required to teach the subject more interestedly and more meaningfully. They have to teach right and they have to be "bright" As the "Nutrition Month Slogan" states "Kumain ng Right, Para Maging Bright" Is it right to eat "right" Nakakain ba ang right? I don't know, asked the DepEd officials.
References:
Ocampo, Ambeth Looking Back Anvil Publishing Co. Q.C.
Philippines 2001
Barrameda, Bong Pinoy Trivia
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