The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 46, 1721-1739: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century — John Shaqi
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 46, 1721-1739: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898; Volume 46, 1721-1739: Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
looked up to greatly by their fellow townsmen. This horde brings
disaster and ruin upon the people. The rector of the university
should have more power over the life and morals of the students,
for only thus can the Filipino students become really useful to Spain.
The second selection is a chapter written by Fr. Eladio Zamora,
also an Augustinian. Almost the last friar writer on the matter,
since he writes after American occupation, his remarks may be
assumed to be the present friar attitude. He begins with a quotation
from the preface of Grifol y Aliaga to the effect that until 1863
there had been no real legislation concerning education, for the
many decrees, etc., were isolated. It is rather the friars, says
Zamora, who are the first educators, teaching themselves or paying
teachers from their own funds. After 1863, the friars continue to
encourage education as supervisors. They build schools, and visit
the distant barrios whenever possible. On Sundays it is their custom
to inspect the copybooks, etc. The distance of barrios and villages
from one another makes teaching difficult. Many of the priests become
suspected as having a bad influence, for many criminals resort to the
barrios. The government orders the fusion of barrios into villages,
but the order is not obeyed. In 1863, the government takes control
of the schools founded by the friars. Under the new regime, so long
as the parish priest has supervisory action, the schools flourish,
but when that action ceases, so does progress in the schools, and
attendance becomes only nominal and a record on paper. The intention of
the government to have all teaching in Spanish fails of its purpose,
for the scholars can not understand it. The famous Maura decree of
1893 gives the local supervision to local municipalities, a law that
soon gives rise to serious trouble. Many unjustly blame the parish
priest for the ignorance of Spanish, but he has no time to teach
Spanish amid the multiplicity of his duties. Besides, it is easier for
the few Spaniards to learn the languages of the natives than for the
Filipinos to learn Spanish. The friars have not shunned the teaching
of Spanish, as is proved by a citation from Zúñiga. If the Tagálog
actors are allowed to use their native language in the theater,
because they do not know Spanish, is it consistent to demand that
all sermons and teaching be in Spanish? In spite of the early laws
requiring Spanish to be taught to the Filipinos, it is impossible
for Spanish to supplant all the numerous dialects. Zamora reproduces
portions of an open letter by W. E. Retana to Minister Becerra, in
which Retana decries the intellect of the Filipino, and declares that
it is absurd to think of teaching him in Spanish, but that the best
way of teaching it would be to settle 500,000 Spanish families in
the islands. Zamora gives a résumé of the history of the university
of Santo Tomás and the college of San Juan de Letran. The religious
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account