A History of the Philippines by Renato Constantino

A History of the

Philippines

by Renato Constantino

RENATO CONSTANTINO

A HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES

1

For

Marika, Renato Redentor, Carlos,

Kara Patria, Nina Elisa and Carmina

RENATO CONSTANTINO

A HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES

2

Copyright © 1975 by Renato Constantino

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Constantino, Renato

A history of the Philippines

Published in 1975 under the title: The Philippines.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Philippine Islands—History—1521-1898.

2. Philippine Islands—History—1898-1946. I. Constantino,

Letizia R., joint author. II. Title.

DS668.C57 1976

959.9

76-28979

ISBN 0-85345-394-2

First Printing

Monthly Review Press

62 West 14th Street, New York, N.Y. 10011

21 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8SL

Manufactured in the United States of America

RENATO CONSTANTINO

A HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

PART I - LIBERATION TRANSFORMED

CHAPTER I — Towards a People’ History (An Introduction)

Colonial Scholarship. The Task at Hand. Motivators of History. The Inarticulate in

History. Redressing the Imbalance. Limitations and a Beginning. Rediscovering the

Past. The Unifying Thread. The Motive Force.

CHAPTER II — The First “Liberation”

Society in Transition. Unity in Feudal Shell. The Moorish Conquest. The Catholic

Monarchs. The New Tastss of Europe. Primitive Accumulation. Mercantilism.

Conquest as Business. the Religious Justification. Kings and Popes. The Patronato

Real. The Religious Garb. Friars vs. Encomenderos. The Great Debate. Resolution of

the Conflict. The Elections. Conquest Legitimized.

CHAPTER III — Baranganic Societies

Proto-Anthropologists. Aborting Historical Trend. Pre-Spanish Settlements. Subsistence

Economies. Transitional Societies. Administrators not Rulers. The Dependent

Population. Slavery—A Misnomer. Insights from Other Experiences. Concepts of

Property. Disintegration of...