What is the significance of studying Philippine history?

Answer 1

Princess Urduja and the Kingdom of Tawalisi

It actually all started with the debate on the location of the Kingdom of Tawalisi in the 19th century. No less than our national hero Jose Rizal constructed his own theory about the exact location of the Kingdom of Tawalisi contained in his letter to Dr. A.B. Meyer of Dresden, Germany. Rizal's hypothesis was contained in the eminent historian Austin Craig's pamphlet entitled, The Particulars of the Philippines Pre-Spanish Past, which came out in 1916.

To sum up Rizal's theory, the Kingdom of Tawalisi exists and so was the voyage of the 14th century Arab traveller Ibn Batuta who visited it. The location of the Kingdom is somewhere in the "neighborhood of the northern part of the Philippines." With Austin Craig corroborating Rizal's theory, Kingdom of Tawalisi and the amazon Princess Urduja mentioned in the narrative of Ibn Batuta became historical truths during the American Period. In 1925, the book Stories of Great Filipinos published by Benitez & Benitez stated the existence of Princess Urduja and her Kingdom.

A view to a thrill: the Hundred Islands of Alaminos

Ten years after in 1935, another book published by Zoilo M. Galang, the Encyclopedia of the Philippinesreiterated and expanded the entry on Princess Urduja as an historical figure. "When Pangasinan was a kingdom, about seven hundred years ago, there lived a Famous woman ruler in that dominion. Young, beautiful and well-educated. Princess Urduja was reputed to be a good warrior who personally led her soldiers to the battle fields," he writes. In the same year, Galang also published Gregorio R. Zaide's book The Philippines Since Pre-Spanishwhich described Urduja in this way: "Quite a number of famous women had appeared, like shooting meteors, across the firmament of Philippine history. Among them…was Princess Urduja, said to be the Amazonic ruler-warrior of ancient Pangasinan, who was visited in 1349 or 1348 by Ibn Batuta, Mohameddan traveller from Morocco."

All these publications legitimized the narrative of Ibn Batuta about his visit to the Kingdom of Tawalisi where he met the amazon ruler Princess Urduja. To all these however stood Dr. Nicolas Zafra of UP's Department of History refuting Rizal's and Craig's opinion on the exact location of the Kingdom of Tawalisi and regarded Urduja and her Kingdom as myths. But about this time in the 20th century, the focus was no longer on the exact location of the Kingdom of Tawalisi but on the beautiful, educated, fierce amazon warrior Princess Urduja. The image of a maiden warrior has captured the imagination not only of the people of Pangasinan but of the entire nation.

As a cultural icon, the exoticized image of Princess Urduja will be reproduced in paintings, movies (Amalia Fuentes original and the Susan Henson version) and other forms of art. The residence of the provincial governor is named Urduja house. Nearby here still stands the big billboard Urduja hotel in Urdaneta. Interestingly, there is still the Farmacia Urduja in Dagupan, the Rural Bank of Urduja in Tayug and the Urduja Communications building in Sual. Or even the Urduja sari-sari store in Sta. Barbara. Urduja was even adopted as symbol of the Women Development Foundation in Pangasinan and so are national feminist groups in Manila including Gabriela and Samakana. I even have a first cousin named Urduja from San Carlos married to a Braganza of Alaminos.

As a symbol, Princess Urduja is the articulation of women (not only in Pangasinan but women throughout the country) of a romanticized glorified matriarchal amazonic past. This articulation stems from the reality of gender inequality which from a feminist perspective is a given under a patriarchal system of relations. But Princess Urduja as a symbol goes beyond feminism for her story has been believed, constructed, reproduced even by men. The historical narrative of Ibn Batuta has been eclipsed by literary stories about this exoticized maiden warrior with a colorful tapestry of a kingdom that explicitly displays its power and wealth. The myth of kingdoms and princesses are actually defensive responses to the onslaught of Hispanization. Anacbanua writer/scholars like Catalino Catanaoan and Antonio del Castillo in the 20th century reinforce the belief in a kingdom of colonial elites under Spain like Rizal who perhaps, romanticized a glorious Philippine pre-hispanic past as a reaction to Eurocentrism. In short, the significance of Princess Urduja and her Kingdom of Tawalisi does not depend anymore on whether these are historical truths or just myths because as symbol and discourse, Princess Urduja and her Kingdom underscore the powerful truth about our colonization and the reality of patriarchal relations.

Answer 2

Studying Philippine history is significant as it helps us understand the country's rich cultural heritage, the struggles of its people for independence and freedom, and how historical events have shaped its society, politics, and economy. By learning about the past, we can appreciate the sacrifices made by our ancestors, draw lessons for the present, and contribute to shaping the future of the nation.

Answer 3

There is great significance in studying Philippine history. It is very rewarding to understand the history and culture of the Philippines.