storia

Our dreams are our real life. -Federico Fellini





Manila Bulletin, 16 October 2007

Turning Points
by Gemma Cruz Araneta

In my radio program "Krus na Daan," I asked history professor Dr. Jaime Veneracion to name events in our history that all Filipinos should have at their fingertips, like a kind of history in a nutshell that one can recite whenever asked. I did not want a list of dates, places and people as I precisely want to do away with such a linear view of history. Prof. Veneracion mentioned "milestones" and "watersheds," alternatives to the usual "time line" that one often sees in museum exhibits. "Crossroads," the English translation of "Krus na Daan," came up but we agreed that for the moment the phrase "turning points" (bagtasan) seems most appropriate.

Significantly, Prof. Veneracion emphasized that these are "turning points" because they are vital elements in the formation of a national consciousness (kamalayang pambayan). However, the good professor warned that the ten turning points are his personal appreciation of our history so these are by no means final as they should be tested and discussed in conferences with other historians.

The earliest and first turning point was the Paleolithic period, the remains of which were discovered by archeologists in the Cagayan Valley. I am not sure if those finds pre-date the Tabon Man whose skull was found in a cave in Palawan. Apparently, the Paleolithic finds debunk all those Western theories about how waves of migration populated these otherwise deserted islands. The late Dr. Otley Beyer had convinced generations of archeologists about the three waves of migration, a theory now exploded.

The second turning point was the introduction and use of the boat (bangka) with outriggers (katig) and sail (layag) in the Austronesian islands which include our archipelago. So, instead of migratory waves that imply chronologies and occupation of space, existing communities became more enterprising and extended their seafaring activities to as far as Madagascar and the Pacific, probably engaging in what we now call international trade.

The third turning point occurred roundabout 400 A.D. when Sanskrit was introduced into this Austronesian world or ours, enhancing and refining the local forms of writing that existed in these island-communities. Those heavily influenced by Sanskrit eventually came to be known as Southeast Asia while those who were not, are now Oceania.

The fourth turning point was the development of the balanghay community in Butuan, Northern Mindanao. Two or three decades ago dozens of ancient balanghays, circa 890 A.D. were excavated by the mouth of a river. These long wooden boats, swift and hardy for long-distance voyages across great oceans, show that Butuan was a structured socio-political community with a well-organized, if not prosperous, economic system.

The fifth turning point was the coming of Islam in the late 1200s and the formation of Sultanates in these islands, particularly in Mindanao. The influence was felt not only on the religious and technological spheres but, more deeply, on the place of women in society.

The sixth turning point was the entry of Christianity with "cross and sword"; but time ran out in "Krus na Daan," my radio program. One hour was not enough to discuss all ten of Professor Veneracion's turning points. I am anxious to learn about the remaining four that also contributed to our national consciousness; until Thursday then.