Problematic interpretations of Philippine History PART I: Emilio Aguinaldo and the Controversies
BY ANDREW TALIDONG History of the Philippines involves numerous events that affects the lives of many Filipinos. It involves how an inferior race, dubbed as "Indios" by the Spaniards, sought to create their own ideal nation free from colonial stint. Philippine history as it is presented in school, is filled with messages on patriotism and nation hood. Having a knowledge on a country's culture, heritage, and history is a starting point to have a healthy society. However, with how "romanticized" and poorly taught history is taught to the populace, few cracks have escaped the narrative of an "all brave" and "romanticized" revolutionary story of the Filipino people. The "Hero" narrative and the 'Black and White' interpretation of history Upon the death of Aguinaldo, Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the New York Times (1964) praised him as "the very incarnation of the Filipino desire for liberty and freedom, and his co...