PUNZALAN,MICHELLE JOY C.

ZGE 1107 –3A

20171113169 AUGUST 9, 2019

From the paper that was written by Olivia C. Caoili entitled A HISTORY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, her paper did not only focus on the
chorological sequence of the events on the science and technology of our country, she
discussed it effects in shaping the evolution of our present country.

Tracing to thousand of years from now, there have been found traces of tools or
weapons that were by our early inhabitants. Such as stones to stone shaping each
other’s stone. Philippines have also undergone through the iron age. Smelting and
ironing different kinds of metals such as bronze, copper and tin. Filipino’s have also
made our own ships called caracoa. That have also adopted by Spaniards in order to
fight against Dutch, Portuguese and Muslim.

Filipinos we’re also known for its weaving and pottery, though the pottery we know right
now is the basic pottery we see to make pots in our country. We have made countless
trades with China. We get to trade beeswax, cotton, true pearls, tortoise shell, medicinal
betelnuts, yu-ta cloth (probably jute or ramie?) and coconut heart mats in exchange for
Chinese porcelain, iron pots, lead fishnet sinkers, colored glass beads, iron needles and
tin.

Even before the Spaniards came to Philippines, based on their records from their
voyages, Philippines has already established communities in different places of the
country. We do have our own way of agriculture and farming. Plus, our gold mines that
made us as one of the countries rich in gold.

Until the Spaniards entered Philippines, they changed our systems. Political systems
we’re also changed and forced to adapt to theirs. Religion and military forces of Spain
were the ones that mostly used against us. In terms of education, Spaniards have
contributed a lot to what we have now in our education system. Higher education was
provided by schools set up by the different religious orders in the urban centers, most of
them in Manila. University of Santo Tomas is one of our oldest university in our country,
as it was established in 1611. Producing Leon Ma. Guerrero is as of their students who
is known as the “Father of Philippine Pharmacy”
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20171113169 AUGUST 9, 2019

Higher education in our country during the regime of Spaniards was seen as
encouraging the native Filipinos in rebellion. During this time around 1800’s our
medicine education in tertiary level suck as described by Sir John Bowring, the British
Governor of Hongkong who made an official visit to the Philippines in 1850s. You will be
able to see the difference between medicine students who studied and abroad
compared to those who studied in University if Santo Tomas. After the opening of Suez
Canal, it gave access to the students who wants to pursue medicine abroad like Jose
Rizal, Antonio Luna and etc. Spaniards also introduced the technology of town planning
as religious orders provided the most of teaching force. But due to lac of knowledge by
Filipinos in town planning, they hired Chinese workers. Around the end of 16 th century,
UST were able to participate at researches and that put contribution to our sciences.

Shipwrecks and Piratical attacks brought economical depression in Manila. But it is later
on recovered around 1762-1764 because of the new techniques brought by the
Bourbon dynasty. 1829 was the year for local industries as they paved Manila with its
weaving, embroidery, hat making, carriage manufacture, rope-making, cigar and
cigarettes-making. As the commerce expand, it gave Manila rapid development such as
waterworks system, steam tramways, electric lights, newspapers, a banking system that
were introduced into the city by the latter half of the 19 th century. But despite of these
development around Manila, countryside remained poor and abused by Spanish friars
and land owners. They made abuse of poor Filipinos that resulted in revolt at 1896.
During the first republic of Philippines, it only made small development and
achievements because of the arrival of Americans. But their arrival made a lot of
contribution to our science and technology. They provided free education which led to
establishment of public universities in our country.

University of the Philippines was made with its free education service under the act of
the Philippine legislature around June 18, 1908. Opening its many college department
with thousands of enrollees. College department such as agriculture, arts, engineering,
veterinary medicine, law and medicine. With this, American government encouraged
men and women students to study abroad in American Colleges, Philippines sent out
 PUNZALAN,MICHELLE JOY C. ZGE 1107 –3A
20171113169 AUGUST 9, 2019

135 boys and girls and third of them were picked to serve the country with its finished
degree. Philippine Commission provided scholarships to students in exchange of their
return to their provinces to serve their fellowmen and to maintain proper distribution of
graduates in provinces. A lot of private schools were also established. Though they lack
in facilities at first, but they later on improved them. Bureau of Science served a s a
training ground for Filipino scientists which later on made a lot of contribution to our
field. By 1936 under the Commonwealth Period, 425 private schools were recognized.
Government corporations were made to perform such functions for sustainable
economy and finance.

After the independence in 1946, schools and students were still increasing but still the
lack with equipment and the graduates were mostly from education and business
administration. Graduates of sciences were few that development in this field during that
time is the problem. Years later, institutions set the barriers high by changing their
curriculum in line with the newly added board examination for courses in field of science
such as medicine. Science agencies were arising during this time to promote science
consciousness. But it still has lack in policies that they made it revised later on. The
continuing independence of our country has effect as it continuing to grow and expand
its contribution to science and technology.