Arizaleta, Nonito Jr.

Daras, K-Cir Derfson 03/16/20

Reyes, Jerry

1. What is local history and why it should be taught?

Local history refers to the key to understanding the different cultures and perspectives
of small communities. It presents the past events and experiences of single communities
that live equally unique among others. It may be the history of a municipality, countryside,
a residential area, or a metropolis neighborhood. It should be taught because it enables
the student to gain a greater interest in history. Their mind is not only filled with the
historical events and dates but it helps them also analyzing the small details that made
the local history unique from other countries. It gives the student a better sense of
truthfulness on the surrounding that they live with. Whatever is taught in the classroom
should be based on the realities of life. Appreciation from the national history begins from
the local history. Hence, we should be reminded that history is not all about the past, but
its connection to our everyday lives.
2. How can local history be used as an instrument in understanding the general
history of a country?
I can simply illustrate the local history as a single cell and if different local histories will
combine, it will come up to a whole being which stands for the general history. We all
know that each town, city, province and region have its own unique origin and important
events. With this, writing the local history be used as an instrument in understanding the
general history of a country because they will provide the most authentic happenings and
reasons behind each event. Since a certain country can’t be represented by one state or
place alone. Perhaps, local history incorporates cultural and social aspect of various
societies. Like here in the Philippines, it is better to understand first our local history so
that it is easy for us to distinguish and see the beauty of our country – diverse, wealthy
and interesting history. In short, local history is the life blood of general history.
3. What are the issues/problems on the Philippine local history?

The Philippines have faced a multiple distortion of its local history since the Magellan
and his troops discovered the Philippines in 1521. Right now, the local history of the
Philippines is incomplete and focuses mainly in the history of the Northern part of the
country where the concentrations of development can also be seen. Though, there are
essential events and developments happening in Visayas and Mindanao are quoted in,
they are still forgotten and left out. The rare characteristics of the cultural and historical
numerous ethnic groups all across the country are also ignored. (Ligan, Victoria, et. Al.).
It can also be seen in the writing of Philippines history that there is the absence of written
sources done by individuals and historians from the perspective of local backgrounds. It
is also observed that the data gathered in the Philippines history is borrowed from foreign
sources which manifest biases. All of these issues limited and restricted the national
historians for coming up with real history of the country.