Course Module for Social Studies in Elementary

(Philippines History & Government)

Prelim course:
Module 1: Geographical foundations and natural wealth

Lesson 1: Location and area, 3 the archipelago Doctrine, 3 General Topography,4 Mountain
system, 6 River system, 7 Climate, 8 mineral wealth, 9 Geography determines a country’s
history and politics, 10 Regional Division, 11 national distinction, 13 history and other disciples,
14 Enrichment activities

Lesson objectives:

1. 1. Analyze and conceptualize the history and formation of the cultural heritage
of the Filipino people.
2. 2. Critically understand the significance of the different stages of our history.
3. 3. Intelligently explain the relationship of past events to our present condition.
4. 4. Appreciate the accomplishments and sacrifices of our fellow Filipinos for the
welfare of the nation.
5. 5. Develop a deep sense of pride and identity as a Filipino through patriotism
which will lead to action in making a significant contribution in nation building.

Location and area

The Philippines is an archipelago of about 7100 islands located just southeast of the
Asian continent. Its total land area is 300,242.943 square kilometers (115,830 square miles).
Compared to other small countries of the world, The Philippines is larger than Great Britain,
Yugoslavia, or Ecuador; a little smaller than Spain or Poland; twice larger than Cuba, or Greece;
and about larger as Italy of about 35 countries in Asia, The Philippines is the thirteenth largest,
its land area being 1.1 percent of the continent. Thailand and Japan are larger than the
Philippines. But our country is larger than either of two Vietnams, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri-
Lanka, Laos, and Singapore.
 The Philippines archipelago lies between 4 degree 30’ n and 21 degree 20’ north latitude and
between 116 degree 55’ E and 126 degree 36’ east longitude. It is bounded on the north and
the west by the South China Sea, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, and on the south by the
Celebes Sea and Sulu Sea. In length, it stretches about 185.15 kilometers (1150 miles) between
the Southern tip of Taiwan, and Northern tip of Borneo and Indonesia. At its broadest point, it
extends about 966 kilometers (600 miles) from east to west. The northern most island in the
Country, Y’ami is 104.65 kilometers (65 miles) southeast of Taiwan, while the southernmost
Island in it, Saluag is 48.3 kilometres (30 miles) east Borneo.

The Archipelago Doctrine

The territorial limits and boundaries of the Philippines were defined by (1) the treaty of
Paris between the United States and Spain on December 10,1898;(2) the treaty of Washington
between Spain and the United States on November 7,1900; and (3) the treaty between Great
Britain and the United States on July 2,1930.

In the treaty of Paris, Spain transferred its ownership of the Philippines to the United
States for $20,000,000 and for the first time the boundaries of the archipelago were then
defined.

In the treaty of November 7, 1900, the United States paid Spain another $100,000 to
acquire possession of some small islands in the Sulu archipelago-Cagayan, Sibutu, and the
smaller islands around. These areas were then added to Philippine territory.

Finally, on July 2, 1930, another group of islands were ceded to the Philippines
archipelago. These were the Mangsee and Turtle islands which have previously been claimed by
both Great Britain and The United States.

By the Philippines Constitution of 1973 and by ratified constitution of 1987, the Philippines
adhered to the archipelagic Doctrine in defining the boundaries of the country.

Article 1, Section 1, of the Philippines Constitution, provided that “the national Property
Constitution Territory [of the Philippines] comprises the Philippine archipelago with all the
islands and waters embraces therein and all the other territories belonging to the Philippines by
historic right or legal title, including the territorial sea, the air space, the subsoil, the seabed,
and the insular shelves, and the other submarine areas over which is the Philippines has
sovereignty or jurisdiction.
 The same provision of the Philippines Constitution added:’ The waters around, between, and
connecting the islands of the Archipelago, irrespective of their breadth and dimension form
part of the interval waters of the Philippines.”

Article 1 of the ratified Constitution of the 1987, has more or less the same provisions.

The Archipelagic Doctrine on territorial limits of countries further states that the
baseline from which the territorial sea of the archipelago is to be determined consist of the
straight line connecting the outermost portion of the islands. Waters within the baseline are
Philippines internal waters and water outside baselines but within the extent of the
international treaty limits, comprise the countries territorial sea.

This doctrine means, therefore, that our country, with its thousands of islands and many
seas, should be considered as political unit for reasons of history, law, geography, economic
and security. Also, when questions involving territorial conflicts arise, the Philippines has this
doctrine to support its claims.

General Topography
The Philippines is a rugged land traversed by many mountain ranges, extensive but
narrow coastal plains, navigable rivers, fertile valleys and deltas, and beautiful lakes and
waterfalls.

Most of the islands in the Philippines archipelago are categorized by irregular seacoasts,
fertile plains, and wooded uplands in the interiors. The two largest islands- Luzon in the north,
104,688 square kilometers (40,420mi2) in area, and Mindanao in the South, 94,630 square
kilometers (36,537 mi2)- comprise 67.1 percent total land area of the country. The other major
islands from largest to the smallest, are Samar, Negros, Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu,
Bohol, and Masbate. About 800 of the islands in the archipelago are inhabited, while the rest
are islands, islets, or rocks too small to be populated.

The Philippines has an irregular coastline totaling 17,468.5 kilometers (10850 statute
miles) long or about twice as long o the coastline of the United States. Our coastline is
considered the longest discontinuous coastline in the world. This has resulted in a great many
fine harbors and landlocked straits. Located between Samar and Leyte is what has been called
“The narrowest strait in the world”- the San Juanito Strait. Manila bay, with circumference of
about 193.2 kilometers (120 miles) is one the world finest natural harbors. The fourth lowest
spot in the world is the Philippine deep, situated of northern eastern Mindanao. It is only a little
less deep than the Marianas deep, just east of Luzon and its about 10,539 meters (34,578 ft)
deep. Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, can easily be submerged in it, with 1.6
kilometers of space to spare.
 The Philippines has four major plains. The central Luzon Plain is the largest lowland area
in the country. It is known as the Rice granary of the Philippines. The Cagayan valley, in
Northeastern LUZON, IS THE LEADING TOBACCOO- producing in Asia. Mindanao has two large
fertile plains- the Agusan - Davao plain and the Cotabato Valley. It also has two principal
plateaus - the Lanao- Bukidnon Plateau and Tiruray Tableland in Maguindanao.

Volcanoes abound from Philippines, a few of them active. The most well-known
volcanoes in the country are Mayon in Albay, Iraya in Batanes Islands, Taal in Batangas,
Banahaw in Quezon, Apo in Davao del Sur, and Bulusan in Sorsogon. Of these, Mayon is the
most active and the most Famous. With is nearly perfect cone. Rising above the Surrounding
landscape that it enriches with its occasional eruptions.

Of the many scenic water falls in the country. The best known is the Pagsanhan Falls and
Botocan falls in Laguna, Hinulugang tatak in Rizal. Tamaraw falls in in Oriental Mindoro and
Maria Christina Falls- the tallest and most beautiful them all- in Lanao del Norte.

Mineral springs are plentiful in the Philippines too. Best known among these are Tiwi
hot spring in Albay, Los Banos, Pansol, and Bumbungan Hostspring in Laguna, the Pandi and
Sibul hot spring in Bulacan, and Masingal spring in Ilocos Sur.

Lake Dagatan, in Quezon, is said to be the smallest lakes. The six largest Philippines are
the following decreasing order: Laguna de bay (pronounced ba-i), Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur,
Lake Taal in Batangas, Lake Mainit in Surigao del Norte, Lake Naujan in Oriental Mindoro, Lake
Buluan in Sultan Kudarat, and Lake Bito in Leyte. Laguna de Bay is a rich source of fish and
selfish and is manila source these items. Lake Naujan abounds in ducks and edible shells as well
as freshwater fish. Lake Taal is surrounded by fertile agricultural land; it is a lake at the top of
an extinct volcano, and there is another volcano in the middle of the lake. Lake Mainit is said to
be the crater of an extinct volcano and got its name from the many hot springs along its shores.
Mountain System
There are three large mountain ranges in Luzon- the Caraballo del Sur, the Sierra Madre, and
Caraballo de baler. The Caraballo del Sur extends from the North to South and consist of Central
Cordillera and the Northern Cordillera. Its highest peak is at the intersection of the boundaries of Abra,
Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.

The Sierra Madre also known as the Pacific Coast Range, begins at the town of Baler, and the
crosses the provinces of Cagayan Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, and Quirino. The Sierra Madre is the longest
continuous mountain Range in the Philippines.

The Caraballo de Baler extends from Baler, the capital of Aurora, and ends in the San Bernardino
straight at the southeastern tip of Luzon. In this range are found Mayon Volcano in Albay and Bulusan
Volcano in Sorsogon.

Also in Luzon are the smaller mountain ranges of Zambales and Tagaytay. The Zambales range
begins at Cape Bolinao in Pangasinan,extends south along the coast of China Sea, and end in the Bataan
peninsula. The Tagaytay range crosses the provinces of Cavite and Batangas. Mount Makiling, in laguna,
and Taal Volcano, in Batangas, are in the Tagaytay Range.

In Mindoro Island, the mountain system starts at Mount Halcon and Branches off into three
small ranges, ongoing northwest Toward Cavite point. The small mountain range on the island of negros
divides into two with Kanlaon Volcano of the highest peak from the Northwest to the southeast.

The principal mountain ranges in Mindanao are the following:

1. Diwata mountains,
2. Central Range,
3. Mountain ranges.

The Highest peak in the Philippines is Mount Apo, in Davao del Sur 2954 metres high, the second
is mounth Pulog, in Bicol about 2585 metres other notable Philippine mountain peaks are Makiling,
Banahaw, and San Cristobal all in Laguna- Arayat in Pampanga, mayon in Albay,Baco in Mindoro
Occidental, MataLingahan in Palawan and Makaturing in Lanao del Sur.
River System
The Main River system in Luzon are the following:

1. Rio Grande de Cagayan valley

2. The Agno River which drains the River of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Tarlac
3. The Abra River which Receives the Tributes of Cordillera and drains Lepanto, Bontoc, and Abra and
4. Pampanga River

The largest river system in the Philippines is Rio Grande de Mindanao, it fed by the waters of
two large lakes and drains the central Mindanao basin.

Other famous Philippine rivers are the Pasig River which runs through Manila, the Jaland and
Panay Rivers in Panay, and the Underground river found in Palawan.

Climate
The country is near the equator and this gives it tropical climate characterized by relatively High
temperatures, high humidity and abundant rainfalls . The Philippines climate is one of the most healthful
in the world

The Climate in the western and more populated half of the Philippines has 3 Distinct seasons:

1. Rainy seasons
2. The cool and dry season,
3. Hot and dry seasons during the month of February and January the seasons mild and cool.

These is Plenty sunshine all year around in the Philippines. The distribution of the Rainfall is
affected by the wind system and topography of each region. The country is occasionally lashed by many
severe typhoon-from the Chinese word tai-fung, great wind mostly coming from pacific.

Animal Planet Resources

The animals in the Philippines came from the heartland of southeast Asia, originally migrating by
way of prehistoric land bridges which formerly joined the archipelago to the Asian continent. In the
country are found more 60 species bats, 3 species of deer, 5 species of monkeys and various species of
horse, carabaos, dogs, cats, pigs, squirrels and Goats
 More than 750 species of birds, about 25000 species of insects, unique species in the Philippines
tarsier, pilandok, tamarau. 2000 species of fish, 1000 species of shells, 10000 species of flowering plants.

Agricultural, forest and marine wealth

The Philippines is a rich agricultural country because it has a fertile soil and pleasant climate.

The country chief agricultural products are Rice, corn, coconut, hemp, cane sugar and tobacco
and banana and sweet potato. first ranking is rice and second is corn. Forest constitutes one of the
riches natural resources of the Philippines. More than half of the country is covered with forest. Nipa
palm and mangrove trees grow in many pf our coastal areas,

Tropical rainforests grow both lowland and upland. Our forest lots of timber and other forest
products such as dye woods, rattan, bamboo, cutch, resin, gutta-percha.

Of the 3000 species of trees in Philippines forest the greatest demand apitong, guijo, white and
red lauan, Ipil, rangile, tindalo, yakal, narra, mahogany.

Our springs and streams supply drinking water and water to irrigate our fields and transport
boats and barges carrying passengers and freight.

Our company is a fisherman’s paradise, lakes, rivers, and the seas surrounding the islands of our
archipelago teem with more than 2000 species of fish.

Mineral wealth
Mineral, both metallic and nonmetallic, abound in our country as well. We have rich mines gold,
copper, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, palladium, platinum, iron, silver, and zinc. Our nonmetallic
minerals include coal, barite, clay, diatomite, feldspar, limestone, mica, silica, magnesite, Sulphur, talc,
adobe, marble, gravel, and sand and mineral oil, natural gas

The Philippines is among those with the richest gold mines in southeast Asia, the mountain
province. Masbate and Mindanao are the leading sources of Gold, In the country. The best-known
copper producing areas in the Philippines are cebu, The mountain province, Albay, Negros, Samar and
Zambales. rich iron found in Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Marinduque and Samar, Chromite, Manganes ,
lead and zinc abound in Provinces of Zambales, Masbate, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and antique. Surigao
del Norte has rich in Nickel deposits, Zambales is the best produce of chromite.

Geography determines a country history and politics

To a large extent, extent location, climate, and physical feature the country determines the
course of history and politics. Such as relation is termed geopolitics and geohistorical.
 It was said that the earliest settlers in the Philippines found the, condition the islands conductive
to living. The climate was the good and the soil was rich and fertile, hence, farming was easy. The rains
were plentiful, and the seas abounded in marine life. Thus, the promise of a peaceful and a productive
life drew migrants to the archipelago. Lastly the rich natural resources of the country develop with the
help of American can capital and technical know-how, accelerated the growth of Philippines economy
industry, and enable America to exert powerful influence over our country political Machinery and over
the whole of southeast Asia.

Regional Division
The National Census and statistics office has divided the Philippine into thirteen geographical
regions, including the National Capital Region. The criteria used in this division 1. Geographical balance,
2. Socioeconomic condition, 3. Political administration, and 4. Transportation patterns. The constitution
1987 mandates the formation of autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and Cordileras, giving the
first congress elected under this constitution eighteen months from the time of organization of both
houses to pass the organic pass acts for the two autonomous regions.

These autonomous regions shall be composed of provinces, cities, towns, and geographic areas
sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures and
other relevant characteristics within framework of the new constitution and national sovereignty as well
as with in the territorial integrity of the republic of the Philippines.

The governments of these autonomous regions have broad powers like maintaining schools,
operating health facilities, legislating and implementing development plans except for the national
defense, security, banking, trade, and foreign powers.

The three main Goals of classification 1. To establish a functional basis for planning and
management regional level; 2. To ensure regional equality in terms of regional living condition of the
people and 3. To improve the efficiency of government agencies by concentrating on existing regional
branches in the various areas and by creating new regional offices where these are needed.

In determining the regional centers three things are taken into account: 1. Degree of
urbanization 2. Economic and servicing capacities and links to the national capital and to the other
regions of the country and 3. Strategic and convenient location along land and water transportation
routes based on these criteria, the following regions will establish by the reorganization plan after it
became a law through presidential degree no. 742.

National Distinctions
The republic of the Philippines has the following national Symbols:

National emblem: The Philippine flag is the national emblem of the country. It expresses the
Filipino sentiments from freedom, equality, and justice.

The Philippine flag consist of white equilateral triangle at the left containing a sun with eight
rays in center a five-pointing star in each corner the triangle, an upper stripe of blue, and lower stripe of
red. The white equilateral triangle stands for the equality for the people, the upper blue strips stand for
peace, truth and justice, and lower red stripe stands for patriotism and valor. The sun in the triangle
represents liberty and its eight rays stands for the eight provinces that reblots against Spain. The three
stars symbolize the three main geographical division of the country-Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang the Philippine National Anthem was composed by Julian Felipe music
teacher and composer. He completed it on June 11, 1898 it was first played in public before a group of
people revolutionary ,including general Emillio Aguinaldo by the brass band of San Francisco de Malabon
during the declaration of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898 .Philippine
independent was granted by the united states of America on July 4 1946 and subsequently ,by an
executive order, former President Diosdado Macapagal changed Independence day to June 12 the
independence day proclaimed after the Spanish rule.

The anthem was wordless for over a year. In august 1899, however, Jose Palma a young poet soldier,
wrote, Filipinas in Spanish, It was published in La indepedencia on September 3,1899 and became the
lyrics of the Philippine national anthem.

National Seal: The great seal of the republic of the Philippines. This seal was approved by
commonwealth act no. 731 congress of the Philippines on July 3, 1946, it was design by Galo Ocampo.

National Hero: Jose Rizal he wrote two novels in Spanish - Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo - both
containing his ideas of liberty and advocating social and political reforms. This novels and poems and
essays sparked patriotism and love of native land

National day: June 12 , This marks the proclamation of Philippine independence from Spanish rule

National Flower: Sampaguita. This is a flower two centimeters across, milky and white color.

National tree: Narra. This tree stands majestically, its crown adorned with golden flowers and its
massive trunk covered with grayish bark.

National costume: Barong Tagalog and Barot Saya. For men the barong Tagalog is a long – long-sleeved
shirt made of the pinya or jusicloth with elegant hand embroidery.

History and The other disciplines

History as the other discipline has no precise and definite boundaries. It shares many points of
common interest with other social discipline some of which are the following:

1. Political science – the relation between the Political scientist and the historian is obvious in the
observation that “Politics present history and history includes politics”.
2. Economics- History and economics are jointly concerned with fact that economic condition
affect the organization, development, and the activities of the state.
3. Geography- use geography helps the historian to explain historical phenomena
4. Sociology and anthropology – the study of history embraces the study of sociology and
anthropology. Since history deeply concerned with the origins and nature of social control.
5. Philosophy- concepts and doctrines about the state of universal thinkers are important to the
historian.
6. Psychology- The historian as well as the psychologist promotes studies of mental and emotional
processes motivating political behavior of individuals and groups.
  Enrichment Activities

I. Improving your Vocabulary Find what the following words mean and then use
each in a sentence to improve your vocabulary.
1. Abound 6. Lash
2. Archipelago 7. plumage
3. Drain 8. ratify
4. Humidity 9. topography
5. Implement 10. Tropical

II. Answer question

1. Prove that the Philippines is well located in relationship to the rest of
Southeast Asia
2. Explain why the Philippines should not be an importer of rice.
3. What are the effects of a Country’s topography on the economic life of its
people?
4. How does geography influence history? cite example
5. What is the role of the mineral and agricultural resources in our economic
life? explain briefly

On the spaces provided, write O if the statement is an opinion and F if the statement is a fact.

______A. The Philippines is an Archipelago of about 7100 islands

______B. The Philippines climate is said to be one of the most healthful in the world.

______C. The Philippines archipelago is characterized by irregular seacoasts, fertile plains and wooded
uplands.

______D. The forest could be one the richest natural resources of the Philippines.

______E. The Philippines is divided into thirteen geographical regions.

Something to Do

1. Draw a map of the Philippines showing following

a. The thirteen regions of the country and the leading crops and mineral wealth of each
b. Major mountain range and their location

Country location Size Climate River system Mountain

system
Philippines

Spain

Switzerland

Japan