Pre Spanish History Of The Philippines
Do Philippine Universities offer pre-Spanish colonial history classes?
I’m a US student transferring to the Philippines and I was wondering if Philippine Universities offer courses relating to the history of the Philippines before the Spanish colonists arrived.
I mostly hear that history classes start from the time of Spanish rule (from my Mom, family members, friends, etc. — all from the PH or of Filipino descent) and I would like to learn more about the Philippines BEFORE that.
>>>> If these classes are only offered by a few schools, which universities/colleges are they?
The top schools in Metro Manila offer a comprehensive “Philippine History and Culture” or Kasaysayan at Kultura ng Pilipinas” course as part of the curriculum of a degree.
The schools I know off hand that offer a comprehensive Pre-colonial History of the Philippines or Pre-Spanish Era History are :
1) University of the Santo Tomas (UST) (in Sampaloc, Manila, along Espana Road) which is regarded as one for the oldest univesities in Asia
2) The University of the Philippines (UP) (in Diliman, Quezon City); Established 1908. They have a wide variety of classes and you can enroll in a subject aside from what is prescribed in your curriculum of the degree you want to take.
3) Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) (in Loyola Heights, Quezon City); A Jesuit-run university also one of the oldest universities in the Philippines.
All Colleges and Universitties in the Philippines offer Philippine History classes as it is required by law. However, not all colleges and universities offer a comprehensive and up-to-date history of the Philippines and most of them just give an overview of the pre-spanish era. This is due to time constraints as well, particulary dependent on if its a semestral or trimestral term and most classes run for an hour to 1.5 hours, 2-3 times a week. Emphasis on Phil. History in these classes is given to the Spanish, American, Japanese Era as well as the Presidencies.
If you want to learn more about the Pre-Spanish Era of the Philippines, try to look up books and materials written by Ambeth Ocampo of AdMU, he allows sit-ins in his classes and he tries to give unbiased explanations and class discussions.
Other pre-Spanish History books are available in the Filipiniana section of libraries and books stores (such as National Bookstore and Powerbooks).
UST also offers as part of its Philippine Literature course pre-Spanish Era literature. You might want to look into this as well. I particulary enjoyed that myself.
Try checking the course outline/course description of the degrees being offered in the colleges/universties you are interested in. I think some are posted on the net or you may post or email a direct inquiry.
Additional information: Be sure to contact the school/college/university you want to transfer to ASAP. Not all universities accept transferees as they have quota degrees. If you are foreign national you will also be subjected to a DepED (Department of Education) or CHED (Commission on Higher Education) Study Permit and a Study fee. UST processes your Study permit for you for a fee. UP charges a different rate for Foreign Students. Not all schools process your Study permit for you.
If you are an incoming college Freshman on the other hand, some schools require you to take the entrance exam alongside with local 4th year graduating students. Exams are currently on-going. If I am not mistaken, UP had recently held is UPCAT (UP College Admissions Test).
Be sure to bring home the following as well as for they may be part of your admission requirements:
1) Certificate of Good Moral Character from your Guidance Counselor
2) Form 137 (Grade History from High School, all year levels/grade levels)
Moreover, classes begin in May (for trimestral) or June (for semestral).
Good luck!