STS 10 Lesson 2.1 History of Science and Technology in the Philippines | Vanessa E. Asaias

Summary

This lecture explores the historical development of science and technology in the Philippines, emphasizing the interplay of geography, colonial trade, economic policies, and social factors. It covers the pre-colonial era's technological advancements, Spanish colonization's impact on education and research, and the rise of modern professions. The talk also discusses the Spanish regime's contributions to agriculture, industry, and the establishment of institutions like the Manila Observatory, highlighting the uneven progress and the roots of Philippine nationalism.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines is the executive department responsible for coordinating science and technology projects and formulating policies to support national development.
• 🌐 Science and technology are integral to a country's political sovereignty and economic self-reliance, and their development is a global concern for governments.
• 📚 The history of science and technology in the Philippines is shaped by various factors including geography, colonial trade, economic and educational policies, and social-cultural elements.
• 🗺️ Before the Spanish colonization in 1521, there was limited written information about Philippine society and technology, so historians rely on archaeological findings and early accounts.
• 🛠️ Early Filipinos developed techniques for tool-making, pottery, and metalworking, but faced competition from imported goods, leading to the decline of some industries.
• 🌾 By the 1st century AD, Filipinos were engaged in agriculture, with techniques like terraced fields in mountainous regions and coastal trade with advanced boat-building technology.
• 🔄 Trade with neighboring countries like Vietnam, Borneo, and China was well-established by the 10th century, with Chinese records and archaeological findings supporting this.
• 🏰 Upon colonization, the Spanish found autonomous village communities with their own systems of writing, weights, and measures, and some with advanced fortifications and artillery.
• 🏫 The Spanish introduced modern education and scientific research, with religious orders playing a significant role in establishing schools and promoting technological innovation.
• 📈 The 19th century saw the establishment of technical and vocational schools, and the growth of scientific research, particularly in medicine and pharmacy, with the participation of native Filipinos.
• 🌟 The Spanish regime's exploitation of mineral wealth and promotion of agriculture and industry led to economic development, though benefits were unevenly distributed, contributing to the rise of Philippine nationalism.

Q & A

What is the role of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines?

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for coordinating science and technology-related projects and formulating policies and projects in the fields of science and technology to support national development.

Why is the development of science and technology crucial for a country's progress?

The development of science and technology is crucial for a country's progress because it is closely associated with political sovereignty and economic self-reliance, and it is recognized as one of the imperatives of social and economic progress in the contemporary world.

What sources do historians use to understand the pre-colonial period of the Philippines?

Historians use archaeological findings, accounts of early traders and foreign travelers, and narratives written by the first Spanish missionaries and colonial officials to understand the pre-colonial period of the Philippines.

What technological advancements were made by the early Filipinos before the arrival of the Spaniards?

Early Filipinos made advancements in tool-making with stone flakes, pottery of various designs, metalworking using copper, gold, bronze, and iron, and agriculture, including the construction of terraced fields and the cultivation of rice.

How did the Spanish colonization impact the development of science and technology in the Philippines?

Spanish colonization led to the establishment of schools, hospitals, and scientific research, which had important consequences for the rise of the country's professions. However, the direction and pace of development were greatly shaped by the religious orders, who played a major role in the establishment of the colonial educational system.

What were the limitations of higher education during the Spanish regime in the Philippines?

Higher education during the Spanish regime was limited to the elite of colonial society, and it was pursued mainly for the priesthood or clerical positions in the colonial administration. Access to schools was limited, and the study of sciences and medicine was discouraged.

How did the Spanish missionaries contribute to technological innovation and scientific research in the Philippines?

Spanish missionaries introduced technology for town planning and building with stones, bricks, and tiles, established charity hospitals, and conducted research in pharmacy and medicine. They also observed, cataloged, and wrote about Philippine plants with medicinal properties.

What was the significance of the Manila Observatory in the development of meteorological studies in the Philippines?

The Manila Observatory, founded in 1865, collected and made available typhoon and climatological observations. It issued the first public typhoon warning and later became a central station of the Philippine Weather Bureau, providing meteorological, seismological, and astronomical studies.

What was the role of the Real Sociedad Economica de los Amigos del Pais de Filipinas in promoting scientific and technological development?

The Real Sociedad Economica de los Amigos del Pais de Filipinas, founded in 1780, promoted the cultivation of various crops and the development of industries. It provided funds for successful experiments, inventions, scientific literature, and scholarships for Filipinos, encouraging research and development in agriculture and industry.

What were the economic and social conditions in the Philippines at the end of the Spanish regime?

At the end of the Spanish regime, the Philippines had evolved into a primary agricultural exporting economy with some progress in agriculture. However, there was an uneven distribution of economic benefits, increasing concentration of wealth among large landowners, and poverty and landlessness among the masses.