The Lost History of the Philippines EXPOSED 🔥

Summary

This video challenges the colonial narrative that Filipinos had no civilization before the arrival of Western powers. Using the Laguna Copper Plate Inscription (LCI), a 10th-century legal document, the script uncovers a complex pre-colonial society with legal systems, writing, and advanced sciences. It highlights the Philippines' involvement in the maritime Silk Road, its multilingual legal records, and the societal structures that predate colonial influence. The video urges viewers to rethink historical misconceptions, celebrating the rich, interconnected civilization of the Philippines long before European discovery.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Laguna Copper Plate (LCI) is the oldest known written document in the Philippines, dated to April 21, 900 CE, proving that Filipinos had sophisticated systems long before colonialism.
• 😀 The LCI is a legal document, specifically a debt pardon, showcasing the existence of advanced legal, economic, and political systems in pre-colonial Philippines.
• 😀 The copper plate uses the Kawi script of Java and blends various ancient languages, including Old Malay, Sanskrit, Old Japanese, Old Kapampangan, and Old Tagalog.
• 😀 The discovery of the LCI challenges the colonial myth that Filipinos were uncivilized before colonization, showing that pre-colonial societies had complex networks and systems.
• 😀 The document highlights a well-established trade and diplomatic network across Southeast Asia, connecting places like the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Bhutan, and beyond.
• 😀 The LCI demonstrates legal literacy and political awareness in pre-colonial Philippines, indicating that Filipinos were actively involved in diplomacy and legal practices.
• 😀 The inscription on the LCI mentions gold, a valuable commodity traded across Southeast Asia, and offers evidence of a standardized economic system.
• 😀 The LCI also reveals that women had legal rights, as evidenced by the inheritance laws and the legal personhood of individuals like Lady Ankatan and Buka.
• 😀 Pre-colonial Filipino societies were not static; rulers could be deposed, and individuals, including slaves, could rise in status, showing the fluidity and accountability of their political systems.
• 😀 The Laguna Copper Plate serves as a reminder that Filipinos had their own civilization with complex systems of writing, law, astronomy, and trade long before colonizers arrived.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Laguna Copper Plate Inscription (LCI)?

The Laguna Copper Plate Inscription (LCI) is the oldest known written document from the Philippines, dated to April 21, 900 CE. It serves as a legal declaration, a debt pardon issued by the ruler Jayadewa of Tondo, proving that the pre-colonial Filipinos had established legal, economic, political, and scientific systems long before the arrival of the colonizers.

Why is the LCI referred to as a 'legal document'?

The LCI is considered a legal document because it outlines a formal debt pardon. It records the cancellation of a significant debt owed by an individual and acknowledges the legal rights of heirs, demonstrating the existence of formal legal structures in pre-colonial Filipino society.

What languages are used in the LCI and why is this important?

The LCI uses the ancient Kawi script of Java, incorporating old Malay, Sanskrit, and even hints of old Japanese, Kapampangan, and Tagalog. This linguistic diversity reflects the Philippines' involvement in the broader Southeast Asian maritime and cultural network, showcasing a well-connected society with a complex legal and diplomatic system.

How does the LCI challenge the colonial myth about pre-colonial Filipinos?

The LCI directly contradicts the colonial myth that pre-colonial Filipinos were 'barbaric' or 'primitive'. It proves that our ancestors had a written language, legal systems, and complex economic and political structures well before the arrival of European colonizers, who portrayed the Philippines as 'untouched' or 'savage'.

What is the significance of the Saka calendar in the LCI?

The Saka calendar, used to date the LCI, is a lunisolar calendar system originating from India. The use of this calendar indicates that pre-colonial Filipinos were not only aware of celestial movements but also had a sophisticated understanding of time and astronomy.

What does the LCI reveal about the pre-colonial legal and social structure in the Philippines?

The LCI reveals that the pre-colonial Philippines had a well-defined legal system that included the recording of debts, the granting of debt pardons, and legal personhood. It shows that even individuals who were in debt or bound by slavery had rights, and that women had legal standing, such as the heirs mentioned in the LCI.

What was the economic context of the LCI's debt pardon?

The LCI's debt pardon involved a staggering 865 grams of gold, a significant amount at the time, showcasing that the pre-colonial economy in the Philippines was well-organized. The reference to gold as the standard for economic transactions reflects a sophisticated and widespread economic system within the region.

How does the LCI demonstrate pre-colonial Filipinos' involvement in the Maritime Silk Road?

The LCI mentions various locations across Southeast Asia, including places in Java, Bhutan, and Mindanao. This highlights the Philippines' role in the Maritime Silk Road, where it participated in trade and cultural exchanges with regions such as China, Sumatra, and Japan. The presence of Persian coins and Chinese ceramics further supports this idea.

What evidence is there in the LCI that pre-colonial Filipinos understood astronomy and timekeeping?

The LCI’s use of the Saka calendar, which tracks lunar cycles and celestial movements, indicates that pre-colonial Filipinos had a deep understanding of astronomy. This knowledge was practical, used for navigation, agricultural planning, and religious rituals, proving that they were master navigators and timekeepers.

How did Spanish colonizers and later American authorities shape the narrative of Filipino history?

Spanish and American colonizers framed Filipino history as beginning with their arrival, erasing or overshadowing the pre-colonial history. The Spanish characterized Filipinos as primitive and in need of civilization, and the Americans continued this narrative to justify their own colonial rule, despite the fact that pre-colonial Filipinos had a rich and advanced civilization.