Readings in Philippine History

Description

By: Horacio de la Costa, S.J.

…Foreword

This Reader consists of selections from a wide variety of documents, most of them primary sources, many of them hitherto unpublished. Unless otherwise noted, I have rendered them into English myself. They are written by men close to the events they describe: often by eyewitnesses; frequently by active participants. Explanatory notes have been appended wherever necessary, and the selections woven together by means of running commentary into a continuous narrative. It can therefore be said, without too much exaggeration, as a history of the Philippines by those who made it, or who saw it made.

I have the temerity to believe that this book can be used as a text or a supplementary reader in high schools and colleges. However, it has been put together primarily for the enjoyment of those who do not necessarily have to pass an examination on it.

Since it is a sort of anthology, there will inevitably be many who will violently disagree with my choice of documents. If someone becomes sufficiently enraged to resolve to put together a better one, I shall consider my labors amply rewarded…