Zaide
Zaide
Zaide
*Perspective
Gregorio F. Zaide was a Filipino historian who approached history as not just a study of past events,
but as a story that makes sense of the present and helps shape the future. In his book "Philippine
History and Government," Zaide emphasized the importance of understanding the social, economic,
cultural and political dimensions of society to comprehend the complexities and dynamics of history.
Zaide's perspective on history emphasized that history is not a mere collection of facts but a
narrative of events that occurred during a particular time, and the significance of such events. He
believed that context is essential in history and that events and their significance must be
understood relative to their cultural, economic, political, and social context.
Furthermore, Zaide believed that history should not be written in a dry, textbook-like manner but
should involve storytelling to engage readers. He also stressed the relevance of primary sources,
such as letters, diaries, and official records, as a way of understanding history.
Finally, Zaide saw history as a tool for reflection, understanding, and guiding society. He believed
that understanding the past could help make sense of the present and help shape the future.
Reference:
Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1999). Philippine history and government. National Bookstore.
https://novaappai.page.link/fXrDwvYiTsE6Xz9t5
*Approach
Gregorio F. Zaide was a Filipino historian who contributed greatly to the field of Philippine history. In
his approach to writing history, he believed that history is not just a collection of facts but a narrative
of events that occurred during a specific period and their significance. In his book "Philippine History
and Government," Zaide emphasized the importance of primary sources, historical context, a
narrative writing style, and using history to inform and guide society.
Zaide's approach to history was multidisciplinary and contextual. He believed that understanding the
social, economic, cultural, and political dimensions of society is essential to understanding the
complexities and dynamics of history. Zaide emphasized that history cannot be understood in
isolation and that events and their significance must be understood in relation to their cultural,
economic, political, and social context.
Zaide's writing style was also notable. He believed that history should not be written in a dry,
textbook-like style but should involve storytelling to captivate readers. He emphasized the
importance of making history accessible by writing in clear and simple language.
Finally, Zaide saw history as a tool for understanding the present and shaping the future. He believed
that history can inform and guide society, and that understanding the past can help us make sense
of the present and shape our future.
Reference:
Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1999). Philippine history and government. National Bookstore.
https://novaappai.page.link/fXrDwvYiTsE6Xz9t5
*Main Features
Gregorio Zaide was a renowned Filipino historian who used a multidisciplinary approach to writing
history. According to Zaide, history is not just a mere collection of facts but a narrative of events that
occurred during a specific period and their significance. In his book "Philippine History and
Government," Zaide emphasized that history must include the social, economic, cultural, and
political dimensions of society to understand its complexities and dynamics.
One of the main features of Zaide's approach is his focus on historical context. He believed that
history cannot be understood in isolation and that events and their significance must be understood
in relation to their cultural, economic, political, and social context. Zaide also emphasized the
importance of primary sources in understanding history.
Another feature was his emphasis on the narrative style of writing history. Zaide believed that
history should not be written in a dry, textbook-like style but should involve storytelling to captivate
readers. He also believed in the importance of making history accessible by writing in clear and
simple language.
Finally, Zaide's approach to history was not limited to just recounting the past but rather involved
reflecting on how historical events have shaped the present. He believed that history can inform and
guide society, and that understanding the past can help us make sense of the present and shape our
future.
References:
Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1999). Philippine history and government. National Bookstore.
https://novaappai.page.link/fXrDwvYiTsE6Xz9t5
*Reason
Gregorio Zaide's reason for writing history was to promote and develop a sense of Philippine
national identity and pride. According to de los Reyes (2013), Zaide's works aimed to instill a sense of
nationalism and patriotism among Filipinos by emphasizing the significant contributions of Philippine
heroes and key historical events. Zaide's works, such as "The Philippine Revolution," sought to
provide a basis for Philippine national identity by celebrating the achievements of Filipino
revolutionaries.
Furthermore, Zaide's works aimed to educate and inspire Filipinos in the struggle for national
liberation and social justice. In his book "Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings," Zaide argued that
Rizal's life and writings embodied the principles of national unity, democracy, and social justice.
According to de los Reyes, Zaide saw Rizal as a model for future generations of Filipinos in the
struggle for political and social reforms.
Reference:
de los Reyes, R. (2013). An Assessment of Gregorio F. Zaide's Historiography. Diliman Review, 61(2),
27-44.
https://novaappai.page.link/ycFYUux6sDmEHQmw8
*Criticism
Gregorio F. Zaide was a renowned historian in the Philippines who authored several books on
Philippine history. One of his most famous works is "The Philippines: A Unique Nation," which is
widely used as a textbook in Philippine history courses. Although Zaide's works have been widely
cited and used, his historiography has been the subject of criticism.
One of the critiques on Zaide's historiography is his over-reliance on Spanish sources, which has led
to the neglect of pre-Hispanic and indigenous sources. According to de los Reyes (2013), Zaide's
works almost exclusively rely on Spanish colonial sources and lack critical examination of these
sources. Furthermore, de los Reyes argues that Zaide's works do not give due attention to the
agency and perspectives of Filipinos during the Spanish colonial period, which limits the depth of
understanding of Philippine history.
Another critique on Zaide's historiography is his creation of a "great man" history narrative, which
focuses heavily on key leaders and their actions rather than broader social, economic, and cultural
factors. This approach to history limits the broader understanding of Philippine society and
oversimplifies complex historical events. According to historians Halili and Garcia (2004), Zaide's
works fall into a "great man" history mentality which has become outdated and does not reflect
current trends in historical scholarship.
Reference:
de los Reyes, R. (2013). An Assessment of Gregorio F. Zaide's Historiography. Diliman Review, 61(2),
27-44.
Halili, M. C., & Garcia, R.V. (2004). Looking Back, Moving On: Philippine Historiography Revisited.
Philippine Studies, 52(1), 5-30.
https://novaappai.page.link/ycFYUux6sDmEHQmw8