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The document outlines the historical development of science and technology (S&T) in the Philippines, tracing its roots from pre-colonial indigenous practices to the influences of Spanish and American colonization. It highlights the evolution of formal education in S&T, the impact of global trade, and the challenges faced during and after World War II. Despite advancements, the document emphasizes ongoing challenges in improving science education and increasing enrollment in S&T courses.

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jonard.tigas
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6 views3 pages

4 Gec108

The document outlines the historical development of science and technology (S&T) in the Philippines, tracing its roots from pre-colonial indigenous practices to the influences of Spanish and American colonization. It highlights the evolution of formal education in S&T, the impact of global trade, and the challenges faced during and after World War II. Despite advancements, the document emphasizes ongoing challenges in improving science education and increasing enrollment in S&T courses.

Uploaded by

jonard.tigas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

• S&T in the Philippines started way back before the country gained its
• independence from the American colonizers.
• Before the coming of the Spanish colonizers, the early inhabitants of the
archipelago had their own culture and traditions.
• They had their own belief system and indigenous knowledge system that
• keeps them organized and sustained their lives and communities for many
years.
• Science, in pre-Spanish Philippines, is embedded in the way of life of the
people. Scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that provide them food, in
taking care of animals to help them in their daily tasks, and food production.
• Science is observed in the way they interpret the movement of
heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates, and in
organizing days into months and years.
• They used science in preparing the soil for agriculture purposes
and like any other ancient cultures, they discovered the
medicinal uses of plants.
• Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing tools that they can use
in everyday life.
• They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for fighting their enemies during war
or tribal conflicts; and for transportation, both on land and on waterways.
• They also developed technologies in creating musical instruments.
• The different archeological artifacts discovered in different parts of the
country also prove that the metal age also had a significant influence
on the lives of early Filipinos.
• The sophisticated designs of gold and silver jewelry, ceramic and
metal tools proved that their technological ideas helped in the
development of different tools.

• Also, trading with China, Indonesia, Japan, and


other nearby countries have influenced their lives
by providing different opportunities for
cultural and technological exchange.
• All these ancient practices in S&T are considered now as indigenous science or folk science.
• When the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought with them their own culture and practices.
• They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and disciplines.
• It was the beginning of formal science and technology
in the country, known now as school of science and
technology.
• Learning of science in school focuses on understanding
different concepts related to the human body, plants,
animals, and heavenly bodies.
• Technology focuses on using developing house tools used
in everyday life.
• Life during the Spanish era slowly became modernized,
adapting some Western technology and their ways of life.
• The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology
brought by the Spaniards using indigenous materials.
• Medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal
colleges and universities established by the Catholic orders.
• The galleon trade has brought additional technology and
development in the Philippines.
• Although it is only beneficial for the Spaniards, these trades allowed other ideas, crops, tools, cultural
practices, technology and western practices to reach the country.
• Some Filipino students who were able to study in Europe also contributed in the advancement of
medicine, engineering, arts, music and literature in the country.
• The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in the Southeast Asia during that time, was
considered to be one of the most developed places in the region.
• Although the country is blessed with these developments, the superstitious beliefs of the people and the
Catholic doctrines and practices during the Spanish era halted the growth of science in the country.
• The Americans have more influence in the development of S&T in the Philippines compared to the
Spaniards.
• They established the public education system and improved the engineering works and the health
conditions of the people.
• They established a modern research university, the University of the Philippines, and created more
public hospitals than the former colonial master.
• The mineral resources of the country were explored and exploited during the American times.
• Transportation and communication systems were improved, though not accessible throughout the
country.
• The Americans did everything to “Americanize” the Philippines.
• They reorganized the learning of science and introduced it in
public and private schools.
• In basic education, science education focuses on nature studies
and science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally
known as “Science”.
• The teaching of science in higher education has also greatly improved and modernized.
• Researches were done to control malaria, cholera, and tuberculosis and other tropical diseases.
• The American scholars also introduced new knowledge and technology in the country.
• The Protestant church missions in different places in the country also brought hospitals and schools to
far-flung areas. Little by little, these efforts built a strong foundation for S & T in the country.
• World War II, however, destabilized the development of the country in many ways.
• Institutions, public facilities, and houses and lives were destroyed.
• The country had a difficult time to rebuild the ruins of the war.
• The human spirit to survive and to rebuild the country may be strong but the capacity of the country to
rebuild was limited.
• The reparation funds focused on building some institutions and public facilities like schools, hospitals,
and transportation systems.
• The reparation money from Japan was also concentrated on building highways and in providing
technological training and human resource development in the country.
• Since the establishment of the new republic, the whole nation has been focusing its limited resources to
improve its S&T capability.
• It has explored the use of Overseas Development Allocations
(ODA) from different countries to help the country improve its
S&T productivity and capability.
• Human resource development focused on producing more
engineers, scientists, technology experts, doctors, and other
professionals.
• The development of S & T in the Philippines, based on its brief history, is shaped by several factors
and influences.
• Like in the history of science in other countries, it is always shaped by human and social activities,
both internal and external.
• Science and technology (S&T) may have significant impact on the lives of the people and in the
development of the Philippine society.
• However, improving the quality of science education still
remains a big challenge in the country.
• School science from basic education to graduate
education is improving slowly, and there are only few
students enrolling in S & T courses.

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