NCCA Releases Free Philippine History E-Book Containing Readings Beginning From Pre-Spanish Period

MANILA, Philippines — On Aug. 31, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, through its agency National Committee on Historical Research (NCHR), released “Philippine History Source Book,” a PDF e-book that contains “annotated compilation of selected Philippine history primary sources and secondary works.”

The book is authored by various professors and lecturers from the history departments of the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University Manila, Silliman University and the University of the Philippines Diliman.

NCHR’s Head Emmanuel Calairo wrote in the foreword that there is a “clamor” for more Philippine history materials from teachers and students from public and private schools, and that museums and libraries are continuously looking for ways to serve their clients using various online programs.

Hence, the e-book was produced to “hasten learning processes in the context of remote learning,” per NCHR’s Vice Head Neil Martial Santillan.

“I am very confident that through this project, Philippine history will be learned effectively even if teachers and students are in the comfort of their homes,” Calairo also wrote in the foreword.

“Philippine History Source Book” is divided into 11 chapters and offers readings that explore different historical periods: Pre-Spanish period, Spanish period, 16^th–18^thcentury, 19^th century, 1896 Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War, American period, Commonwealth, World War II, Post-War, 1972–1986 and 1986–present.

Interested readers can download the said e-book using this link after completing a survey.