(Photo shows the rear side of the Manila Cathedral, reportedly strengthened with stone by Domingo Salazar, first Archbishop of Manila)A notable historian once told me that most books on Philippine History would start with a disappointing preface. I made my own observations and it seems that most authors begin with the line "little is known about the history of the Philippines especially during the Spanish Period". My friend (the historian) finds such lines awkward indeed, he himself knowing that so many historical evidence exist, you just knew how to use the right sources, and determine their credibility in resconstructing this unknown past of the Philippines. This friend of mine knows how to find and use alot of sources, not to mention he's a Philippine history enthusiast, or an amateur/hobbyist if you will.
The same awkward statement goes for Manila. Even people from the academe see that "we know little about the past" of this Cabecera de Filipinas. We may know some, from what the highschool textbook showed us, the likes of Rajah Sulayman, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Bishop Salazar
. But do we really know how the details transpired in Manila History? Like how churches were built? What was it like to be Manileño and how did the poeple live and behave?
Really, much could be unknown, but there are historical evidence out there that would reveal more things about Manila than one can imagine. Some scholars even think that Manila historians have just scratched the surface of its history.
This blog is destined to scratch more and dig deeper.
