Why Isn’t PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY Taught in Filipino Grade School?

“That these imaginary creatures still influence the lives of Filipinos is beyond dispute.”
~Dr. Maximo Ramos

Back in January 2014, I read a tweet from @queencaffeine that posed a fairly important question on Twitter. “Philippine Mythology is so fascinating.  Why do Filipino Schools teach Greek Mythology and yet ignore this hmmmmm?”

First, let’s get the obvious out of the way.  Nobody is suggesting that Greek Mythology shouldn’t be taught.  Greek Mythology is a huge part of modern culture and has helped shape the world as we know it by influencing artists, writers and philosophers throughout history. The ancient Greeks created myths to explain just about every element of the human condition.  Greek Mythology excelled at answering difficult fundamental questions that human beings ask. Which is also an excellent argument as to why Philippine Mythology should be taught in Philippine classrooms – to explain how superstitions and creatures were historically created to explain the unknown. On top of that, it is the single best tool in understanding early animist beliefs, migration routes, influences from the Indianized Kingdoms, Sinified States, and early Muslim trade.  In other words, everything that makes the Philippines one of the most fascinating countries in the world!

It is my understanding that some private grade schools in the Philippines teach local myths as part of their History and Social Studies, but it is largely ignored in the public schools, especially in the provinces. I have been exploring Philippine Mythology for the last decade. During that time, I have been repetitively introduced to the notion that it is for the ignorant, uneducated or “provincial folk”.    It only seems to be introduced as a serious subject through education at university or college levels.  Based on the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) 2008 data, out of 100 Grade 1 pupils only 14 eventually graduate from college.  This means that only 14% of the population might have the opportunity to explore Philippine Mythology and understand it’s history and cultural impacts in an academic manner – and that’s only if they choose to do so.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to introduce the truth and history about these myths at a younger age where you could reach more of the population?

Aside from the obvious benefits of exploring indigenous culture, arts, stories and history, I think the societal impact would be overwhelmingly positive.  Let me explain why.  In the late 1960’s, a national newspaper article was published about a triple murder of suspected “witches”.  In the article, the journalist writes, “It is not enough for the people to be able to read and write, more important, they should be freed from the grip of superstition.  What is the government doing to promote adult education?”

It has been 50 years since those killings, and there is little evidence that the situation is improving.  In fact, I would argue that it is getting worse.  Every year there are more murders and attacks on people thought to be witches or aswang. Below is a video containing news headlines of said occurrences.  (Links to the articles can be found HERE)

 

The above video only addresses “aswang attacks”.  We must also consider the illnesses that are blamed on the supernatural.   When no public resources are available to combat such crippling superstitions, it is the social responsibility of the government to step in.  In his 2013 non-fiction book “Report From the Abyss” Karl R De Mesa states, “Have you ever thought about how Pinoys take most of this stuff in stride? While people in the First World would be hiring the best specialists to find out the mysterious illness of some kid who went traipsing through the forest, we’d question him about stepping on any anthills or fairy mounds or if he pissed on trees without saying “tabi tabi po” first.”  

“Yes, there are people who have killed their children because they thought they were turning into monsters.”
~Peque Gallaga (The Aswang Phenomenon)

Philippine folk beliefs and the superstitions it creates have been ignored in the grade school education system for the last 100 years, and the results are evident.  I believe that a historical understanding would bolster interest in building a better Philippines,  while still preserving tradition and national pride.   If the education system continues on a path to train its citizens to leave and become OFWs, wouldn’t it be wonderful if those Filipinos all over the world could share a cultural pride that involved more than a beauty queen and a boxer?  Don’t get me wrong, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and Manny Pacquiao are leaders in their field and have achieved incredible things, but there is a huge discrepancy between being proud of your country and being proud of a few select individuals who come from it.  Individual careers can end, fights can be lost, and crowns handed over.  I do understand the challenge in this, but Philippine history does not begin and end with the Spanish.  With the new K-12 system being implemented, there is plenty of room to introduce these myths, where they came from,  why they were created, and how they fit into the sociological and historical timeline of the Philippines.  It is important to teach critical thinking and understanding about these things before superstitious beliefs take root.  The teachings should be focused on improving the thinking that has historically left room for supernatural beings to affect every day lives, while at the same time generating a cultural timeline of the Philippines.  Moreso, it should teach Filipinos to be proud of the rich, colorful past of their ancestors and encourage its inclusion as part of their national identity.  Philippine Mythology is “so fascinating”.  It should be a point of national pride, not a sign of ignorance.

WATCH: TIKBALANG: The Horse Demon | Philippine Mythology Documentary