"A WRONG LESSON TO TEACH THE PEOPLE"
By Ramesh A. Dataya, Copyright 1998

History books around the world claim that the Philippines was "discovered" by the famed navigator Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. In fact, one of the most common questions being asked to elementary students in this country had been "who discovered the Philippines?" The correct answer according to their teachers, of course, is "Magellan". Since it comes from the history books and straight from the mouths of their respected teachers, any student would immediately assume that such perception – that Magellan discovered the Philippines – is correct.

History books are written accounts of past events that transpired in this world. Thus, these books are being considered by many as the source of the truth regarding the past. But is it really the truth?

The answer is NO. In fact, Philippine history is loitered with lies, errors and wrong beliefs. And the citizens of this country are the poor victims of such misperceptions.

One such example is the general assumption that Magellan first discovered the Philippines. Common sense dictates that if Magellan did discover the country first, then why was Rajah Lapu-Lapu already residing there?

In general truth, the very first persons to ever land in this country was a group of Muslim missionaries led by Sharief Karim Al-Makhdum. That happened in 1380, or over 110 years before Magellan’s arrival in this country. About ten years later, Sumatran leader Rajah Baginda arrived in Sulu and converted some of the natives to Islam. After his death, his son-in-law, Abu Bakr, established a government patterned after the Sultanate of Arabia and then spearheaded the rapid spread of Islam throughout Sulu. From this Islamic race rose the heroic and noble Lapu-Lapu.

It is really a pity that students who go to school dreaming of satisfying their curious minds someday instead end up being taught the false truth. Unaware, these students eventually mutate into mature individuals who are blind of the truth about their place of origin and their very own Homeland.

This is presumably the reason why the Dansalan Declaration of 1999 held at Marawi City, Mindanao, staunchly demanded that history books and general assumptions be corrected on the ground that Ferdinand Magellan was not the first individual to discover the Islands of the original Moro Homeland later named "The Philippines". It was a noble plight on behalf of the concerned Bangsamoro people that intends to correct some of the erroneous accounts of Philippine history. However, it is sad to note that the Philippine government isn’t enthusiastic enough to heed such pleas.

Because of government inaction, more and more students are being taught false information about Philippine history. I should know. About two years ago, when I was taking a written examination in College History, I was forced to answer a ‘serious question’. It was "who discovered the Philippines? Ferdinand Magellan or Ruy Lopez Villalobos?" I left that question with a blank, because I insisted that the answer wasn’t there.

Of course, my irate teacher later approached me and told me I was wrong, because – she said – it was Magellan who discovered the Philippines. May Allah bless this country!

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