The Philippines: The Continuing Past

by Renato Constantino, Letizia R. Constantino

The previous volume, A Past Revisited, tried to show how the Spanish and American colonialists manipulated events and personalities and evolved policies to serve their own interests. That past assumed a new dimension when seen from the people's viewpoint. The present work undertakes to prove that the essence of these past relations has persisted in the present era. The authors have therefore chosen to call this period The Continuing Past in order to emphasize the fact that while there are apparent changes, the new refinements of external control and exploitation merely conceal the persisting subjection. The authors express the hope that their "re-examination of the Philippine neocolonial experience...and the brief focus on evolving American imperialist objectives and the techniques used to attain them may not only reveal this historical period in a new light but may help to provide the basis for new historic initiatives on the part of the people in the attainment of their final liberation."

As in the previous volume, events and personalities are subjected to stringent analysis from the point of view of the people's larger interest, thus giving the layman a better grasp of the forces that influence contemporary society. The process of demystification proceeds with greater intensity as sacred cows are re-evaluated in terms of the people's long-range objectives.

The Continuing Past is a very relevant work; and also irreverent as the previous writings of Constantino have been.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

410 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Karlo Mikhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic of nationalist and progressive Philippine historical narrative. A good starting point for a deeper investigation into the social cancer imposed on the Filipino people by US imperialism. A must read for advocates of natiomal liberation alongside Amado Guerero's Philippine Society and Revolution, Frantz Fanon's Wretched of the Earth, and Mao's writings on the Chinese revolution.

[Angelo Regalado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to be frustrated and pissed off plenty of times while reading this book if you're a Filipino. Ang pangalawang volume sa "The Philippines" history books na sinulat ni Renato Constantino at ang kanyang collaborator at asawa na si Letizia Constantino the Continuing Past picks up right where the first volume ends. Sa tingin ko mas na pahalagahan ko ang libro dahil hindi required reading ito samin noong college so I had time for everything to sink in and read at my own pace. Very Anti-Imperialist ang aklat therefore it comes off extremely anti-American, it details the role of the U.S. in developing (or under developing) the Philippines from the first day of occupation up until the book ends during the Macapagal's (the father) presidency. I cannot recommend the book enough, a must have in your library.

[Nico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This part 2 is a continuation of long exploitation and colonization by Japanese and Americans. It comprehensively describes the ascendancy of American imperialism and the exploitation of our resources.

The book provides a chunk of details from Quirino up to Macapagal. It provides factual pieces of evidence and gives us the truth whether we like it or not.

[Kyth Palma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gave a great look during the World War II and a good view about the next administrations. Americans became an ally/imperialist of the country. Most of the Philippine Presidents were manipulated and threatened. Yet Nationalist Movement was born led by Claro M. Recto. Further reading is highly recommended.

[Rhusty Ghleen]

Why i cant find the book directly, so that we can read it easily

[Jerome Maiquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A paradigm shift.

[Franz · Rating 3 out of 5]

“re-examination of the Philippine neocolonial experience. . . and the brief focus on evolving American imperialist objectives and the techniques used to at­tain them may not only reveal this historical period in a new light but may help to provide the basis for new historic initiatives on the part of the people in the attainment of their final liberation.”

[Maryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Collaborators."

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember this as our text book for our history class in college.