The Philippines is trapped in a cage of its own making, unable to move on from the past when its present is dark and unclear. 

 

When the K to 12 program was implemented, Philippine History was removed as a subject in high school. This is good for two main reasons: it acknowledges that the nation has outgrown the need for forced nationalism and it allows for more time to focus on more important matters. In recent years, it has become exceedingly clear that in order to succeed in the world, the nation must find a way to leave behind its antiquated customs and welcome modernity in all its glory.

 

While it may be true that Philippine History is what allows one to learn more about the country's past and feel more connected with it, this is outdated given the current Philippine educational system which prioritizes performance over actual understanding. It would be basically impossible to teach valuable skills such as the critical thinking espoused by proponents through it due to the very structure of lessons in schools.

 

By bringing back Philippine History, we will only be ensuring that more students develop a dislike of the subject due to its haphazard implementation and additional requirements. If one truly wants to foster the passion of the Filipino youth in regards to their appreciation of history, then they should try to find people who are actually interested.  

 

Furthermore, it is arguable that the topics in the current Araling Panlipunan (AP) line-up are more important and widen the perspective of students far more than Philippine History ever did. The Grade 10 AP focus on Contemporary Issues is able to show much more nuance and depth compared to Philippine History which often focused on outdated and sometimes blatantly false anecdotes of public figures.

 

Ultimately, what is important is that the nation keeps moving forward. Philippine History is a thing of the past and it would be wise not to dwell on it. As the future inches closer, the Philippines must embrace it and let go of all that holds it back no matter the cost.