The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 2 of 2)

A sweeping visual journey, this volume opens with a richly detailed catalogue of photographs that capture the diversity of the Philippines—from the towering Bontoc Igorot frontispiece to bustling provincial towns, traditional rice terraces, and the dramatic silhouette of Mayon Volcano. The images guide listeners through everyday life, tribal customs, and the evolving landscape, offering a vivid snapshot of a nation in transition.

Beyond the pictures, the book delves into the transformative power of education under successive colonial regimes. It traces early Spanish edicts that promised instruction in language and faith, the modest funding attempts of the late eighteenth century, and the eventual rise of American‑run schools that reshaped learning for a broad populace. By weaving archival decrees, early university histories, and anecdotes of local scholars, the narrative reveals how schooling became a cornerstone of modern Philippine society. Listeners will come away with a clearer sense of how the pursuit of knowledge helped bridge tradition and change across the archipelago.