Saysay ng Dogs in Philippine History sa Multidisiplinaryong Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino (The Significance of Dogs in Philippine History in the Multidisciplinary Study of Philippine History and Society)

Abstract

Umalpas at/o umunlad na ang pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng  Pilipinas—hindi na lamang ito isang kanonikal na pamamaraan na  may pagkiling at humahango sa kinagisnang positibismong pananaw.  Bagama’t kumakalas na roon ang ilang mananaliksik at historyador,  hindi  ito nangangahulugan ng pagtalikod sa pinagmulang pananaw, bagkus  isa itong kaunlarang historiograpikal na habang isinasaalang-alang pa  rin nito ang faktuwal na kaalaman, nilalakipan na ito ng samot-saring  multidisiplinaryo at/o interdisiplinaryong pananaw na may pagkiling  sa disiplinang kinabibilangan at inaambagan ng kaalaman. Humigit  kumulang 700-pahina ang aklat ng historyador na si Ian Christopher  Alfonso ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)—ang Dogs in Philippine History (DPH)—na may 28-kabanata—sa aking  pagbibilang, habang ginagabayan ng 503-piraso ng plate o larawan,  3 mapa, 5 talahanayan, 920 na talahuli, at 496 na sanggunian—ay hindi  lamang isang historikal ngunit tematiko rin ang pagkakasalanlan. Ito ay maari rin gawing balangkas at salalayan ng susunod pang mga pagaaral na nagkakaroon ng interes sa kalikasan at kapaligiran. 

The study of Philippine history has grown and evolved; it is no longer limited to a rigid, canonical approach shaped by traditional positivist perspectives. While some researchers and historians are moving beyond these conventional frameworks, this does not mean abandoning foundational viewpoints. Rather, it represents a historiographical development: factual knowledge remains important, but it is now enriched by a variety of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, each influenced by the scholar’s own field and insights.  Historian Ian Christopher Alfonso’s Dogs in Philippine History (DPH), published by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), exemplifies this progress. The book spans roughly 700 pages and 28 chapters. In my count, it includes 503 images, 3 maps, 5 tables, 920 endnotes, and 496 references. Beyond being a historical account, the book is also thematically organized, offering a structure that can guide future research, particularly studies interested in nature and the environment.