Historian urges youth to revisit history

A historian urged the Filipino youth to study the lessons of the past and how they have affected the Philippines' relationships with other countries.

Eufemio Agbayani II, Historic Sites Development Officer II at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, made this remark as the country commemorated Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day this month.

"For your people, it is good to revisit this part of our history to understand why, even though countries have a history of hostility, there must also be things that will be reasons for our friendship," Agbayani told DAILY TRIBUNE.

"We will also look for things that will bring us peace, cooperation — not just in the political or economic fields," he added.

Agbayani explained that it is also good for young Filipinos to understand the "nuances of our history — that not always, all the time, those we consider enemies are our enemies forever."

He added that studying history is important because, through it, Filipinos can see the source of "our problems" as a nation, as individuals, and as a community.

"Also, how can we solve them to have a more prosperous life for each other," he noted.