REFLECTION: MATHEMATICAL IDEAS IN EARLY PHILIPPINE SOCIETY BY RICARDO MANAPAT

GLENN Y. SIGUA How does Tagalog’s system for number words differ from English( or Spanish) The author has made profound information about the number system of early Filipinos. Indeed, there were a lot of argues about this enumeration system (Tagalog’s number system) but in the end, you will come up with the conclusion of how unique the number system was before the Spanish-occupation.

Perhaps, the present generation might say that this system of numbers is not uniform or it is quite confusing especially those who just take a snapshot of reading it. Honestly, I got confused number ‘21’in particular, which is based on the system starts with the word “maykatlo” because katlo which I think refers to the “3” but it is not. In my own view, the system is uniformly sophisticated. In fact, there is no difference from the other number systems. The number words have done in the same manner as to English or Spanish number system. Actually aside from what is written in the text, kaban ( a whole sale unit of measure for rice ) while ganta, salop, chupa or takal ( for retail) is the same with the word “pati”. Unfortunately, this system which ours is not familiar with it. As I recall of answering this question “why should Foundation of Mathematics be included in the curriculum?” This has something to do with taking time in understanding our own system is knowing how significant in our life it is. — oOo— The author is Teacher III at EPNHS