Mayan Civilization Panel Discussion

Group 1

“What we learned from the Mayans. The first will be architecture which is greatly evident in the video with the use of halls and pillars which rival that of the Romans and Greeks. The roadworks in which the narrator commented “How did they make that 1600 mile road straight all through out and very uniform?”. One outstanding fact about the Mayans is their use of Astronomy and Mathematics in their daily life. Although Architecture played a bigger part than Astronomy and Mathematics, it’s actually astounding that they had a number system and a very accurate reading on the stars and the sun. Another will be the irrigation system in one of the cities. They put up water sources around their city to be effectively used in the city itself.

Mayan society has similarities with our own in that it believes in the afterlife as with other religions that are present in the modern world. They consider death as very sacred with their use of cinnabar. They also make use of diplomacy and violence for dealing with other cities and civilizations.

We should care for the environment more. The first fall of the Mayan civilization was because of environmental factors that made them migrate to the North. We should keep our records well to avoid just like what happened in the Mayan texts. We could also take note that they are very ingenious because of their need to survive. They made very useful tools even though they have scarce resources and old stoneworks.” 

Group 2

“Without Science & Technology cities will not advance as much. So ang sinasabi lang nito is Science & Technology mahalaga talaga siya para sa development. First thing na makikita natin sa Mayans ay yung drive nila to aim high and to innovate. Kung wala tayong drive na mag-innovate syempre parang wala tayong advancement. Second is of course need. Kasi kung kailangan natin to, pinag-iisipan ‘to at nakakagawa tayo ng something amazing from it. Example yung water system kasi diba they need to divert that and na-divert nila in a way na amazing and nagamit pa nila. Ang similarity na napansin namin is may status symbol noong Mayan civilization at tsaka ngayong present age ang mga engineers at mga other Science & Technology people. So, ang point dito is binibigyan talaga ng halaga ng society ang innovation. Isa sya sa mga important aspects of our society. Competition. Kasi kung meron tayong ka-kompitensya ina-aim natin na lamangan sya kaya kung mapapansin natin they get better and better.

We must utilize nature and we don’t need to destroy it. Sa Mayans naman ‘di naman nila sinira yung buong paligid nila so actually strategically ginamit nila kung anong meron sila. We can learn from that na hindi natin kailangang sirain yung nature. We can use it in a way na ‘di sila masisira and makikinabang pa tayo - two-way street. Nothing is impossible kasi nasa inhospitable place sila and nagawa nila yung something relatively impossible during that time pero nagawa nila so that’s nice. Third is unity. Yung mga Mayans meron silang sense of unity kasi pano nila nagawa yung mga architectural wonders nila kung walang unity yung mga builders, engineers? Although meron silang isang plan and they set it in motion kung ‘di sila united, wala silang mapapala.”

Group 3

            “Pag-solve ng problems. Like yung sa baha. Yung architecture nila na nag-aadapt sa environment tulad nung sa water pressure. Sobrang observant nila. Hindi sobrang gifted yung technology nila pero resourceful naman sila sa mga bagay na ginagamit nila. Tapos isa pang lesson ay yung pag-keep ng mga records kasi important yung mga ‘yun.

Pwede tayong bumalik sa pagiging resourceful kasi mas may technology naman tayo ngayon tapos madami rin tayong resources kailangan lang nating mag-innovate para magbago . ‘Wag abusuhin ang power.”

Group 4

“First, the golden ratio which is 1.618. It’s use for the good proportionality of the architecture. As we can see from the video the drainage system was more complex than present. Then, it was applied in how we utilize the dams and how we manage bodies of water. The accurate measurements for straight pathways which we can see from the road construction. Astronomy. They calculated data used for the calendar and seasons. We learned the equinox, position of celestial bodies, the eclipses and the days in one year. Mayans are innovative and creative. They came up with their own ways concepts. When the Spanish arrived in the peninsula. They were reluctant to be converted into Christianism. They also had their own number system which we use today such as the concept of zero and also the golden ratio.”

Group 5

            “It’s a society that revolves around Math kasi naa-apply yung Geometry, yung ratio and proportion, yung sa concept of zero, sa paggawa ng structures. Sa kanila rin natin nakuha yung concept ng calendar and pag-determine nga ng seasons. Nag-iimprove yung structures nila as time goes by kasi yun nga parang nature nila na dapat nag-iimprove, dapat mas lumalaki yung buildings. Use of Science as security. Yung poison sa may tomb ‘pag hinawakan. Nagawan nila ng solution yung overabundance of water through irrigation system. Yung basics sa kanila natin matututunan. Yung stones para magdikit-dikit. Yung sa roads syempre kailangan ng manpower. Ina-apply nila yung unity to build things. Syempre hindi magiging maganda yung buildings and lagi syang as grand kung hindi intricate yung mga Mayans at kung hindi nila pag-iisipan yung structure at the same time.

Yung sa water system nga similar to New York City tapos yung ark ginagamit pa sa mga buildings ngayon.’Tas calendar. Kahit yung calendar nila nag-end na nung December 21, 2012, nandito pa rin tayo. Sa ating life, very prevalent pa rin yung Math. Ginagamit pa rin siya. Tapos yung grander structures as time goes by tapos yung sinasabi nilang power and prestige kasi parang competition nga sya sa paggawa ng buildings ganyan nagiging business ano na sya. Tignan niyo yung SM Aura so parang hanggang ngayon nag-iisip pa rin yung mga tao ng creative ways pero maganda pa rin sya, I mean pinag-isipan ‘tas maganda siya tignan. Andun pa rin yung concept ng manpower. ‘Di mabubuo ang isang building kung walang manpower. ”

Group 6

            “We found out that the Mayans discovered the Mayan calendar, they were taking Architecture and Civil Engineering. They used the golden mean, were good in Astronomy but for our group the Mayans are not unique because of those things. Mayans are unique because they are resourceful and creative because they make the most out of the resources. The square root of a triangle by just using sticks and strings.

We both have a socio-economic structure in our society. The Mayans and us in present have leaders. Kung saan may hanap buhay, andun din tayo so parang pumunta dun sa city. Pareho tayong we don’t give up.”

Group 7

“Yung mga Mayans kahit wala silang kung ano meron tayo today nagawa nilang ma-discover yung basic concepts in Math, Science, Physics. Naintindihan nila yun so nagkaroon sila ng massive structures, advanced yung architecture and engineering nila for that time. Tapos na-discover din nila yung Astronomy, ‘di ba? Nagkaroon sila ng calendar ganyan. Tapos ang isa pang na-observe namin kapag advanced o powerful yung civilization, mas nagtatagal yung reign niya which is amazing.

Yung similarities na nakita namin parang tayo rin ngayon kahit napaka-powerful ng government or whatever kapag tinamaan ka ng sakit o natural calamities, imposible talagang hindi ka babagsak. Pagdating sa military tactics, yung defense nila pagdating sa pakikipag-away sa kalaban, ganyan. Nakita rin namin na ‘Make plan beforehand’. Ibig sabihin bago sila gumawa ng structure, hindi lang sya basta gawa. Carefully calculated lahat ng Geometry, Physics, Mathematics, blah, blah. Tapos meron tayong similar tools. Wood yung ginamit nila pero sa atin metal so basically nag-improve na pero meron na silang concept ng ganun. Meron din silang concept ng symmetry, yung golden ratio, yung ganyan, meron din silang zero. Isa pang pinaka na-observe namin sa society. Meron silang culture tsaka arts. Habang nag-pro-progress yung mathematical at scientifical advancements kasabay yung culture tsaka yung arts. Kasi nga diba naniniwala sila sa afterlife, meron silang scriptures, may pintura pa sila ganyan. Tapos nakita rin namin na ine-equate nila yung rocks sa infrastructures, yung buildings. Ine-equate nila ‘yun sa legacy ng term isang king o ng power. Parang ngayon diba pag patapos na yung term ng presidente sa Pilipinas kailangang matayo na lahat ng highway, matayo na lahat ng buildings so ayun.”

Group 8

“Roads, pyramids, columns, golden ratio. Yung kaalaman nila about sa Architecture, Astronomy, Physics and Math. Tapos nasa structure nila mismo yung sa calendar yung 52, nine stairs, tapos yung days and years, etc. Tapos nasa nature lang din yung pag-discover nila ng golden ratio, zero tsaka yung calendar.

Nag-kee-keep sila ng records sa pamamagitan ng hieroglyphics. Sa atin, computer or writings. Tapos yung calendar na ginamit nila noon 365 days, ganun pa rin yung sa’tin ngayon. Tapos yung community nila may plaza, market, capital, may trade din sila, ganun din yung sa’tin. Tapos dependent sila sa nature. Nag-aadapt sila dun. Ginagamit nila yung nature para makapaggawa ng mga buildings, etc. Tapos yung leadership evident. Yung kings. Tapos yung sa atin may government tayo. Tapos pagdating ng Spanish, may church sila tapos may gods. Tapos yung competition nga sabi ng ibang group.

Nature pa rin ang mag-ta-take over ng society so kailangan pangalagaan natin tapos adaptation and survival. ‘Wag magsunog ng writings kasi importante yun para sa future. Dapat balance yung kaalaman. ‘Di lang puro Architecture. Yung example nun yung pwede rin silang mag-focus sa medicine kasi isa sa dahilan ng pagkawala nila ay yung sakit.”

Group 9

“Mayans are very resourceful. Parang they use what they have. Kung anong meron sila in hand, they know how to make use out of them tapos dun sila kumukuha ng things para sa development. They are very innovative. Angkop sa pangangailangan nila yung mga developments na ini-implement nila. In terms of safety, sila ini-ensure nila sa bawat infrastructure o buildings na ginagawa nila. Yung mga interes nila in line dun sa ginagawa nila. Hindi lang nila basta basta ginagawa. They find it interesting yung mga stars so parang nagkaroon sila ng buildings para ma-observe and ma-develop kung ano yung interest nila. Disaster prevention. Isang dahilan kung bakit nawala yung civilization ay naubusan sila ng resources. Dapat tayo we have to adapt to changes sa environment. Ginamit nila yung nature pero hindi nila sinira. Dapat tayo rin. Nakinabang tayo sa nature pero dapat we should learn to conserve and preserve nature.

     Calendar. Hanggang ngayon, we still use the concept of calendar. Religion and Science. Dati, yung Religion and Science nag-wo-work hand in hand, nagtutulungan sila para ma-develop yung mga structures, makapagpatayo sila ng towers ganun. Pero at present times, contrasting na rin yung mga ideas.”

Group 10

“Mathematical prowess. Makikita natin yung focus nila sa pag-build ng architecture nila. Meron silang amazing Math system. They have amazing temples. Yung bawat city may iba’t ibang temples. Yung competition nila. Dapat matalo ng son yung naitayo ng father niya. There is no one solution. Kasi nasa isip nila sacrifice is always the solution to anything, sa disease, to more crops. Sa kanila kasi sinasakop nila yung neighbors nila para i-sacrifice. Para magkaroon sila ng more crops, more resources. Dapat wholistic development. Kasi sila more focus sila sa development ng Architecture so dapat nag-focus din sila sa development ng Agriculture, Medicine, food , how to utilize their crops more.

They are persevering. Kahit magkahiwa-hiwalay sila mabubuhay sila. Pero kahit magkahiwa-hiwalay sila, hahanap sila ng paraan para magkasama-sama pa rin sila. Tulad nung fall nila from the South, nagsama-sama sila sa North. Mas madami silang innovations at malaking improvements na nagawa. Nagkaroon sila ng Astronomy. Na-discover nila yung equinox.”

Group 11

“Yung Mayan Civilization nag-start sya sa scratch lang. So bale nagkaroon sila ng malakas na foundation. Yung Mathmatical system na na-develop nila. From dun, nagsasama-sama na yung development sa  Architecture, Astronomy at hanggang sa calendar. May competition. Halimbawa yung mga cellphone. May Samsung and Apple ganun. Sunod-sunod yung paglabas nila ng bagong model tapos na-co-compare sila. Yung mga buildings na nagawa ng mga kings yun din yung na-co-compare sa kanila, yun din yung pag-documentate sa nagagawa nila. Ngayon may journals ang mga scientists tapos noon yung hieroglyphics. May isang difference kami na nakita. Masyado silang nag-focus sa Applied Sciences. Ngayon nakakapag-focus na rin tayo sa research sciences. Kumbaga mas naging wholistic yung sciences ngayon kaysa noon.”

Group 12

“They’re innovative and masters in building structures kaya nga nagkaroon sila ng maraming discoveries. Creating the concept of zero, creating aqueducts.

Importance of visionary and ambitious leaders. The leaders of Mayan Civilization were believed to communicate with the gods. This importance is also a disadvantage in itself because the society collapsed. The unequal tribing of different aspects of society especially the buildings of architecture. They focus on building monuments in their society and fail to realize the importance of Medicine especially na yun yung isang reason na nag-co-collapse yung society because water is polluted, the soil cannot sustain food production in terms of land cultivation.”

Group 13

“Drive for innovation. Kasi yung innovations nila focus sa pag-respond sa challenges na hinaharap nila. Tapos ginagawa din nila for efficiency. Ginagawan nila ng paraan para mas maging efficient. Isa pa bago sila gumagawa ng structures nila, pinag-aaralan muna nila nang mabuti yung place na kung saan sila gagawa.

‘Pag gumagawa sila, di lang sila gawa nang gawa, may purpose and meaning yung ginagawa nila. Gumagawa rin sila ng roads para mag-connect yung cities, para meron dadaanan papunta sa ibang places.

Kailangan talaga ang pag-do-document kasi sa ethnic groups natin ngayon. Karamihan ng traditions and yung mga ginagawa nila dun pinapasa lang orally tapos wala masyadong sinusulat kaya mahalaga yun para for future generations mapag-aralan pa rin nila. Kahit gaano kalakas yung empire or civilization, pwede pa rin syang mag-collapse kaya dapat prepared lagi for anything na mangyayari. Sa buildings lang sila nag-focus, nagpagandahan. Napag-iwanan na nila yung ibang bagay na dapat i-focus din kagaya ng Medicine, Agriculture. Dapat hindi lang sa isang bagay naka-focus.”

Group 14

“Adaptation tsaka yung resourcefulness nila. Yung importance ng field of Medicine kasi dun sa last part ng video, nag-collapse yung society nila dahil sa sakit so wala silang nagawa dun. Even the big ones, must fall. Ang laki ng civilization nila tapos biglang nawala. Yung pag-utilize nila sa mga buildings and landscapes para mas makagawa ng mas madaming functions sa kapaligiran nila.

Yung environmental problems tulad nung sa earlier part kinailangan nilang mag-migrate. Yung problema nila sa mga sakit. Nagkaroon ng kakaibang sakit na pumatay sa kanila. Yung paniniwala nila sa life after death. Yung para makapag-conquer ng lands para sa territory, states, sacrifices. Gusto nilang gumawa ng big state. Gumawa sila ng madaming buildings. Yung Astronomy, yung urbanization, yung pag-change nila sa landscape para ayusin.”