CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 1 BOOK II PROPERTY, OWNERSHIP, AND ITS MODIFICATIONS Title I. — CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS (1) Definition of ‘Property’ in the Civil Code Under the Civil Code, property, considered as an object, is that which is, or may be, appropriated. (See Art. 414). (2) Definition of ‘Property’ as a Subject in a Law Course Considered as a subject or course in law, property is that branch of civil law which classifies and defines the different kinds of appropriable objects, provides for their acquisition and loss, and in general, treats of the nature and consequences of real rights. [NOTE: Every right (derecho) has two elements — subjects (persons) and objects (properties). Since Book I of the Civil Code deals with Persons, it is logical that Property should be the subject matter of Book II.]. (3) ‘Thing’ Distinguished from ‘Property’ As used in the Civil Code, the word “thing” is apparently SYNONYMOUS with the word “property.’’ However, techni- cally, “thing” is broader in scope for it includes both appro- priable and non-appropriable objects. The planets, the stars, the sun for example, are “things’’ (cosas), but since we cannot appropriate them, they are not technically “property” (bienes). Air, in general, is merely a “thing,” but under certain condi-