Chapter-6 202211110741
Chapter-6 202211110741
Class Activity:
1. Read the introduction and last chapter of RizaJ's Annotation of Antonio Morga 's
Sucesos de tas Islas Fiiipinas.
2. Read: "A Legacy of the Propaganda: The Tripartite View of Philippine History" by
Zeus Salazar.
S
Background
Rizal's Propositions
Rizal agued in three main propositions in his annotations: 1) The inhabitants of the
Philippines has a culture even before Spanish colonization; 2) Filipinos then, were depressed,
oppressed and marginalized by mechanism of colonization and; 3) Philippines at present was
not necessarily more ahead than to its past.
In these arguments, we can see how much in favor is Rizal in the history of his
motherland. He insisted on the importance of knowing the cultural identity Filipinos have even
before colonization. Basing his arguments on the notes of a Spanish conquistador himself
(Morga), He has supported in full conviction the state of the Philippines and its people under the
rule of the colonizers. That, even if the Philippines was largely Hispanized because of more than
300 years of colonization, Filipinos and the Philippines itself can equally be proud of the pre-
conquest past with its culture and existence.
Rizal's annotation of the Morga shows his social scientist side, most especially his side
of being a historian. Even if it is a question whether his work (being a mere annotation of
somebody else's work) can be a contribution in Philippine historiography, we cannot argue for
the fact that he was a nationalist in his arguments. Although in the streams of historical writing,
what he had written was somewhat invaluable because of it being as secondary source. As
what Ocampo has written in his journal article:
Rizal's annotation are largely disregarded today stems basically from the recent
advances in historical, archeological and ethnographic research. Although many of
Rizal's assertions have been validated by recent research, the fact is that his work is
now dated. Moreover Rizal's annotations are secondary, and today's scholars
concentrate more on the primary source, Morga, than on Rizal's notes. Few Filipinos
today, even the most patriotic, would find the time and energy to read the small text of
Rizal's footnotes, even if penned by the national hero (Ocampo, 1998).
Rizal's views on pre-conquest past were valid if and only if we have to look into his
nationalistic ideals. However, there are some notes on Morga which were validated by today's
scholars which are exaggerations on the part of Rizal so as not to deviate in his major
argument. Some examples were actually mentioned in Ocampo's article. For the matter it was
however obvious why he made those inconsistencies. Morga, being a Spanish who actually,
according to Rizal made one of the most accurate accounts of history before and during
Spanish colonization, had still his own biases in writing. Other writers would even immortalize
almost everything because it is their way of pacifying the Filipino natives. How religious groups
(religious missionaries, the first three before the Jesuits) have made stories just to get everyone
is something Rizal, himself resent. His choice of annotating the work of Morga has somehow
show his anti-clergy sentiments and that would also show, ironically his own bias in how history
is portrayed during Spanish colonization. As Ocampo would say: Rizal maintained mixed
feelings for the Morga, depending on its usefulness for his thesis, that, 'Spanish colonization
retarded, rather than brought civilization to the Philippines and its inhabitants' (Ocampo, 1998).
Conclusion
Rizal's annotation of Sucesos delas ls-las Filipinas is a gem in the stream of Philippine
historiography. He did well in his ambitions of giving justice in the pre-colonial life of the
Filipinos. His patriotism was very evident in this piece and he did not get away in his personality
in doing this work. He also has set a good example in doing making researches (thus having his
social scientist side).
Among many Spanish writers who had so much interest in writing about the Philippines
and his People, he chose Morga because he believes he was less biased than those from the
religious orders. Morga had connections to the Spanish government being a lieutenant but he
was not a part of the church. He also chose Morga because of his wide experience in the
different places and cultures in the Philippines. And as Rizal has said in his annotations, it is
very much evident in the accounts made by Morga that our country can stand in terms of the
richness of culture even without the influence of the Spaniards.
Rizal has his own biases in writing his annotations, but he was never unaware of his
arguments and he never get away in his love for his country and countrymen. And more
importantly, Rizal began the task of writing the first Philippine history from the viewpoint of a
Filipino. (Ocampo, 1998).