1.
Using a table, identify the observations/perceptions stated by Morga on
the different areas above (A to F) and how Rizal annotated (gave comment
or expound) Morga's concept/idea about us Filipinos during that time.
CUSTOMS,
TRADITIONS,
BELIEFS OF THE MORGA’S OBSERVATION
EARLY FILIPINO
A. SOCIAL CLASS Morga’s observation to the social
AND WOMEN made him captivated by it. Morga
described the privilege of social
classes, inheritance of possessions
and titles.
B.CLOTHING Morga described the early Filipino
AND TATTOO clothing including the golds and
jewelry. Morga started to take
notice of the used cotton in which
he stated that the thread and woven
fabrics are sold to the Chinese and
other foreign merchants.
C. WRITING Morga’s observation is that natives
SYSTEM from all the islands had their own
form of writing that somehow
resembles Greek or Arabic.
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RIZAL’S ANNOTATION
Rizal then stated that Filipino woman,
never burdens anyone including her
family nor her husband but all on the
contrary. Rizal added that it is the man
who gave the women’s a proportion
because they are losing a daughter.
Rizal’s annotation on Morga’s
description on being tattooed is that, it
was drawing first on the skin what has
to be tattooed similar to the method as
the Japanese used. Regarding the
clothes described by Morga, Rizal
clarified that Morga must have meant
sinamay, a woven from abaca thread
that comes from the trunk of the tree.
Rizal also quoted Fr.Chirino which
mentioned that the cotton fabrics were
sought after Nueva España and that
encomenderos made fortunes on the
cotton trade. Which in fact 31 years
after encomendero existed.
Rizal’s response to such observation,
he stated it was not true. However, the
government claimed in print and in
words that it tries to educate the
Filipinos, but in truth it foments
ignorance, placing education in the
hands of friars who are not only
accused by Spaniards but also by
Filipinos and foreigners wanting to

D. LAWS From Morga’s statement and
observation he stated that the
system of government barely
existed. He added that there were
no powerful individual or figure that
can rule over the community
E. FEAST AND Morga’s description of how natives
CEREMONY held feast is that they love to eat
fish that is smelly and about to rot.
In addition, Morga also mentioned
of how heavy drinkers the natives
are during wedding feast.
F. RELIGION Morga stated that native filipinos
AND BELIEFS proceeded in primitive fashion. He
also added that they did not take
any pains to reason to find God nor
no one envision that one exist. He
mentioned that a devil deceived and
appeared to them in various forms
like a ferocious animals which
makes them tremble in fear and
very often worshipped by them
through an image representing God.
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daze of the country and they want to it
with their writings and behavior.
In response to Morga’s statement,
Rizal said that it was no better of
someone ruling someplace that he had
never lived in. He added that a figure
who haven’t lived among the
community will not be able to solve any
conflicts nor implement policies.
Rizal’s annotation to Morga’s
description of how feast is held by the
natives, Rizal responded that the fish
mentioned which is said to be smelly
and about to rot is called bagoong.
Rizal explained that this fish is a
fermented delicacy. He added that
Europeans also have smelly food,
pertaining to certain kind of cheese. In
addition Rizal also annotated Morga’s
perspective on how weddings are held
back then. Rizal quoted Fr.Colin who
stated that natives does drink alot but
no matter how drunk they are, they
can always find their way home.
Rizal responded that every people
believe what is their own. Rizal
described Morga as a person of
superior judgement to many of his
contemporaries, and can be only
forgiven for such pretension for the
sake of the dominant ideas.
 2. What do you think are the effects if an outsider (foreigner) will write and
narrate the culture and history of the other nation? Support your answer with
facts.

In our present time there are alot of Youtubers mostly are vloggers that record
their experiences from other countries. They mostly talk about the culture and practices
of the country they visited and how those people in that certain place act and behaves.
If one these vlogger is not satisfied or used to the culture he is seeing and started
spreading false information, that country may get different responses from other
countries. This may result in racism towards that country and people from different places
will start hatred towards that country. This can be related to what Antoni de Morga written
about the Philippines during the pre-colonial period in which Jose Rizal annotated.

3. Based on these, why did Rizal annotated the book of Morga’s Sucesos Dela Islas
Filipinas? Read and cite other references to prove your point.

According to an article of Manile Bulletin titled Rizal and Morga, Jose Rizal at first
lamented that he was born without knowing the history of the pre-colonial period. As a
result he felt that he had no authory to speak on what he did not know. Fortunately, Jose
Rizal heard from his uncle, Jose Alberto, about the pre-colonial history of the Philippines
written by Antonio de Morga titled Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas. In hope of knowing the
history of the Philippines during his time, Jose Rizal immediately acquainted himself with
the British Museum where he found one of the few remaining copies of the book. His
theory was that the country was economically self-sufficient, prosperous and had a lively
and vigorus community. Rizal also believed that the conquest of the Spaniards contributed
in part to the decline of the Philippine’s rich culture and tradition. Rizal then proceeded
to undertake the annotation of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas.Rizal
devoted four months of research and almost a year of writing to get his manuscript
published in Paris January 1890.

References:

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 Araneta, G. C. (2018, April 23). Rizal and Morga. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/23/rizal-and-morga/

Araneta, G. C. (2018, April 26). Rizal and Morga (2). Retrieved May 14, 2020, from
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/26/rizal-and-morga-2/

Bibera, E. T. (2017, September 2). Dr. Rizal's Annotation of Morga's Sucesos. Retrieved
May 14, 2020, from https://prezi.com/gbu6vtg8fv4p/dr-rizals-annotation-of-morgas-
sucesos/

Siasit, P. (2013, September 26). Rizal's annotation of Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas.
Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://prezi.com/qawe8nczviaq/rizals-annotation-of-
sucesos-de-las- islas-filipinas/

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