CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE

RZAL 1013: Life and Works of Rizal

AY 2024-2025

Lesson XI:

Rizal’s Annotations of Morga’s Pre-conquest Past

Topic:

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Discuss the importance of Rizal’s annotations of Dr. Antonio Morga’s works in understanding our Pre-
Colonial society; and
2. Develop your own insights about our Pre-Colonial society.

LEARNING CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

D
uring the Spanish colonial period, Philippine history was primarily written by the Spaniards. Early
Spanish took note of the native’s appearance and way of life. However, many of these early histories
depicted the Filipinos in negative terms and often contained biases against the colonized people.

In this lesson you will learn about Jose Rizal’s annotation of Antonio Morga’s work, Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas, which was an attempt to redress the biased view for the Filipinos and can be used even today to
derive insights useful for investigating pre-Hispanic history. Although Rizal’s annotations have been largely
disregarded his work has credited as the first Philippine history to be written form the viewpoint of a Filipino.

LESSON PROPER

A
ntonio Morga was a Spanish administrator who served in the Philippine in the
late sixteenth century. He was born in Seville in 1559 and began working for
the government in 1580. He served as the Lieutenant-Governor-second most
powerful position in the colony in the Philippines in 1953 and then as judge of the
Audiencia in 1598. By 1915, he moved to Mexico where he served as the president of
the Audiencia. He was later investigated for the corruption and was found guilty.
Before being sent to the gallows, however, he died in 1636.

Morga’s work, Sucesos de Las Islas Filipinas, was published in

16709 in Mexico and consisted eight chapters. The first seven
chapters dealt with the terms of the governors-general who had served
in the Philippines from the time Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565 to Pedro
de Acuna in 1606. The last chapter, titled “An account of the
Philippine Islands,”, provided ample descriptions of early Filipinos upon
the arrival of the Spaniards in the sixteenth century.

Other information about Sucesos de Las Filipinas

 Las Islas Filipinas means “The Philippine Island” in

English and was named in honor of King Philip II of
Spain
 Sucesos means the work of an honest observer, a
versatile bureaucrat, who knew the workings of the
administration from the inside.
 The book describes the events inside and outside of
While at the British Museum in the late 1889, Rizal found a copy of the first edition of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos
de las Islas Filipinas and began copying the text by hand. He annotated the work along the way with the
intention of creating critical work on the history of the Philippines. Despite hopes of getting the work published
through the help of Antonio Regidor, Rizal ended up with no publisher when his annotations were done. By
September 1889, Rizal decided to publish the annotations himself in the Garnier Hermanos, a printing press
based in Paris.

Rizal’s Choice of Annotating Morga’s Work

The first reason, according to a Historian Ambeth Ocampo, was the fact that Morga’s work in its original
Spanish edition was rare. In fact, the original Spanish text had never been reprinted in full until Rizal published
his annotations in 1889. Second, unlike other early Spanish Chronicles written by ecclesiastics, Morga was a
civil administrator and therefore provided a secular view of historical events during the early Spanish colonial
period. This second reason relates to Rizal’s belief that a secular account was more credible than those written
by religious missionaries, which is the third reason for his choice. Fourth, it was more sympathetic towards the
natives in contrast to the biased accounts written by the friars. Finally, Morga’s work was a fitting choice
because he was an eyewitness ton historical events that occurred in the Philippines during the period of early
Spanish colonization.

Rizal’s Purpose of Annotating Morga’s Work

There are several reasons why Rizal’s intent in annotating Morga’s work. First is to awaken the consciousness
of the Filipinos regarding their glorious ways of the past. Second, to correct what has been distorted about the
Philippines due to Spanish Conquest and third, to prove that the Filipinos are civilized/advanced even before
the coming of the Spaniards.

With the publication of his annotations to Sucesos, Rizal presented an outline of linear conception of history.
While Noli Me Tangere dealt with the nineteenth century of Rizal’s present and El Filibusterismo and the essay
titled “The Philippines a Century Hence” covered the future, the annotations of Sucessos tackled the past.
More than an attempt to write the country’s history, however, Rizal’s annotation of Morga’s Sucesos must also
be seen within the context of the Propaganda Movement. At a time when Filipino propagandists were
clamoring for reforms in Spain, presenting a critical narrative of the country’s history might be considered as an
endeavor to create a sense of national consciousness or identity that was anchored on a glorious past.
Whereas early Spanish chronicles for being barbarians, Rizal’s copious notes of Sucesos revealed early
Filipino culture as rich and flourishing. Thus, Rizal’s annotations may be considered an effort to assert Filipino
identity within an oppressive colonial framework.

According to Rizal’s Annotations Filipinos have:

EARLY GOVERNMENT HIGH LITERACY RATE

Our forefathers in the Pre-colonial Philippines have The Spanish missionaries have exploited the
already possessed a working judicial and legislative baybayin for their own ends, learning and using it
system. to translate their goals.

EARLY ARTILLERY SMOOTH FOREIGN RELATION

Our ancestors are very proficient in the art of war. The pre-colonial Filipinos had already established
Aside from wielding swords and spears they also trading and diplomatic relations with other
know countries.

SELF-SUFFICIENT ADVANCE CIVILIZATION

In terms of food, our forefather did not suffer from Our ancestors possessed a complex working
any lack thereof. Blessed with such resource-rich society and a culture replete with works of art and
country, they had enough for themselves and their literature.
families.
Some of Rizal’s actual annotations from Morga:

Morga Rizal’s Annotation

Their regular daily food is rice…together with boiled This is another preoccupation of the Spaniards
fish of which is an abundance, and pork or venison, who, like any other nation, in matter of food,
likewise meat of wild buffalo or carabao. They prefer loathe that to which they are not accustomed or is
meat and fish, saltfish which begin to decompose unknown to them. The English, for example, is
and smell. horrified on seeing a Spaniard eating snails; to
the Spaniard beefsteak is repugnant and he can’t
understand how raw beefsteak can be eaten; the
Chinese who eat tahuri and shark cannot stand
Roquefort cheese, etc. The fish that Morga
mentions does not taste better when it is
beginning to rot; all on the contrary: it is bagoong
and all those who have eaten it and tasted it
know that it is not or ought not to be rotten.

In the rivers and the streams there are very large Perhaps for the same reason, other nations have
and small scorpions and a great hnumber of very great esteem for lion and bear, putting them on
fierce and cruel crocodiles which frequently get the their shields and giving them honorable epithets.
natives from their bancas on which they ride… The mysterious life of crocodiles, the enormous
However much the people may trap, catch and kill size that it sometimes reaches, its fatidical
them, these reptiles hardly seem to diminish in aspect, without counting anymore its
number. For this reason, the natives build on the voraciousness, must have influenced greatly the
border of their rivers and streams in their settlements imagination of the Malayan Filipinos.
where they bathe, traps and fences with thick
enclosures and bars of bamboo and timber within
which they do their bathing and washing, secure
from these monsters which they fear and respect to
the degree of veneration, as if they were somehow
superior to them.

SUMMARY
Rizal’s annotations of Sucesos de las islas Filipinas may be considered an attempt to write
Philippine history from the point of view of a Filipino. With the publication of this work, Rizal provided a
linear view of history with Noli Me Tangere showing a view of the present, El Filibusterismo and “The
Philippines a Century Hence” illustrating a view of the future, and the annotations clarifying a view of the
past.

In addition, Rizal’s annotations should also be understood within the context of propaganda work
that Filipinos in Spain were engaged in. The annotations explored the possibilities of creating a Filipino
identity anchored clearly on a pre-Spanish past.
REFERENCES

Textbooks

Rhodalyn, Wani-Obias et al. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. C& E Publishing, Inc

Ocampo, Ambeth.1998. Rizal's Morga and views of Philippine history. Philippine Studies

Venecarcion, Jaime B. 1983 and 1984. Ang Kasayksayan sa kasalukuyang henerasyon. Historical Bulletin
(Tomo 27 and 28): 13-27

Schumacher, John. 19978. The Filipino past and education for the future, 1887-1891. In The Propaganda
Movemnet, 1880-1895: The Creation of a Filipino consciousness, the making of the revolution, pp. 212-235.
Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.

Online

Dr. Antonio de Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas retrieved October 30, 2020
https://www.slideshare.net/anandawisely/dr-antonio-de-morgas-sucesos-de-las-islas-filipinas?
fbclid=IwAR1sy1by0upRPHIZXCNmqWf0eNrlzN1SYyDz9g8gU4tqNw4T7QUnPCz3kn

CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE

RZAL 1013: Life and Works of Rizal
AY 2024-2025

Lesson XII: The Philippines: A Century Hence

Topic: The Philippines: A Century Hence

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Create a poster portraying the six (6) predictions of Rizal;

2. Assess whether Rizal was successful to his motif in writing the essay, “The Philippines; A Century
Hence”; and
3. Construct your own predictions of the Philippines and themselves few years from now.
LEARNING CONTENT

QUESTION: Aside from the two famous literary works of Jose Rizal, the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, what other masterpieces do you know?

ACTIVITY

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INTRODUCTION

I
t is indeed important for us to know some literary works of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Through his
literary masterpieces, he voiced strong opposition to the abuse of Spaniards and conveyed messages that
he hoped would inspire his fellow countrymen. He used his intelligence to put into light the real situation of
Philippines and enlightened the minds of Filipinos.

For some, they do not consider Rizal as hero because he did not fight like
other brave heroes using other weapons and sacrificing their lives in bloody
battles. Instead, he fought with the principle “the pen is mightier than the
sword” in which he believed that not everything should be dealt with
violence. With this, he created provoking and powerful masterpieces which
helped fight against the colonizers in the past. The country’s national hero is
always remembered and looked upon with high regard for his contribution
towards the Philippine independence.

For this lesson, we will be discussing The Philippines: A Century Hence.

In this essay, he underscores the need to establish a new kind of political relationship between Spain and the
Philippines if the former does not wish a total break-up with the latter. Read the summary and analysis of one
of his best works and uncover the underlying meaning behind.
LESSON PROPER

The Philippines; A Century Hence

T
he Philippines a Century Hence is an essay written by Philippine national hero Jose Rizal to forecast
the future of the country within a hundred years. Rizal felt that it was time to remind Spain that the
circumstances that ushered in the French Revolution could have a telling effect for her in the
Philippines. This was published in La Solidaridad that starts by analyzing the various causes of the miseries
suffered by the Filipino people:

Spain’s implementation of her military policies – because of such laws, the Philippine population
decreased dramatically. Poverty became more rampant than ever, and farmlands were left to wither. The
family as a unit of society was neglected, and overall, every aspect of the life of the Filipino was retarded.

Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino indigenous culture – when Spain came with the sword and
the cross, it began the gradual destruction of the native Philippine culture. Because of this, the Filipinos
started losing confidence in their past and their heritage, became doubtful of their present lifestyle, and
eventually lost hope in the future and the preservation of their race.

Passivity and submissiveness to the Spanish colonizers – one of the most powerful forces that influenced
a culture of silence among the natives were the Spanish friars. Because of the use of force, the Filipinos
learned to submit themselves to the will of the foreigners.

Some questions then arise as to what had awakened the hearts and opened the minds of the Filipino people
with regards to their plight. Eventually, the natives realized that such oppression in their society by foreign
colonizers must no longer be tolerated. Another question in this essay is whether or not Spain can indeed
prevent the progress of the Philippines. And the answers are: First, Keeping the people uneducated and
ignorant had failed. National consciousness had still awakened, and great Filipino minds still emerged from
the rubble. Second, keeping the people impoverished also came to no avail. On the contrary, living a life of
eternal destitution had allowed the Filipinos to act on the desire for a change in their way of life. They began to
explore other horizons through which they could move towards progress. Lastly, Exterminating the people as
an alternative to hindering progress did not work either. The Filipino race was able to survive amidst wars and
famine, and became even more numerous after such catastrophes. To wipe out the nation altogether would
require the sacrifice of thousands of Spanish soldiers, and this is something Spain would not allow. Spain,
therefore, had no means to stop the progress of the country. What she needs to do is to change her colonial
policies so that they are in keeping with the needs of the Philippine society and to the rising nationalism of the
people.
What Rizal had envisioned in his essay came true. In
1898, the Americans wrestled with Spain to win the
Philippines, and eventually took over the country.
Theirs was a reign of democracy and liberty. Five
decades after Rizal’s death, the Philippines gained her
long-awaited independence. This was in fulfillment of
what he had written in his essay: “History does not
record in its annals any lasting domination by one
people over another, of different races, of diverse
usages and customs, of opposite and divergent ideas.
One of the two had to yield and succumb.”

RIZAL’S FELITIOUS VISION OF OUR FUTURE AS A NATION

In his most prescient essay, The Philippines A Century Hence, written in 1889 and in his December 15, 1896,
memorandum for use by his counsel, Rizal made the following predictions: One, “the Philippines will one day
declare herself independent”; two, “the great American Republic with interests in the Pacific…may one day
think of acquiring possessions beyond the seas”; three, “the Philippines will defend with indescribable ardor
the liberty she bought at the cost of so much blood and sacrifice”; four, “Japan will swallow us”; five, “[once
liberated] the Philippines will, perhaps, establish a federal republic”; and six, “[the Philippines] will, perhaps,
enter openly the wide road of progress and will work jointly to strengthen the Mother Country at home, as well
as abroad…”

SUMMARY

I. Effects of the Spanish Colonization

 Poverty became rampant.

 Population decreased and the aspects of the life of the Filipino were
retarded.
 The Filipinos lost their indigenous traditions and culture.
 The Filipino spirit was broken.
II. What will be the future be?

 Will the Philippine Islands continue to be a Spanish colony, and if so,

what kind of colony?
 Will they become a province of Spain, with or without autonomy? And
to reach this stage, what kind of sacrifices will have to be made?
PART I  Will they be separated from the mother country to live independently,
to fall into the hands of other nations, or to ally themselves with
neighboring powers?
 I. What will become of the Philippines w/in a century? Will they continue
to be a Spanish colony?

 For those who have a strong spirit over the liberty of the country,
independence was assured.
 but for those who are discouraged and disillusioned by sad
experience shall be a PRISON of the colony FOREVER.
II. Now then, are the Philippines in the same condition they were three
centuries ago?

 For the liberal Spaniards: the ethical condition of the people remains
the same
 For the friars and their followers: they have progressed
 For many Filipino ethics: they have retrograded
A. Spaniards were able to take hold of the Philippines for three
centuries because Filipinos remained faithful, giving up their
liberty and their independence, in exchange of all the promises
given to them.
PART II B. Filipinos sees the Spaniards as protectors but soon realizes that
they are its exploiters and executioners.
C. Enlightenment is spreading and the persecution it suffers quickens
it.
III. If this state of affairs should continue, what will become of the
Philippines within a century?

 People start to awaken and if the government doesn’t change its acts,
a revolution will occur.
 What do the people like?
A. A Filipino representative in the Cortes and an authorized voice to cry
out against all kinds of abuses.

B. To practice their human rights.

Possible outcomes:

 The Philippines will remain under Spanish domination, but with

more law and greater liberty.
 They will declare themselves independent.

I. The importance of free press was emphasized in this part.

II. Free press is needed in order to voice out their complaints and
suggestions towards the reformation of the country.
III. It will also keep the government in touch with public opinion.
IV. The injustice reasons of the Spanish government were also tackled
on why they wouldn’t risk putting a Filipino representative in the
Spanish Cortes.
PART III
 I. Spanish colonization was explained scientifically.
 “The existence of a foreign body w/in another endowed with strength
and activity is contrary to all natural and ethical laws. Science teaches
us that it is either assimilated, destroys the organism, is eliminated or
becomes encysted.”
 “The terrible lessons and hard teachings that these conflicts will have
afforded the Filipinos will operate to improve and strengthen their
ethical nature.”
 If the Philippines may be able to secure their independence after
PART IV heroic and stubborn conflicts, they can be rest assured that no
Western countries will dare to take up what Spain was unable to hold.
 Africa will be taking the attention of European countries, and with the
American Republic whose interest lies in the Pacific and would like to
have a foreign possession may most likely be the next conquerors of
the “Pearl of the Orient Sea”.

SUMMARY

The Philippines; A Century Hence contain the prediction of Jose Rizal about the Philippines 100 years
before its publication. He published the essay on September 30, 1889 under the La Solidaridad.

Main Points of the Essay

1. Using the past to understand the present thus predicting the future.
2. Filipinos have lost confidence in their past, lost faith in the present, and lost their hopes in the
future.
3. The Filipinos will still be under Spain if they will implement the freedom of press and the
ANSWERS IN THE ACTIVITY
Filipinos has representation in the Spanish Cortes.
 The Indolence of the Filipino
People
 Letters to the Young Women of
Malolos
 Mi Ultimo Adios
 To the Filipino Youth
 Junto Al Pasig
 Himno Al Talisay
 Sa aking mga Kabata
 Kundiman

…………….AND MANY MORE 

REFERENCES

Textbooks
Virlyn Francisco et al. (2018). Rizal, A modular Approach. MINDSHOPPERS CO., INC.
Rhodalyn, Wani-Obias et al. (2018). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. C& E Publishing, Inc.

Ziade, G. F., & Zaide, S. M., (1994). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and
National Hero. Quezon City: All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.

Online

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Philippines A Century Hence, by Jose Rizal. Retrieved
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35899/35899-h/35899-h.htm

The philippines a century hence - powerpoint presentation. Retrieved

https://www.slideshare.net/enelrahcOnallim/the-philippines-a-century-hence-powerpoint-presentation