“Annotations that Rizal made on Morga’s Chapter 8”

A Sucesos de la Islas Filipinas, a 16th-century novel written by Morga, and

Rizal’s annotated edition, was published in the 19th century. We could see that the book
of Morga and the annotated version by Rizal are nearly 3 centuries apart. Despite this
circumstance, Rizal still chose the book of Morga as the basis for the history of the
Philippines rather than the one written by Antonio Pigafetta due to the objectivity and
civil nature of the first-mentioned compared to the view of historical events that were
affected and influenced by such religious matters of the latter. While Morga wrote a
book along with his leaders' instructions, Rizal still saw Morga's book as more unbiased.
This paper will be primarily about the classifications and rebuttals of Rizal's annotations
and his point which he was attempting to express through Rizal's annotations of
Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. Moreover, it will also focus on the nuances in the
Filipino cultural practices and the typographical errors found in Morga's book.
It will be quick to define what Rizal did and for what purpose the annotations are
for by simply using contextual classification schemes. By separating these
classifications from the random definitive texts by sections based on historical context
and annotation, the correction of words, the distinction between the Filipinos and
Spaniards, and the "backwardness" encountered by the Philippines during the period of
the Spanish occupation which was inevitable throughout chapter 8 of the Rizal
annotation edition.
The first classification we cited is the word corrections and all the errors that
Rizal saw such as the Tendaya island that Morga claimed as one of the biggest islands
in the vicinity of Leyte. However, Tandaya was a lord of a town according to the
correction of Rizal and the basis from other historical sources. Thus, there was never an
island by that name (Page 241). Rizal changed the term Morga has stated to "Marinas"
for which also means beaches (page 242). Rizal also annotated the word "bahaque" in
Morga's book. Rizal described that it should be called: "Bahag" and he also stated that,
"it's a rich-colored cloth, and quite often with golden stripes, among chiefs" (page 244).
In the annotated edition, Rizal also explained Morga's statement that cotton was
extensively grown in all the islands the natives previously used for trading thread and
woven fabrics to the Chinese. Morga also noted that banana leaves were commonly
used as a primary material to create thread and fabric. Rizal also noted that Morga may
have meant "sinamay", a twisted thread derived from the abaca plant yet specifically, it
is from the bark and not from the leaves (page 264). In this part, all of these annotations
acted as alternative clarification for Morga's text and to clear up the misconception and
confusion brought about it.
The example of Rizal's annotation falling under the classification of the distinction
between the system of the Spaniards and Filipinos towards the cultural practices of the
natives is the groom's giving of the dowry, provided by his parents, while the bride gives
none until she inherits her own right from her parents. Rizal said that this is a proof of
goodness and also stated, in his annotations, that "This custom continued the union
between parents and children, a wiser practice than that followed in many parts of
Europe where children were found neglecting their parents once they had taken
possession of their heritage or parents who did not consent to their marriage.
The last classification we’d cite is the backwardness of the Filipinos during the
Spanish occupation. An example of this is about the poisons and venoms mentioned by
Morga in his book. He has mentioned that natives use herbs and animals that have
poisons and venoms. A lizard that is greenish-black which is also known as tuko as
what Rizal has stated in his annotation releases fluid when its body is pressed. Its fluid
or saliva is usually mixed with food or drink to become poisonous. Other plants were
also used for the same purpose or used in fumigation. Additionally, according to Morga,
these natives are brilliant in terms of making compounds that will produce a poisonous
effect that would lead to a victim’s death. However, Rizal has annotated that the
Philippines has a very backward present toxicology and as what he has stated, “a
backwardness that perhaps should be appreciated science ought to regret it. There
remains very little empirical knowledge” (page 259). Another example would be that
many natives are skilled in constructing ocean-going ships as mentioned by the author.
An islet was also mentioned where its occupants are well settled and are mostly
carpenters and good craftsmen. It was also stated that they weren't into trading. Rizal
annotated that at least, the natives have the work to do even though we aren’t
progressing much because we are solely focused on one industry that explains the
backwardness of the Filipinos in terms of trade and industry (pages 270-271).
With Rizal’s view on the pre-colonial past of the Philippines, Rizal further
elaborated on the terms and jargons Morga wrote in his novel. Rizal also defined in
detail the Philippine islands, the people inhabiting the island, and their ways of life.
Through this, he was able to further clarify his experience living in the Philippines with
regard to how Morga viewed the Philippines. Rizal accentuated certain parts of the pre-
colonial culture that were methodologically significant by contemporary standards. The
importance of the aspects Rizal noted has only grown in the light of what is currently
being clarified in contemporary scholarship in different fields of study such as
archaeology, institutional economics, and anthropology. In terms of accuracy, Rizal’s
annotations further proved his knowledge and deep understanding regarding his culture,
country, and fellow citizens. Moreover, he is also well aware of the history of his
ancestors along with their customs, traditions, possessions, traits, and such. Rizal also
supplemented more thorough information in comparison to Morga; this is due to the
knowledge he had obtained from analyzing an updated historical and archaeological
study. In light of the current historical studies regarding the pre-colonial Philippines, we
can say that Jose Rizal is on point with the accuracy of the information that is found
within his annotations. Rizal precisely defined Tagalog terms, explained, and corrected
various minor inaccuracies that could be found within Morga’s novel. Rizal’s study also
stands the test of time as it is a reliable source of information with specified details
about the Philippines in general.
 There are various claims along the history of Rizal and his annotations. As we
become more of an effective reader, we can therefore have a sufficient understanding
between the two varying and contradicting versions of a certain event or happening,
which may potentially affect history itself. In Morga's book, it implies that Spaniards
were the main reason why we became a civilization and that we Filipinos became
knowledgeable enough after we've learned more of their teachings. But on the other
hand, Rizal stood upon the fact that there is numerous proof or evidence that can satisfy
that we Filipinos are civilized and capable even before the Spaniards colonized us. After
some reading and realizations, we must know how important our own perspectives and
ideas are when it comes to understanding history