A FINAL PROJECT IN COMPLIANCE

WITH GE 9: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Biography of Antonio Morga

Antonio de Morga Sánchez Garay was born in Sevilla, Spain, in 1559. Morga served as a high-
ranking colonial administrator in Peru, Philippines, and New Spain (Mexico) while he was a Spanish lawyer
and historian. He received a legal degree from Salamanca University and later attained the position of judge
in a Spanish court. He was chosen to serve as Governor-General Gómez Pérez Dasmarias' lieutenant governor
of the Philippines in 1593.

He is best known for his work "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas" (Events in the Philippine Islands),
published in 1609 and considered one of the most significant works on the early history of the Spanish
colonization of the Philippines. Morga's work gained recognition and became a crucial tool for historians and
scholars who were studying the Spanish colonization of the peninsula in the future.

What was the book (SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS) all about?

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Events in the Philippine Islands) is about the historical political, social,
and economic circumstances in the Philippines. The book is published in 1609 and contains information about
the indigenous cultures, customs, and traditions of the region as well as information about the Spanish
government and the system of government in existence. This book was written by Antonio de Morga which
he is praised for providing a truthful, direct, and unbiased description of the early colonial era from the
viewpoint of a Spanish colonist. His writings are regarded as the most important sources on Philippine history.
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas is consists of eight chapters and is based on Morga’s extensive personal
experience and documentary study while he resided in the Philippines for many years. For instance, Morga's
work explores the interactions between the Filipino population and Spanish colonizers. He investigates issues
like trade and business, the conversion of the native population, and the effects of Spanish colonization on
the local culture.

Morga's book gained recognition for its thorough and accurate depiction of the Philippines during
the early colonial period. Despite the book's significance, the book was eventually banned by Spanish
authorities because of its disapproval of the rule of the colonial authorities. Nevertheless, it is still a
significant historical record that provides insight into the first few decades of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

What were the underlying reasons/rationale why Jose Rizal annotated his book?

Jose Rizal annotated "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas" because of his desire to correct historical
inaccuracies brought about by the Spanish Conquest. Rizal annotated thi book in order demonstrate that the
Filipinos were already civilized and advanced before the arrival of the Spaniard, awaken Filipino
consciousness to their glorious past, and correct historical inaccuracies about the Philippines. Rizal thought
that Morga's account was biased toward the viewpoint of the Spanish colonizers and disregarded the
accomplishments and contributions of the indigenous Filipino community. Rizal annotated Morga's book
because he was an ardent supporter of Filipino nationalism and wished to foster a sense of pride and
recognition among his fellow Filipinos. Rizal used the annotations as a way to expose the injustices and
abuses committed by the Spanish colonial administration, where he highlighted the exploitation of the
Filipino people and the oppressive policies imposed by the Spanish authorities in order to awaken the
Filipinos' consciousness and inspire them to work for social and political reforms.

Overall, the driving forces behind Rizal's annotations on Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas were his
profound sense of national identity, his pursuit of historical accuracy and cultural pride, and his commitment
to exposing the wrongdoings of Spanish colonial power.

Sources/References
Antonio de Morga’s Report of Conditions in the Philippines on June 8, 1598. (2012, April 23). The
Kahimyang Project. https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1089/antonio-de-morgas-report-of-
conditions-in-the-philippines-on-june-8-1598
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. (n.d.). https://filipinohistory.tripod.com/sucesos-de-las-islas-filipinas.html
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/southern-luzon-state-university/science-in-industrial-
technology/sucesos-de-las-islas-filipinas-is-one-of-the-important-works-depicting-the-philippines-during-the-
colonization-of-spain/21356763