The Propaganda Movement Student
The Propaganda Movement Student
Tuguegarao City
Prepared by:
ANTHONY P. ANGELES
STELLA MARIE R. LUMABAN
RAY T. OBISPO, Ph. D
JEIZELLE MARIE T. QUINTO
DARIN JAN C. TINDOWEN, Ph. D
ALVIC B. TORRES
Course Instructor
Reviewed by:
Recommended by:
Approved by:
O God, wellspring of goodness and blessings, we give you thanks and praise as one Louisian
community. The graces You incessantly grant upon us and Your divine providence have sustained
our beloved University throughout the years of mission and excellence.
Having been founded by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that You
keep us committed and dedicated to our mission and identity to serve the Church and the society
as we become living witnesses to the Gospel values proclaimed by Jesus. For if we are steadfast
in our good and beautiful mission, our works will bring success not only to ourselves but also to
those whom we are bound to love and serve.
Inspired by St. Louis our Patron Saint, who was filled with a noble spirit that stirred him to love You
above all things, may we also live believing that we are born for a greater purpose and mission as
we dwell in Your presence all the days of our life.
Grant all these supplications through the intercession of
Mother Mary and through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lesson XI:
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.
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.
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.
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
RIZAL 1013- Life and Works of Rizal Module 6| 4
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.
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.
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 countries.
know
In the rivers and the streams there are very large and Perhaps for the same reason, other nations have
small scorpions and a great hnumber of very fierce great esteem for lion and bear, putting them on
and cruel crocodiles which frequently get the natives their shields and giving them honorable epithets.
from their bancas on which they ride… However much The mysterious life of crocodiles, the enormous
the people may trap, catch and kill them, these size that it sometimes reaches, its fatidical aspect,
reptiles hardly seem to diminish in number. For this without counting anymore its voraciousness, must
reason, the natives build on the border of their rivers have influenced greatly the imagination of the
and streams in their settlements where they bathe, Malayan Filipinos.
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.
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
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:
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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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.
LESSON PROPER
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:
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.
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.
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. 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?
PART II • 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.
B. Filipinos sees the Spaniards as protectors but soon realizes that
they are its exploiters and executioners.
RIZAL 1013- Life and Works of Rizal Module 6| 11
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.
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.
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 Filipinos
has representation in the Spanish Cortes. RIZAL 1013- Life and Works of Rizal Module 6| 12
ANSWERS IN THE ACTIVITY
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