Jose Rizal's Research in London and Paris

Rizal's Research in London and Paris

• In 1888-1889, Rizal spent several months researching at the British Museum, focusing on the Filipiniana Collection and copying Morga's book, "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas" by hand.
• He then moved to Paris and continued working on the annotation at the Bibliotheque Nationale, finally publishing it in 1890.

Rizal's Annotation of "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas"

• Rizal meticulously annotated every chapter of "Sucesos", correcting errors and providing enlightenment on cultural practices misinterpreted by Morga.
• He added footnotes to clarify statements, such as Morga's description of the ancient Philippine natives' culinary practices.
• Rizal's annotation aimed to provide a more accurate representation of Filipino culture and society.

Historical Facts and Events

• The English freebooter Cavandish captured the Mexican galleon Santa Ana, taking 150 prisoners, including two Japanese lads, three Filipinos, a Portuguese, and a skilled Spanish pilot.
• Ships were built in the Philippine islands during the Spanish era, evident of native culture, but this industry has declined.
• The construction of a massive stone wall around Manila, Fort Santiago, and the early cathedral of wood, demonstrate the skills and hard work of the Filipinos during that time.

Filipino Achievements and Culture

• The Filipino Panday Pira was a skilled master foundry worker, but after his death, there were no Spaniards skilled enough to take his place.
• China, Japan, and Cambodia maintained relations with the Philippines, but these relationships ended due to interference by religious orders.
• The pre-Spanish Filipinos cast cannons as great as those of Malaga, Spain's foundry, and were skilled in lace-making, as evidenced by the women of Flanders.

Spanish Colonization and Conversion

• Morga's statement that the Filipinos welcomed conversion may have been true for civilized natives, but not for the mountain tribes.
• Missionaries required a guard of soldiers to accompany them to convert the infidels, who would otherwise kill the Friars who came to preach to them.
• The Spaniards took natives as slaves, introducing no moral improvement, and the Filipinos may have also used slaves in their wars.

Learn about Jose Rizal's research journey in London at the British Museum and in Paris at the Bibliotheque Nationale. Find out how he meticulously copied and annotated Morga's book during his stay in London and Paris in 1888-1889.