The Perpetuation of the “Moro of Myth”

Nestor Roa Pacana

University of San Carlos
They called
To the them mind,
popular “Moors”Moro means
TheafterThe term “Moro,”
connotation cameangered
of the term, about the Muslims.who,
the inhabitants of ancient Mauritania
one who isth “ignorant, treacherous,
in the 16 century Spanish realization
It meant
savage,
under one who
polygamous,
Arab leadership, be “modernized”
refused to slavers, pirates
that some of the indio inhabitants of the Philippine islands
“Filipinized.”
andhad
and conquered
otherwise
were
and ruled in Spain
Muslims. thoroughly unlovely
individuals.”
for eight centuries.
(ibid.)
(Gowing, ix,1979)
Who were the Moros?
At the start of the Spanish contact,
three big identifiable groups were known:

The Tausug of Jolo,

The Maguindanao of Cotabato, and

The Maranao of Lanao.

Map at left represents “Slave Raiding in the Philippines, 1768-1868”;
Map at right shows “Slave Raiding Route in Southeast Asia.”
From James Warren‟s Iranun and Balangingi, 2002
 Forts, Watchtowers & Fortress Churches in the Philippines

From Rene B. Javellana‟s, Fortress of Empire, pp. XVI-XXV, 1997.

Used as Map 4 in James F. Warren‟s Iranun and Balangingi, (2002) p. 111.
 At present, there are 13 Muslim ethno linguistic groups
in the southern Philippines
Aside from the three dominant groups mentioned earlier, the
other 10 groups are as follows:

the Kalagan of the Davao provinces;

the Sangil of South Cotabato and Davao del Sur;
the Ilanun (Iranun) of the coastal areas of Cotabato, Lanao
del Sur and Zamboanga del Sur provinces;
the Kolibugan of the Zamboanga provinces;
the Yakan of the interior of Basilan island; and
the Sama, Badjao, Jama Mapun, Palawanon and Molbog
in the Sulu Archipelago, the coastal areas of Zamboanga, and
Southern Palawan.
(Abdul Siddik Abbahil, “Who are the Bangsa Moro People?”)

Government estimates say the Muslims

number around five to six million people…
From Peter G. Gowing‟s Muslim Filipinos: Heritage and Horizon, 1979
Peter G. Gowing: Heritage & Horizon, 1979
For many of the hegemonic (not so well informed…)
Christian populace

they are simply called

Moros!
Despite the
passage of time,

the Moros
in the
Bisaya Magazine

remain
unchanged…
 TITLES OF STORIES ABOUT THE MOROS
IN THE BISAYA MAGAZINE: 1955 - 1990
Sultana Dalingding ni Rufino B. Noel, June 29, 1955 Mamingaw nga Pulo Taliwala sa Lawod ni Cipriano
Waling-waling ni Sanny A. Madula, Jan. 4, 1956 Francisco, Apr. 5, 1967
Mga Bihag ni Agustino M. Pujida, July 4, 1956 Perlas nga Itom ni Ricardo T. Hynson, July 26, 1967
Duha ka Higala ni H.M. Cantago, Feb. 8, 1956 Ang Tulisan ug ang Princesa ni Rufino B. Noel, July 26, 1967
Dimal-Mawlinda ni Laurean S. Unabia, Mar. 13, 1957 Pantaw Ragat ni Gumer Rafanan, May 8, 1968
Tunok sa Kapalaran ni Diego Ty & Piux Kabahar, May 15, 1957 Palasyo sa Panganod ni Nemesio E. Caravana, Apr. 3, 1968
Ang Nahanaw nga Kampilan ni Nazario D. Bas, May 20, 1959 Si Haserin ug Soraiya ni Ben M. Barrientos, May 14, 1969
Ang Pasko sa Iyang Kasingkasing ni Gumer Rafanan, Dec. 23, Kabilaw ug Sandingan ni Ireneo V. Caterbas, Oct. 3, 1969
1959 Si Abdul ni Agustino M. Pujida, Feb. 9, 1972
Lawiswis Kawayan ni Rufino B. Noel, May 18, 1960
Bisaya Story about Moros beyond 1990:
Kurotsay…Amihan ni Laurean S. Unabia, May 18, 1960
Kamatayon sa Suba ni Gumer M. Rafanan, Jan. 23, 1974
Rajah Hamabar, Dula sa Tulo ka Akto ni Junne Cañizares,
Si Amid Abdullah ni Ricardo Hynson, Feb. 22, 1961 Sept. 4, 1974
Ang Bata, Ang Langgam ug ang Iring ni Gumer Rafanan, May Dayang Dayang Soraya ni Melchor U. Yburan, Oct. 30, 1974
24, 1961 Kadaogan Luyo sa Kaparotan ni Ruben B. Legorio, May 25, 1977
Sandalyas ni Zafira ni Nemesio C. Caravana, June 14, 1961 Si Amihan ug si Habagat ni H. M. Cantago, Jan. 28, 1976
Sayaw Anahaw Sayaw ni Joel Soria, July 5, 1961 Duha ka Dugo sa Usa ka Ugat (Ikaw ug Ako: Pilipino) ni
Maratabat ni Gumer M. Rafanan, July 26, 1961 Teodorico C. Santos, Aug. 3, 1977
ni Marcelo Panumpa
[ page torn ] ni Martin Abellana, Aug. 16, 1961 Geocallo,
sa Maghinigugmaay ni H.M. Cantago, May 10, 1978
Ang Panting ug ang Pinuti ni Rufino Noel, Feb. 17, 1965 Banagbanag sa Habagatan ni Gumer M. Rafanan, Nov. 29, 1978
Ang Mamumuo sa Dakong Linaw ni Gumer M. Rafanan, May 5, ABDULLAH RAHAMAN DJANANG ni Melchor Yburan,
1965 Oct. 3, 2001 to Ang
Apr. 25, 2005. Dec. 12, 1979
Tagna sa Bola nga Kristal
Daraga sa Mayon ni Nemesio E. Caravana, May 12, 1965 ni Austolio Suarez, Jan. 13, 1982
Mutya sa Taal ni Nemesio E. Caravana, Nov. 10, 1965 OMAR SALIK, M.D. ni Marcelo A. Geocallo, May 26, 1982
Mantianak ni Alfredo A. Jagdon, Jan. 19, 1966 Silingang Simbahan ni Ricardo T. Hynson, June 30. 1982
Si Pinatubo ug si Manunggal ni Guillermo Rosos Uy, Feb. 2, 1966 DUGO MO…DUGO KO! ni Melchor U. Yburan, Feb. 2, 1983
Natawo sa Gugma, Nabuhi sa Gugma ni Max D. Bas, Feb. 2, 1966 LISO ni Arturo G. Peñaserada, Sept. 21, 1983
Musa sa Apo ni Nemesio E. Caravana, Apr. 26, 1966
Sultana sa Bay ni Nemesio E. Caravana, Aug. 31, 1966
Si Alayna ni Jess S. Ybañez, Nov. 23, 1988
Samal ug Talikod ni Ambrosio T. Suico, Oct. 26, 1966 Taytayan sa Gugma ni Juperosan, July 26, 1989
 KOMIKS STORY TITLES FEATURING MOROS,
BISAYA MAGAZINE: 1955 - 1990
1. Hamiling Ulipon ni Hilario L. Coronel, May 15, 1957
2. Datu Marao ni Juanito C. Marcella, May 18, 1960
3. Sungay ni Makatunaw ni Juanito C. Marcella, Aug. 16, 1961
4. Sultana Magindanaw ni Abelardo R. Gallardo, Nov. 27, 1968
5. Juan de la Cruz ni Angel Relon Makiling, Feb. 19, 1969
6. Pantaw Ragat ni Gumer M. Rafanan, May 1, 1968
7. Boy Negro ni Levi G. Pabalan, June 25, 1969
8. Ang Pantastikong Kalibotan ni Lola Cinderella ni Rico Bello Omagap, Dec.
9. 18, 1974
10. Kaisog ug Pagtapat ni Santiago Pepito, Jr., Apr. 8, 1981
Hara Maginda ni Ernesto Abao Salcedo, Oct. 31, 1984 [two chiefs drinking wine, one saying to the other: ’water
is only for frogs…’]

Bisaya Komiks showing Moros beyond 1990:

Anak ni Buhawi, Gumer Rafanan, 1996 - 1997

 "My enemy is my mirror.
I project onto my enemy everything in myself
that I cannot stand, tolerate, acknowledge or accept.
My enemy returns the compliment.
We are locked in a very tight embrace,
my enemy and I."
Walter Wink, Unmasking the Powers

No matter what the exact individual psychological roots

of images of the enemy are,
the media do play a very important,
yet undocumented, role in their socialization...
http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article245.html
 The Moros in the Bisaya Magazine…

were attired in “minoros” in this magazine‟s story illustrations…

1955
Ang Tulisan ug ang Princesa ni Rufino B. Noel, July 26, 1967
Si Pinatubo ug si Manunggal, Guillermo Rosos Uy, 1966.
 Pantaw Ragat‟ of Gumer Rafanan (1968)

Ang Panting ug ang Pinuti‟ of Rufino Noel (1965).

“Fighting Moros” illustrations in the Bisaya Magazine stories.
Agosto 17, 1960
Ambrosio T. Suico, 1966
Mamingaw nga Pulo Taliwala sa Lawod, Cipriano H. Francisco,1967. Bisaya Story
The Moras in the Bisaya Stories and Komiks are portrayed as beautiful and “sexy.”
 Feb. 1969

Could this representation be just our „projection‟ of what the Moros were?
“Drinking” Moros in the Bisaya story illustrations and komiks.
Hara Maginda, Bisaya Komiks ni Ernesto Abao Salcedo, Oct. 31, 1984
While this illustration is patently offensive and careless…

Pantaw Ragat ni Gumer M. Rafanan, 1968

For Muslims, this illustration of Mahoma in Bag – ong Kusog is
unthinkable & haram…
Yet, images such as these
persist…

in the pages of the Bisaya…

We see them fighting not only themselves, but other people as well…

attired in minoros and the primary colors they are identified with…
and the material culture that „identifies‟ them…
A caricature from Bag – ong Kusog, 1941
Juan de la Cruz, Angel Relon Makiling, 1969
A rice field burned by Moros in Juan de la Cruz, Bisaya Komiks, March 5, 1969
To settle the issue of the Christian settler‟s claim to the land, the (Moro & Christian)
boys were made to fight each other…
Boy Negro, Bisaya Komiks ni Levi Gen Pabalan, June 25, 1969
 Bag – ong Kusog pictures of Princesa Tarhata Kiram (left),
Sultan Jamalul Kiram (top center), and Datu Tahil, Tarhata‟s husband (right).
Bag ong Kusog photograph of “Kasal sa duha ka Moros.”
Lolita Rodriguez and Fred Montilla in the movie “Tarhata,” of Sampaguita Pictures.
“Idealized Moros” in Movie notices in the Bisaya Magazine.
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc. “Harangan Man Ng Sibat” with Van de Leon and Paraluman.
The last sentence reads “Anaa sila makita sa usa ka bahin sa pelikula
nga naghubad sa gugma ug kinabuhi sa mga Muslim.”
Bernard Belleza about to throw a spear in the movie notice “Mindanao” for the
3rd Manila Film Festival.
“Fierce Looking Moro” in the movie Sirena in Ubos sa Habagatang Langit,
Movie Notice in the Bisaya Magazine written by D. M. Estabaya.
A drama cast showing the actors attired in “minoros.”
“Gahom sa Panimalos,” “Dagsa” for the fiesta of Sto. Niño in “Suminanap” drama group
Concepcion, Makilala, Cotabato Jose S. Lim, Cotabato of Manticao, Misamis Oriental

New Sta. Lucia Dramatic Circle,

Matata a, Carmen, Agusan “Mir-i-nisa” cast, Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur
Banagbanag sa Habagatan ni Gumer Rafanan, Bisaya Story, Nov. 29, 1978
Abdullah Rahaman Djanang ni Melchor Yburan, 1979
A 1984 Bisaya Komiks displayed the Moros in the usual way…

the Moro men as handsome,

„macho,‟
and armed…

& their women

…beautiful…

Hara Maginda of Ernesto Abao Salcedo, October 31, 1984

 Yet, certain „practices‟ remain…

showing their “otherness…”

Hara-Maginda, Bisaya Komiks ni Ernesto A. Salcedo, 1984

 The ‟80s promised change in the representation of the Moros
with stories presenting a different twist –
although still portrayed as „different‟,
the Moros are „actually‟ one of us…

Bisaya Magazine Story, “Liso,” of Arturo G. Peñaserada, September 21,

1983, p. 15.
The caption reads: “Ngano ba tuod nga magpinatyanay man
ang mga Muslim ug mga Kristiyano Bisaya Story: Si Alayna of Jess S. Ybañez,
nga pareho man silang mga Pilipino? Nov. 23, 1988 p.29
Bisaya Story: “Ang Diwa sa Pasko Alang sa Tanan” of Ricardo Hynson
The caption says: “…Merry Christmas, Amid”
 Bisaya Story: “OMAR SALIK M.D.,” of Marcelo Geocallo,
September 29, 1982.
Caption at right reads: “ANG KAPINTAS MAOY NAGAHARI SA TRADISYON SA KALIWATAN
NGA WALA PA HIDAN-AGI SA BUHILAMAN
DIIN ANG GUGMA PANAGBUGTIAN SA KINABUHI
SA MGA LALAKING WALAY PALAD!
In a Bisaya story, it was possible for a Muslim and a Christian to marry.

Bisaya Story: Silingang Simbahan of Ricardo T. Hynson,

August 4, 1982 p. 4
Caption reads, “ANG PILIPINAS PINUY-ANAN SA MGA PILIPINO…
MUSLIM…O BISAN UNSA PANG TINUHOAN.
USA LAMANG KA KALIWAT – PILIPINO – BUSA MANAGSOON
APAN MAMATUOD KAHA KINI DINHI NING ATONG KASAYSAYAN?
Tell tale signs indicate that we still do not know them well enough…

“DUGO MO…DUGO KO!” of Melchor U. Yburan,

Bisaya Magazine, Feb. 2, 1983, p. 5.
Caption: KON ANG MAGSOON MAGKAAWAY GANI
SILA PA KAHA NI ABDUL KARIM UG KORONEL MIJARES
OMAR SALIK M.D., of Marcelo A. Geocallo.
October 13, 1982, p. 14. NGA GIULANG SA DUHA KA MANAGLAHING TINUHOAN
NGA NADUSLITAN PA SA PABILO SA KASILAG
Caption with arrow reads: “Nahasinggit ang mga tawo. SA USA KA HITABO NGA MALISOD HIKALIMTAN!
Nalabog ang kris ni Omar.”
[Note the difference between the description of Omar‟s weapon in the story
and the one he dropped.]
Kris ug Kampilan, Bisaya Komiks ni S.R. Pepito, Jr., 1991 - 1993
Ang Gikalisangan sa Pantao- Ragat [1996 - 2000] ni Gumer Rafanan, Bisaya Komiks.
An earlier version written by the same author was titled “Pantaw Ragat” which appeared in
1968.
Ang Gikalisangan sa Sierra Madre, a 2003 Bisaya Story of Nemesio Caravana
 the Moros
IN
And it did were
PRODUCT
not stop there…
ADVERTISING…
commodified
Commodifying the moro motif… for product advertising.
to promote local tourism…
Taluksangay Mosque, Zamboanga
Oct. 19, 1988 p, 9,
 We do in fact love or hate our enemies
to the same degree that we love or hate ourselves.
In the image of the enemy we will find the mirror
in which we may see our own faces most clearly.
Sam Keen, Faces of the enemy. (1)
http://www.drzur.com/enmity.html
 Description of Moros in Characterization of the Moros in
the BISAYA News the BISAYA Stories
1955-1990 [ 1/23 ] 1955-1990 [ 4/20 ]
Rebels 58 Attired in minoros 94

Terrorists 24
Moro terms used: social titles, place 31
Bandits 14 names

Kidnappers 12 Shown fighting 21

Killers 11 Wearing a Putong 15

Harassing Christians 8
Fierce/feared 12
Pirates 6
Vinta illustrations 10
Warlike 3
Pirates 9
Un baptized 3

Traitors 2 Cruel 6

Saboteurs 2 Robust physique 4 ***

Smugglers 1 Intelligent/educated 4 ***
Land grabbers 1
Bandits 3
Arsonists 1
Juramentado 2
Separatists 1
Rebels 2
Counterfeiters 1
Arsonists 2
Against separation 1
Brave 2***
Cruel 1
Good-looking 2 ***
Brave 1***
Kidnapper 1
Cowardly 1
Rapist 1
Feared 1

Unreasonable 1 Polygamous 1

Contravida 1 Cowardly 1
 The questions remain - -…
Why does the “Moro of myth” persist?
Perhaps, thestill
Why are they following will help explain this
represented
phenomenon…
as they were „remembered‟ in the past?
• Boundary formation; making distinctions/notions of “self”

by contrasting “self” with others

• Memories of a distant, usually traumatic past

• Stereotyping

• Conditioning/indoctrination through propaganda methods

= the perpetuation of myth…

What do you think?