Uncovering Centuries-Old Connections
A newly published book by the Philippine Embassy in Rabat has shed light on the long-standing historical ties between the Philippines and Morocco, presenting a narrative that predates their formal diplomatic relations established in 1975. Titled A Book of Pleasant Journeys into Faraway Lands, this publication emerges as both nations celebrate half a century of diplomatic engagement. The book is the culmination of extensive archival research conducted in both the Philippines and Morocco, and it aims to document a rich yet largely overlooked chapter of Philippine foreign relations.
Philippine Ambassador to Morocco, Leslie Baja, emphasized the significance of this project, particularly given the embassy's closure from 1993 until its reopening in 2020. He expressed the necessity to chronicle the diverse history of bilateral relations, stating, "For most of the 50 years that we commemorated last year, the embassy in Rabat was actually closed. Therefore, it was crucial to document the rich and varied history of bilateral relations between our two countries." The book's author, Rapunzel Acop, who serves as the first secretary and consul at the embassy, was tasked with the project in January 2024. What began as a brief paper evolved into a comprehensive volume exceeding 200 pages after nearly two years of meticulous research in both Moroccan and Philippine archives, including the Archives du Maroc and government records.
Rich Cultural Narratives and Future Prospects
Among the book's notable themes is the legend of Princess Urduja, a narrative with roots in the accounts of the 14th-century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta. His travels through Southeast Asia led him to describe a warrior ruler in a region known as Tawalisi, which has traditionally been associated with present-day Zambales in the Philippines—a notion once endorsed by the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Acop remarked, "Even our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, believed that Zambales was Tawalisi," highlighting the depth of this cultural connection.
The book also explores earlier religious and cultural links, referencing the travels of an Islamic scholar believed to have originated from Morocco, alongside the Philippines' support for Morocco’s independence movement during the 1950s, marked by diplomatic efforts at the United Nations. Baja noted that since the reestablishment of resident diplomatic missions, economic and cultural ties have flourished, with increased trade and exchanges. He asserted, "We have established the groundwork, the foundation for stronger relations for the next 50 years," as Morocco seeks to deepen its engagement with Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
As reported by politiko.com.ph.
