SURIGAO TREASURE:Part 4of8 OF GINTONG PAMANA

Part 4 of the Gintong Pamana episode that aired on June 8, 2008 on ABS-CBN.
Video Summary
In 1981, Berto Morales, a farmer employed as a bulldozer operator in an irrigation project in Surigao
struck gold. He discovered a treasure trove of gold ornaments while bringing down a hill to collect
filling materials.
The discovery, hitherto unknown to the public, is among the largest collection of Philippine
archaeological gold in the country as well as in the rest of the world.
Recovered in association with 10th to 13th century Chinese ceramics, the gold ornaments show
similarities in form and iconography with artifacts of other cultures in the region. Experts believe the
discovery will rewrite history.
Nothing of this scale and magnitude and magnificence has ever been seen before, says Dr. Florina
Capistrano-Baker, former curator of the Ayala Museum, of the gold find.
Gold specialist Dr. John Miksic of the National University of Singapore describes the Surigao treasure as the single most important tangible heritage of the country.
Experts say jewelers today cannot imitate or even come close to the quality of the workmanship of the
intricate designs of our ancestors gold.
Part of the Surigao treasure is the Sacred Thread, which is worn during ceremonies and weighs more than four kilos. Baker says the belt-like object is so heavy a mannequin broke because of its sheer weight.
PROBE reporter, Cheche Lazaro, searches for Berto Morales in Surigao. From then on, Lazaro uncovers that Bertos gold discovery takes many twist and turns -- involving threats to his life and family.
With the help of historians and experts, Lazaro reveals an amazing story about Philippines forgotten
civilization before the Spanish colonization of the archipelago in the 16th century and how the
archaeological gold artifacts associated with the pre-colonization period point to a sophisticated
civilization -- something that will give us a sense of identity and pride as a people.
Supported by historical accounts about pre-colonial Philippines, the Surigao gold collection show that
we were important players in the region 1,000 years ago and that gold was an important link between our country and the rest of our neighbors.

Tags: 10th 13th ancestors archaeological ayala century ceramics chinese civilization gold heritage
history museum period philippine pre-colonial probe sophisticated surigao to treasure

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[xenniden]

Archeological Gold specialist Dr. JOHN MIKSIC of the National University of Singapore describes the Surigao treasure as "the single most important TANGIBLE HERITAGE of the country".

PROUD TO BE A SURIGAONON

[djt1008]

i hope.. someone would be able to find a written record of our pre-colonial society.. i know there is one.. its just a matter of time before we would find it...

[VINTONGFX]

@vincent626i louisong tagean? lol that scam again?

[beatguyz18]

toink......... kahit dun din sa sison,surigao del norte dami ginto, dami dayuhan pumupunta at may mapa sila kung saan banda ung mga ginto.........................­.

[haldorjay]

@djt1008 you should check our very own epic Hinilawod..

[gclef12]

I wanna build a time machine. :)

[vincent626i]

They only notice Surigao because of the discovered. But in fact, anywhere underground the Philippines are ancient gold banks. It was written by Emperor Yuan of China 1500s, a friend of our late King Louisong Tagean, that, WE ARE THE RICHEST COUNTRY in history, 900s-1500s. And that is why we were Great. And wonder why our Empire were named MAHARLIKA? Because it the place of rich inhabitants... "He who owns the Gold, rules the WORLD". That's countries up for to us. Gold is real root of world war..

[vincent626i]

read this: phil-documents.blogspot.com/20­10/11/ancient-treasury-of-vast­.html

[mikhailthegrinch]

@djt1008 The Laguna Copperplate inscription is the earliest known written document found in the Philippines. The plate was found in 1989 by Alfredo E. Evangelista in Laguna de Bay, in the metroplex of Manila, Philippines.

[jamelorichardm]

Armando are you a history student or a teacher?pag gusto nyo mag hukay ng archeological site may alam ako, para lang sa preservation ng history wag lang treasure hunting, bumaha samin noon may nag laglagan na mga potery at mga semi precious stone, ginto na hugis mata at ilong etc sa ilog marami nag hukay at nag binta ng mga potery pero alam ko meron pa doon kasi 5ft ang lalim ng mga items. mas maganda kung mga history student ang mag hukay wag lang sa mga treasure hunter..