The Inhabitants Of The Philippines
Frederic H. Sawyer
132 chapters
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132 chapters
Preface.
Preface.
The writer feels that no English book does justice to the natives of the Philippines, and this conviction has impelled him to publish his own more favourable estimate of them. He arrived in Manila with a thorough command of the Spanish language, and soon acquired a knowledge of the Tagal dialect. His avocations brought him into contact with all classes of the community—officials, priests, land-owners, mechanics, and peasantry: giving him an unrivalled opportunity to learn their ideas and observe
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Salámat.
Salámat.
To Messrs. Smith, Bell and Co. of Manila, for the very complete table of exports which they most kindly supplied. To Don Sixto Lopez of Balayan, for the loan of the Congressional Record, the Blue Book of the 55th Congress, 3rd Session, and other books. To the Superintendent of the Reading Room and his Assistants for their courtesy and help when consulting the old Spanish histories in the noble library of the British Museum. Becke, Louis —‘Wild Life in Southern Seas.’ Bent, Mrs. Theodore —‘Southe
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Magazine Articles.
Magazine Articles.
President McKinley : To the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment, Pittsburgh. Mr. Whitelaw Reid : To the Miami University, Ohio. Senator Hoar , in the Senate. Blue Book —55th Congress, 3rd Session, Doc. No. 62, Part I....
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Speeches.
Speeches.
Introductory and Descriptive. Chapter I. Extent, Beauty and Fertility.      Pages Extent, beauty and fertility of the Archipelago—Variety of landscape—Vegetation—Mango trees—Bamboos      1–6 Chapter II. Spanish Government. Slight sketch of organization—Distribution of population—Collection of taxes—The stick      7–13 Chapter III. Six Governors-General. Moriones—Primo de Rivera—Jovellar—Terreros—Weyler—Despujols      14–23 Chapter IV. Courts of Justice. Alcaldes—The Audiencia—The Guardia Civil—D
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Extent.
Extent.
Lest I should be taxed with exaggeration when I record my impressions of the beauty and potential wealth of the Archipelago, so far as I have seen it; I shall commence by citing the opinions of some who, at different times, have visited the islands. I think I cannot do better than give precedence to the impressions of two French gentlemen who seem to me to have done justice to the subject, then cite the calm judgment of a learned and sagacious Teuton, and lastly quote from the laboured paragraph
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Beauty and Fertility.
Beauty and Fertility.
If I may without presumption add my testimony to that of these illustrious travellers, I would say that, having been over a great part of South America, from Olinda Point to the Straits of Magellan, from Tierra del Fuego to Panama, not only on the coasts but in the interior, from the Pampas of the Argentine and the swamps of the Gran Chaco to where “The roots of the Andes strike deep in the earth As their summits to heaven shoot soaringly forth;” having traversed the fairest gems of the Antilles
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Variety of Landscape.
Variety of Landscape.
Vegetation here runs riot, hardly checked by the devastating typhoon, or the fall of volcanic ashes. From the cocoa-nut palm growing on the coral strand, from the mangrove, building its pyramid of roots upon the ooze, to the giant bamboo on the banks of the streams, and the noble mango tree adorning the plains, every tropical species flourishes in endless variety, and forests of conifers 2 clothe the summits of the Zambales and Ilocan mountains. As for the forest wealth, the trees yielding indes
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Vegetation.
Vegetation.
On the banks of the Philippine streams and rivers that giant grass, the thorny bamboo, grows and thrives. It grows in clumps of twenty, forty, fifty stems. Starting from the ground, some four to six inches in diameter, it shoots aloft for perhaps seventy feet, tapering to the thickness of a match at its extremity, putting forth from each joint slender and thorny branches, carrying small, thin, and pointed leaves, so delicately poised as to rustle with the least breath of air. The canes naturally
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Slight Sketch of Organization.
Slight Sketch of Organization.
The above figures are taken from the official census of 1877. This is the latest I have been able to find. In the Appendix is given an estimate of the population in 1890, the author puts the number at 8,000,000, and at this date there may well be 9,000,000 inhabitants in the Philippines and Sulus. It will be seen that these provinces are of very different extent, and vary still more in population, for some have only a few hundred inhabitants, whilst others, for instance, Cebú and Ilo-Ilo have ha
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Collection of Taxes.
Collection of Taxes.
The Government and the laws partook of a patriarchal character, and notwithstanding certain exactions, the Spanish officials and the natives got on very well together. The Alcaldes remained for many years in one province, and knew all the principal people intimately. I doubt if there was any colony in the world where as much intercourse took place between the governors and the natives, certainly not in any British colony, nor in British India, where the gulf ever widens. In this case, governors
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Its Good Points.
Its Good Points.
1 A whip made from hippopotamus hide. Moriones—Primo de Rivera—Jovellar—Terreros—Weyler—Despujols. During my residence in the Islands—from 1877 to 1892—there were six Governors-General, and they differed very widely in character and ideas. The first was Don Domingo Moriones y Murillo, Marquis of Oroquieto, an austere soldier, and a stern disciplinarian. He showed himself to be a man of undaunted courage, and of absolutely incorruptible honesty. When he landed in Manila he found that, owing to th
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Moriones.
Moriones.
Manila ought to be ever grateful to Moriones for this. He also tried to get some work out of the Obras Publicas Department, and, in fact, he did frighten them into exerting themselves for a time, by threatening to ship the Inspector-General of Public Works back to Spain, unless the Ayala bridges were completed on a certain day. But the greatest thing that Moriones did for the Philippines was when he prevented the sale of the Government tobacco-culture monopoly to some Paris Jews. Whilst he was s
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Primo de Rivera.
Primo de Rivera.
He was succeeded by Field-Marshal Don Joaquim Jovellar, during whose time the tribute was abolished and the Cédulas Personales tax instituted. Jovellar appeared to me to be a strictly honourable man, he refused the customary presents from the Chinese, and bore himself with much dignity. His entourage was, however, deplorable, and he placed too much confidence in Ruiz Martinez, the Director of Civil Administration. The result was that things soon became as bad as in the previous governor’s time.
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Jovellar.
Jovellar.
He was succeeded by Don Emilio Terrero y Perinat, a thorough soldier and a great martinet. I found him a kind and courteous gentleman, and deeply regretted the unfortunate and tragic end that befell him after his return to Spain. I saw a good deal of Field-Marshal Jovellar and of General Terrero, having been Acting British Consul at the end of Jovellar’s and the beginning of Terrero’s Government. I kept up my acquaintance with General Terrero all the time he was in the islands, and was favoured
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Terrero.
Terrero.
Terrero was succeeded by Don Valeriano Weyler, Marquis of Ténérife, the son of a German doctor, born in Majorca, who brought with him a reputation for cruelties practised on the Cuban insurgents during the first war. Weyler was said to have purchased the appointment from the wife of a great minister too honest to accept bribes himself, and the price was commonly reported to have been $30,000 paid down and an undertaking to pay the lady an equal sum every year of his term of office. Weyler is a s
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Weyler.
Weyler.
To Weyler succeeded a man very different in appearance and character, Don Emilio Despujols, Conde de Caspe. Belonging to an ancient and noble family of Catalonia, holding his honour dear, endowed with a noble presence and possessed of an ample fortune, he came out to uplift and uphold the great charge committed to him, and rather to give lustre to his office by expending his own means than to economise from his pay, as so many colonial governors are accustomed to do. He established his household
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Despujols.
Despujols.
For if Moriones manifested courage, energy and incorruptible honesty under what would have been an irresistible temptation to many another man, that rude soldier was far from possessing those personal gifts, the fine presence and the sympathetic address of Despujols, and inspired fear rather than affection. Yet both were worthy representatives of their country; both were men any land might be proud to send forth. Those two noble names are sufficient to redeem the Spanish Government of the Philip
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Chapter IV. Courts of Justice.
Chapter IV. Courts of Justice.
In an alcalde’s court, there would be several mestizo or native writers or auxiliaries. Some of them were what is called meritórios , that is, unpaid volunteers. Of course, they expect to receive gratuities from the suitors and would take care to mislay their documents if they were neglected. Sometimes the alcalde was so lazy that he left the whole matter in the hands of his subordinates and signed whatever they laid before him. I have been a witness of this, and have even remonstrated with a ju
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The case of Juan de la Cruz.
The case of Juan de la Cruz.
What could be more natural than that the crew of the launch should become acquainted with the patron’s mistress? Soon the engine-driver and the stoker were her constant visitors. The damsel had a kind word and a smile for both, and doubtless contrasted their vigorous youth and shapely forms with the shrunken figure of her elderly protector, and their lively conversation with his glum silence. In the end, no doubt, the damsel refused them nothing. Trouble was now brewing. The grim sailor was not
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Piratical Outrage in Luzon.
Piratical Outrage in Luzon.
This band of pirates were a mixed lot; some of them were principales or members of the town council of Sariaya, a picturesque little place on the southern slope of Mount Banajao, and some from San Juan de Boc-boc; others were ordinary inhabitants, a few were outlaws from the San Juan mountains, and four or five were fishermen whom the gang had met on their passage by sea and had invited to accompany them. This custom of Convites is explained in Chapter XXV . Of course the fishermen, when interro
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Chapter VI. Causes of Tagal Revolt.
Chapter VI. Causes of Tagal Revolt.
When a political party came into power and the question of forming the Cabinet was being debated, Señor M——, a leader of a group of deputies, might say, “I renounce the honour of entering the Cabinet, and instead will take the Presidency of the Chamber and the right to appoint the Collector of Customs at Havana, the Intendant General of Hacienda at Manila, and the Governor of Batangas, with a dozen second and third class governorships or judgeships.” If this was agreed to, perhaps, after some ha
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Summary of Towns founded by the Augustinians.
Summary of Towns founded by the Augustinians.
Population of the above 203 towns, 2,082,181....
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The Augustinians in the Philippine Islands.
The Augustinians in the Philippine Islands.
In former years this Order had established missions in Japan, and they were very successful in making converts, but during the persecution many members of the Order lost their lives, or, as they phrase it, “attained the palm of martyrdom.” At the present time they maintain seven missionaries in the province of Hun-nan in China. In Spain they support three colleges, Valladolid, La Vid, and La Escorial. They are also in charge of the magnificent church of that extraordinary palace, and of the pric
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Statement of the Population Administered by the Religious Corporations and Secular Clergy in the Philippines, 1896.
Statement of the Population Administered by the Religious Corporations and Secular Clergy in the Philippines, 1896.
These holy men have, since very early times, shown themselves rather turbulent, and then and always endeavoured to carry matters with a high hand. Thus in 1582 we find them refusing to admit the diocesan visit of the Bishop of Manila, and that old dispute has cropped up on and off many times since then. At the same time we find them taking the part of the natives against the Encomenderos . They have always been ready to fight for their country and to subscribe money for its defence. When Acting
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Chapter VIII. Their Estates.
Chapter VIII. Their Estates.
About four miles to the eastward of San Francisco de Malabon, and on the same volcanic soil, is the great estate of Imus belonging to the Recollets, or unshod Augustinians. It is about five miles from the landing-place at Bacoor. Here again three rivers run through the property, and the view from the house is the same. The house itself was a grim fortress and served the rebels well in 1896, for they found arms and ammunition in it, and successfully defended it against General Aiguirre who had to
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Chapter IX. Secret Societies.
Chapter IX. Secret Societies.
Spain is as celebrated for orators as Great Britain for the lack of them. Our generation has never produced a speaker like Castelar. But, unfortunately for the Philippines, these grand and sonorous phrases dissolved in air, and led to nothing practical. The friars stoutly opposed what to them seemed dangerous innovations; they were successful, and darkness again prevailed. The insurrection of Cavite, in 1872, resulted in the execution or exile of many members of the masonic body, and the brother
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Rebel Badges of Rank.
Rebel Badges of Rank.
The rebels occupied the whole of the province of Cavite, except the fortified town of that name containing the naval arsenal, and a small strip on the shores of the Laguna where the Spanish troops were posted. Cornell’s brigade was at Calamba and Marina’s brigade at Biñan. They had outlying detachments amounting to 1500 men at Santa Cruz, Santo Domingo, Tayabas, and along the line from Tanáuan to Bañadero, leaving each brigade 4000 men for the advance into the rebel territory. The divisional tro
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Chapter XI. The Insurrection of 1896–97—continued.
Chapter XI. The Insurrection of 1896–97—continued.
The infantry deployed, the firing line advanced under fire without stopping to within three hundred yards of the parapet, when they halted, taking what cover they could and keeping up a steady fire. Then the mountain battery was brought up and fired common shell at close range, breaching the parapet. A rush forward soon brought the firing-line within 150 yards of the parapet. General Marina, watching the engagement well to the front, had one of his staff officers killed at his side; seeing the f
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Manila Bay.
Manila Bay.
To any one having a knowledge of the Spanish navy, and especially of the squadron of the Philippines, the result of an action against an American Squadron of similar force could not be doubtful . As a matter of fact the Spanish ships, except the two small cruisers built at Elswick in 1887, were quite obsolete. The Castilla and Reina Cristina were wooden vessels, standing very high out of the water, and making admirable targets, whilst their guns were small, some of them had been landed at Correg
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General Aguinaldo.
General Aguinaldo.
The Tagals had made much progress since the insurrection of 1896–7. Their ideas had advanced considerably since their rudimentary organization in the Province of Cavite, as can be gathered from the improved style of the various proclamations and decrees published by Aguinaldo. They now organized a Government, a real Civil Administration, extending over a great part of Luzon, and sent an expedition to Visayas. They established a Constitution, a representative government, and reopened the courts a
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The Tagal Republic.
The Tagal Republic.
First. —A broad-minded and sympathetic representative of America, fully authorized to treat, and a lover of peace. Second. —A strict discipline amongst the American forces. Third. —The principal aim and object of the Tagal insurrection must be secured. General Otis does not seem to me to fulfil the first condition, he lacked prestige and patience, and he showed that he had an insufficient conception of the magnitude of his task by occupying himself with petty details of all kinds and by displayi
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The False Prophets of the Philippines.
The False Prophets of the Philippines.
I admire the conviction of this distinguished officer that the benefits of American rule would be highly appreciated by the Tagals, of whom, by-the-bye, he knew next to nothing, having only been a few weeks in Manila amongst sycophantic Mestizo-Americanistas. That interesting people were, however, of a different opinion. On p. 4582 of the ‘Congressional Record,’ I find that Señor Mabini, in a manifesto published at San Isidro, April 15th, 1899, states that “race hatred is much more cruel and pit
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Chapter XIII. Native Admiration for America.
Chapter XIII. Native Admiration for America.
As regards the administration of the government, no doubt great improvements can be made; but I abstain from prophecy, remembering Merritt’s and Foreman’s want of success in that line. There is certainly a wonderful opportunity to show the world how to govern a tropical protectorate or dependency. So rich a country with so intelligent and industrious a population only requires good guidance to make it an earthly paradise. But the guidance should be given by the gentle hand of an elder sister, an
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Agricultural.
Agricultural.
Besides paddy, the natives cultivate the dava or míjo ( Panicum miliaceum ), the mongo, a species of lentil ( Phaseolus mungo ), called in some provinces balat or balatong, for their own consumption. When rice is dear, they mix a certain amount of maize with it, and when it is really scarce they eat the seeds of the sorghum ( Holcus saccharatus ) instead of it. They also make an infusion of these seeds, which is not unlike barley-water. The camote ( Impomœa batata ) is the principal food of the
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Chapter XV. Forestal.
Chapter XV. Forestal.
The wood is very hard and tough, and specially made machinery is required to work it. The framing must be heavier, the feed lighter, and the teeth of the saws much smaller and with less set. I have had some excellent machinery and saws specially made in England for this purpose, by Thomas Robinson & Son of Rochdale, but I sent home logs of the woods required to be worked, for the saws, planers, and moulding cutters to be made to suit. The ordinary sawing machinery as shown in trade catal
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Gold.
Gold.
Farther on, he says:— “Ilocos ... has much gold, for the principal mines of these islands are in the mountain ranges of this province, of which they get the advantage, for they trade with the miners more than any people. The Spaniards have many times endeavoured to people the mines so as to work them, but it has not been possible up to the present, although the Governor, Gonzalo Ronquillo, took the greatest pains, and it cost him many men, the country being so rough and destitute of provisions.”
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Copper.
Copper.
There is plenty of iron ore in the Philippines. In Luzon it occurs plentifully in the western spurs of the Cordillera all the way from Bosoboso to San Miguel de Mayumo, and it is now worked near the latter place in a primitive way. Plough-shares, cooking-pots and bolos are the principal productions; the fuel used in all cases is charcoal. I sent to the Philippine Exhibition of 1887 at Madrid a dozen bolos made from native iron. The ore is very rich, giving 70 to 80 per cent. of iron; when polish
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Iron.
Iron.
It is common to see coal mentioned amongst the mineral resources of the Philippines, but so far as I have been able to learn, no true coal has been found there, nor in any of the adjacent islands. There are beds of lignite of varying quality, and when enthusiastic finders are told of the poor quality of their samples, they reply at once, “It will be better at depth.” The Philippine formations seem to greatly resemble those of Borneo, and there it was found that the lignite got poorer at depth, s
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Coal.
Coal.
It has often been said that the Philippines have never been explored. This is, however, only true of certain regions, and as regards beds of the so-called coal you will find them marked on the maps all over the principal islands. If you proceed to the village nearest the spot, you will find, very probably, that the seam has been known for a century, and that pits or adits have been made and a lot of money spent to no purpose. Nobody ever made any money out of Philippine lignite that I know of, b
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Analysis of Masbate Lignite.
Analysis of Masbate Lignite.
Lead. —Galena is found in Tayabas and in Camarines Norte; in the latter province there is found chromate of lead with ferruginous quartz. This ore is often found mixed with iron or copper pyrites, and sometimes with blende. I have seen samples of galena from Cebú which was said to be auriferous, but I have never heard that any of these ores have been worked anywhere in the islands. If it should be found profitable to smelt the gold-bearing ores, as is so splendidly done at Denver, Col., the gale
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Various Minerals.
Various Minerals.
Kaolín is found in Manila, Batangas and Camarines Sur, and probably in many other places. Marble of a yellowish colour has been quarried at Montalban. I have used some of it, but found it full of faults, and not very satisfactory. Plastic Clays for pottery and for making bricks and tiles abound. Mineral Waters. —As might be expected in a volcanic region, hot springs and mineral waters of very varied constituents abound. I do not think that the analyses of these would interest the general reader.
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Chapter XVII. Manufactures and Industries.
Chapter XVII. Manufactures and Industries.
In some of the towns of Pampanga and Bulacan, notably in Baliúag where the people are specially clever and industrious, excellent silk handkerchiefs are woven. In Camarines and Albay the fabrics of abacá are more commonly woven, and in Cebú the women are accustomed to work at the loom. But it is from Ilo-ilo and neighbourhood that a very large trade is done with the other islands in many kinds of textiles. There also the Visayas work industriously at it as a trade and produce most beautiful fabr
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Chapter XVIII. Commercial and Industrial Prospects.
Chapter XVIII. Commercial and Industrial Prospects.
My despatches have referred to our present percentage of export trade. If now our exports come here as intestate, duty free, we have practical control of Philippine trade, which now amounts to many millions, and because of ingrafting of American energy and methods upon the fabulous natural and productive wealth of these islands, can and probably will be multiplied by twenty during the coming twenty years. All this increment should come to our nation and not go to any other. I hope for an influx
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Climate.
Climate.
The year in Manila may be roughly divided into three seasons:— May is the terrible month of the year, the month of fevers and funerals. Let all who can, leave Manila before this month arrives. Hot, dry winds, dust-laden, pervade the houses, and have such an effect even on well-seasoned hardwoods, that tables, wardrobes and door-panels, split from end to end, or from top to bottom, with a noise like a pistol-shot, leaving cracks a quarter of an inch wide that gape till the rainy season restores t
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Dress.
Dress.
Most of the older houses in Manila are of ample size, and well suited to the climate, but some of the newer ones, built to the designs of a Spanish architect, and having glass windows, are very hot and uncomfortable. It is essential to live in a good-sized house, so as to escape the heat by moving to a different part as the sun goes round. Thus you will have your early breakfast in one corner of the balcony; your tiffin, perhaps, on the ground floor; your tea in the open corridor looking on the
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Houses.
Houses.
The furnishing of a tropical house is much simplified, because no carpets or curtains are needed. The floors are of polished hardwood, and they take a good deal of work to keep them in good order. A few rugs can be put down here and there, if a little colour is required. Where the floor is bad, Chinese matting can be laid down at small expense. Some of the Mestizos import costly furniture, but few of the European residents attempted to follow their example. Vienna bent-wood furniture, with cane
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Furniture.
Furniture.
Frequent baths are indispensable to good health in Manila. Enormous earthenware tubs, made in China, can be procured. These are placed in the bath-room, and filled in the evening, so that the water gets refreshingly cool during the night. It is not at all advisable to get into the water, as the effect is not so good as dashing the water over the head with a small bucket called a tabo . By using the water thus, and rubbing the skin briskly with a towel, a reaction soon sets in, and the bather fee
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Servants.
Servants.
He promptly sets to work, and by twelve, or half-past, presents a tiffin of three or four courses. His afternoon is devoted to preparing the more elaborate dinner due at 7.30 P.M. , when he will be ready to serve soup, fish, entrées, a roast, a curry, and sweets, all conscientiously prepared, and sent in hot. Most excellent curries are made in Manila, both by Chinamen and natives. To my mind, the best are made from prawns, from crab, or from frogs’ legs. If you cannot eat anything else at dinner
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Diet.
Diet.
There is a race of ponies in the islands that is descended from Spanish and Arab horses, and owing to an absolutely haphazard breeding, the size has diminished, although the symmetry has been preserved. Those from Ilocos are the smallest, but they are the hardiest and most spirited. A pair of ponies and a Victoria is an absolute necessity for a lady in Manila, and I have little doubt that an American judge would declare the “failure to provide” to be cruelty and grant a divorce if applied for. B
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Ponies.
Ponies.
The ponies are wonderfully strong and sure-footed. I weigh over 200 lbs., yet some of these ponies have carried me about all day over rough ground without stumbling. They carry a lady beautifully, and riding is the best form of exercise a lady can take. The garden will be a great source of occupation to the mistress of the house. If it is sheltered from the wind and supplied with water, she can grow almost anything. And plants will come up quickly, too, under the influence of the heat and moistu
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The Garden.
The Garden.
You can get most things you want in Manila. The drug-stores are mostly in German hands, but there is one English one where the usual English articles can be got. There is an ample supply of wines, spirits, and preserved provisions at the grocers, and the drapers keep on hand any quantity of silks, muslins, and piece-goods, with all the necessary fixings. French and German shoes are in plenty. The goods in the jewellers’ shops and in the fancy bazaars are all of a very florid style, to suit the g
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Shops.
Shops.
The amusements for ladies were limited to riding, lawn-tennis, boating, picnics, and frequent dances. I remember many delightful dances in Manila. One was given to the officers of the U.S.S. Brooklyn , and another to the U.S.S. Richmond . At the latter, the ladies were in traje del pais , i.e. , dressed as natives and mestizas. And very handsome some of them looked. Now and again some theatrical company would come over, mostly from Saigon. There were a good many dinner parties given amongst the
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Amusements.
Amusements.
I never failed to witness this imposing spectacle when in Manila, and it was mortifying to me to remember that Good Friday in London is nothing but a vulgar holiday, and that probably not one person out of a hundred in its vast population realises in the least degree the event that solemn fast is intended to commemorate. The death-like stillness of Good Friday remained unbroken till High Mass was over on Saturday morning, when the cathedral bells rang out a joyous peal, soon taken up by the bell
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Chapter XX. Sport. (A Chapter for Men.)
Chapter XX. Sport. (A Chapter for Men.)
Polo clubs and rifle clubs had a rather precarious existence, except that the Swiss Rifle Club was well kept up, and there were some excellent shots in it. There was a lawn tennis club, which had ladies and gentlemen as members, and some very good games were played there and valuable prizes given. Shooting was a favourite sport with many Englishmen and a few mestizos. Excellent snipe-shooting is to be had in all the paddy-fields around Manila and the lake. But at San Pedro on the Pasig, there is
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Chapter XXI. Brief Geographical Description of Luzon.
Chapter XXI. Brief Geographical Description of Luzon.
Little has been done in the way of making a trigonometrical survey of the Highlands of Luzon, but some military reconnaissance sketches have been made from time to time by staff or engineer officers employed in building forts, and from these several maps have been compiled. One of the most complete of these is by that intrepid explorer and painstaking geographer, D’Almonte. Another map has been published by Colonel Olleros. It must be admitted that these maps do not agree with each other, but th
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Chapter XXII. Aetas or Negritos, Including Balúgas, Dumágas, Mamanúas, and Manguiánes.
Chapter XXII. Aetas or Negritos, Including Balúgas, Dumágas, Mamanúas, and Manguiánes.
If they can be found, their bows and arrows are no match for the muskets of the Cuadrilleros, and some of them are sure to be killed. After a time peace is restored. The trade for jungle produce is too profitable to the Christians for them to renounce it, whatever the authorities may order. The Negritos do not cultivate the ground but subsist on jungle fruits and edible roots, their great luxury is the wild honey which they greedily devour, and they barter the wax with the Christians for rice an
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Part I. Luzon and Adjacent Islands.
Part I. Luzon and Adjacent Islands.
In other respects, however, they seem, from the same author, to be less worthy of praise, for he goes on to tell us: When some principal man died, in vengeance of his death they cut off many heads, with which they made many feasts and dances.... They had their houses full of wood and stone idols, which they called Tao-tao and Lichac, for temples they had none. And they said that when one of their parents or children died the soul entered into one of these idols, and for this they reverenced them
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Characteristics—Family Life.
Characteristics—Family Life.
The Malays in general are not, perhaps, a handsome race, their flat noses disfigure them in the eyes of the recently-arrived European or American, and it takes time to get accustomed to them. Still, their rich brown skin often covers a symmetrical, lithe and agile figure, the small hands and feet denoting their Turanian origin. The youth of both sexes up to the age of puberty are not seldom of striking beauty, and their appearance is not belied by their behaviour. They are trained in good manner
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Appearance—Manners.
Appearance—Manners.
W. G. Palgrave. ‘Malay Life in the Philippines,’ p. 146. “ Children early trained by precept and example to good manners, show less disposition to noise and mischief than is ordinary elsewhere at their age. ” As will be seen in my text, my own experience rather confirms Palgrave’s opinion, and I should say that even the children of the peasantry would compare favourably both in manners and intelligence with the children at the Board Schools in London, and to say nothing of Glasgow or Liverpool.
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Cleanliness.
Cleanliness.
The Tagal is extremely superstitious, and like his kinsman, the Dayak, he is a believer in omens, although he has not reduced them so completely to a system, and three centuries of Christianity have diverted his superstitions into other channels. In his mind, each cave, each ravine, each mountain, each pool, each stream, has its guardian spirit, to offend or to startle which may be dangerous. These are the jinni of Southern Arabia and Socotra. The Balete tree ( Ficus Urostigima —Sp.) corresponds
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Superstitions.
Superstitions.
Some years ago the Government instituted an examination for midwives, and only those were allowed the practice who had been properly instructed, so that these absurdities and cruelties are on the wane, except amongst the poorest or in outlying districts. The Asúan is merely a cannibal ghost, but the Tagal ghost throws stones, a thing I have not heard of a ghost doing in Europe. All sorts of stories are told about the Asúan , similar to ghost stories in other lands. About 1891 a house in Malate w
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Cursing.
Cursing.
Courtship is sometimes a long business amongst the Tagals. It is still customary in the country districts for the impecunious candidate for matrimony to serve the father of the damsel he desires to wed for a period which may extend to a couple of years or more. He is called a Catipado , and is expected to make himself generally useful, and to take a hand in any labour that may be going on, sowing or reaping, mending the roof, or patching the canoe. It is his privilege to assist the girl of his c
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Courtship.
Courtship.
But let us return to the Catipado . He must be very careful not to give cause of offence to the elders of the family, more especially towards the end of his term, as there may be a disposition amongst them to dismiss him, and take on another to begin a new term. In fact, many natives have shown themselves so unwilling to consent to their daughter’s marriage, when no sufficient reason could be given for their refusal, that the Governor-General, representing the Crown, is entrusted with a special
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Marriage.
Marriage.
Roast pig is a standing dish at these feasts, the animal being roasted whole, on a spit over a fire made on the ground. A professional roaster superintends the operation, and the pig is brought to a fine even colour all over. Sometimes there are roast turkeys or roast mutton and kid, possibly beef cooked in various ways, surely fish of different kinds, fresh, salted, or smoked; the indispensable boiled rice or morisqueta , and an abundance of sweets, fruits in syrup, guava jelly, and Dutch chees
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Wedding Feasts.
Wedding Feasts.
1 The territory occupied by each tribe is shown on the general map of Mindanao by the number on this list. 2 Ajonjoli ( Sesamun Indicum , L.). See Chap. XIX . for Gogo. The houses of the well-to-do natives are large and airy, and are kept scrupulously clean under the vigilant eye of the mistress. Hospitality is a characteristic of the Tagal. According to his means he keeps open house on religious feast-days or on family festivals, and readily invites to his table at any time travellers who may b
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The More Instruction the less Honesty.
The More Instruction the less Honesty.
Dare I, at the tail-end of the nineteenth century, in the days of Board Schools, County Councils, conscientious objectors, and Hooligans, venture to recall to mind a saying of that grand old Conservative, the Peruvian Solomon, Tupac Inca Yupanqui? “Science should only be taught to those of generous blood, for the meaner sort are only puffed up, and rendered vain and arrogant by it. Neither should such mingle in the affairs of state, for by that means high offices are brought into disrepute.” 4 T
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Unsuitable Training.
Unsuitable Training.
I may say, however, that one should not be too hard on the Tagals for this crime, since at a much later date a massacre of priests occurred in Madrid, on account of a similar belief. It was started because a lad, the servant of a priest, was seen to throw some white powder into the Fuente Castellana. I have not at hand the details of this massacre, but the friars were slaughtered like pigs. In the dreadful epidemic of cholera in 1882, the natives behaved very well, and I must give General Primo
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Tagal Literature.
Tagal Literature.
The poem begins— “O maamong Ester mananalong Judit Mariang linanag nitong sang daigdig.” and concludes— “Panang nang pupuri ang lahat nang cabig Sa yanang inaguling ang tinamo i sangit.” I do not think it is necessary to quote any more, as this gives the reader sufficient idea of the language. There is much that is good in the Tagal, much to like and admire. Antonio de Morga, Sinibaldo de Mas, Tomás de Comyn, Paul de la Gironière, Jagor, Bowring, Palgrave, Foreman, Stevens, Worcester—all have so
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Sugar Crop.
Sugar Crop.
In former years I pointed out, in a report written for General Jovellar, what a great advantage it would be to Pampanga if the planters would abandon the use of pilones and make sugar suitable for direct export and so obviate the manipulation in the farderias at Manila. They could make a sugar similar to that produced in Negros and known as Ilo-ilo. Now that the Philippines have passed into the hands of the United States, I do not doubt that central sugar factories will be established and will t
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Pampangos as Fishermen.
Pampangos as Fishermen.
The natives of this part of the province are good wood-men and hunters. In addition to taking game by nets and ambuscade, some of them hunt the deer on ponies which are trained to run at full speed after the game, up or down hill, and to get near enough for the rider to throw or use his lance. Being at Porac in 1879 with the late Major Deare, 74th Highlanders (now 2nd Batt. Highland Light Infantry), an enthusiastic sportsman, we saw two men who had practised this sport for years, and were told t
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Pampangos as Hunters.
Pampangos as Hunters.
Pampanga has produced some notable bandits or Tulisanes who have given the Spaniards much trouble. Of late years there has been a diminution in the number of crimes of violence, due in a great measure to the establishment of the Guardia Civil by General Gándara in 1867. I once built a nipa house on the banks of the Rio Grande, near Macabébe, and resided there for several months, carrying on some works. I was new to the country and ignorant of the customs of the people. There were no other Europe
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Tulisanes.
Tulisanes.
The hereditary taint of piracy in the Malay blood, and the low moral standard prevailing in the Archipelago, as well as fear of the consequences of a refusal, render it more difficult than a stranger can realise for a native servant to resist such a temptation. The women in Pampanga are smart in appearance, clever in business, and good at a bargain, whether buying or selling. The men are well aware of this and when selling their produce or buying a sugar-mill, they like to have the assistance of
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Pampanga Women.
Pampanga Women.
1 The roller pinions in both Chinese and native mills are of hard wood. 2 Crocodilus Porosus. The Zambales are a small and unimportant tribe of the Malay race, with some admixture of Negrito blood. They inhabit part of the province of Zambales from the River Nája down to South Felipe, a coast village in 15° N. latitude, and in their mountains there roam a good many Negritos. The Zambales are subjugated and converted to Christianity, but some still maintain a partial independence amongst the moun
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Pangasinanes (4).
Pangasinanes (4).
In some parts of the province they make sugar, but it will not compare in quality with that made in Pampanga. It has a smaller grain and a paler colour, but less sweetening power. The average of thirty samples, taken as the sugar was ladled out of the tacho , was— It is drained in pilones, or earthenware moulds; but, unlike the Pampanga custom, the moulds are not delivered with the sugar, but the leaf is wrapped in the dried sheaths of the palm, tied about with split rattan. Most of the sugar is
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Ilocanos (5).
Ilocanos (5).
The Ibanags inhabit the Babuyanes and Batanes Islands and the northern coast of Luzon, from Point Lacaytacay to Punta Escarpada, and all the country comprised between the Rio Grande and the summits of the Sierra Madre as far south as Balasig. They also hold the left bank of the river from the sea, right up to the confluence of the River Magat for an average width of some five miles. They are said to be the finest race and the most valiant men in the islands, and to have manfully resisted the Spa
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Ibanags or Cagayanes (6).
Ibanags or Cagayanes (6).
Amongst the Ibanags the distinction of noble and plebeian has been as strongly marked as amongst the Tagals, Pampangos, and Ilocanos, and the intense cupidity of the nobles, or rather usurers, which name better describes them, has led to many bloody outbreaks on the part of the oppressed and enslaved debtors. The government has steadily encouraged the Ilocanos and others to settle in Cagayan and plant tobacco, giving them free passages and advances of money in the days of the monopoly. On the ot
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Missions in Tinguian and Igorrote Territory. 1892.
Missions in Tinguian and Igorrote Territory. 1892.
All the inhabitants of these towns and villages are Christians, and either they or their ancestors were baptised by missionaries of the Augustinian order....
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Some Manufactures of the Igorrotes.
Some Manufactures of the Igorrotes.
Igorrote Dresses and Ornaments, Water-Jar, Dripstones, Pipes, and Baskets. [ To face p. 264. Anitos, Highlands of Luzon. Anito of the Igorrotes. Igorrote Drums. [ To face p. 266. 1 They sell about 25,000 bales per annum. A small tribe living in the northern part of Pangasinan, towards Mount Caraballo del Sur. They are now merged in the Pangasinanes, and have lost all distinctive customs. A small tribe living about Caranglan in the South Caraballo. They were formerly fierce and warlike, but have
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Abacas (12).
Abacas (12).
These people live in the south-west corner of Nueva Vizcaya, about the head-waters of the River Magat. They are numerous, and occupy many towns and villages, amongst them Bayombong, Dupax, Bambang, and Aritas. They were formerly warlike head-hunters, and are said to have devoured the hearts and brains of their slain enemies in order to inherit their courage and wisdom. This is a Chinese idea, and is even now practised in Canton, where pieces of the heart and liver of a particularly hardened and
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Italones (13).
Italones (13).
These savages inhabit the hilly country about the sources of the River Casepuan, which, according to D’Almonte’s map, is a tributary of the River Casiguran, which runs into the Bay of Baler; but, according to Olleros, is a tributary of the Rio Grande de Cagayan. However this may be, their habitat is on the borders of Nueva Écija and Nueva Vizcaya. Some of these people have been subjugated, but the others live a nomadic life in the mountain forests, and resemble the Negritos. Their pleasure is to
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Ibilaos (14).
Ibilaos (14).
The Ilongotes inhabit the rocky fastnesses of the range of mountains on the east coast, called the Caraballo de Baler, the whole length of the Distrito del Principe, the north-east corner of Nueva Vizcaya and a strip of the southern part of Isabela. Their neighbours on the east are the Negritos, who live along the sea-shore. These people are also their neighbours on the north, where they inhabit the mountains. On the west they have the Ifugaos in the northerly part of their boundary, and civilis
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Ilongotes (15).
Ilongotes (15).
These people are very numerous, and inhabit the north-west corner of Nueva Vizcaya, and the south-west corner of Isabela, between the Cordillera Central and the River Magat. For neighbours, they have on the east the Ifugaos, those deadly lasso-throwers; on the west, the Igorrotes are separated from them by the Cordillera; to the north they have the Gaddanes, and the Itetapanes, and to the south the Italones. In appearance, dress, arms and ornaments, they resemble the Igorrotes of Lepanto. The If
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Mayoyaos and Silipanes (16).
Mayoyaos and Silipanes (16).
The Ifugaos, who bear a strong resemblance to the Japanese, inhabit a territory in central Nueva Vizcaya, and in the south of Isabela, mostly between the River Magat and the Rio Grande, but they have a great many hamlets on the left bank of the Magat. They cultivate rice, camote, and other crops, but prefer to live by robbery whenever possible. They are persistent head-hunters, frequently at war with the neighbouring tribes, or amongst themselves. One notable peculiarity must be mentioned. Besid
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Ifugaos (17).
Ifugaos (17).
The Gaddanes occupy the north-east quarter of Saltan and Bondoc, and their territory stretches over into Isabela in a south-easterly direction to the River Magat, thus bordering on the five-mile strip of Ibanag territory on the left bank of the Rio Grande. The upper part of the Rio Chico runs through their Saltan territory, and the River Libug through their Isabela territory. In appearance they are darker than any other of the hillmen of Luzon. They are not as well built as the Igorrotes. They h
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Gaddanes (18).
Gaddanes (18).
These people live in Bontoc, almost the centre of Northern Luzon. On the west they have the Busaos Igorrotes, on the east the Gaddanes, to the north-west they have the Guinanes, and to the south the Mayoyaos. They are more like the Gaddanes than any other neighbours, especially in the eyes and hair, yet in other respects they are something like the Negritos in appearance, and much more so in their dispositions and customs, for it has not been possible to civilise them. Their arms are the same as
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Itetapanes (19).
Itetapanes (19).
These terrible neighbours of the peaceful Tinguianes inhabit both slopes of the Cordillera Central in Abra and Bontoc. They do not pass to the west of the River Abra, or its affluent, the Pusulguan. On the south the Guinanes have the warlike Busaos, who are well able to defend themselves, and to retaliate on their aggressors. Consequently, the Tinguianes are the principal victims; in fact, some years back, they had no peace, and are not now free from danger. The fame and respect enjoyed by a suc
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Guinanes (20).
Guinanes (20).
A small tribe, living in a strip of country stretching across the great loop formed by the Rio Chico de Cagayan just before it enters the Rio Grande. They are peaceful and industrious cultivators, and grow rice and excellent tobacco. In former days, when the State monopoly was in force, they used to smuggle this, and were attacked, and their plantations laid waste in consequence. But now they are able to trade freely, and must have become prosperous. Very little is known about them. The word Cal
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Camuangas and Bayabonanes (22).
Camuangas and Bayabonanes (22).
A small tribe living in the north-west comer of Isabela, not far from the left bank of the Rio Grande....
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Dadayags (23).
Dadayags (23).
These people, who have a language of their own, live in two long valleys extending from the Cordillera Central towards the east. According to D’Almonte’s map, these parallel valleys lead down to the town of Malaneg, and in each of them there is a river. That in the northern valley is called the River Nabbuangan, and that in the southern valley the River Nabbuanguan. They join before reaching Malaneg, forming the River Nagalat, a tributary of the Rio Chico de Cagayan. Nothing is known of their re
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Nabayuganes (24).
Nabayuganes (24).
This tribe inhabits the hills to the west of the junction of the Rio Grande and Rio Chico of Cagayan. They have the Apayaos on the west, the Ibanags on the east, the Calingas on the north, and the Ilanes on the south. They are peaceful, and partly converted to Christianity....
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Aripas (25).
Aripas (25).
These people inhabit the mountains to the north of the Aripas. On their north and east they have the Ibanags, and on the west the Apayaos. They are supposed to have a good deal of Chinese blood in their veins. They are now peaceful, like the Aripas....
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Calingas (26).
Calingas (26).
The Tinguianes inhabit the western half of the province of Abra, and their villages are thickly scattered about on the eastern slopes of the Ilocos mountains, and on the banks of the River Abra. They have also pushed their way to the extreme north-east corner of Abra, and they extend southwards and westwards along the coast as far as Punta Darigayos. Santiago is a Christian Tinguian town, and was founded in 1736. The Tinguianes are of a peaceful disposition, and are gradually becoming civilised
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Tinguianes (27).
Tinguianes (27).
Their marriages are conducted in a similar manner to those of other tribes, the ceremony, whether Christian or heathen, being followed by the usual feasts and dancing, and music in the intervals of eating and drinking. Their instruments are drums, flutes and guitars. As usual, roast pig is the principal dish, the animal being roasted whole on a spit of cane. When the feast is over the newly-married couple are conducted to their house by the principal chief or elder. A large mat being spread on t
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Adangs (28).
Adangs (28).
This race was formerly very warlike, but is now more civilized, and many even converted to Christianity. They inhabit the mountainous region round about the River Apayao, on the east of the Cordillera del Norte and extend down towards the plains of the Rio Chico. They pay some attention to agriculture, and besides growing vegetables and maize for their own use, they raise tobacco and cacao which they trade away to the Ilocanos in exchange for such articles as they require. Their houses compare f
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Apayaos (29).
Apayaos (29).
The Irayas live in scattered hamlets on the summits of the Sierra Madre, and on its western slopes right down to the Rio Grande. Their territory extends for about twenty geographical miles on each side of the 17th parallel. Amongst them live many Negritos who have renounced their nomadic life, and have adopted the manners and customs of their hosts. The tattooing of the Irayas and Negritos is similar. The Irayas are a Malay tribe amongst whom are found individuals of a Mongolian type, others are
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Catalanganes and Irayas (30–31).
Catalanganes and Irayas (30–31).
Both Irayas and Catalanganes have Gobernadorcillos appointed by the Spanish Military Governor of Isabela. They pay the poll-tax, called by the Spaniards “Acknowledgment of Vassalage,” but are otherwise independent and administer their own laws and customs. They are quite peaceful, and will doubtless in time advance in civilisation. A tribe of savages inhabiting the mountains of Guinayangan in Tayabas, from whence they raid the Christian villages and drive off cattle. Nothing is known about their
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Vicols (33).
Vicols (33).
He was said to be a man of great ambition, and I can quite believe it. Originally a Dominican monk, it was intended that he should have been made Archbishop of Manila, but, somehow, Father Pedro Paya, at that time Procurator of the Order in Madrid, got himself nominated instead, and Gainza had to content himself with the bishopric of Nueva Cáceres. He was a model of self-denial, living most frugally on a small part of his revenue, contributing a thousand dollars a year to the funds of the Holy F
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Mestizos, or Half-Breeds.
Mestizos, or Half-Breeds.
Area and population—Panay—Negros—Cebú—Bohol—Leyte—Samar. This name is given to the group of six considerable islands lying between Luzon and Mindanao, and also to the race inhabiting them. Beginning at the west, these islands are Panay, Negros, Cebú, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. There are also a number of smaller islands. Many of the larger as well as the smaller islands are thickly populated, and an extensive emigration takes place to the great and fertile island of Mindanao, where any amount of ri
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Chapter XXXII. The Visayas Islands.
Chapter XXXII. The Visayas Islands.
Ilo-ilo is open to foreign commerce, and vice-consuls of many nations reside there. Yet the port has neither wharves, cranes, moorings or lights. The coasting steamers drawing up to 13 feet enter a muddy creek and discharge their cargo on the banks as best they can, whilst the ocean-going ships lie out in the bay and receive their cargoes of sugar and other produce from lighters, upon each of which pilotage used to be charged for the benefit of an unnecessary number of pilots, and of the captain
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Chapter XXXIII. The Visayas Race.
Chapter XXXIII. The Visayas Race.
They had learnt much from Arab and Bornean adventurers, especially from the former, whose superior physique, learning, and sanctity, as coming from the country of the Prophet, made them acceptable suitors for the hands of the daughters of the Rajas or petty kings. They had brought with them the doctrines of Islam, which had begun to make some converts before the Spanish discovery. The old Visaya religion was not unlike that of the Tagals, they called their idols Dinatas instead of Anitos—their m
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Tandulanos.
Tandulanos.
These people have been described under the heading Aetas or Negritos, in Part I. The first-named inhabit the interior of that part of the island occupied by the Moros who jealously prevent them from holding any intercourse with strangers. Moros of Southern Palawan. —These people do not differ in any essential particular from the Moros of Mindanao. They look back with regret on the good old days before the advent of the steam gun-boats, and the establishment of the fortified posts along their sho
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Manguianes and Negritos of Palawan.
Manguianes and Negritos of Palawan.
Communicated to F. H. Sawyer by Fray Lorenzo Zapater, Missionary at Inagáhuan, Palawan. Vowels . N.B. —The Roman letters are to be pronounced as in Spanish and the Tagbanúa correspondingly, Ah, bay , say , day , aye or ee , o or oo , pay , ku , etc....
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Tagbanúa Alphabet.
Tagbanúa Alphabet.
Vowels . N.B. —The Roman letters are to be pronounced as in Spanish and the Tagbanúa correspondingly, Ah, bay , say , day , aye or ee , o or oo , pay , ku , etc. (Translation.) 1. The consonants in the Tagbanúa alphabet are eleven and sometimes twelve, but the vowels are three, since the ia and the oa which are vowels, are compound letters, although strictly they may be considered as vowels, but the ia and the ua are written the same, as has been said. 2. In reading the Tagbanúa alphabet, you be
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Notes by the Padre Zapater.
Notes by the Padre Zapater.
Configuration—Mountains—Rivers—Lakes—Division into districts—Administration—Productions—Basilan. Mindanao is of a very irregular shape, which it is not easy to describe. It has some resemblance to a winged skate, with a long tail, one of the Raiidæ , which is common in Manila Bay. The head of the skate is turned to the east; the peninsula of Surigao forms the northern wing, and Punta Panguian the tip of the southern wing, out of which, however, a great piece has been bitten, corresponding to the
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Part III. Mindanao, Including Basilan.
Part III. Mindanao, Including Basilan.
Approximately parallel to the Eastern Cordillera, and at about fifty geographical miles distance, there stands another range which I shall call the Central Cordillera. A line drawn from Punta Diuata to the middle of the Gulf of Sarangani, nearly due north and south, intersects Mt. Sinalagao, Mt. Panamoyan, the active volcano, Mt. Apo and Mt. Matutuan, which appear to be the loftiest peaks of the range. From Mt. Panamoyan in about 7° 50′ N. Lat. a spur strikes eastwards at right angles to the ran
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Productions of Mindanao.
Productions of Mindanao.
The sixth district of Mindanao is formed of the Basilan group of some forty islands lying opposite to Zamboanga, having a total area of 170,000 acres. The only important one of the group is Basilan Island, which has an irregular outline, an oval with two projections opposite each other, east and west, the latter resembles a turtle’s head and the former a turtle’s tail, so that the shape of the island on the map is that of a turtle with his head to the west. The total length from the point of the
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Basilan.
Basilan.
The map of the island is from a report of Father Cavalleria who went by sea right round it in 1893. In another part of the book I have given a description of the Visayas in their own islands, and have spoken of their enterprise and industry as manifested in the extent of their exports of sugar and hemp, and in their manufacture of textiles of the most varied kind. The Visayas of Mindanao have been modified by their environment both for good and evil. Thus they are bolder and more warlike than th
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Visayas (1) [Old Christians].
Visayas (1) [Old Christians].
Both traders cheat the hill-tribes most abominably. Dr. Montano mentions a case which happened in Butuan in December, 1879. A Visaya went into the interior taking with him some threads of different colours which he had purchased for seventy-five cents, and returned with jungle produce worth ten dollars. This he invested in beads, brass-wire, and other articles of trade, and returned to the woods. In a month he came back, bringing produce to the value of 100 dollars, and 400 dollars to his credit
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Mamanúas (2).
Mamanúas (2).
The Manobos are a warlike heathen race, widely extended in Mindanao. The great River Agusan, taking its rise in the district of Davao, in 7° N. latitude, falls into the Bay of Butuan about 9° N. latitude. Its general course is parallel to the eastern Cordillera, from which it receives numerous tributaries. At almost 8° 15′ N. latitude it expands, and forms four considerable lakes of no great depth, and varying in extent according to the season. They are partly covered by aquatic plants. These la
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Manobos (3).
Manobos (3).
The Manobos are very smart in handling canoes or rafts on their rivers, which are very dangerous to navigate, and have many rapids and whirlpools; the Pulangui even precipitates itself into a chasm, and runs underground for a league and a half. However, the terrible picture I have drawn of their habits is becoming year by year a thing of the past to thousands of Manobos, although still kept up in places. The intrepidity of the Jesuit missionaries is proof against every danger and every privation
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Mandayas (4).
Mandayas (4).
Ancestral-worship is their religion, and their Dinatas , or wooden idols, are stained red with the sap of the narra tree. They have priestesses whom they call Bailanes , and they are said to occasionally make human sacrifices. As amongst other tribes in Mindanao, the Limbucun , or turtle-dove, is a sacred bird, and rice and fruit is placed for its use on a small raised platform, and it is never molested. They are organised in a strict feudal system, the headman or datto of each village is in fac
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Manguángas (5).
Manguángas (5).
The Spanish word Montés, means hill-man. Buquid, in Tagal, means arable land; and Taga-buquid, a countryman. The Tagal equivalent of hill-man is Taga-bundoc, which corresponds to the jungle-wallah of British India. The word Buquidnónes may mean cultivators, and their extensive plantations fully justify this designation. It is therefore rather a vague expression, but still designates a particular tribe in Mindanao, whose numbers were estimated to amount to 13,000 ten years ago, and who have proba
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Montéses or Buquidnónes (6).
Montéses or Buquidnónes (6).
Father Clotet mentioned a curious necklace worn by one of these women, formed of ancient silver coins, diminishing in size from the centre to the extremities. In the middle was a silver dollar of Charles III. He considered this to be worth thirty dollars, which was quite a capital to a Montés in a small hamlet. Even when pressed by necessity they will not sell these ornaments, and they consequently pass from father to son for many generations. They wear rings of brass, silver or gold, not only o
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Atás or Ata-as (7).
Atás or Ata-as (7).
The Guiangas live on the slopes of Mount Apo, to the North of the Bagobos, whom they much resemble in manners and customs. In view of the small territory they occupy, they cannot be numerous. They have a rather effeminate air, the men wearing their hair long; but notwithstanding this, they are quite robust, of remarkable agility, and very adroit in the use of arms. Heathen Guiangas, from the Slopes of the Apo. [ To face p. 349. Montano gives the average height of the man as 5 feet 4½ inches, and
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Guiangas (8).
Guiangas (8).
As amongst other tribes, the death of a datto, or of one of his wives, requires a human sacrifice in number proportionate to the rank of the defunct. The victims are usually taken from amongst the slaves of the datto, but in some cases they are purchased by public subscription. Being securely fastened to trees so that they cannot move, the largest subscriber inflicts a stab—politely avoiding giving a mortal wound, then the others follow in accordance with the importance of their subscription. Th
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Bagobos (9).
Bagobos (9).
The Datto Manib, Principal Bagani of the Bagobos, with some Wives and Followers and two Missionaries. The Jesuits have made many converts amongst them, and they were, till the Spanish-American war, under the spiritual care of the veteran missionary, Father Urios, and his assistants. In October, 1894, 400 Bagobos were baptized. I am unable to give the numbers of the Bagobos, even approximately, but, from the small territory they occupy, they cannot be numerous. The illustration shows the celebrat
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Calaganes (10).
Calaganes (10).
The Tagacaolos live in the district of Davao, on the west coast of the gulf from Malalao as far south as Lais. There are also some living on the peninsula of San Agustin, between Cuabo and Macambol. Physically, they are inferior to the neighbouring tribes, not so much in stature as in muscular development. They are timid, and those who are still heathen select places for their hamlets that cannot easily be surprised, such as rocks, or crags without forest round them, although this obliges them t
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Tagacaolos (11).
Tagacaolos (11).
The Dulanganes hold a territory about twenty miles square to the south of the Tirurayes, which extends from the crests of the mountains to the coast. On the east they have the Vilanes. I have not been able to learn anything whatever about this people, nor, so far as I know, are there any reducciones in their territory....
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Dulanganes (12).
Dulanganes (12).
The Tirurayes occupy the hills to the south of the delta of the Rio Grande, the coast being occupied by Moros. They are reported to be of low type, physically, and to hold the chastity of their wives and daughters as of no account. The proximity of the Moros probably accounts for this looseness of morals. The missionaries have been working amongst them for years, and in 1891 they had baptized 109. However, the converts were not settled in towns, but wandered about the hills as they liked. Since
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Tirurayes (13).
Tirurayes (13).
The Tagabelies inhabit the hilly country between Lake Buluan and the Gulf of Sarangani, to the west of the volcanoes Magolo and Maluturin. They are reported to be very ferocious, and have not been visited by the missionaries....
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Tagabelies (14).
Tagabelies (14).
These people inhabit the islands of Samal and Talicud, in the Gulf of Davao, and are not to be confounded with the Moros Samales of Tawi-tawi and Jolo. The Samales surpass both the Moros and Nisayas in muscular development and stature. Their feet and hands are large; they have high and projecting cheek-bones, and a stiff beard standing out round the face gives it, according to Montano, something of a cat-like appearance. Both sexes dress like the Moros. They are less ferocious than their neighbo
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Samales (15).
Samales (15).
They placed near the coffin buyo and bonga for chewing, and vases containing rice and maize. Each year after the harvest they went to visit the dead, and renewed the offerings. Little is known of their former religion, but they worshipped the serpent, and believed in the immortality of the soul, and in a place of punishment by fire, which they called Quilut. The patience and zeal of the missionaries has, however, been richly rewarded, and in June, 1894, a number of Samales were baptized, includi
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Vilanes (16).
Vilanes (16).
The word Subanos means dwellers by the rivers, from suba—a river. This numerous tribe inhabits the western peninsula of Mindanao from Misamis to Zamboanga, except the coasts which are mostly occupied by Visayas or Moros. They are of a darker colour and inferior in physique to the Mandayas and Montéses. Like other races in Mindanao the Subanos are organised under dattos or baganis in a feudal system. It is said that he who has killed one enemy may wear a red head-cloth, whilst other tribes only c
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Subanos (17).
Subanos (17).
The houses of the Subanos are similarly constructed to those of the Manobos, Montéses, and other tribes, but are not always raised so high from the ground, and are more roughly built. Their food is similar to that of the other heathen tribes. The men wear their hair long, but coiled up on the head, and covered with a kerchief worn like a turban. They dress in a tight jacket and trousers, either white, blue, or red. Sometimes they wear a sash. The men do not wear ear-ornaments of any kind. The wo
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Chapter XXXVIII. The Moros, or Mahometan Malays (18 to 23).
Chapter XXXVIII. The Moros, or Mahometan Malays (18 to 23).
The Moro Sword and Spear. [ To face p. 363. Should the assault slacken they never fail to rush out, helmet on head, clad in coats of mail, and with sword and buckler engage the foe in a desperate hand-to-hand struggle where quarter is neither asked nor given. The annals of Moro-Spanish war include many well-contested combats, where, to use the language of Froissart, “many heavy blows were given and received,” where the most desperate exertions of Spain’s bravest officers, backed up by their war-
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The Chinese in Mindanao.
The Chinese in Mindanao.
The Chinamen abominably cheat all those who are unable to protect themselves. Their business is based upon false weights and measures, and on adulteration. In the end, they spoil every business they enter upon, just as they have done the tea trade in their own country, and the tobacco and indigo trade in the Philippines. They require to be closely looked after, and should be made to pay special taxes, which they can well afford. Some of the Chinese become converts, not that their mean and sordid
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List of Posts in Mindanao Garrisoned by Detachments of the Native Army with Spanish Officers in 1894.
List of Posts in Mindanao Garrisoned by Detachments of the Native Army with Spanish Officers in 1894.
This number is exclusive of the garrisons of Zamoanga and Davao....
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Estimate of the Moro Forces in Mindanao in the Year 1894.
Estimate of the Moro Forces in Mindanao in the Year 1894.
The fighting-men of the River Pulangui, and the Rio Grande comprised within the 5th District are not included in this list, as many of them have submitted to the Spaniards, and there appears little to fear from them. Only those who are quite independent and war-like, and who may be considered dangerous have been set down....
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Population of Mindanao in 1894. As given by José Nieto Aguilar.
Population of Mindanao in 1894. As given by José Nieto Aguilar.
1 The territory of Sibuguey is almost unexplored. 2 The principal industry of Christians or Moros, is washing the sands and alluvial soils for gold, which is found in abundance. Agriculture is progressing. 3 The principal industry is washing the sands and mining for gold. 4 From Jesuit records the Christian population of Davao was 12,000 in 1896. This number included over 3000 converted Moros. There were also some 2,000 Moros residing there. The Jesuits residing on the spot must know best. 5 Nie
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Export Statistics.
Export Statistics.
1 Value $1,600,000. The copra comes from Laguna, Tayahas, Albay, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao, and the bulk of it goes to Marseilles, some to Liverpool, a little to Spain and Italy. Manila-Dagupan Railway. The above is taken from a pamphlet called ‘Filipinas’ Fundamental Problem,’ by a Spaniard long resident in those islands, published in Madrid, 1891, by D. Luis Aguado. The pamphlet itself is a violent attack on Rizal and those who sympathised with him, and holds out as the only remedy against ins
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An Estimate of the Population of the Philippines in 1890.
An Estimate of the Population of the Philippines in 1890.
N.B. —Expenditure on Army and Navy $9,608,970, considerably more than half the total revenue. Value of Land. Official valuation of land required for the construction of the Manila-Dagupan Railway. The expropriation commenced in 1888 and continued up to end of 1892, and the prices paid were far in excess of estimate. Price is given in Mexican dollars per acre. 1 2 See Table of dues on Exports. 3 See Table of this tax. 4 In August 1900 the Straits Settlements Government received offers for the opi
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Corrections
Corrections
The following corrections have been applied to the text:...
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