Produced by Tamiko I. Rollings, Jeroen Hellingman and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
(This file was produced from images generously made
available by Cornell University Digital Collections)
THE INHABITANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
By
FREDERIC H. SAWYER
Memb. Inst. C.E., Memb. Inst. N.A.
London
Sampson Low, Marston and Company Limited
St. Dunstan's House
Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.
1900
London:
Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Limited,
Stamford Street and Charing Cross.
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 their manners and customs. He resided in Luzon
for fourteen years, making trips either on business or for sport all
over the Central and Southern Provinces, also visiting Cebu, Iloilo,
and other ports in Visayas, as well as Calamianes, Cuyos, and Palawan.
Old Spanish chroniclers praise the good breeding of the natives,
and remark the quick intelligence of the young.
Recent writers are less favourable; Canamaque holds them up to
ridicule, Monteverde denies them the possession of any good quality
either of body or mind.
Foreman declares that a voluntary concession of justice is regarded by
them as a sign of weakness; other writers judge them from a few days'
experience of some of the cross-bred corrupted denizens of Manila.
Mr. Whitelaw Reid denounces them as rebels, savages, and treacherous
barbarians.
Mr. McKinley is struck by their ingratitude for American kindness
and mercy.
Senator Beveridge declares that the inhabitants of Mindanao are
incapable of civilisation.
It seems to have been left to French and German contemporary
writers, such as Dr. Montano and Professor Blumentritt to show a more
appreciative, and the author thinks, a fairer spirit, than those who
have requited the hospitality of the Filipinos by painting them in
the darkest colours. It will be only fair to exempt from this censure
two American naval officers, Paymaster Wilcox and Mr. L. S. Sargent,
who travelled in North Luzon and drew up a report of what they saw.
As regards the accusation of being savages, the Tagals can claim to
have treated their prisoners of war, both Spaniards and Americans
with humanity, and to be fairer fighters than the Boers.
The writer has endeavoured to describe the people as he found them. If
his estimate of them is more favourable than that of others, it may
be that he exercised more care in declining to do business with, or
to admit to his service natives of doubtful reputation; for he found
his clients punctual in their payments, and his employes, workmen
and servants, skilful, industrious, and grateful for benefits bestowed.
If the natives fared badly at the hands of recent authors, the Spanish
Administration fared worse, for it has been painted in the darkest
tints, and unsparingly condemned.
It was indeed corrupt and defective, and what government is not? More
than anything, it was behind the age, yet it was not without its
good points.
Until an inept bureaucracy was substituted for the old paternal rule,
and the revenue quadrupled by increased taxation, the Filipinos were
as happy a community as could be found in any colony. The population
greatly multiplied; they lived in competence, if not in affluence;
cultivation was extended, and the exports steadily increased.
The natives were secured the perpetual usufruct of the land they
tilled, they were protected against the usurer, that curse of East
and West.
In guaranteeing the land to the husbandman, the "Laws of the Indies"
compare favourably with the law of the United States regarding
Indian land tenure. The Supreme Court in 1823 decided that "discovery
gives the dominion of the land discovered to the States of which the
discoverers were the subjects."
It has been almost an axiom with some writers that no advance was
made or could be made under Spanish rule.
There were difficulties indeed. The Colonial Minister, importuned on
the one hand by doctrinaire liberals, whose crude schemes of reform
would have set the Archipelago on fire, and confronted on the other
by the serried phalanx of the Friars with their hired literary bravos,
was very much in the position of being between the devil and the deep
sea, or, as the Spaniards phrase it "entre la espada y la pared."
Even thus the Administration could boast of some reforms and
improvements.
The hateful slavery of the Cagayanes had been abolished; the forced
cultivation of tobacco was a thing of the past, and in all the
Archipelago the corvee had been reduced.
A telegraph cable connecting Manila with Hong Kong and the world's
telegraph system had been laid and subsidized. Telegraph wires were
extended to all the principal towns of Luzon; lines of mail steamers
to all the principal ports of the Archipelago were established and
subsidized. A railway 120 miles long had been built from Manila to
Dagupan under guarantee. A steam tramway had been laid to Malabon,
and horse tramways through the suburbs of Manila. The Quay walls of
the Pasig had been improved, and the river illuminated from its mouth
to the bridge by powerful electric arc lights.
Several lighthouses had been built, others were in progress. A
capacious harbour was in construction, although unfortunately defective
in design and execution. The Manila waterworks had been completed
and greatly reduced the mortality of the city. The schools were well
attended, and a large proportion of the population could read and
write. Technical schools had been established in Manila and Iloilo, and
were eagerly attended. Credit appears to be due to the Administration
for these measures, but it is rare to see any mention of them.
As regards the Religious Orders that have played so important a part
scarcely a word has been said in their favour. Worcester declares
his conviction that their influence is wholly bad. However they take
a lot of killing and seem to have got round the Peace Commission and
General Otis.
They are not wholly bad, and they have had a glorious history. They
held the islands from 1570 to 1828, without any permanent garrison
of Spanish regular troops, and from 1828 to 1883 with about 1500
artillerymen. They did not entirely rely upon brute force. They are
certainly no longer suited to the circumstances of the Philippines
having survived their utility. They are an anachronism. But they have
brought the Philippines a long way on the path of civilisation. Let us
be just; what British, French, or Dutch colony, populated by natives,
can compare with the Philippines as they were till 1895?
And what about American rule? It has begun unfortunately, and has
raised a feeling of hatred in the natives that will take a generation
to efface. It will not be enough for the United States to beat down
armed resistance. A huge army must be maintained to keep the natives
down. As soon as the Americans are at war with one of the Great Powers,
the natives will rise; whenever a land-tax is imposed there will be
an insurrection.
The great difference between this war and former insurrections is
that now for the first time the natives have rifles and ammunition,
and have learned to use them. Not all the United States Navy can
stop them from bringing in fresh supplies. Unless some arrangement
is come to with the natives, there can be no lasting peace. Such an
arrangement I believe quite possible, and that it could be brought
about in a manner satisfactory to both parties.
This would not be, however, on the lines suggested in the National
Review of September under the heading, "Will the United States withdraw
from the Philippines?"
Three centuries of Spanish rule is not a fit preparation for
undertaking the government of the Archipelago. But Central and Southern
Luzon, with the adjacent islands, might be formed into a State whose
inhabitants would be all Tagals and Vicols, and the northern part into
another State whose most important peoples would be the Pampangos,
the Pangasinanes, the Ilocanos, and the Cagayanes; the Igorrotes and
other heathen having a special Protector to look after their interests.
Visayas might form a third State, all the inhabitants being of that
race, whilst Mindanao and Southern Palawan should be entirely governed
by Americans like a British Crown Colony.
The Sulu Sultanate could be a Protectorate similar to North Borneo
or the Malay States. Manila could be a sort of Federal District, and
the Consuls would be accredited to the President's representative,
the foreign relations being solely under his direction. There should
be one tariff for all the islands, for revenue only, treating all
nations alike, the custom houses, telegraphs, post offices, and
lighthouse service being administered by United States officials,
either native or American. With power thus limited, the Tagals,
Pampangos, and Visayas might be entrusted with their own affairs, and
no garrisons need be kept, except in certain selected healthy spots,
always having transports at hand to convey them wherever they were
wanted. If, as seems probable, Mr. McKinley should be re-elected,
I hope he will attempt some such arrangement, and I heartily wish him
success in pacifying this sorely troubled country, the scene of four
years continuous massacre.
The Archipelago is at present in absolute anarchy, the exports have
diminished by half, and whereas we used to travel and camp out in
absolute security, now no white man dare show his face more than a
mile from a garrison.
Notwithstanding this, some supporters of the Administration in the
States are advising young men with capital that there is a great
opening for them as planters in the Islands.
There may be when the Islands are pacified, but not before.
To all who contemplate proceeding to or doing any business, or taking
stock in any company in the Philippines, I recommend a careful study
of my book. They cannot fail to benefit by it.
Red Hill, Oct. 15th, 1900.
SALAMAT.
The author desires to express his hearty thanks to all those who have
assisted him.
To Father Joaquin Sancho, S.J., Procurator of Colonial Missions,
Madrid, for the books, maps and photographs relating to Mindanao,
with permission to use them.
To Mr. H. W. B. Harrison of the British Embassy, Madrid, for his
kindness in taking photographs and obtaining books.
To Don Francisco de P. Vigil, Director of the Colonial Museum, Madrid,
for affording special facilities for photographing the Anitos and
other curiosities of the Igorrotes.
To Messrs. J. Laurent and Co., Madrid, for permission to reproduce
interesting photographs of savage and civilised natives.
To Mr. George Gilchrist of Manila, for photographs, and for the use
of his diary with particulars of the Tagal insurrection, and for
descriptions of some incidents of which he was an eye-witness.
To Mr. C. E. de Bertodano, C.E., of Victoria Street, Westminster,
for the use of books of reference and for information afforded.
To Mr. William Harrison of Billiter Square, E.C., for the use of
photographs of Vicols cleaning hemp.
To the late Mr. F. W. Campion of Trumpets Hill, Reigate, for the
photograph of Salacot and Bolo taken from very fine specimens in his
possession, and for the use of other photographs.
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.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF WORKS CITED, REFERRED TO, OR STUDIED WHILST
PREPARING THIS WORK.
Abella, Enrique--'Informes' (Reports).
Anonymous--'Catalogo Oficial de la Exposicion de Filipinas';
'Filipinas: Problema Fundamental,' 1887; 'Relacion de las Yslas
Filipinas,' 1595; 'Las Filipinas se pierden,' a scurrilous Spanish
pamphlet, Manila, 1841; 'Aviso al publico,' account of an attempt
by the French to cause Joseph Bonaparte to be acknowledged King of
the Philippines.
Barrantes Vicente--'Guerras piraticas de Filipinas contra Mindanaos
y Joloanos,' Madrid, 1878, and other writings.
Becke, Louis--'Wild Life in Southern Seas.'
Bent, Mrs. Theodore--'Southern Arabia.'
Blanco, Padre--'Flora Filipina.'
Blumentritt, Professor Ferdinand--'Versuch einer Ethnographie der
Philippinen' (Petermann's).
Brantome, Abbe de--(In Motley's 'Rise of the Dutch Republic.')
Cavada, Agustin de la--'Historia, Geografica, Geologica, y estadistica
de Filipinas,' Manila, 1876, 1877.
Centeno, Jose--'Informes' (Reports).
Clifford, Hugh--'Studies in Brown Humanity,' 'In Court and Kampong.'
Comyn, Tomas de.
Crawford, John--'History of the Indian Archipelago,' Edinburgh, 1820;
'Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands,' London, 1856.
Cuming, E. D.--'With the Jungle Folk.'
Dampier, William--(from Pinkerton).
De Guignes--'Voyage to Pekin, Manila, and Isle of France.'
D'Urville, Dumont.
Foreman, John--'The Philippine Islands,' first and second editions.
Garcilasso, Inca de la Vega--'Comentarios Reales.'
Gironiere, Paul de la--'Vingt ans aux Philippines.'
Jagor, F.--'Travels in the Philippines.'
Jesuits, Society of--'Cartas de los P.P. de la Cia de Jesus de la
mision de Filipinas,' Cuads ix y x (1891-95); 'Estados Generales,'
Manila, 1896, 1897; 'Mapa Politica Hidrografica'; 'Plano de los
Distritos 2o y 5o de Mindanao'; 'Mapa de Basilan.'
Mas, Sinibaldo de--'Informe sobre el estado de las Yslas Filipinas
en 1842.'
Montano, Dr. J.--'Voyage aux Philippines,' Paris, 1886.
Monteverde, Colonel Federico de--'La Division Lachambre.'
Morga, Antonio de--'Sucesos de las Yslas Filipinas,' Mejico, 1609.
Motley, John Lothrop--'Rise of the Dutch Republic.'
Navarro, Fr. Eduardo--'Filipinas. Estudio de Asuntos de momento,' 1897.
Nieto Jose--'Mindanao, su Historia y Geographia,' 1894.
Palgrave, W. G.--'Ulysses, or Scenes in Many Lands'; 'Malay Life in
the Philippines.'
Petermann--'Petermanns Mitth.', Ergaenzungsheft Nr 67, Gotha, 1882.
Pigafetta--'Voyage Round the World,' Pinkerton, vol. ii.
Prescott--'Conquest of Peru.'
Posewitz, Dr. Theodor--'Borneo, its Geology and Mineral Resources.'
Rathbone--'Camping and Tramping in Malaya.'
Reyes, Ysabelo de los--Pamphlet.
Rizal--'Noli me Tangere.'
St. John, Spenser--'Life in the Forests of the Far East.'
Torquemada, Fray Juan--'Monarquia Indiana.'
Traill, H. D.--'Lord Cromer.'
Vila, Francisco--'Filipinas,' 1880.
Wallace, Alfred R.--'The Malay Archipelago.'
Wingfield, Hon. Lewis--'Wanderings of a Globe-trotter.'
Worcester, Dean C.--'The Philippine Islands and their People.'
Younghusband, Major--'The Philippines and Round About.'
Magazine Articles.
Scribner (George F. Becker)--'Are the Philippines Worth Having?'
Blackwood (Anonymous)--'The Case of the Philippines.'
Tennie, G. Claflin (Lady Cook)--'Virtue Defined' (New York Herald).
Speeches.
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.
CONTENTS.
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--Do not hesitate
to shoot--Talas 24-30
Chapter V.
Tagal Crime and Spanish Justice.
The murder of a Spaniard--Promptitude of the Courts--The
case of Juan de la Cruz--Twelve years in prison waiting
trial--Piratical outrage in Luzon--Culprits never tried;
several die in prison 31-47
HISTORICAL.
Chapter VI.
Causes of Tagal Revolt.
Corrupt officials--"Laws of the Indies"--Philippines a
dependency of Mexico, up to 1800--The opening of the Suez
Canal--Hordes of useless officials--The Asimilistas--
Discontent, but no disturbance--Absence of crime--Natives
petition for the expulsion of the Friars--Many signatories
of the petition punished 48-56
Chapter VII.
The Religious Orders.
The Augustinians--Their glorious founder--Austin Friars
in England--Scotland--Mexico--They sail with Villalobos
for the Islands of the Setting Sun--Their disastrous voyage
--Fray Andres Urdaneta and his companions--Foundation of
Cebu and Manila with two hundred and forty other towns--
Missions to Japan and China--The Flora Filipina--The
Franciscans--The Jesuits--The Dominicans--The Recollets--
Statistics of the religious orders in the islands--Turbulence
of the friars--Always ready to fight for their country--
Furnish a war ship and command it--Refuse to exhibit the
titles of their estates in 1689--The Augustinians take up
arms against the British--Ten of them fall on the field of
battle--Their rectories sacked and burnt--Bravery of the
archbishop and friars in 1820--Father Ibanez raises a
battalion--Leads it to the assault of a Moro Cotta--Execution
of native priests in 1872--Small garrison in the islands--
Influence of the friars--Their behaviour--Herr Jagor--Foreman
--Worcester--Younghusband--Opinion of Pope Clement X.--Tennie
C. Claflin--Equality of opportunity--Statesque figures of the
girls--The author's experience of the Friars--The Philippine
clergy--Who shall cast the first stone!--Constitution of the
orders--Life of a friar--May become an Archbishop--The Chapter 57-70
Chapter VIII.
Their Estates.
Malinta and Piedad--Mandaloyan--San Francisco de
Malabon--Irrigation works--Imus--Calamba--Cabuyao--Santa
Rosa Binan--San Pedro Tunasan--Naic--Santa Cruz--Estates a
bone of contention for centuries--Principal cause of revolt
of Tagals--But the Peace Commission guarantee the Orders in
possession--Pacification retarded--Summary--The Orders must
go!--And be replaced by natives 71-78
Chapter IX.
Secret Societies.
Masonic Lodges--Execution or exile of Masons in 1872--The
"Asociacion Hispano Filipina"--The "Liga Filipina"--The
Katipunan--Its programme 79-83
Chapter X.
The Insurrection of 1896-97.
Combat at San Juan del Monte--Insurrection spreading--Arrival
of reinforcements from Spain--Rebel entrenchments--Rebel arms
and artillery--Spaniards repulsed from Binacayan--and from
Noveleta--Mutiny of Carabineros--Prisoners at Cavite attempt
to escape--Iniquities of the Spanish War Office--Lachambre's
division--Rebel organization--Rank and badges--Lachambre
advances--He captures Silang--Perez Dasmarinas--Salitran
--Anabo II. 84-96
Chapter XI.
The Insurrection of 1896-97--continued.
The Division encamps at San Nicolas--Work of the native
Engineer soldiers--The division marches to Salitran--Second
action at Anabo II.--Crispulo Aguinaldo killed--Storming the
entrenchments of Anabo I.--Burning of Imus by the rebels--
Proclamation by General Polavieja--Occupation of Bacoor--
Difficult march of the division--San Antonio taken by assault
--Division in action with all its artillery--Capture of
Noveleta--San Francisco taken by assault--Heavy loss of the
Tagals--Losses of the division--The division broken up--
Monteverde's book--Polaveija returns to Spain--Primo de Rivera
arrives to take his place--General Monet's butcheries--The pact
of Biak-na-Bato--The 74th Regiment joins the insurgents--The
massacre of the Calle Camba--Amnesty for torturers--Torture
in other countries 97-108
Chapter XII.
The Americans in the Philippines.
Manila Bay--The naval battle of Cavite--General Aguinaldo--
Progress of the Tagals--The Tagal Republic--Who were the
aggressors?--Requisites for a settlement--Scenes of
drunkenness--The estates of the religious orders to be
restored--Slow progress of the campaign--Colonel Funston's
gallant exploits--Colonel Stotsenburg's heroic death--
General Antonio Luna's gallant rally of his troops at
Macabebe--Reports manipulated--Imaginary hills and jungles
--Want of co-operation between Army and Navy--Advice of Sir
Andrew Clarke--Naval officers as administrators--Mr.
Whitelaw Reid's denunciations--Senator Hoar's opinion--Mr.
McKinley's speech at Pittsburgh--The false prophets of the
Philippines--Tagal opinion of American Rule--Senor Mabini's
manifesto--Don Macario Adriatico's letter--Foreman's
prophecy--The administration misled--Racial antipathy--The
curse of the Redskins--The recall of General Otis--McArthur
calls for reinforcements--Sixty-five thousand men and forty
ships of war--State of the islands--Aguinaldo on the Taft
Commission 109-123
Chapter XIII.
Native Admiration for America.
Their fears of a corrupt government--The islands might be
an earthly paradise--Wanted, the man--Rajah Brooke--Sir
Andrew Clarke--Hugh Clifford--John Nicholson--Charles
Gordon--Evelyn Baring--Mistakes of the Peace Commission--
Government should be a Protectorate--Fighting men should
be made governors--What might have been--The Malay race--
Senator Hoar's speech--Four years' slaughter of the Tagals 124-128
RESOURCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Chapter XIV.
Resources of the Philippines.
At the Spanish conquest--Rice--the lowest use the land
can be put to--How the Americans are misled--Substitutes
for rice--Wheat formerly grown--Tobacco--Compania General
de Tabacos--Abaca--Practically a monopoly of the
Philippines--Sugar--Coffee--Cacao--Indigo--Cocoa-nut oil
--Rafts of nuts--Copra--True localities for cocoa palm
groves Summary--More sanguine forecasts--Common-sense view 129-138
Chapter XV.
Forestal.
Value exaggerated--Difficulties of labour and transport--
Special sawing machinery required--Market for timber in the
islands--Teak not found--Jungle produce--Warning to investors
in companies--Gutta percha 139-142
Chapter XVI.
The Minerals.
Gold: Dampier--Pigafetta--De Comyn--Placers in Luzon--
Gapan--River Agno--The Igorrotes--Auriferous quartz from
Antaniac--Capunga--Pangutantan--Goldpits at Suyuc--Atimonan
--Paracale--Mambulao--Mount Labo--Surigao River Siga--
Gigaquil, Caninon-Binutong, and Cansostral Mountains--
Misamis--Pighoulugan--Iponan--Pigtao--Dendritic gold from
Misamis--Placer gold traded away surreptitiously--Cannot
be taxed--Spanish mining laws--Pettifogging lawyers--
Prospects for gold seekers. Copper: Native copper at Surigao
and Torrijos (Mindoro)--Copper deposits at Mancayan worked
by the Igorrotes--Spanish company--Insufficient data--
Caution required. Iron: Rich ores found in the Cordillera of
Luzon--Worked by natives--Some Europeans have attempted but
failed--Red hematite in Cebu--Brown hematite in Paracale--
Both red and brown in Capiz--Oxydised iron in Misamis--
Magnetic iron in San Miguel de Mayumo--Possibilities. Coal
(so called): Beds of lignite upheaved--Vertical seams at
Sugud--Reason of failure--Analysis of Masbate lignite.
Various minerals: Galena--Red lead--Graphite--Quicksilver--
Sulphur Asbestos--Yellow ochre--Kaolin, Marble--Plastic
clays--Mineral waters 143-157
Chapter XVII.
Manufactures and Industries.
Cigars and cigarettes--Textiles--Cotton--Abaca--Jusi--Rengue
--Nipis--Saguran--Sinamay--Guingon--Silk handkerchiefs--Pina
--Cordage--Bayones--Esteras--Baskets--Lager beer--Alcohol--
Wood oils and resins--Essence of Ylang-ilang--Salt--Bricks--
Tiles--Cooking-pots--Pilones--Ollas--Embroidery--Goldsmiths'
and silversmiths' work--Salacots--Cocoa-nut oil--Saddles and
harness--Carromatas--Carriages--Schooners--Launches--Lorchas
--Cascos--Pontines--Bangcas--Engines and boilers--Furniture
--Fireworks--Lanterns--Brass Castings--Fish breeding--Drying
sugar--Baling hemp--Repacking wet sugar--Oppressive tax on
industries--Great future for manufactures--Abundant labour--
Exceptional intelligence 158-163
Chapter XVIII.
Commercial and Industrial Prospects.
Philippines not a poor man's country--Oscar F. Williams'
letter--No occupation for white mechanics--American
merchants unsuccessful in the East--Difficulties of living
amongst Malays--Inevitable quarrels--Unsuitable climate--The
Mali-mali or Sakit-latah--The Traspaso de hambre--Chiflados
--Wreck of the nervous system--Effects of abuse of alcohol--
Capital the necessity--Banks--Advances to cultivators--To
timber cutters--To gold miners--Central sugar factories--
Paper-mills--Rice-mills--Cotton-mills--Saw-mills--Coasting
steamers--Railway from Manila to Batangas--From Siniloan to
the Pacific--Survey for ship canal--Bishop Gainzas' project
--Tramways for Luzon and Panay--Small steamers for Mindanao
--Chief prospect is agriculture 164-172
SOCIAL.
Chapter XIX.
Life in Manila. (A Chapter for the Ladies.)
Climate--Seasons--Terrible Month of May--Hot winds--Longing
for rain--Burst of the monsoon--The Alimoom--Never sleep on
the ground floor--Dress--Manila houses--Furniture--
Mosquitoes--Baths--Gogo--Servants--Wages in 1892--The
Maestro cook--The guild of cooks--The Mayordomo--Household
budget, 1892--Diet--Drinks--Ponies--Carriage a necessity for
a lady--The garden--Flowers--Shops--Pedlars--Amusements--
Necessity of access to the hills--Good Friday in Manila 173-187
Chapter XX.
Sport. (A Chapter for Men.)
The Jockey Club--Training--The races--An Archbishop
presiding--The Totalisator or Pari Mutuel--The Manila
Club--Boating club--Rifle clubs--Shooting--Snipe--Wild
duck--Plover--Quail--Pigeons--Tabon--Labuyao, or jungle
cock--Pheasants--Deer--Wild pig--No sport in fishing 188-191
GEOGRAPHICAL.
Chapter XXI.
Brief Geographical Description of Luzon.
Irregular shape--Harbours--Bays--Mountain ranges--Blank
spaces on maps--North-east coast unexplored--River and
valley of Cagayan--Central valley from Bay of Lingayen
to Bay of Manila--Rivers Agno, Chico, Grande--The Pinag of
Candaba--Project for draining--River Pasig--Laguna de Bay--Lake
of Taal--Scene of a cataclysm--Collapse of a volcanic cone 8000
feet high--Black and frowning island of Mindoro--Worcester's
pluck and endurance--Placers of Camarines--River Vicol--The
wondrous purple cone of Mayon--Luxuriant vegetation
192-200
THE INHABITANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Description of their appearance, dress, arms, religion, manners
and customs, and the localities they inhabit, their agriculture,
industries and pursuits, with suggestions as to how they can be
utilised, commercially and politically. With many unpublished
photographs of natives, their arms, ornaments, sepulchres and
idols.
Aboriginal Inhabitants.
Scattered over the Islands.
Chapter XXII.
Aetas or Negritos.
Including Balugas, Dumagas, Mamanuas, and Manguianes 201-207
PART I.
Inhabitants of Luzon and Adjacent Islands.
Chapter XXIII.
Tagals (1) 208-221
Chapter XXIV.
Tagals as Soldiers and Sailors 222-237
Chapter XXV.
Pampangos (2) 238-245
Chapter XXVI.
Zambales (3)--Pangasinanes (4)--Ilocanos (5)--Ibanags or
Cagayanes (6) 246-253
Chapter XXVII.
Igorrotes (7) 254-267
Chapter XXVIII.
Isinays (11)--Abacas (12)--Italones (13)--Ibilaos
(14)--Ilongotes (15)--Mayoyaos and Silipanes (16)
--Ifugaos (17)--Gaddanes (18)--Itetapanes (19)
--Guinanes (20) 268-273
Chapter XXIX.
Calauas or Itaves (21)--Camuangas and Bayabonanes (22)
--Dadayags (23)--Nabayuganes (24)--Aripas (25)--Calingas
(26)--Tinguianes (27)--Adangs (28)--Apayaos (29)--
Catalanganes and Irayas (30-31) 274-282
Chapter XXX.
Catubanganes (32)--Vicols (33) 283-287
Chapter XXXI.
The Chinese in Luzon.
Mestizos or half-breeds 288-294
PART II.
The Visayas and Palawan.
Chapter XXXII.
The Visayas Islands.
Area and population--Panay--Negros--Cebu--Bohol--Leyte
--Samar 295-299
Chapter XXXIII.
The Visayas Race.
Appearance--Dress--Look upon Tagals as foreigners--
Favourable opinion of Tomas de Comyn--Old Christians--
Constant wars with the Moro pirates and Sea Dayaks--Secret
heathen rites--Accusation of indolence unfounded--Exports
of hemp and sugar--Ilo-ilo sugar--Cebu sugar--Textiles--A
promising race 300-306
Chapter XXXIV.
The Island of Palawan, or Paragua.
The Tagbanuas--Tandulanos--Manguianes--Negritos--Moros of
southern Palawan--Tagbanua alphabet 307-320
PART III.
Mindanao, Including Basilan.
Chapter XXXV.
Brief Geographical Description.
Configuration--Mountains--Rivers--Lakes--Division
into districts--Administration--Productions--Basilan 321-330
Chapter XXXVI.
The Tribes of Mindanao.
Visayas (1) [Old Christians]--Mamanuas (2)--Manobos (3)
--Mandayas (4)--Manguangas (5)--Monteses or Buquidnones(6)
--Atas or Ata-as (7)--Guiangas (8)--Bagobos (9) 331-351
Chapter XXXVII.
The Tribes of Mindanao--continued.
Calaganes (10)--Tagacaolos (11)--Dulanganes (12)--Tirurayes
(13)--Tagabelies (14)--Samales (15)--Vilanes (16)--
Subanos (17) 352-360
Chapter XXXVIII.
The Moros, or Mahometan Malays (18 to 23).
Illanos (18)--Sanguiles (19)--Lutangas (20)--Calibuganes
(21) Yacanes (22)--Samales (23) 361-373
Chapter XXXIX.
Tagabauas (24) 374-375
The Chinese in Mindanao.
N.B.--The territory occupied by each tribe is shown on the general
map of Mindanao by the number on this list.
Chapter XL.
The Political Condition of Mindanao, 1899.
Relapse into savagery--Moros the great danger--Visayas
the mainstay--Confederation of Lake Lanao--Recall of
the Missionaries--Murder and pillage in Davao--Eastern
Mindanao--Western Mindanao--The three courses--Orphanage
of Tamontaca--Fugitive slaves--Polygamy an impediment to
conversion--Labours of the Jesuits--American Roman Catholics
should send them help 376-388
APPENDIX.
Chronological Table 389
Table of Exports for twelve Years 411
Estimate of Population 415
Philippine Budget of 1897 compared with Revenue of 1887 416, 417
Value of Land in several Provinces of Luzon 418
List of Spanish and Filipino Words used in the Work 419
Cardinal Numbers in Seven Malay Dialects 422
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Portrait of the Author Frontispiece
View on the Pasig with Bamboos and Canoe To face p. 6
Facsimile of Cedula Personal 53
Some of the rising generation in the Philippines 75
Map of the Philippine Islands 150
Group of women making Cigars 158
Salacots and Women's Hats 160
Author's office, Muelle Del Rey, ss. Salvadora, and Lighters
called "Cascos" 161
River Pasio showing Russell and Sturgis's former office 166
Tower of Manila Cathedral after the Earthquakes, 1880 168-9
Suburb of Malate after a typhoon, October 1882, when thirteen
ships were driven ashore
Author's house at Ermita 177
Fernery at Ermita 185
A Negrito from Negros Island 207
A Manila Man 208-9
A Manila Girl
Tagal Girl wearing Scapulary 216
Carabao harnessed to native Plough; Ploughman, Village, and
Church Between 226-7
Paddy Field recently planted
Paulino Marillo, a Tagal of Laguna, Butler to the author 229
A Farderia, or Sugar Drying and Packing Place 240
Igorrote Spearmen and Negriot Archer 254
Anitos of Northern Tribes 258
Aitos of the Igorrotes 258
Coffin of an Igorrote Noble, with his Coronets and other Ornaments 259
Weapons of the Highlands of Luzon 261
Igorrote Dresses and Ornaments, Water-Jar, Dripstones, Pipes,
and Baskets 264
Anitos, Highlands 266
Anito of the Igorrotes 266
Igorrote Drums 266
Tinguianes, Aeta, and Igorrotes 276
Vicols Preparing Hemp:-- 287
Cutting the Plant
Separating the Petioles
Adjusting under the Knife
Drawing out the Fibre
Visayas Women at a Loom 305
Lieut. P. Garcia and Local Militia of Baganga, Caraga (East Coast) 333
Atas from the Back Slopes of the Apo 347
Heathen Guiangas, from the Slopes of the Apo 349
Father Gisbert, S.J. exhorting a Bagobo Datto and his Followers
to Abandon their custom of making Human Sacrifices 350-1
The Datto Manib, Principal Bagani of the Bagabos, with some Wives
and Followers and Two Missionaries 350-1
The Moro Sword and Spear 363
Moros of the Bay of Mayo 367
Moro Lantacas and Coat of Mail 373
Seat of the Moro Power, Lake Lanao 377
Double-barrelled Lantaca of Artistic Design and Moro Arms 387
THE INHABITANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
CHAPTER I.
EXTENT, BEAUTY AND FERTILITY.
Extent, beauty, and fertility of the Archipelago--Variety of
landscape--Vegetation--Mango trees--Bamboos.
Extent.
The Philippine Archipelago, in which I include the Sulu group, lies
entirely within the northern tropic; the southernmost island of the
Tawi-tawi group called Sibutu reaches down to 4 deg. 38' N., whilst Yami,
the northernmost islet of the Batanes group, lies in 21 deg. 7' N. This
gives an extreme length of 1100 miles, whilst the extreme breadth is
about 680 miles, measured a little below the 8th parallel from the
Island of Balabac to the east coast of Mindanao.
Various authorities give the number of islands and islets at 1200 and
upwards; many have probably never been visited by a white man. We need
only concern ourselves with the principal islands and those adjacent
to them.
From the hydrographic survey carried out by officers of the Spanish
Navy, the following areas have been calculated and are considered
official, except those marked with an asterisk, which are only
estimated.
Sq. Miles. Sq. Miles.
Luzon 42,458
Babuyanes Islands 272
Batanes Islands 104
Mindoro 4,153
Catanduanes 721
Marinduque 332
Polillo 300
Burias 116
Ticao. 144
Masbate 1,642
----- 7,784
------
Total Luzon and adjacent islands 50,242
Visayas, etc.
Panay 4,898
Negros 3,592
Cebu 2,285
Bohol 1,226
Leyte 3,706
Samar 5,182
----- 20,889
Mindanao 34,456
Palawan and Balabac 5,963
Calamianes Islands 640
-------
Area of principal islands 112,190
The Spanish official estimate of the area of the whole Archipelago
is 114,214 square miles [1] equivalent to 73,000,000 acres, so that
the remaining islands ought to measure between them something over
2000 square miles.
Beauty and Fertility.
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 paragraphs of a much-travelled
cosmopolite, at one time Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Manila.
Monsieur Dumont D'Urville says: "The Philippines, and above all
Luzon, have nothing in this world to equal them in climate, beauty
of landscape, and fertility of soil. Luzon is the finest diamond that
the Spanish adventurers have ever found.
"It has remained uncut in their hands; but deliver over Luzon to
British activity and tolerance, or else to the laborious tenacity
of the Dutch Creoles, and you will see what will come out of this
marvellous gem."
Monsieur de Guignes says: "Of the numerous colonies belonging to
the Spaniards, as one of the most important must indisputably be
reckoned the Philippines. Their position, their great fertility, and
the nature of their productions, render them admirably adapted for
active commerce, and if the Spaniards have not derived much benefit
from them, to themselves and to their manner of training is the fault
to be ascribed."
Herr Jagor, speaking of the Province of Bulacan, says the roads were
good and were continuously shaded by fruit trees, cocoa and areca
palms, and the aspect of this fruitful province reminded him of the
richest districts in Java, but he found the pueblos here exhibited
more comfort than the desas there.
Mr. Gifford Palgrave says: "Not the AEgean, not the West Indian,
not the Samoan, not any other of the fair island clusters by which
our terraqueous planet half atones for her dreary expanses of
grey ocean and monotonous desert elsewhere, can rival in manifold
beauties of earth, sea, sky, the Philippine Archipelago; nor in all
that Archipelago, lovely as it is through its entire extent, can any
island vie with the glories of Luzon."
Variety of Landscape.
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 and seen some of the
loveliest landscapes in Japan, I know of no land more beautiful than
Luzon, certainly of none possessing more varied features or offering
more striking contrasts.
Limestone cliffs and pinnacles, cracked and hollowed into labyrinthine
caves, sharp basalt peaks, great ranges of mountains, isolated
volcanic cones, cool crystalline springs, jets of boiling water,
cascades, rivers, lakes, swamps, narrow valleys and broad plains,
rocky promontories and coral reefs, every feature is present, except
the snow-clad peak and the glacier.
Vegetation.
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 indestructible timber
for ships, houses or furniture, those giving valuable drugs and
healing oils, gums and pigments, varnishes, pitch and resin, dyes,
sap for fermenting or distilling, oil for burning, water, vinegar,
milk, fibre, charcoal, pitch, fecula, edible fungi, tubers, bark and
fruits, it would take a larger book than this to enumerate them in
their incredible variety.
Mango Trees.
A notable feature of the Philippine landscape is the mango tree. This
truly magnificent tree is often of perfect symmetry, and rears aloft on
its massive trunk and wide-spreading branches a perfect dome of green
and glistening leaves, adorned in season with countless strings of
sweet-scented blossom and pendent clusters of green and golden fruit,
incomparably luscious, unsurpassed, unequalled.
Beneath that shapely vault of verdure the feathered tribes find
shelter. The restless mango bird [3] displays his contrasted plumage of
black and yellow as he flits from bough to bough, the crimson-breasted
pigeon and the ring-dove rest secure.
These glorious trees are pleasing objects for the eye to rest on. All
through the fertile valleys of Luzon they stand singly or in groups,
and give a character to the landscape which would otherwise be
lacking. Only the largest and finest English oaks can compare with
the mango trees in appearance; but whilst the former yield nothing
of value, one or two mango trees will keep a native family in comfort
and even affluence with their generous crop.
Bamboos.
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 take a gradual curve which becomes more and more
accentuated as their diameter diminishes, until they bend over at
their tops and sway freely in the breeze.
I can only compare a fine clump of bamboos to a giant plume of green
ostrich feathers. Nothing in the vegetable kingdom is more graceful,
nothing can be more useful. Under the blast of a typhoon the bamboo
bends so low that it defies all but the most sudden and violent
gusts. If, however, it succumbs, it is generally the earth under it
that gives way, and the whole clump falls, raising its interlaced
roots and a thick wall of earth adhering to and embraced by them.
Piercing the hard earth, shoving aside the stones with irresistible
force, comes the new bamboo, its head emerging like a giant artichoke.
Each flinty-headed shoot soars aloft with a rapidity astonishing to
those who have only witnessed the tardy growth of vegetation in the
temperate zone. I carefully measured a shoot of bamboo in my garden
in Santa Ana and found that it grew two feet in three days, that is,
eight inches a day, 1/3 inch per hour. I could see it grow. When
I commenced to measure the shoot it was eighteen inches high and
was four inches in diameter. This rapid growth, which, considering
the extraordinary usefulness of the bamboo ought to excite man's
gratitude to Almighty Providence, has, to the shame of human nature,
led the Malay and the Chinaman to utilise the bamboo to inflict death
by hideous torture on his fellow men. (See Tukang Burok's story in
Hugh Clifford's 'Studies of Brown Humanity.')
Each joint is carefully enveloped by nature in a wrapper as tough as
parchment, covered, especially round the edges, with millions of small
spines. The wrapper, when dry, is brown, edged with black, but when
fresh the colours are remarkable, pale yellow, dark yellow, orange,
brown, black, pale green, dark green, black; all shaded or contrasted
in a way to make a Parisian dress designer feel sick with envy.
This wrapper does not fall off till the joint has hardened and acquired
its flinty armour so as to be safe from damage by any animal.
It would take a whole chapter to enumerate the many and varied uses
of the bamboo.
Suffice it to say that I cannot conceive how the Philippine native
could do without it.
Everlastingly renewing its youth, perpetually soaring to the sky,
proudly overtopping all that grows, splendidly flourishing when meaner
plants must fade from drought, this giant grass, which delights the
eyes, takes rank as one of God's noblest gifts to tropical man.