Hong Kong
Beloved ones at his side in Hong Kong — Will visit her and her children — Suffer the pains of this life so that in the next joy and happiness will be for you — Life is short, hardships are ephemeral — Suffer everything for your surname Rizal and your children — Requests.
* * *.
7 Remedios Terrace
Hong Kong, 28 December 1891
MRS. MARIA RIZAL
DEAREST SISTER,
They have all arrived and I am informed of all that is happening to you.
I do wish very much to see you but, according to my information, you have three children, and it seems that I have to go there. Endure all the hardships in this life and you may rest assured that in the other life, you will have only joy and happiness. Our life is short and our hardships are ephemeral. Suffer everything for your name Rizal and for your children.
I’m told that your children are very pretty and bright. May God have mercy on all of you. When there is sadness, there is happiness.
Please ask Kabesang[1] Tiká for the papers that Kabesang Salló left with Albino and get them.
In case Sixto López will go there to get my book, please give it to him.
This is all. May God give you a happy and prosperous New Year and make your children models of goodness. Kisses for your children. This is all
J. RIZAL
01-683 [Family]
[1] It’s a Tagalog term derived from the Spanish meaning cabeza , meaning “head.” Tika’s husband is ”Head of barangay,” thus here she is called Kabesa . In the Philippines, as in Germany, the wife of an official is addressed with the husband’s title; thus the wife of a Gobernador is addressed as Gobernadora, the feminine of Gobernador .