Manila
Sta. Cruz, Manila, 31 March 1887
MR. JOSÉ RIZAL
MY DEAR BROTHER,
This is my second letter to you and I have not received a single letter from you. Vestre [Silvestre] likewise has written you three times, the last one being addressed to Berlin containing a draft for ₱300, so that he is waiting for your reply. I have no important news to give you, except about our family and our acquaintances. Father and Mother are well, through God’s mercy, but their aging cannot be prevented. Mother’s sight is weakening; Father is already pounding his betelnut[1] and we your brothers are all well. Titay, daughter of Lieutenant Teang is already dead. Dandoy, brother of Chopen, married Elang, daughter of Captain Faeng. We are now here in Manila where Vestre is assigned.
With this go your nephew’s many kisses, Aris and César. Many regards to you. When shall we meet again?
Your sister,
OLIMPIA RIZAL
03-215 [Reformists]
[1] Aged-people on account of lack of teeth, pound on the betelnut before chewing it.