03-088 [Reformists]
1883.10.16 Lipa
From: Mariano Catigbac[1]
To: Jose Rizal
Nothing happens at Lipa – No news, except the havoc wrought by the cholera – Appearance of beriberi – Rizal is one of three excellent Filipinos at Madrid – Sends Rizal silk handkerchiefs woven in Lipa.
* * *
Lipa, 16 October 1883
Mr. Jose Rizal
Madrid
My Dearest Friend,
In my possession are your two letters, the first from Barcelona of 20 July and the second from Madrid of 29 December and I am informed of their contents.
I have the greatest pleasure to answer you but you already know that nothing can be related or said about Lipa, inasmuch as everything that is seen is the same every day. I want to say that we have no variety here as you see and feel there….You do well in not relating anything to me, for otherwise I would be excited.
The only change that we had was during the time of the Asiatic cholera morbus. This terrible disease wrought havoc here in such a way that we went to bed at night and we doubted if we would see the light the following day and vice versa, we woke up in the morning and we doubted if we would last until the night. There was great fear, very great. Many have died of fear, among them Brigida Rojas who, at the age of 15 summers, delivered her soul to the Creator with her insignia and diadem of virginity; Captain Jose Luz and a coadjutor, performing his mission, were also victims of the disease, the prevailing sickness. With the exception of the three I have mentioned there had been no others within the town but in the country many died. The number of deaths are 400 of all ages, among men, women, boys, and girls, a number that is nothing considering the number of inhabitants of this town.
Another epidemic disease recently known in the Philippines is beriberi, which also made ravages here, but it is very benign and patients are immediately cured after the first treatments. However, others for carelessness, do not mind it and when the patients are icy cold their cure is difficult ant consequently they die.
This sickness carried away from here three women: Josefa, aunt of Isabel, Antera, widow of J. Luz, and Crisostoma, wife of Simeon Luz.
None of the country folks, whom you would call villagers, were attacked. This is understandable for the first prescription is exercise and as they are necessarily compelled to work for their daily bread, hardly had there been any symptom among them for the prescription has already been filled before the disease sets in.
The men there always are inclined to be liars and braggarts whatever they may be, so that I shall not say any more. You already know the few who live here.
Laureano and Tomas Mayo are still bachelors but the last one has devoted himself to….such a way that nobody can pull him away. F. Lantin follows the line of students of medicine and I believe he is now in the 3rd or 4th year.
In September just past, I spent one night at the house of your brother-in-law Marianito. I did not want to spend it at your house in order not to bother your parents now old, but I went to visit them.
They say that there are three excellent Filipinos there and I congratulate myself in knowing that you are one of them. I felicitate you for this.
As you ask me about Felisa, let me tell you that it seems she is going to marry a widower with four children, but very soon, and perhaps when you receive this letter they would already be married. If you want to know who the favored one is, or whatever you want to call him, it is Simeon Luz. All this is projected.
Don’t judge ill my long silence for it was due to the fear of not hitting right your whereabouts, so that for your address I am availing myself of your family.
I send you two pictures of my children – Pepito and Benigno. Teofilo died of smallpox. I am on the eve of having another one, boy or girl, whatever God disposes. In return I want a picture of yours.
I delivered to your sister Saturnina two dozens of silk handkerchiefs to be sent to you and to tell you that they are a remembrance. They were woven here, one dozen with yellow lines and the other dozen, pink.
I am interested in knowing your graduation and in what studies you are engaged.
My regards to the Paternos and other friends and this your friend embraces you,M. Catigbac
[1] Also written “Katigbak”, according to Tagalog orthography. A reformist, he had been Rizal’s friend since his student days in Manila.