01-055 [Family]
1882.12.14 Calamba
From: Saturnina Rizal
To: José Rizal
Family news — Birth and baptism of a new nephew, Alfredo — Calamba inundated — Damage to crops — A new strange disease.
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Calamba, 14 December 1882
BELOVED BROTHER,
We received your dearest letter dated 29 September. I’m grateful to you for your good wishes and I’m sure that your prayers helped me in having a safe delivery. My labor began at eight o’clock at night lasting until 11 in the morning. I delivered on the 15th and the baptism took place on the 25th, so that the name you like was not given to him, our letter having arrived late. The name of the boy is Alfredo Porfirio; the godfather is Narciso Paterno, the baby looks. . . [portion of letter destroyed by termites] and has a well-shaped body, he is stout, round-faced, sharp nose, small chin and eyes, flat head, bald on the left side. When we go to Manila, we shall have his picture and mine taken and will send them to you. I’m stouter now than before, but I have a slight ailment, like now I feel a pain in my right arm.
Ipia was here in November, but she went back, for it seems that Ubaldo did not get the post here. Ipia had a miscarriage last May after coming from the fiesta in Biñang and again on the 20th in Bulacan. Sisa and her family moved to the ground floor where the drugstore is. Lucio is now in Biñang and Posoro is now occupying his house here. Since 20 October until now this town has been flooded. Many houses were damaged by the water. One can ride on a banca in the street until the front of Capitán Quico’s warehouse, though last month the water reached only until the first talisay tree.
You are asking who the godfather of José is; it is Paciano. The baby is now sick with fever and his feet and hands are cold; he is being treated with water by Coya Aben. I’m not sending you anything, except the solitaire design diamond ring and beaded step–ins. Excuse this somber design and color, because the Biñang makers cannot attend to the work. As to the epidemic, there are still a few who are attacked, like Compadre Isidoro, our neighbor Loleng, Geno, Ugoc, Faustino, Father of Titoy, Dimo, husband of Margarita, Acia. Timoteo and Juancho are now seriousy ill. Pedro, your godson, was also gravely ill, but he is better now.
It was said during the rice harvest that there would be famine, because many ricelands were flooded and the harvest was carried away by the water. Our ricelands, thank God, did not suffer, but there were others that were a total loss. Fortunately, rice from Saigon and other places arrived, so that the price did not go up too much. Plenty of sugar belonging to those in the mountain was lost on the seashore. Among them was Capitán Paulino who lost 3,000 more or less. Maneng lost about ₱100 worth of his sugar.
There is a new disease prevailing here now. It starts with the swelling of the feet and the legs until the knee, then difficulty in breathing ensues, and two hours later the patient is dead. Toneng, mother of Pangoy, died of this disease; Cornadre Geña Paño is gravely ill of this disease also. Your compadre Capitán Andrés was the one who bought Toneng’s house, so that they are now on our street. We now live on the ground floor; we moved on 5 October. My father-in-law is well now and sending you best regards.
Two children of Aunt Tomasa died. One of them was Ate Ave; I don’t know who the other one was. Uncle Bindoy died. Perhaps you will not like very much news, because they are sad, but I want you to know everything.
Now I’m going to tell you about the young women. Ursula and Victoria are studying the songs for the Mass on Christmas Eve. Their teacher is Antonino. Father Domingo calls them Boema and Trafol. Loleng is industrious now. She does not wear a kerchief around her neck except on Sundays. Loleng is different now.
Antonio wants to be put in the box to be sent to you even if he is nailed in. He says he wants to go there to you. Fruits for preserves are very scarce here. That is why we can only send you jelly. Later we will send you some more, if you still want it. I have ordered handkerchiefs woven in Lipa and I still send them to you through the next one who will go there. You will let us know if the sweet meat is in good condition on its arrival and how best to send you things. I’ll give you other news in my next letter, because this is already too long.
Freding[1] is sending you regards. He is not yet three months old and he already wants to converse. You sister who loves you truly,
SATURNINA RIZAL
[1] Pet name for Alfredo, her son.