01-030 [Family]
1882.07.24 Calamba
From: Paciano Rizal
To: José Rizal
More on Calamba’s town fiesta — Family news — Rizal’s allowance.
* * *
Calamba, 24 July 1882
DEAR BROTHER,
I was not able to write you in the preceding mail about what occurred during the fiesta, because I was sure that uncle Antonio would inform you about it; and then an indisposition that I had precisely on the day of the fiesta prevented me from finding out the date of the departure of the mail. Now that I know it, I’ll tell you something about it.
Days before the fiesta, almost all the Manila newspapers talked about it and they talked so much that El Comercio offended the sensitiveness of the lieutenant of the civil guard of this town by an announcement that in substance said that there would be plenty of cockfighting and other things. The good lieutenant has no reason to take this to heart because, if they make him blush on one hand, on the other they made it up to him liberally. In the meantime, the days were spent in the preparation of platforms, bamboo arches, and other things, and the day before the eve many people from other towns arrived, so that everybody predicted that the fiesta would be grand. I consider El Comercio right because it referred to this. On the eve of the fiesta there was a heavy rain which undoubtedly dissuaded many real visitors from nearby towns from coming. Hence, as for me nothing notable occurred on the first day, except at night in the yard of the theater where it was a little lively despite the cloudy sky, for there were gathered there almost all my friends and acquaintances of the gay group, of the Curia, that is, the secular and regular clergy and the civil guard who were seated the side of the curtain, perhaps in order that their respectable seriousness might not be confounded with the people in the yard or to see better the actresses that came out to the platform, inasmuch as they left at 4:00 after the performance was over. The second day was a repetition of the first, the only difference being the heavy downpour during the evening procession which soaked the Virgin and all the saints. Afterwards the fireworks and a larger number of people at the theater, leaving no space empty within the yard; here was the fiesta.
At home we had less visitors than in any year; the same is true in other houses. By telling you that we had only uncle Antonio, Ferrer, and Gella you can judge how we spent the fiesta. Notwithstanding, I ought not to omit the dinner on the second day which was gay and lasted two hours during which many things were talked about, among them being the difference between our hours and those in that place where you are. The rest of the conversation was at the expense of Doña Basilia. About myself I can tell you that since the eve, I had a headache and coughing and because of the affair of that night, I caught fever the following morning. I had a sudorific, which agreed with me, but in place of the fever, red spots appeared on mv body which they say are measles. I had them for three days. In spite of everything, I enjoyed a little, watching the others. Then I lost my appetite for a long time, but now I am well again as before.
Silvestre was assigned to Bulacan. He left sad on the day before the eve of the fiestá. It is really difficult to leave seeing festive preparations, to separate from his new family, and to bury himself in a town which is not of his liking. He said to me that he would write you about this; I don’t know if you have already received it. I have written to Basilio about the same matter, because his brother, while here, offered his services in such cases. until now I have not received his reply but instead one from uncle Antonio in which he tells me that, despite his sickness. Teodoro works in agreement with him.
Apropos diseases: There is cholera in Manila and they say that they are hiding it very carefully, so that abroad they will not declare this port dirty and consequently create another obstacle to the export trade. In our town we had three cases in the course of one month and all of them fatal.
Lucía gave birth to a robust boy whom they named after you. There was a gathering on the day of the baptism. Tacio has completely recovered from his illness. This is the second letter I send you, probably I shall not be able to write you in every mail; I shall lack material for it on account of the monotonous life in this provincial town; one day is like all the rest in the year, neither more nor less; but if something happens I shall not fail to write you.
As to your letters, the last we have received is dated at Suez, received here on the 20th. How letters are delayed!
Uncle Antonio is in charge of your allowance from whom you will receive ₱35 monthly. The preceding remittances were fifty pesos each.
If you will receive anything different, don’t be surprised because there is no other way. The most valuable things that are in trust here cannot become our own property, as that is the order of the day.
I know that we ought not to meddle in other people’s affairs, but as I want to fill the remaining blank space, I shall fail in my duty if I do not tell you about a certain young woman here who, on the dav of your departure, was wooed by an old man, but now with the death of Mena, she is courted in due form by another ravenous old man who leaves her not a moment of rest and will end by subduing her, as it happens to all those women who defend themselves poorly.
Farewell. When shall we receive your letters dated at the capital?
Your brother,
PACIANO
Today the 25th at 6:15 in the morning a moderate earthquake; at 6:30 another one.