Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-09
LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

who retain the Mahometan religion OF
their first conquerors, and the Infinitely
larger class of Catholics. An import
ant though numerically small element
in the population of the larger cities
are the mestizos, or half-oreeds, the re-
suit of admixture either between the
Chinese or the Spanish and the natives.
These mestizos occupy about the same
social position as the mulattces of the
Uuited States. But they are the rich
est end most enterprising among the
native population.
Ia all towns and larger villages of the
Philippines the chief municipal con-
troll, subject to the approval of the
Spanish governor at Manila. is nom:-
uailv in the hands of "capitan," a
native of the place, who is elected in
accordance with immemorial custom
Tor two years. service from among the
villagers themselves. But in effect the
most important parsonage is the cura,
or parish priest, He is in most in-
stances q Spaniard by birth and Ell
rolled in one or other of the three
great religious orders, Augustinian,
franciscan or Dominican, established
by the conquerors. at heart, however,
he is usually as much, if not more, of
native than the natives themselves. He
is bound for life to the land Of his adop
ion. He has no social or domestic tie,
no anticipated home return to bind him
any other place.
Next to the church, the greatest Sun
IA, and holiday resort in Philippine
village is the cockpit, usually large
building wattled like coarse basket
and surrounded by nigh paling OF the
Ssme description, which forms a sort OF
courtyard, where cocks are kept wait
ing their turns 10 come upon the stage
when their owners have succeeded in
arranging satisfactory match. Il is
claimed that many respectable Malay
pater famliss has been seen escaping
rom amid the ruins of his burning
nome bearing away in bis arms bis ia
vorite bird, while wife and children
were left to shift for themselves. One
OF the worst features OF the c1ck- tight
ing. outside OF lis innate brutality, IL
the betting, universal among the spec
,ators OF the game. The sums s'akeG
re often very high, and their payment, +,
+. hi, II is rarely shirked, may involve
ln.- ruin of the loser.
The diet OF the II ilippiues has some
Chlng 10 do undoubtedly with their
gentle and non-aggressve qualities.
hey eschew opium and spurious Ii
quors. Their chief substance, morning,
noon and eve is rice. The rice crop
seldom fails to support the popu-
'atiop, and often leaves large margin
for export Famine, that hideous shad-
ow which broods over 50 many rice
subsisting populations, is unknown
here. Even scarcity is Of rare occur.
renee. la the worst of years hard
ly sack of grain has TO
be imported. 1t is this very
bundance which stands in the way of
wnat the world calls progress. The
Malay, like other children OF the trop-
ics, limits his labor by the measure of
ri, IT quirements, and that measure is
.rrow, indeed.
In the summer months, during the
greater part of the day, the heat is so
intense that the Europeans frequently
umole over with heat apoplexy. Even
he Spauiar6s attend TO business in the
early hour~, whiling away the heat of
the day in sleep.
Later in the afternoon Manila begins
to awaken. The Escolta, or principal
street, is crowded with loungers of all
ranks and colors, each with segarito
stuck, peulike, behind the ear Care
mattas, a species of two wheeled, hood
ell c4brlolets, peculiar to the natives,
crowd the roadway, together with the
Duggies and open carriages OF the Tor
eign element. At sunset the various
tobacco stores close, and their thou
sands of employees pour out into the
streets. They form motley, yet ef-
fective, feature among the wayfsrers.
The Malay girls are usually very
pretty, with languishiug eyes, sbad-
ed by long lsshes and with supple
figures, whose graceful lines are
revealed by their thin clothing.
In foe weather their bare feet are
thrust into light gold embroidered slip
pers. In wet weather they raise them
selves on high clogs, which necessitate
very becoming swinging OF the
haunches.
There is not q bonnet to be seen.
Women of the better class affect lace
and flowers, those of the lower wear
their own hair flowing down their
backs, in long, blue-hlack wave.
Jewelry is profusely worn. Every
woman sparkles with bracelets, ear
rings and chains. Many of the males
are similarly caparsoned.
Everybody smokes. Cigarettes at 10
for a cent are in chief favor with the
natives. Cigars st 81 SO hundred are
10 favor with the foreigners. All the
streets cars are peripatetic smoking sa'
loops. Even the women light UP" as
soon as their fare is paid.
The HANDFUL of Englishmen resident
in Manila are mostly bachelors, eager
upon making their pile and returning
to plessanter surroundings. These
take up their quarters in large house
at Sampalog, which is club and board
irg house combined, or in "chum-
meriesn established in adjacent build