The sun., 1898-06-05
BEAUTY
OF the Native Women of the PhiIiD-
pines and the Growing Glory of
the Sex.

pines and the Growing Glory of
the Sex.
The native women of the Philippine
are, as a rule, excessively pretty anC
engaging creatures, with supple figures
accentuated by the thinness of thei
garments, beautiful, laughing eyes
shaded with long lashes, and luxurian
blue-black hair. This last is the chic
glory of the Philippine beauty.
1t is long, rich, thick, made gloss,
both by the care bestowed on it and it,
frequent amounting with coacoanut oil
Often, too, it is cleaned and washed witt
lemon juice and oil, which has beer
made fragrant by jnfusions of odorifer
GUS flowers. Some of the women wea
it hanging down their backs, entirel,
unadorned, while others, especially The
matrons, build it up in a kind of coil, OF
knot, held by a golden comb, and orna
mented by pins, or very frequently
adorned by bright, fragrant flower.
They scorn bonnets or hats, but otter
throw handkerchief over their heads
and, if the heat of the sun is very in.
tense, carry parasol for protection.
Another admirable feature, nearly all
the women possess, is liquid and Ian,
gushing eyes, which are used with tell.
ing effect, and their third vanity is their
very finely shaped feet, that never know
a stocking, but which are thrust into
slippers, without heels. tasteful and
elaboratelv embroidered with gold OF
silver thread.
The walk OF the women is graceful but
rather coquettish; and when the clog is
donned on wet days they move with a
very peculiar swing, which is quite dis
tinct from the japanese totter.
The thumb-nail OF the right hand is
allowed to grow very long, which assists
them playing the guitar, their favorite
instrument.
| The dress of the Tagal women consists
of a little shirt made Of the famous pima
cloth, having wide, short sleeves.
This is worn loose, quite unbound to
the figure, and reaches to the waist.
Around it is girt petticoat, called sava
made of silk, either striped or check, but
always OF gay colors. Sometimes it is
also of pima cloth; the quality and color
ing frequently very beautiful and some
times cheap and common.
Out of doors another article of dress, a
tapiz, or SHAWL is wrapped tightly
around the loins and waist above the
saya, and generally it is black or dark
blue with narrow white stripes. A pro-
fusion of bracelets and chains and ear
rings, all of beautifully worked gold or
silver, usually completes the silver of a
Tagal beauty. The more opulent pos
sess very valuable jewels and often are
seen with necklaces and bracelets of
diamonds and pesrls.
Over her neatly folded neckerchief the
Tagal woman wears a crucifix, or
little bag OF relics, suspended by chain.
Sometimes she will have a rosary of coral
or pearls, and medals of copper or gold,
bearing the figure of Our Lady of Mexico
or of Guadaloupe. This is not to be
wondered at when it is remembered that
the Philippine Islands, discovered by
Magellan in 1921, were controlled by the
monks and friars, who literally took
possession of the islands and islanders,
and have had an enormous influence for
more than three centuries. They even
imported the Inquisition from Spain
with other delicacies OF the same at
tractive nature.
The Philippine women Of all ages
children and old women, as well as
young girls and matrons, smoke long
cigars. chew the bete nut, dance, swim
and ride: but the great ambition OF every
woman is to possess a dress, scarf, or
1t least handkerchief Of the famous
pima cloth. There is no more beautiful
'abric manufactured in any part of the
world than this, which is made from the
ibre of the pineapple leaf and is quite
Il common skirt costs from 81
o $40; a whole dress costs at least $40;
md no less sum than SIS has been paid
or Il single garment. A good average
cart or handkerchief brings from $25
o So When embroidered, IA scarf pin
If pima sometimes costs as much as
$50
The most important industry that the
women of the Philippines are engaged ,
n is tobacco. In the making of cheroots :
one but women are employed, and |
here are no less than 1000 busy in the
,ctories Of Manila alone Men make
he cigarllos, or small cigars, which are ,
noked by the natives; but women only |
re allowed to prepare and roll the cigars c
! Is estimated that 81 900 women find t
in this business. and only {
800 men. Each room in the enorlnnu!
ctories contains from 500 to 1000 ,
omen,a n,all o. whom are seated, or rather i
luatted, ON the floor. Il
At intervals little round tables are t.
aced, and at every one OF these an C
derly matrOn is stationed to keep watch r.
ier the dozen or So younger women and
rls. The noise Is absolutely madden n
K, as stones are used for beating ont t
e leaf. a ciparnaker earns from 50 to fl
0 month, which is quite sufficient to il
'ovide her with necessary comforts,a and o
aves a balance for dress. Il
The married women, whose husbands
rn their living for them, in the field e.
factory, keep house in a primitive e,
shion. The patriarchaI custom of e.
aking the lover serve IN the house OF ls
s intended brides father is universal v