The record-union., 1899-09-25
IN A FILIPINO THEATER.

Manila. June 13.-8esterday I visited
a Filipino theater, and though the
others present enjoyed it in different
way, I warrant none of them enjoyed
it more heartily than /.
It is conducted in a large nipa build
ing that stands beside our road into
the city on Cervantes street. Passing
in at the gate, an inclosure was found
where were booths, at which disposed
for sale were bottles of pop and of So
called lemonade, cigarettes, sweets of
various kinds or, as they are called in
Spanish, dulces, that word including all
forms of sweets, candies, desserts and
the like.
The performance was announced at
4:30, but / was early, so a half hour
was spent in looking about, engaging
in good-natured chat with all the wait
ing men, women and children. But I
should say all the children, for such
they are, no matter their age. One old
fellow wore red breeches, and I believe
firmly he belongs to General Pho del
Pillars famous Twelfth Regiment that
we were chasing last week, yet he was
so childishly happy that I bore him no
grudge for shooting at me. There
were bellies and beaux, and the beaux
presented the bellies with necklaces Of
tuberoses and rose geranium leaves
skillfully strung on thread and making
pretty band; but when they were all
assembled inside, the odor of the flow
ers was too much like a funeral to be
cheerful. The women's clothes were
immaculate, starched stiff and looking
as fresh and neat as possible; their
neck handkerchiefs are their pride, and
are bordered with lace, said in many
cases to be very valuable. One girl
whom 1 noticed seemed got up specially
for the occasion and was quite con-
scious. She had on black stockings,
and was the only one I saw who bore
that distinction, all the others scuff1ing
around in their wooden n-soled slippers
suspended by the band across their bare
toes This particular girl showed by
her manner she knew she was pretty,
and she was, in spite of having in
dulged in the Spanish custom of put
ting powder on her face. but she was
not shy, and if I had been able to speak
Tagalo I am sure I could have fed her
dulces at the lunch counter all after
noon. / might even have made it
with Spanish, but I didn't.
The band, regular Filipino brass
band, played in an open nipa building
outside the theater, and everybody
walked about and chatted in the most
good-natured way possible. They
were as happy as children and laughed
and talked to me, and some things
understood and some I didn't, but it
made no difference. The band on my
appearance played Marching Through
Georgia and Rally Round the Flag,
Boys" and all smiled and looked at
me, and it was so good-natured 1 for
got to be embarrassed by so much at
tention. A little interruption occurred
while the Rally Round the Flag" was
going on. for there were some game
cocks picketed near by, and one pulled
his picket pin, and Immediately there
was a fight which adjourned the band
and caused everybody to rush, excited,
to the spot. But the owner shortly
appeared and stopped the fun, so we
went back and rallied round the flag
some more and ate dulces and drank
pop and chatted until the changing of
the bell inside warned us of the ap-
preaching performance.
The play bill at the door announced
saThe Martyr Husband" in which "El
pastor Leopoldo" and La pastora Leo
garda' performed. last week it was