Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-02-16
SOCIAL
Side Of Life In
Philippines
Described by Private
Chas. Burch,
In an Interesting Letter
to His Sister.
Attended a Dance Given by the
Natives.


Private Chas. Burch, OF this city, now
soldier in the Philippines, has writ
ten a letter his sister. descriptive Of
the social side of life in the Philip
pines. The letter, which is very inter-
esting, follows:
Badoc, P. l., Nov. 80, 1000.
My Dear Sister:
Having the evening to myself, l
will try to do my best in giving you
little idea of Philippine dance.
Yesterday being Thanksgiving, the ma
tives spent the day in conducting cock
fights, pony racing and other different
sporting games.
The commanding officer allowed them
this privilege, but strengthened the
guard to 40 men. The Filipinos have
band, and they played all day; they
are all musicians; you cannot find any
that do not play an instrument of
some kind; each shack has two or three
Instruments. They can play all the
alleged latest songs, such as; After
the Ball." "Only One Girl" "Hot Time
in the Old Town Tonight" etc. If they
are old it makes us think of the great
times we have had in the States. We
have not seen our Third cavalry band
since we landed. 1t Is stationed at
Vigan headquarters, 20 miles from
Badoc. The natives dance (that is, the
better class,) about the same as we do.
only a quicker and shorter step in the
waltz. Every time ! go over to the
police station l spend a few minutes
in dancing with the police. There are
always two or three playing the violin
or guitar. Last night several Of us
fellows were invited over to the dance
in the police station. OF course we
all dressed up and strolled over. The
band was playing on the outside, and
we went up into the hall, where our
officers were, seven in all. We were
surprised, as we did not expect them
there. But this did not stop us. We
took seat on a bench near the door
and proceeded to watch the fun. Off,
GERS were all dressed in white, also
the natives, the senoritas, dressed in
yellow, looked more like dolls, with
their copper colored skin.
The dance started off with waltz.
The chief of police got partners for the
officers as they could not catch on at
first, but in few minutes they had 1t
down "pat." 1t was all we could do
to hold our seats. but we knew better
than to get up and dance while the Of
ficers were there, so the only thing we
could do was rubber. We were thank
full to be able to look on, but didn't
know whether the officers liked 1t or
not. Their square dances were about
the same as ours, only prettier. 1t GER
tainly was pretty sight to see Phil
ippine couple dancing together. They
hold one another the same way we.
do. A senorita sang several songs in
her native language, also several Of
the senoras sang few songs. About
o'clock they adjourned to another
room where lunch was served.
1t was beautiful sight to behold, to
see the senoritas with elbows on the
table, their chin resting on their hands.
The Filipinos do not use knives or
forks; they use their fingers. The Japs
are more advanced In their ways Of
eating, although they still use their
chop sticks. The President borrowed
the knives and forks from the com.
mandlng officers. When the senoritas
sat down at the table they did not
understand the use of the knives and
forks but the officers explained. II
was comical to watch them. They did
not have rice as they We're accustomed
to. but had canned goods from the