The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-04-15
AN INTERESTING
FILIPINO GROUP
Bright and Clever Men. Women
and Children Bound for
Jamestown.

Advertiser The visitors were Sonora
Gordoneiiio ana her little son, Senori-
tas Eamiteria, Sofa and FrOeitoa Cor
deneillo. and Senors Juan NJ. Arellam,
Raymond Costosa, Daniel Jalandoui,
Caesar CarbeIlo and Juan NJ. Arellano.
They had just arrived by the America
Maru, coming from IloilO via Hong
kong, Shanghai and japanese ports, and
were on their way to the jamestown
Exposition. They had been selected to
represent their country at jamestown
who has charge of the exhibit from
the Philippines. Those who go back
win return in about seven months, but
four of the young men, Seniors Arellam,
Raymond, Costosa and JaIandoni, who
are members of the native orchestra,
expect to remain to go to school, Mr..
Sutherland having promised to assist
| them.
The young women are skilled weavers
of pima cloth and were selected as ex-
perts from amongst the most expert
weavers in their province. The fabric
/ is made from the fiber of the pine
apple. The finest qualities are amongst
the eostliest of fabrics, an embroider-
! ed neckerchief often selling as high
| as $50 or 800. It is of course woven
/ by hand. and the Senoritas Gordoncillo
are taking their native looms with them
/ They receive S12 a month each, and all
expenses. including their transportation
to jamestown and return. The three
young girls were a remarkably hand
some trio. the Sonora, whose little boy
was smartlv dressed in American
clothes. being older and less eomely.
All wore the pretty native. dress
and there is none more graceful and
becoming. Their silky, Jet black hair
was simply arranged and they wore nj
hats. Sonora Sofia was charming In 2
pink gown with the narrow skirt, point
ed train, chemisette and very short
sleeves. which has been the height Of
fashion in the Philippines for some
centuries. Over the low short-sleeveo
bodice was a short jacket with full, flow
ing sleeves. Sonora Sofas jacket wa:
cream color.
"What do you call it," Senor Ar
rellam was asked.
He spoke excellent English and act
ed as interpreter, so far as one was
required, and very Intelligent one he
was
"Oh, that he said trying to think
of an English equivalent. "Oh, we
call that-just clothes"
Sonora Eamiteria wore gay striped
skirt, lowered pink and green, with a
shrimp pink jacket which it was finally
| learned was baro. The other ladies
wore plaid skirts with cream colore1
baros, finely embroidered.
There were not enough chairs to go
around, so the pretty Sonora Sofa
gracefully seated herself on the re-
| porter's desk, swinging one small loot.
All she lacked was a guitar TO have
been altogether irresistible. 1t present
" transpired that she, also, knew Eng
lish. and she watched the writing 60
ing on under her eyes not only with
interest but critically. Presently she
saw the English version of her name
going down on the paper. She leaned
over and pointed to it with her small,
brown index finger.
"Please spell it Sofia she re-
marked, little startingly. The good
English spoken by the younger women
and the men was altogether surprls-
ing.
Where did you learn it'' one Of
them was asked
s'Oh. in school, was the reply.
''Was your teacher an AmericanF
was the next question, it being appar-
ent that if he, or she, were one OF the
educational missionaries sent out to he
Philippines, from the United States
These examples of tFcir training eer-
tainly justified their la. org. But there
was another surprise.
'"Oh. no, = said Senior Gonzales he
was a Filipino
"'Did he learn English in Manila,
there being suspicion that he might
have been a commercial agent who ha1
learned English in his business rela-
tions with the Americans, and suose-
auentlv have taken TO school teach
ing.
''Oh. no. - said the Senor. once more
with an indulgent smile. He learn Il
Continued on Page Four)