The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-12-23
Experiences in Philippines
BISHOP DouGHERTY GIVES DE
scRIPTloN OF LIFE IN THE
PACIFIC ISLES.

What does snow look like?' was a
question frequently asked me by the
Filipinos," said Bishop Dougherty OF
Buffalo, in the course of an extremely
entertaining and informing talk given
by him recently.
1t was a graphic word-picture of the
Philippines at first hand by one who
had absorbed it's varied character in
his lengthy stay in the islands, when
he either witnessed or participated in
customs or ceremonies as they oc'
Cured at one time or another. And
the talk was well besprinkled with
amusing incidents which lost nothing
in the telling.
After briefly touching on the dis
covery of the Philippines by Magellan
who lies buried there, and their being
later named after Philip, son OF
Charles V, the speaker gave de-
scription of the inhabitants of the
Malay Archipelago. There are three
distinct divisions - Mahommedans
dubbed Moros by the Spaniards;
Christians, and savages. The latter
live in the interior and up in the
mountains, and are called Igorrotes
while the Christians, of whom seven.
eighths are Catholic, fringe the coast.
line. When speaking of the Moros
Bishop Dougherty told of their in.
domitable courage, begotten of fana'
ticism, quoting remark made to him
by Brigadier-G General Pershing that he
had never met with such fanatic cour
age as exhibited by the Moros.
A description of a Moro running
amuck," to kill the Christian dogs
was interesting, If bit gruesome
The fanatic first obtained permission
from the Moro civil head and priest
then going to a room. hound himself
with a rope so as almost to stop cir
culation and there tasted for several
days, passing his time sharpening a
villainous knife to the keenness of a
razor. When the allotted time was uI
the half-crazed fanatic rushed to the
market-place, slashing right and left
until dispatched himself, which was
difficult because of his immunity
through the days of impeded circula
ton of blood.
Another story on the same line was
an explanation of the tattooing oil
heads upon breasts of the young Igor
rotes of the interior. This is some
thing akin to the Indian braves dis
play of scalps on his wampum as &
sign of valor. Bishop Dougherty tolC
of visit he once made to the out
post of Christian civilization, a horse
back journey of seventeen days, anC
his feelings when he saw a war dance
going on at the summit of hill. HI
had become separated from his party
and the outlook was not promising
but it proved to be only the Igorrott
chiefs manner of welcoming such /;
parsonage as a Bishop. The inconven
fence of having a bad omen cross tn,
path of a packhorse and the delay re
quired until good one CHANGED along
as meanwhile the Bishop waited il
rain-drenched garments, was humor
ously described.
Rain falls for six months in thu
Philippines, as much in one day al
here during an entire season. This ii
necessary to aid cultivation OF thu
staple product, rice. When the rice il
/ growing the islands from valley ii
mountain top are lovely and the skies
have the clear blue of Italy.
The recurrence Of earthquakes, milC
and severe; the awful destruction o
the typhoon, the prevalence of Asiati,
cholera, and the omnipresence of :
peculiarly venomous mosquito arr
some of the decidedly unpleasant
features of the United Statesis new
possessions. Consumption is ais
rampant among the poor, partly do,
to families inhabiting small quarters
the affected mingling with the vel
persons.
Leprosy is also found there, but tn,
government tries by segregation Il
check the spread of the disease
Jesuit fathers attend these stricken
people. Bishop Dougherty paid ;
warm tribute to the heroism of tn,
Belgian nuns who labor among tn,
Fflipinos. These nuns work anon,
the poor people, tending them in TIL
most loathsome sickness, and by thei
lunceasing kindness winning souls t
Christianity.
| The Filipino's love of religious eS
ternals, professions and such cere
monies, was wildly described, ais,
some personal customs. Women d.
not think they are becomingly attire,
unless wearing trains a yard and
half long, even little girls of twelv
years trail this garb through the dust
streets. No hats are worn. the onl,
headgear being the graceful Spanisl
mantilla.
/ Filipino women smoke, and not tn
dainty cigarette. but big, fat brow
cigar that they make themselves, an
which would sell here at fifty cent
Eapiece. When Bishop Doueherty Wis
lifted any of the homes, the hostess i'm
-