Miscellaneous Letters Exchanged Between Jose Rizal and Others

014. José M. Cecilio, Manila, 11 July 1892

Receives letters of Rizal from Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo – News of mutual friends.

015. Fr. Leoncio López, Kalamba, 25 August 1882

Wishes Rizal success in his studies – More on the fiesta of Kalamba – Cholera – Closing of the schools.

016. Thomás Cabangis, Barcelona, 3 October 1882

Inquires about the special examinations – Forwards a letter to Rizal – Why he changed his boarding house.

017. José M. Cecilio, Manila, 15 December 1882

Leonor is suffering from insomnia – Another epidemic: Beriberi – News of girl friends – Ravages of the typhoons – Anacleto del Rosario is going to study in Spain. Note: the original letter is badly damaged.

018. Rizal, Madrid, 30 December 1882 || to Leandro Lopez

Rizal writes to a Kalamba friend about the girls of Calamba -- His impression of Spanish women..

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014. José M. Cecilio, Manila, 11 July 1892

Receives letters of Rizal from Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo – News of mutual friends.

Manila, 11 July 1882

Mr. José Rizal

My dear Friend and Namesake,

For the duration of my eye ailment, I had to deprive myself of many things, for I was closed up in the house for three months. Now that I am completely cured I am going to pick up my pen and write you that, according to the information of my landlord and Gella, who attended your town fiesta, it was as grand as that of the year before last. What a pity I was not there because my illness did not permit it; otherwise I would have applauded Ramon Arrieta who played the role of Cucufate [Saint Cucufate or Cucufas / Cucuphas: a Spanish martyr killed in 304 AD by the Romans ? - rly] in Classical Music.

I am informed of the contents of your three letters written in Singapore, Point Galle, and Colombo. It was a great satisfaction for me to read in them the flattering treatment accorded you by your fellow passengers, particularly the former governor of Antique, and the care they lavished on you when you got seasick. In the understanding that you continued your voyage, you should now be strolling in the capital city of Barcelona, if not in Madrid. I congratulate you on your happy arrival, as we all wished and hoped. Soon we shall receive letters from you written in Spain. How we have devoured what you have already addressed to us.

As you will read in the letters of your brother and the landlord these two oblige you to go to Madrid for reasons they explain in them.

In compliance with your request, I delivered all your books and other articles to your sister Maria who came with your mother on the night of . . . . of last month, birthday of the landlord. On this occasion, we had a special dinner, the invited guests being the Vazquez girls and Mamerta. There was not much merriment because the landlord is in mourning due to the recent death of his brother Pepe (may he rest in peace). I wrote a little speech which is worth at least two, though it is bad for me to say so, that was read after the dinner by one Juan Moran of Lingayen, who has come here to put a boy in school.

Last night I was with friend Miciano at the house of Margaita whose family I visited in your name and they send you their affectionate regards as well as many thanks. I entertained the girl M. with my everlasting chatter, but I also saddened her with the news that we received that V.J. is gravely ill of rheumatism in one leg which, according to medical opinion, ought to be amputated. Just imagine, if the opinion of that physician is carried out if it will not leave him half a man. You cannot depict the marked sadness on the face of his sweetheart. Poor betrothed!

Until now my numerous pursuits have not allowed me to pay a visit to the girls in Sta. Cruz. This evening I shall have to work until a late hour and the days will soon come when I will have to work from 9 to 12 at night on account of the blessed appropriations. The Rizalian relations with that district will not be cut off for this because I will try to pay them a visit before the little night work comes, if the weather does not prevent it, inasmuch as it has been raining at intervals for days although not so heavy.

I repeat that my work does not permit me to now give you much news, but trusting that they will all be in the next landlord’s letter to you, I will close here until the next, wishing you much happiness. You know you can command your friend and comrade at your pleasure,

Jose M. Cecilio

P.S.

As you will understand, with the little time at my disposal, I cannot make this letter literary and therefore it is all written hastily.

It seems that we can expect earthquakes, for we have already felt a rather appreciable earthquake on the 9^th.

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015. Fr. Leoncio López, Kalamba, 25 August 1882

Wishes Rizal success in his studies – More on the fiesta of Kalamba – Cholera – Closing of the schools.

Kalamba, 25 August 1882

Mr. Jose Rizal

My distinguished Friend,

I received your letter and I thank you infinitely for the affectionate sentiments and benevolence that you dedicate to me. I must tell you that your sudden departure surprised me and at the same time caused me anguish and dejection, but it did not take me long to console myself by thinking that you have realized your beautiful dream. May God will that your ardent enthusiasm for the sciences, literature, and fine arts produce the desired result, and if possible, within a short time, so that before I leave this vale of tears, but I can give you in person my congratulation with my soul bursting with joy and clasp your hand affectionately.

In accordance with your request I went to your house, I spoke to your parents, your brother, and sisters, and I saw copious tears running down their cheeks. However, I have the pleasure to tell you that, without my doing anything, I have found them all agreed and resigned.

Over here we have had thirty-five days of squalls with gusts of wind of hurricane strength that caused no little damage to the plantations.

Despite the bad weather, the town fiesta was most animated on account of the numerous people who attended it. There was a play, and there were five music bands, magnificent fireworks, and other things.

Fifteen days after the fiesta your sister, Olimpia, went to Bulacan to live with her husband who is in charge of the telegraph office of that town.

I’m not going to stop here to tell you about the magnificent festival held on the occasion of the inauguration of the Carriendo water system in the capital because first you will read it described in great detail in the Diario de Manila, La Oceana, and other Manila newspapers, and secondly because it does not seem to me the proper time to speak of fiestas in these critical and discouraging times.

The dreaded cholera is raging in the walled city and its districts and through all the local newspapers try through a thousand means to extenuate its ravages in order to raise the morale of the people, its victims are so many that the governor general has been obliged to issue a decree declaring the port of Manila filthy. Persons who have just come from the city tell me that every day an average of 50 persons die of it.

May God have mercy on us and remove from these Islands this terrible calamity.

As a precautionary measure all educational institutions are closed and all the college, including the Seminary, are vacated.

Your nephews Emilio, Angelica, and Antonio join their parents in their daily prayers to God and the Virgin so that they may help you achieve your laudable aspirations and shower unceasingly on your soul their most valuable blessings. Your little niece Isabel does not know yet how to talk, but, taught by her parents, she now begins to babble the name of her absent uncle.

That you may be completely satisfied is the wish of your attentive and devoted friend, who kisses your hand,

Leoncio Lopez

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016. Thomás Cabangis, Barcelona, 3 October 1882

Inquires about the special examinations – Forwards a letter to Rizal – Why he changed his boarding house.

Barcelona, 3 October 1882

Friend Pepe,

Enclosed is a letter from the Philippines that I received from the postman this morning. I wish that you are in good health and at the same time I hope that the news it brings you are satisfactory. The letters I received bring good news of my family, thank God.

I suppose that you have already received a letter of mine addressed to Perio’s house (Barquillo No. . . . . .) and if you have received it, I hope you will answer me notifying me when and how the special examinations that they will give us on the occasion of the Queen’s delivery will be and if those who do not take them will be considered suspended.

Farewell, my friend; regards to Perio and you command your friend who loves you,

Thomás

Already wearied of the bed-bugs and fleas and Mrs. Silvestra’s negligence, I finally changed my boarding house, despite the fact that I intend to leave soon for that city. One morning we had a little quarrel which compelled me to make this sudden transfer, so that I am now living in a house on a wide street and very near the hospital, whose address is 21 Mendizabal, 4^th 2. For the present I am alright and this young widow who is taking care of me treats me with much kindness. It seems to me that Lorenzo also must have changed his housing.

The same

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017. José M. Cecilio, Manila, 15 December 1882

Manila, 15 December 1882

Mr. José Rizal y Mercado

My dear Namesake and esteemed Friend,

In reply to your letter of the 30 October last, I am going to tell you I am pleased with your good news which made me wish vehemently to see you in your black overcoat, black gloves, silk hat, etc.

I thought that I was already exempted from contributing to the number of victims of this fatal epoch of calamities that have desolated and continue desolating still this beautiful, as well as pleasant, capital city of Manila. But then I was undeceived when, on the 12 of last month, fever seized my funny, fat body. It was checked at the beginning, thanks to the great medical knowledge of our esteemed friend Zamora. [01] I’m convalescing until now, but any day now I shall again be going back and forth to the office.

Your brother, Paciano, has been here since yesterday and tomorrow he goes back. He has come to do some shopping and spend money and bring a box of bijon [02] and silk handkerchiefs for you.

The bearer of all these things, as well as of the large and delicate orders that you ask of me in your letter which I am answering, will be Sanciangco [03] who is here, but will soon return to that country.

May God grant that you win in the lottery so that there we can meet. I advance to you my thanks.

The person who suffers on your account – of this you should not have the least doubt, inasmuch as the sky is cloudless and the stars can be clearly seen – left her retreat due to illness. She is suffering from insomnia and angina, and she is thin. The persons who appreciate her no longer know what to do for her, but our physician friend, who was consulted about her ailments said that insomnia was natural at her age. But anyone who had seen him when he said this would suspect that there was some ambiguity in his words. This unfortunate person must be praying that the no in that phrase Hasta el amore o se olvida [04] be never erased or remain init forever. I let this person read this morning the paragraphs in your letter concerning her. She sends you her most affectionate regards.

I am afraid that this letter will not give you pleasure, as did the perusal of my letter of August 28; but no, here goes one piece of good news that will make you jump with all your heart and might. L On account of the physical defect or physical incapacity of our friend . . . it seems that his marriage contract with M . . . has been cancelled. The poor lad walks with crutches in the house, but they are useless to him; they only impede his walking. Con qaue v. cuidado, [05] as we usually say. This is to enter or get out of the fight.

I do not know how Manila has imported an epidemic from the Ganges. [A river in northern India & Bangladesh – rly] It is causing many deaths here. It begins with inflammation of the feet which rises up the body and, if the attending physician does not guess right, the patient takes an eternal voyage. This disease is unknown to physicians, for it is new in the city. The physicians who have discovered its name are Mr. Felipe Zamora and a German called Coeniger. The Indians call this sickness beriberi. [A disease now known to be caused by a lack of vitamin B₁, thiamine, in the diet - rly] It entered this house, the victims being the poet Feliciano Cabrera and Pelayo. The first almost died one night had not Zamora, who treats him, arrived at midnight, for he suffered a pressure in the chest that would have finished him forever. Hardly had four days passed, last night, he had an attack again and it has not subsided until 2:00 o’clock this morning. On account of this, the landlady, who sends you her kindest regards, has asked me to tell you not to expect any letter from her because she is exceedingly busy these days.

I have not reached Sta. Cruz, our former district, until now. Consequently I have not yet visited our dear girl friends, but I know they are well because one night I met Capitan José, father-in-law of I know not who . . . and I asked him if there had not been any illness in his house; he said there was none and that his family was well. He wished to thank you and give you his many regards as, not knowing your address, he can not write you. I gave him the name of the street where you live, but I could not give him the number as I could not remember it.

The Vasquez girls are well but your patient Juana, their sister, is already in the other life. I do not know what inflammation she had that caused her death.

I will deal again with our elegant lass M . . . who asks me whenever I am at her house to give you her regards. I send you hers every time I write you. There is reciprocity. They have moved to another house, according to the landlord. They live in the district of San Nicolas on the street of the same name. Do you remember our strolls in that district?

Your sisters, Narcisa and Pangoy, and your brother-in-law Antonino have been here to deliver 50 to the landlord for your Christmas present. They were all here two days ago and, according to Paciano, they are still at the house of Chuidian.

The greatest pleasure of all the news that I give you is that your dear parents and brother are well.

Olimpia was here a week ago but she stayed a very short time because she was in a hurry. She came to Manila on her way to Bulacan to visit her husband.

But here is one piece of news that will undoubtedly make you sad, and it is that our friend, Mr. Juan Elizegui y Bautista, is already in another life. The disease that killed him was tuberculosis and a lesion in the heart on account of his being very studious.

For the third time I return to M . . . to tell you that she has a rounded body due to exercising with weights. I am vexed not to have known who had given her weights that are needed for a gradual exercise. Is it worthwhile for you to jump with all your heart and might?

Mr. E. S. . . . whom we suspected, and because it was the rumor, of being the true suitor of O . . ., now, according to news, will be married to Miss D. P. after whom was P . . . formerly. Do you remember that mournful letter I wrote in your room in this house?

P. y Margall’s letter that you will send me for the family of Dr. Jugo must be of great interest to them, according to Zamora, who informed me of their condition. They are well but they lost much in the typhoon of 20 October for their piano was ruined. That letter must bring some lottery tickets from there, according to Zamora.

Your Compadres [friends - rly] are well, but they also suffered losses in the last typhoons. Teong lives in the cigar store because he cannot find a house, as many are looking for houses, but they cannot find even half a house.

Ramon Gonzaga is the one who has contributed the most to these calamities not only with the loss of his house but also the loss of his dearest possession, his wife. Their son, for whom you proscribed some medicine one night at the cigar store for having an unequal “barometer,” I completely cured. He just took the syrup with iron that you prescribed but the application of the pomade could not e done because the boy would not permit it. I understood from you that the syrup would serve to increase or purify the blood in order that the “environs” would be leveled. And how, then, was he cured?

Please tell me in writing, inasmuch as it is not possible for me to hear by word of mouth the most brilliant exit, according to Leoncio, that one day, when we were in Calamba, you taught the funny Orros (no absent, he is in Cagayan). It was about the one who loves a young woman and is loved by her and declares to another, who knows about his love affair with the other, and, without lying, he is accepted by the second to whom he makes a declaration of love. Here, although we are screwing our wits, we cannot hit the mark. By lying we know how to maintain this polemic.

Friend Anacleto del Rosario is going there next year to get the doctor’s degree, but he will not stay more than six months for he has no one who can take care of his poor and aged mother. But I believe that he will be the bearer of the things and even the diamond ring that were brought by your sisters Cisang, Pangoy and Sanciangco.

Entada phaseoloides (gogo)

One thing surprises me: You have ordered bijon and other things, but you forgot a precious thing and that I the gogo [a medicinal plant whose bark is used by herbalists in the Philippines (Entada phaseoloides) - rly] that our women use. An ill turn can be done her if you will prepare the gogo before she takes a bath so that she can use it. Perhaps you would say that this is a difficult idea. Is it not true?

The day when you produce a play whose principal character bears the name of Elvira, I will exclaim saying: “At last I seduced him.” But you just make beriberi as that is the prevailing sickness in this, your country.

M . . . ., the quintessence of womanliness, as you say, is well, but the one visiting her frequently is my cousin Miciano. She, as well as the Vasquez girls, requests me to send you her regards whenever I write you.

But you are not going to write the Sta. Cruz girls? They have the same request of me and so receive the regards of those simple folk.

This year all the fiestas here have been cold because of the calamities that have devastated Manila.

Ever your affectionate friend, who sends you a tight embrace,

Cecilio

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[01] Dr. Felipe Zamora.

[02] Chinese noodles.

[03] Dr. Gregorio Sanciango y Gozon, Filipino reformer, lawyer, and writer. He was the author of Progresso de Filipinas quoted by Rizal in his essay, “The Indolence of the Filipinos.”

[04] Literally, “even love is not forgotten.”

[05] “So then you be careful,” is a colloquial expression of Spanish-speaking Filipinos.

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018. Rizal, Madrid, 30 December 1882 || To Leandro Lopez

Rizal writes to a Calamba friend about the girls of Calamba – His impression of Spanish women.

Madrid, 30 December 1882

Mr. Leandro Lopez

My dear Friend:

I received on the 20^th of this month your letter of 26 September and I thank you for the news you have sent me.

Although I am far from there and gone are my happy days in Calamba; although if I return, I shall find the flowers I left turned into fruit; although the few young ladies I have met have already wiped me off from their memories, because everything can be killed by distance and time. Still, I receive whatever news awakens my dormant memory with sadness and joy.

While I was still there, I could read in the eyes and behavior of some of my acquaintances what would happen. That Loling should accept Cordoba is not new to me. I could glean it in the vagueness of our conversation in the month of December of 1881. I am sorry that a desire of mine has been spoiled and nipped in the bud. The town of Calamba is not lacking in fine young men and if compared with an ordinary town, it cannot be greatly surpassed. However, why do our young ladies marry outsiders? I do not want to delve in this matter because we shall all be hurt.

May Albino, Carias, Mamerto, Andoy, and Simeon who are courting Talia . . . have good luck. But let us not waste words.

If Titay Biangue marries Carias, I hope God will save you from peril. What son will dare?

Let the suitors of Ipay who lost amuse themselves.

I have nothing to tell you about the women here [in Spain - rly] because I have yet no acquaintances. In order that you may have an idea of them, I am going to tell you about some of their customs. There are many who are pretty, with pretty eyes, nose, mouth, complexion, shape of the face, etc., etc. However, they lack what in Spanish is called expression (expression). They lack gentleness and coolness, the sweet look, and others. If you were here, you would like them, your ways being similar to theirs. Guerra patani! [01] Here there are many fine young ladies born there. Sometimes they have six or seven suitors each, so much preferred are those born and raised there. Very, very different are the women there [the Philippines - rly] from the women here [Spain - rly].

Please give my regards to Loling, Julia (yours), Sula, Felipe, Victorio, Marcosa, Titay, and others. Also to Albino, Circilo, Pio, Vito, and other friends.

I am at your command.

J. Rizal

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[01] Literally “bean’s war.” It is a figure of speech for “a harmless action.”