u/Chill_Boi_0769

I found these interesting silhouettes and their accompanying doggerel.

>Doggerel, or doggrel, is poetry that is irregular in rhythm and in rhyme, often deliberately for burlesque or comic effect. Alternatively, it can mean verse which has a monotonous rhythm, easy rhyme, and cheap or trivial meaning.

It certainly give a jokey idea of what pilgrims going to Obando specifically Obando, Bulacan are, specifically for the Obando Fertility Rites.

>The Obando Fertility Rites are a dance ritual, Anitist in origin, that later became a Catholic festival celebrated every May in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines...

>The rites are observed in a triduum: 17 May for St. Paschal Baylon, 18 May for St. Clare of Assisi, and 19 May for Our Lady of Salambáo. Each of the three days usually begins with a morning Mass said by the parish priest. A procession, held immediately thereafter, consists of the three saints' images followed by bands playing instruments made of bamboo or brass, and devotees who dance the fandango while singing the hymn, Santa Clara Pinung-Pino (Saint Clare, Most Refined). The image of each saint leads the procession on his or her designated feast day.

>The rites, especially the fertility dance, are popular with pilgrims from all over the Philippines, most of whom supplicate the triad of saints for a child, a spouse, or general good fortune. Throughout the three days, devotees joyously dance in the streets as a form of prayer, asking for the spirit of life to enter into the wombs of women.

With that, here are the original doggerels (perhaps in Chavacano), and their respective English translation as translated in the book.

Upper Left:

>Si embarca en pero-caril,
tiene cualtas que pagá;
y no tá yo dibelti
por que no puede baila.

>If embark on the locomotive,
me have moneys to defray;
but I no feel divertive
because no can swing and sway.

Upper Right:

>Con el guitara y bailando
No cansa este caminá:
Y cuando llegue en Obando,
¡Nacù! tá yo enamorà.

>With a guitar and ala dancing
wayfaring is unperspiring: When
in Obando me arriving, Ye, gads!
I'll be romanizing.

Lower Left:

>En el lampara del Santo,
el mi mano ha de mojà,
y para no pasá tanto,
mi bariga ha de sobà.

>In the oil lamp of the Saint, my
whole hand will infiltrate, so
there'll be no undue restraint,
come time for tummy to deflate.

Lower Right:

>Ha de bailà yo el pandango,
El cundiman y el subli,
¡Abà! tambien aquel tango
Que tà aprendé yo en Buji.

>I'll be performing the fandango,
The kundiman and the subli,
And, hey, including the tango
That I sweated mastering in Buji.

Reference:

Lopez Memorial Museum (now Lopez Museum and Library) as cited in Fiesta (1980) Alejandro R. Roces (p. 78)

This receipt interested me due to the presence of drawn carabaos on the left side such that the drawings take up more space than the written letter itself. I do wonder what is exactly stated in the letter.

Reference:

Ayala Museum as cited in Fiesta (1980) Alejandro R. Roces (p. 142)

I found this interesting image with most of the passengers starring. There are not much photos inside the railways. It is unknown where it was They are certainly well-dressed. It seems the man near the far left has no eyes but it's just that it's blurred due to lighting. The boy smiles with no teeth and holds some sort of paper perhaps to avoid the glare of the light.

Reference:

Lopez Memorial Museum (now Lopez Museum and Library) as cited in Fiesta (1980) Alejandro R. Roces (p. 96)

These are some of Rizal's sketches that he did when he stayed in Japan. They range from simple to much more detailed. The fifth one has a hidden face around the center. The tenth one gives the context for the piece being that of the kabuki play Meiboku Sendai Hagi (The Disputed Succession). The eleventh one is the tenth one but with the simplified happy and sad pair of Noh masks much more obvious but still blurry. The last one is the most detailed of all, that of O-Sei-San. If only there was a way for more of Rizal's sketches to be more public.

Reference:

Image 1 Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (between pp. 24-25)
Image 2 The Foods of Jose Rizal (2012) Felice Prudente Sta. Maria (p. 78)
Image 3 Sketches made by Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Sept. 24, 2014) vaughan
Image 4 Sketches made by Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Sept. 24, 2014) vaughan
Image 5 Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (between pp. 48-49)
Image 6 Sketches made by Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Sept. 24, 2014) vaughan
Image 7 Sketches made by Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Sept. 24, 2014) vaughan
Image 8 Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (between pp. 16-17)
Image 9
Image 10 Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (between pp. 22-23)
Image 11
Image 12 Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (between pp. 34-35)

In this annual, here are the activities done by the students and teachers at the Instituto de Mujeres. It does seem like a memorable year for the institute.

References:

Image 1 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937' (p. I)
Image 2 (p. 54)
Image 3 (p. 53)
Image 4 (p. 60)
Image 5 (p. XVI)
Image 6 (p. 51)
Image 7 (p. 56)
Image 8 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937'

Translated as 'Fig. 39: Work in the Dipterocarp Rainforest near Dahican, Camarines Norte', it showcases how it was to clear forests for numerous reasons especially for road infrastructure.

Reference:

Die Philippinen (1942) Dr. Albert Kolb (Tafel 22)

What makes this 1937 annual interesting is that the XXXIII International Eucharistic Congress occurred there from February 3-7, 1937 being the first in the Far East and in the Philippines under Pope Pius XI. The first image showcases day (left up, left down, right up) and night (right down ) views of this congress. The second image showcases sort-of pavilions to further strengthen the message of this congress. The third image showcases Women's Day which was held on February 4, 1937. This suits the Instituto de Mujeres given that their high school and students were female. Males were only in intermediate below.

References:

Image 1 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937'
Image 2 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937'
Image 3 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937'

This map showcases the ship Rizal took to Japan, the route it took including stopovers, the areas Rizal visited though the routes and specific days are not fully certain, and the ship Rizal took to eventually head to America. It seems he only docked at Moji in the Island of Kyushu and never landed on the Island of Shikoki. He certainly visited these other places in Japan whether alone or with companions to accompany and/or spy on him.

Reference:

Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (endpapers)

Translated as 'Fig. 37: The Salambaw, a raft-like Fishing Boat', it showcases the frontside view of the Salambaw, a type of lift net used by local fishermen in the Philippines. Alas, this one does not have the net in view. I do wonder where this was taken. One association with this is the Our Lady of Salambao where the Image of the Virgin of Salambao was discovered in 1763 by local fishermen in the Manila Bay.

Reference:

Die Philippinen (1942) Dr. Albert Kolb (Tafel 21)

Before finding the 1937 annual, there were limited photos of what the students and teachers there looked like. With this annual, this showcases the students who were there and the ones eating the food there. This showcases that it was sort of like a private school with its small-to-medium classroom size save for Spanish. There was that rare smile among the photos but not really the norm.

References:

Image 1 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937'
Image 2 (p. 51)
Image 3 (p. 49)
Image 4 (p. 48)
Image 5 (p. 34)
Image 6 (p. 46)
Image 7 (p. 34)
Image 8 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937'

Translated as 'Fig. 19: Spanish-Filipino Half-Breed (M. E. Quezon)', it showcases a smiling Quezon dressed decently, the photo certainly from before WWII which explains how they would have got it. He does look dignified. He did not have a name starting with E and was known as M.L.Q. The usage of the term Mischling is certainly Nazi given it was published in Leipzig in Nazi Germany in the middle of WWII. After all, he was the President of the Philippine government-in-exile due to the Japanese invasion, the Japanese being allies of the Nazis.

Edit: I just realized today is Quezon’s 82nd death anniversary. So there’s that.

Reference:

Die Philippinen (1942) Dr. Albert Kolb (Tafel 12)

I found this here. Indeed, these were quite typical meals one would eat there as an interna. Indeed, it resembles those simple Filipino meals especially with the rice, the white one, and banana, the Lakatan one. The simple non-rice Filipino breakfast was certainly influenced by the Spaniards and Americans. All these, however, were not as good as those made in the homes of the internas.

Reference:

The Governor-General’s Kitchen (2006) Felice Prudente Sta. Maria (p. 274)

In the 1937 annual, as shown in the first image, the Instituto de Mujeres advertised itself serving Kindergarten, Primary, Intermediate, Secondary, General and Homes Economics, and Colegiate Home Economics for the Bachelor of Science in Home Ec[o]nomics. They also offer Secondary Commerce, Arts, Vocational as well as Spanish and Tagalog, both languages present in the annual, Spanish less so and Tagalog even lesser. Options for contact then were the telephone for the wealthier especially Manila and the letter for the poorer especially in far-flung provinces. It certainly mentions its specific location at 287-289 Tayuman [St.], Tondo, Manila with telephone no. 4-95-21 for further information.

In the second image, it gives us a glimpse of what eating there and working there, as an interna (resident), was according to the recollections of Caridad Basa, a full boarder there in 1927. It is mostly familiar to simple school dormers: the expected table manners and the healthy but bland food with more effort during the birthday of the Directora (Directress Rosa L. Sevilla Alvero). The major differences were the use of the wood-fueled kalan and the ice chests. I find it odd the all menu items have the banana but it also states "Instead of the usual banana". Also, it implies it was just a college for women although the ad states otherwise. If only there were more recollections like those of Caridad Basa, food related or not.

References:

Image 1 Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937
Image 2 The Governor-General’s Kitchen (2006) Felice Prudente Sta. Maria (p. 274)

I found this interesting gem. What makes it unique to me is the presence of a nipa house on top. It reminds me of those 2 to 3 story buildings with rods of hope that did not continue but instead decided to just build something on top. It no longer exists.

In the 1937 annual, there are photos of the Instituto de Mujeres. The first image showcases what the front of the building looks like from the outside. As to why it looked familiar, I found this 1926 poster which hints when the original photo was taken, more than a decade ago. It implies nothing has really changed with the building and its surroundings. The second image showcases the library where students come to read whether for study or leisure. There is a piano and, on top, a mandolin. There seems to be a stage on the center left. There are also two portraits certainly of significant teachers at the Instituto. The photo was cut strangely. The third images shows what the model house of the Instituto de Mujeres should look like with its living room, kitchen, nursery, bedroom, and dining room. The area does have its old feel.

References:

Image 1 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937' (p. 6)
Image 2 (p. 14)
Image 3 (p. 10)

I found this interesting picture of the postcard. Interestingly, only the front subjects were colorized with the back remaining black-and-white. It does not mention the specific location where it was taken. I am convinced it is at the Binondo Church also known as The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. There is another photo of flower vendors which mention Binondo Church. Looking at the bottom of the church, they both look similar.

O-Sei-San, whose real name is Seiko Usui (1867 - May 1, 1947), was a descendant of the Japanese samurai class. She taught Jose Rizal the Japanese language and sumi-e painting of which Rizal attempted to do some. There is that photo of hers. Lesser known, ironically, is this sketch of her during his stay there. It does not mention when specifically as I know Rizal's diary was well dated. If only Rizal's diary is easily viewable. The sketch does emphasize her chin, not shown in her usual portrait as well as that traditional shimada hairstyle. Alas, most of her pictures along with perhaps her personal traces of Rizal were likely destroyed during the air bombings of America during WWII. Had she lived longer and met the authors, she would have had more stories to tell.

Reference:

Rizal in Japan (1961) Caesar Z. Lanuza & Gregorio F. Zaide (between pp. 34-35)

Here are pictures of the founder of the Instituto de Mujeres, Rosa Sevilla de Alvero (born Rosa Lucia Sevilla y Tolentino) (March 4, 1879 – May 11, 1954). So, the L. here is just her second first name which is consistent to all three so it could have been Rosa Lucia T. Sevilla Alvero. As to why she chose this, it is uncertain.

For the first image, Directress was her role as Board of Directors given she was the founder. For the second image, Education, Spanish and Psychology was what she taught at the Home Economics Collegiate section. For the third image, Spanish and Pedagogy was what she taught at the High School section. In all, she looks quite dignified with those interesting graduating hats. These photos were certainly taken much earlier given she would have been 58 by the time of the publication of this annual.

References:

Image 1 'Instituto de Mujeres Annual 1937' (p. 7)
Image 2 (p. 11)
Image 3 (p. 15)

Translated as 'Fig. 52: Philippine Long-Distance Bus', it showcases what looks like a jeepney if it were in the forward facing style of the van. It looks like it was stuck after crossing low-lying waters and some alalay is trying to help get it out by putting stones. In reality, it is one of those buses perhaps belonging to the Albert Louis Ammen Transportation Company (Alatco), which became the recently defunct Philtranco. Do check out pictures of their buses back then.

Reference:

Die Philippinen (1942) Dr. Albert Kolb (Tafel 29)