CHAPTER XVII
MINERALS
The Mining Laws, Reglamento de Minas, are of a liberal character and allow concessions to be made to any person, Spaniard, Indian, mestizo, naturalized or established foreigner, who shall discover and report the discovery of a mine, and undertake to work it. Sundry officials and all ecclesiastics are excluded from the privilege. The work must be entered upon in ninety days, under certain conditions; four months of continued suspension, or eight months of interrupted labour, within the year bring the loss of the conceded privilege. There must not be less than eight labourers employed. The mines are subjected to the inspection of the mining department The mining regulations were published by the Captain-General Claveria in January, 1846.
The gold of the Philippines is produced by washing and digging. In several of the provinces it is found in the rivers, and natives are engaged in washing their deposits. The most remarkable and profitable of the gold mines worked by the Indians are those of Tulbin and Suyuc. They break the rock with hammers, and crush it between two small millstones, dissolving the fragments in water, by which the gold is separated. They melt it in small shells, and it produces generally from eight to ten dollars an ounce, but its fineness seldom exceeds sixteen carats. It is found in quartz, but the nuggets are seldom of any considerable size. The inhabitants of Caraga cut in the top of a mountain a basin of considerable size, and conduct water to it through canals made of the wild palm; they dig up the soil while the basin is filling, which is opened suddenly, and exhibits for working any existing stratification of gold; these operations are continued till the pits get filled with inroads of earth, when they are abandoned; generally, when a depth has been reached which produces the most advantageous returns, the rush of waters conveys away much of the metal which would otherwise be deposited and collected. Gold is also found in the alluvial deposits which are ground between stones, thrown into water, and the metal sinks to the bottom. The rivers of Caraballo, Camarines, and Misamis, and the mountains of Caraga and Zebu, are the most productive. Many Indian families support themselves by washing the river sands, and in the times of heavy rains gold is found in the streets of some of the pueblos when the floods have passed. There can be no doubt of the existence of much gold in the islands, but principally in the parts inhabited by the independent tribes.
The Sociedad Exploradora is engaged in working gold-mines and washing auriferous sands in the province of New Ecija.
Gold dust is the instrument of exchange in the interior of Mindanao, and is carried about in bags for the ordinary purposes of life. The possession of California by the Spaniards for so many generations without the development of its riches may explain their inertness and indifference in the Philippines, notwithstanding the repeated averments of Spanish writers that the archipelago abounds in gold.
Iron also abounds, especially in the province of Bulacan; but it may be doubted whether it can be produced as cheaply as it may be imported, especially while roads are in so backward a state, and carriage charges so heavy. Many iron-works have been entered on and abandoned.
A coal-mine is being explored at Guila Guila, in the island of Zebu, on the river Mananga, at a distance of about six miles from the town of San Nicolas, which has nearly 20,000 inhabitants and is by far the largest town in the island. There are reported to be strata of coal from one to four feet in thickness. The proprietor informs me that he expects in the course of another year to be able to deliver coals on the coast at a moderate rate in Tangui, which is close to the town of Falisay.
Of the various objects of speculation, mining is probably the most attractive to the adventurer, from the high premiums which it sometimes brings to the successful. When the risk is divided among many shareholders, it partakes of the character of a lottery, in which the chances are proportioned to the stakes; but where, as in most of the mining speculations of the Philippines, the enterprises are conducted by individuals, without adequate means to overcome the preliminary difficulties and to support the needful outlay, disappointment, loss, ruin and the abandonment of probably valuable and promising undertakings are but of too frequent occurrence. I have before me some details of the attempts made to work the copper ores of Mancayan, in the district of Cagan (now called Lepanto), in South Ilocos (Luzon). They have been worked in the rudest way by the Igorrote Indians from time immemorial, and the favourable report of the richness of the ores which were sent to Europe led to renewed but inadequate attempts for their exploitation. A good deal of money has, I understand, been lost, without providing the necessary machinery for extracting the metal, or roads for its conveyance. A sample taken from a stratum ten feet in height and seven in breadth, on the side of a pit four yards deep, gave, as the results of an analysis, 44 per cent. of copper, 29 of sulphur, 18 of arsenic, and 9 of iron. The ruggedness of the rocks, the thickness of the forest jungle, the indolence of the natives, and, probably more than these, the absence of an intelligent direction and sufficient pecuniary resources, have produced much discouragement. Don Antonio Hernandez says there are 280 Indian (Igorrote) families occupied in Mancayan in copper digging and melting; that they only produce annually about 200 picos (of 137½ lbs. each), which they sell at from eight to nine dollars per pico on the spot; to the neighbouring Christian Indians at ten to twelve, who resell them on the coast at from thirteen to sixteen dollars.
The Indians in Ilocos and Pangasinan manufacture their own domestic utensils from the copper extracted by themselves.
Finely variegated marbles exist in the province of Bataan, and some have been used for ornamenting the churches; but their existence has excited little attention, and no sale was found for some large blocks quarried by a patriotic adventurer.
I have before mentioned that there are many mineral waters in the island – sulphurous and ferruginous – at Antipolo. In the Laguna there is a virgin patroness, whose festival lasts eighteen days, and immense crowds of all races come to drink the waters, and join the processions in her honour. The inhabitants of Manila attribute great virtues to the waters of Pagsanghan.
CHAPTER XVIII
MANUFACTURES
The art of weaving, or that of crossing threads so as to produce a wearable tissue, is one of the evidences of a transition from savage towards civilized life. In cold countries the painting the body, or covering it with furs and skins, or bark of trees, is the resource of a wild people; but the necessity for dress of any sort is so little felt in tropical regions that the missionaries claim the credit of introducing the loom, and of instructing the natives in all the matters most conducive to their comforts. For their houses they taught them to make lime and brick and tiles – staircases, windows and chimneys – and better to protect themselves against rain and storms; chairs, tables and domestic utensils followed; carriages for conveyance of commodities; but, above all, the friars boast of the application, and devotion, and success of the Indians in decorating the Christian churches, building and ornamenting altars, sculpturing virgins and saints, and generally contributing to the splendours of ecclesiastical ceremonials.
The science of ship-building made great advances. To the canoes (barotos is the Indian name) scooped out of a single trunk, and used only for river navigation, succeeded well-built vessels of several hundred tons, by which a commerce along the coast and among the islands was established. At first the planks were the whole length of the vessel, but European improvements have gradually been adopted, and the ships now built in the Philippines are not distinguishable from those of the mother country. We found many on the stocks on the banks of the river Agno, and the Indian constructors were desirous of looking into all the details of H. M.’s ship Magicienne, in which the captain and officers most courteously aided them, in order to avail themselves of any improvements which our vessel exhibited. The cost of construction was reported to be about 15l. sterling per ton. The Bella Bascongada, a vessel of 760 tons, built in Pangasinan, cost 54,000 dollars, or about 11,000l. sterling.
Little has been done for the introduction of improved machinery for the manufacture of tissues, which are made of silk, cotton, abacá, and, above all, the exquisitely fine fabrics produced from the fibre of the pine-apple leaf, called piñas. These are worked on the simplest looms, made of bamboos, and of a thread so fine that it is necessary to protect it, by the use of a fine gauze, from even the agitation of the wind. The Bisayan provinces, and especially the neighbourhood of Iloilo, are most distinguished for the manufacture of this beautiful tissue, which is sent to the capital for embroidery, and prices which seem fabulous are paid for the more elaborate specimens – one or two ounces of gold being frequently given for a small handkerchief. In Zebu handsome cotton rugs are made, and in Panay a variety of stuffs of sundry materials.
The Indians have the art of softening and manufacturing horn. In metals they make chains of silver and gold of great fineness, for which formerly there was a great demand in Mexico, but I believe European jewellery has supplanted the Indian craftsman.
Mats are a remarkable production of the islands. Many of them are very beautiful, of various colours, and are ornamented with gold and silver patterns. As mattresses are never used for beds, everybody sleeps on a mat, which in some cases, but not generally, is provided with a sheet and a long soft pillow, which is placed between the legs and deemed a needful appliance for comfortable repose.
Fibre-wrought hats and cigar-cases of various colours, the white, however, being the most costly and beautiful, compete with similar productions of the natives of Panama.
The tools and instruments employed by the Indians in manufacture are all of the simplest and rudest character.
The alcoholic beverage called vino de nipa is largely produced in the Philippines. It was made a monopoly as early as 1712 in the provinces near the capital, and then produced 10,000 dollars of annual revenue; the farm was abolished in 1780, and in 1814 the collection was transferred to the general administration. The juice is obtained by cutting a hole in a pulpy part of the palm, introducing a bamboo cane, and binding the tree over the receiving vessel. The sale of the nipa wine is a monopoly in the hands of the Government. The monopoly is much and reasonably complained of by the Indians. Excise duties leading to domiciliary visits, and interfering with the daily concerns of life, have been always and in all countries deemed one of the most vexatious and disagreeable forms of taxation. Man, whatever be his colour, is everywhere man, and everywhere exhibits, though in different forms, the same general dislikes and sympathies. The heavy hand of extortion and oppression does not crush the Filipinos, but a redistribution of the forms of taxation would be beneficial to the fiscal interest and satisfactory to the people.
CHAPTER XIX
POPULAR PROVERBS
The following collection of proverbs will be found curious and characteristic. They will serve to throw light upon the genius of the people, and are appropriate specimens of the Tagal idiom: —
Ang mañga casalanan ang nacasisira sa calolova. – Sins are the diseases of the soul.
Valan di dungmating na dalita t’ saguit cay Job ay dili y saman nagogolorhianan ang coniyang loob. – Job had many troubles, but they did not affect the inner man.
Catotohin mo ang catatoro co. – Make thyself a friend of my friend.
Avatin mo angcoob mo sa quinauiuilihan niyang masama. – Separate thy will (purpose) from him whose love has a bad object.
Houag mong pitahin ang vala. – Desire not what is not (not attainable).
At cun ano caya ang pinagpipilitanan. – They dispute about what their dispute shall be (are determined to quarrel).
Masamang cahuy ang dinamomoñga. – Bad tree produces no fruit.
Maminsanminsan ay susulat ca at maminsanminsa y babata ca nang sulat. – Write now and then, read now and then.
Nang anoman at maca tomama sa olo ninyo. – Don’t fling up a stone, it may fall on your own head.
Paombaychan ca at napapagal ca. – Sing a lullaby at your wedding.
Houag mo acong pangalatacan at dili aco hayop. – Don’t drive me, for I am not a beast.
Ay at linologmocan mo iyang duma? – Why seat yourself in that dirty place?
Houag mo acong galavirin niyan osap na iyan. – Don’t involve me in that quarrel.
Hindi matimoan, ang balat nang Buaya, nang anomang tilos. – A knife will not enter a crocodile’s back.
Tiguis cang nag papacalouay. – What thou doest do quietly.
Tiñgalen mo ang balatic. – Lift up your eyes, and you will see the stars. (Balatic, the Astilejos of the Spaniards – Castor and Pollux.)
Magguimbal ca manguiguimbal. – The drummer should beat the drum.
Houag ninyong yñgayan ang natotolog. – Wake not what is sleeping.
Hindi nag aaya ang mañga ducha. – The poor have no nurse.
Mababao na loob. – He carries his heart in his hand.
Lumaclac ca un valan ynuman. – He would suck a horse-brush rather than not drink.
Nag babacobaco ca pala. – Listen! thou doest what thou knowest not.
Calouhalhatiang mañga gavang magagaling. – Good deeds are heavenly doings.
Nag cacaligalig tovina ang pañgiboghoin. – Disquiet is the constant companion of jealousy.
Papaslañgin mo iyang matologuin. – To make a sentinel of a sluggard (dormilon, Spanish).
Ang mahabang dila tapit gupitan. – A long tongue ought to be clipped.
Ang mañga cayamanan ay pain din nang demonio sa tavo. – Riches are the baits of the devil for man.
Ang mañga paguyac nang mañga ducha ay macadarating sa lañgit. – The cries of the wretched will reach Heaven.
Na aalinagnagan ang langsañgan nang ilao sa bahay. – A candle in a house will illumine a street.
Maguipag ani ca doon sa nag aani. – Reap thy rice with the reapers.
Si Adan ang nagtongtong mula sa atin. – There is no higher ancestry than Adam.
Caylan ca maoocan nang cahunghañgan mo? – When will you cast your fool’s skin? (When will you be wise?)
Sucat parasuhan ang mañga magnanacao. – For thieves punishment and penitence.
Papagdalitin mo iyang marunung. – Let him make a song or sing one (to a pretender).
Caylan magcaca hapahap ang inyong ylog? – When will your river produce a conger eel? (to a boaster.)
Ang caiclian nang bait mo ay gaano! – How short must be the shortness of thy understanding.
Mabuti ang simbahan cung tabiñgan. – Beautiful is the church, but it must have its curtains (mysteries).
Nang magcatulay tulay na ang balita sa maraving tavo ay siyang ypinagcabalirbor. – Truth having passed through many (lips), becomes so entangled and altered, that it no longer resembles truth.
Maylomalong tamis sapolot at lacas sahalimao? – What is sweeter than honey, or stronger than a lion?
Ungmasoc lamang aco saujo. – Tell a lie to find a truth.
Houag mong ypanotnor sa maruming camay. – Trust not the disentanglement of the threads to a man with dirty hands.
Papasaylañginmo iyang nagbabanalbanalan. – If he be so virtuous, let him go to the wilderness (become a hermit).
Ayat sa lalandos cang naparito. – You come to the work and bring no tools.
Houag mong guisiñgin ang natotolog. – Wake not the sleeping.
Mapagsacasacang tavo sicuan. – Trust not the deceiver who says, “I’ll do it by and by.”
Houag mong ayoquin ang bavas nang catouirang justicia. – Bend not the straight rod of justice.
Ivinavasuas ang aguipo, nang dimipaling ang apuy. – He fans the ashes to keep up the fire.
Angpagal at ava nang Dios ang yquinayayaman co. – Labour and God’s mercy bring riches.
Pinapananaligquita sa Dios ay nagbibiñgibiñgihanca. – I tell thee to trust in God, and thou makest thyself deaf.
Tionay mandin sa loob nang tavong mabait ang camuruhan. – An insult is a thorn that pierces the heart of an honourable man.
Sungmusubo ang polot. – Sweets have their froth (the saccharine matter of the sugar-cane).
Yaong nanacap pacsvarin mo sa palo. – For bravados, blows.
Ypinagbabalo balo mo saamin ang pagaayunar mo. – Thou wilt deceive by feigning fasting (religious hypocrisy).
Ang amo ay among dati paramtan man nang mabuti. – The monkey, however richly dressed, is but a monkey.
Aunque la mona se viste de seda, en mona se queda. (Spanish proverb.) – Though clad in silk, the monkey is a monkey still.
Houang cang mag hamalhamalan. – Do not seem to sniffle (through the nose) in the presence of a sniffler (i. e., do not expose the defects of another).
Magyñgat cayo sapusang lambong. – Beware of a wild cat.
Ang magandanglalaqui huboma y mariguit – Even though naked, gentility will show itself.
Ang tapat na capitan may pinagcacapitanan. – Let governors govern.
Valangpalay ang amalong mo. – There is no rice in thy granary (to an empty-headed person).
Ymolos ang camay ay guinagat nang alopihan. – He struck a blow with his hand, and got bitten by a centipede.
Dino dolobasa ang dimaalan – Making ignorance your interpreter.
Nagcapalu na mandin ang canilan pagtatacapan. – Answer with nonsense the nonsense of others.
Anong ypinagpaparañgalanmo? – Why so jactant? – (a phrase to check boasting).
Maalam cang magsima sa taga? – Can he make the barb to the hook? (Is he clever?)
Mabuit ay nagpapatang patañgan finguin. – Being clever, he feigns stupidity.
Dibabao ang lañgit sa macasalanan. – Heaven is far off from sinners.
Gagadolong lisa iyan. – Serious as the bite of a louse’s egg (nit).
Hindi macacagat ang valang ñgipin. – He who has no teeth cannot bite.
Malubha angpagpap aratimo samasaman gara. – Much obstinacy in an evil deed.
Iyang caratinanmo angy capapacasamamo. – Thy obstinacy will be thy perdition.
Pinag cayasalanan mo ang pañginoong Dios. – A sin against a neighbour is an offence against God.
Pinagbibiyayan an ninyo ang demonio. – To pay tribute to the devil.
Tingmitintinna ang darong magalao. – Turn lewdness to chastity.
Valan di dalita itong buhay natin. – Life is labour.
Mapaparari ang tova sa lañgit magparaling man san. – The joy of heaven will last and be perpetuated for ever and ever, and without end.
Cayañga t may tapal may sugat din. – Where the wound is, the plaister should be.
Houag cang omotang nang salapi. – Ask not for the money you lend.
Lubiranmo am navala ang pasilmo. – To play with the string when the top is lost. (A phrase used when a patron refuses a favour.)
Valan cabolohan ang logor dito sa lupa. – The pleasures of earth are not worth a hair.
Maytanim no sa mabato. – Sow not among stones.
Hungmo holangcapala aymarami panggava. – You are trifling while so much work is to be done.
Caya aco guinguinguiyacos dito. – I scratch myself because nobody will scratch me.
Napaguidaraan aco mya. – If I quarrel with myself, it shall be when I am alone.
Ano t guinagasaan mo aco? – If you scold me, why with so much noise?
Ang palagay na loob malivag magolorhanang. – Excesses are rare when the heart is at rest.
Caya co somosoyo siya y aco y tauong aba. – He must obey who is weak and poor.
Ang pagsisi anghuli ay valang guinapapacanan di baguin ang nañgag cacasaguit sa infierno. – Repentance is of little value when the penitent is in the hands of the devil (hell, or the executioner).29
Momoal moal mañgusap. – He who speaks with a full mouth will not be understood.
Hindi sosoco dito ang dimababa. – A short man will not knock his head against the roof.
Paspasin mo ang buñga at hunag mong pasapan ang cahuy. – In beating down the fruit, beat not down the tree.
Ang pagcatototo nang loob ang yguinagagaling nang lahat. – Unity of purpose brings certainty of success.
Nañgiñgisbigsiya nanggalit. – Petrified with rage (addressed to a person “borracho de colera,” as the Spaniards say).
Aglahi si cabiri baquit mayag ang diti. – Saying No! with the lips, and Yes! with the heart.
Houag mong angcahan ang di mo masasacopan. – Do not adventure much until you are certain of the issue.
Some Spanish proverbs have made their way into Tagal.
Baquit siya y namong cahi ay siyang nabalantogui. Fué por lana y bolvió trasquilado. – He went for wool, and returned shorn.
I have selected most of these proverbs, aphorisms and moral and religious maxims from Fr. de los Santos’ folio volume, and they would have some interest if they represented the thoughts and feelings of a civilized nation. That interest will hardly be less when the social code of semi-barbarians is studied in these short sentences. The influence and teachings of the priests will be found in many; others will be deemed characteristic of local usages, and some will find a recommendation in their grotesqueness and originality. I have thought these examples of the language might not be without their value to philologists.