23 Side Story: Letters to C. Maria Segundo
Chronicler's Notes:
These letters were found ashore in the separate isles of Bohol (1852), Dagupan (1900), and Ilo-ilo ( 1934). The contents of the letters were mostly intact and legible except for the one found in Dagupan that got damaged after it was found at the shore of Bonuan.
The letters were addressed to C.M. Segundo ( Clara Maria according to the letter found in Ilo-Ilo.) from an S.C. Arbol. These letters were thought to be love letters to the former.
The Chroniclers have presented these letters arranged in chronological order in accordance with the date written in the letters. These were originally written in Spanish translated to English for better understanding.
Dagupan Letter ( found 1900)
Dearest C.M.,
My heartaches as I have left you crying at your window. I know how painful it was for you to see me leave. But this my love is something that I must do as a duty to my countrymen insulares and indios alike.
I know that I have risked myself and my family name to this cause, but I am not to stand around after seeing such gross abuse we ( people of Filipinas), have to endure under the rule of the Gobernador-Heneral.
As much as... [ink smudged] ( the rest of the words were completely unreadable due to the current damage the letter has been exposed on)
...that freedom cannot be bought by a mere coin! Bribing them is more like, Judas kissing Jesus after accepting the twenty-five pieces of silver. I find it appalling that we, as a nation, should betray ourselves and be owned by people who feed on us while ravaging our pride and freedom.
My love, I deeply regret leaving you for all of these reasons but I also need to bound myself to my sworn oath and liberate the islas. I regret I rode on my horse and faded into the shadows of the night.
I...[undiscernable handwriting and ink blotches]
...by all means, I shall make this place free for you and our children's future.
Though less has been said, I pray to God that you forgive me and pray for our freedom. As we rule our own isla and be recognized as Spain's province and not as a colony.
I am always thinking of you.
Hasta la Proxima,
S.C.Arbol
6th of March 1625
Islas del Panay
[ The rest of this letter was damaged and is unreadable. Certain words might be misinterpreted due to the extent of damage coming from the sea. We were just lucky it was destroyed and some parts are still eligible.]
Bohol Letter ( found 1852)
Dearest C.M.,
May God be kind to your health!
I am but again writing to you through these letters which I chose fate, to be swept away these chaotic waters. This is the 6th time in the past 4 months where I have written to you hoping that the letters will come to you ( if God permits).
My love, I have crossed the perilous seas of the Panay Islands to give the news to them (island-dwellers) about the Revolucion that we are about to orchestrate. So far we have managed to convince a small village in the Southern Panay (I forgot the name) but they were receptive to the idea.
Unfortunately, to others, we were seen as traitors to our race. Most of them have cast us out using spears and bows. They thought that another group of Missionaries has come to convert them. It has never been the easiest of campaigns but, we are determined to win more hearts and join our cause.
My love, please excuse me for talking about this too much in our letters. I felt dumb doing this. Throwing away bottles to the sea at night whenever I can just so I can hope that these words of mine can reach you.
I hope you reject reading this first part of the letter, as it might upset you. But if you choose to read it, I wish you find the reason of the battle, I willingly fight for our future.
I know you lo(love?)…[ the following message had become too blurred and the ink has faded that it is no longer readable, even with our restoration process.]
[ This bottle also contained another paper containing what seemed to be a poem. We have successfully translated them as well albeit, it could be inaccurate to what the letter might have been intended for.]
Untitled Piece
But My Love, I ought not to hurt thee,
As the sunset passed along the horizon,
Only your lovely face is all I envision,
The broken promise I yet to pay dearly,
Even my life cannot pay if it does but merely;
I think God has already punished me,
For the troubles, I have given thee,
And even all the sunsets and sunrises I see,
Would not pay even a thousand lifetimes,
When I left you that day that, fateful day;
May you forgive me, My Love,
I only wanted the world for you,
If I have to serve it in a silver platter, I will,
Even if I paint myself in crimson, I shall,
Just say you love me still.
-S.C. Arbol 17th of July 1652, Islas del Panay-
Ilo-ilo Letter ( found 1934)
Dearest C.M.,
This may be the last time I can ever write to you. Many-a-plenty of times, I have thought of going back home to be welcomed by your warm embrace and your sweet smile Alas, my Beloved, I will have to suffer without that. I am not here to tell you about the grim fate I have to face. You are too innocent to know of such. I rather not want you to know how I would end this life of mine. Maybe one day, when you finally go to Heaven, you can ask God or the saints as to how I died.
I wrote to you this letter to ask for your forgiveness and to ask you to let go. My fate is but sealed the moment I left, I should have realized that sooner. I should never have aboard the ship. Please forgive me.
Life has been difficult for me since my separation from you. My heart grows weary every day not to have you by my side. Everything has been empty and worthless ever since I have left. I have realized that the cause of this freedom I have longed for will cost me everything. Even if it were a gamble or a caution to the wind, I have realized that it won't worth a lot without you.
My Love, I will always remember the day we first met. That garden in your manor, the fountain in the middle of that maze, the way you smiled and greeted me, these were all the things I have treasured.
Now, I can only look at you on this trinket I bought for you and me. No matter how many times I tried to draw your face, it can never replace your real smile and the warmth it brings!
My Love, I have to stop here. My heart cannot take any more pain that this dreaded fate of mine is unfolding. I pray to God that He be merciful on my soul and grant me a chance to see you once again.
Maybe in Heaven or in the next life.
I pray you live long and have a happier life. Live it to the fullest, so that if ever we meet again, we can exchange stories the way we did that fateful afternoon.
Hasta la Vista,
Simon Crisostomo de la Mercado y Arbol.
August 1625
Islas del Panay
Footnote:
I am yet to find the rest of his letters. It has been suspected that he could've written so much more. For now, I no longer seek them but maybe in the possible future. I just hoped that the other letters found their way to her, although that would be impossible. I could only hope and pray that some did.
- Dr. Fransisco Lagman, Ph.D.
Researcher
