TWO BOOKS FROM THE PAST
RECOLLECTIONS OF A VOYAGE TO THE PHILIPPINES. DE MAN, J. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY E AQUILAR CRUZ. NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, 1997. PHILIPPINES. INCLUDES ILLUSTRATIONS.
JOURNEY TO MAJAYJAY. DELA GIRONIERE, PAUL P. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY E AQUILAR CRUZ. NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, 2ND PRINTING 1994. PHILIPPINES. INCLUDES ILLUSTRATIONSBoth are travel accounts of non-Spanish foreigners who stayed in the country during the last century of Spanish Colonial rule.
Originally published in French the books gives us a view of Philippine colonial life before the Americans came. Republished by the National Historical Institute the book was a steal for P75.00 each. Later, I was informed by a friend and officemate that nobody bought these books because they were boring. What a shame!
Both books were translated by Ambassador EA Cruz.
I must admitt that my favourite, among the two, is Dela Gironiere's book, "JOURNEY TO MAJAYJAY". In it he recounts his travel from during Christmas from his farm to the town of Majayjay. Monsieur Dela Gironiere's journey came to fruitation due to his desire to see Laguna, visit friends, and to avoid expected Christmas practices in his farm. Dela Gironiere and his companion took the less travelled routes, paths usually taken by the bandits. On the road the Frenchman and his indio has an interesting talk that may shed some light in the social dynamics of Spanish Colonial society.
De Man's journey on the other hand is like looking into a backpacker's log. I think in Europe at the time it was practice, probably for rich families, to send their sons abroad to experience life. Thus De Mans journey wis full anecdotes of different parties and outings he went to. Not boring but not as touching as Dela Gironiere's book, at least for me.
These books are an interesting addition to anyone who reads and collects Filipiniana. Both provides us a look into our colonial past and gives us a glimpse, especially Dela Gironiere's Majayjay, of how the Filipinos lived during the Spanish time.
JOURNEY TO MAJAYJAY. DELA GIRONIERE, PAUL P. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY E AQUILAR CRUZ. NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE, 2ND PRINTING 1994. PHILIPPINES. INCLUDES ILLUSTRATIONSBoth are travel accounts of non-Spanish foreigners who stayed in the country during the last century of Spanish Colonial rule.
Originally published in French the books gives us a view of Philippine colonial life before the Americans came. Republished by the National Historical Institute the book was a steal for P75.00 each. Later, I was informed by a friend and officemate that nobody bought these books because they were boring. What a shame!
Both books were translated by Ambassador EA Cruz.
I must admitt that my favourite, among the two, is Dela Gironiere's book, "JOURNEY TO MAJAYJAY". In it he recounts his travel from during Christmas from his farm to the town of Majayjay. Monsieur Dela Gironiere's journey came to fruitation due to his desire to see Laguna, visit friends, and to avoid expected Christmas practices in his farm. Dela Gironiere and his companion took the less travelled routes, paths usually taken by the bandits. On the road the Frenchman and his indio has an interesting talk that may shed some light in the social dynamics of Spanish Colonial society.
De Man's journey on the other hand is like looking into a backpacker's log. I think in Europe at the time it was practice, probably for rich families, to send their sons abroad to experience life. Thus De Mans journey wis full anecdotes of different parties and outings he went to. Not boring but not as touching as Dela Gironiere's book, at least for me.
These books are an interesting addition to anyone who reads and collects Filipiniana. Both provides us a look into our colonial past and gives us a glimpse, especially Dela Gironiere's Majayjay, of how the Filipinos lived during the Spanish time.
posted by juned at 15:58
2 Comments:
You can read this book online, in the United States and its Territories collection (http://name.umdl.umich.edu/AHZ9187.0001.001). I can also advise some other early travelogues in the Project Gutenberg collection. Especially Fedor Jagor's story is interesting (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10770)
Jeroen,
Thanks for the information. :)
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