THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS By RAMON REYES LALA A Native of Manila Illustrated MDCCCXCIX Continental Publishing Company 25 Park Place, New York TO REAR-ADMIRAL DEWEY, WHOSE RECENT GREAT VICTORY OVER THE SPANISH FLEET HAS BEGUN A NEW ERA OF FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY FOR MY COUNTRY, AND TO PRESIDENT MCKINLEY, IN WHOSE HAND LIES THE DESTINY OF EIGHT MILLIONS OF FILIPINOS, THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED. CONTENTS. Preface 23 Early History of the Islands. Discovery and Conquest--Adventures of Juan Sebastian Elcano-Legaspi, the first Governor-General--Li-ma-hong, the Chinese Pirate--The Dutch appear upon the Scene--The Japanese, and the Martyred Saints 29-48 The British Occupation. General Draper's Expedition--The British demand an Indemnity--Intrigues against the British 49-56 The Spanish Colonial Government. The Encomiendoros and the Alcaldes--The Present Division and Administration--The Taxes and what became of Them--Dilatory and Abortive Courts--A New Yorker's Experience 57-70 The Church in the Colony. Priesthood and the People--Conflicts between Church and State--Clashing among the Friars--The Monks opposed to Reform 71-79 The Various Tribes of the Philippines. Character of the Natives--A Native Wedding--Dress and Manners--The Half-Breeds, or Mestizos--Savage Tribes in the Interior: the Aetas, or Negritos--The Gaddanes--The Igorrotes--The Igorrote-Chinese--The Tinguianes--The Chinese: Hated but Indispensable 80-106 The Mohammedans of Sulu. Cross or Crescent?--The Sultan's State--The Dreaded Juramentados--The Extent of Mohammedan Rule--Sulu Customs 107-118 Manila. The Old City--Binondo and the Suburbs--Educational and Charitable Institutions--The Cathedral and the Governor-General's Palace--The Beautiful Luneta; the Sea Boulevard 119-137 Other Important Cities and Towns. Iloilo; Capital of the Province of Panay--Cebú, a Mecca for many Filipinos--General Topography of the Islands 138-150 Natural Beauty of the Archipelago. A Botanist's Paradise--A Diadem of Island Gems--The Magnificence of Tropical Scenery--The Promise of the Future 151-158 A Village Feast.