Manila’s debt to some of its young people

Title

Creator

Steele, James King

Language

English

Source

The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XIV (Issue No.4) April 1934

Year

1934

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

April, 1934 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 5 Manila’s Debt to Some of Its Young People Departures from the usual in entertaining world travelers recently in Manila, made possible by society’s cooperation By James King Steele When the entertainment of passengers on the Canadian Pacific round the world cruise liner Empress of Britain was the problem of the Philippine Tourist Association at the middle of March, a brand new feature was introduced. At its suggestion, Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, popular young lawyer, organized a reception committee composed of a few of Manila’s popular young women, to greet the travelers on arrival at the Manila Hotel. Given the conservatism of the Philippine family, Tavera’s diplomacy in securing this cooperation shines the brighter. Neither is there anything else that could be done during an hour or two of an evening, for a group of 400 visitors, that would please them so much and give the Philippines such spontaneous praise in their subsequent letters and conversations as this beautiful recep tion by representative Manila people. Historic backgrounds, ancient buildings, the glories of the past, the accomplishments of the present, all pale in comparison with that most intriguing subject, the people themselves. Here then, by the courtesy of some of Manila’s wealthiest families, the visitors were received by young people, such as association arranged for through the help of young Tavera, was exactly what would be most appropriate. The young ladies, who responded to Mr. Tavera’s request, to whom the tourist association and the whole Philippines are therefore indebted are: Pacita Madrigal, Carmeling del Rosario, Macaria Madrigal, Lily Pardo de Tavera, Chuchi del Rosario, Salud Hocson, Pacita de los Reyes, Tita Bayot, Pacita Roxas, Angelina Biunas, Eloisa Burgos, Maria Marta Albert, and Pacita Zabarte. The committee was introduced first as a group and then the members individually. As each one was announced, she made the round of the ballroom in order that guests might see the beautiful Philippine costume she wore. Lily Tavera, in balintawak dress, bore a large basket of sampaguita rosaries, which the others assisted her in distributing to the visitors. Although more than one rosary was the prize of others than the travelers, the best of good humor bore everything along very well. The sampaguita is the islands’ national flower and its scent, very costly, is one of the rarest in the world. When this ceremony was over, the young ladies joined their chaperones at the tables, where they met many of the guests. Philippines Herald Photo Manila Young Ladies Who Were "Empress of Britain" Hostesses Pacita Madrigal, Carmeling del Rosario, Macaria Madrigal, Lily Pardo de Tavera, Chuchi del Rosario, Salud Hocson, Pacita de los Reyes, Tita Bayot, Pacita Roxas, Angelina Biunas, Eloisa Burgos, Maria Marta Albert, and Pacita Zabarte they met nowhere else on their world cruise, and they appre ciated the honor. Besides being usually immured in the set conventions of society, the type is unique to these islands. Added to the.universal beauty of youth and the refinement of culture, were the colorful mestiza gowns and the bright display of jewels. Born of the east, yet nurtured in western culture, the young ladies who graciously consented to act as members of the reception committee for this memorable occasion, are as distinctive of Manila and the Philippines as are some of our flowers, the ilang-ilang or the sampaguita. Besides their culture in the arts, music above all, they are fluent masters of Spanish and English, if not French. The visitors who were given the opportunity of meeting these young people, of an exotic clime and culture, yet familiar with their own language, the ways and customs of their own lands were naturally much impressed. What the tourist On the occasion of the President Monroe's stayover in port, a few days later, the President Coolidge, the Kamo Maru (on the Australia run) and the Empress of Asia were also here. The tourist association invited the assistance of the students of the Torres high school, through Miss Maria Reyes, director of physical education, and was thus able to give to the lun cheon guests at the Manila Hotel an exhibition of Philippine folk dances by 12 couples of girls and boys, under the direction of Miss Carmen Cruz, one of the teachers. As interpretations of our folk dances, and the singing in chorus of the planting, harvest, courting and wedding songs, never fail to please whoever is privileged to witness them. Miss Cruz and her students merit the city’s thanks for their presentation of these dances for so many visitors here, all of whom will no doubt advertise their experience in Manila favorably when they meet other travelers and when they return to their homes.

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