History of Philippine press / Carson Taylor.

History of the Philippine Press

17

a like nature in Spain, France and Italy, at that time. In
their editorial announcement in the first number the editors in stating their aims and ambitions said in part: "The
Philippines is one of the countries least known in Europe
and of which the most misinformation exists, because of
the erroneous description of some of the few travelers who
have visited here. Not having remained long enough to
form a correct idea, they have credited absurd stories, generally unfavorable to the islands, in an effort to give interesting accounts of their voyages, and have created
erroneous impression."
"We have had investigators, laboring for the good of
the country, without result, because they saw what the
titled officials wanted them to see and got little actual
knowledge of the country.
"We venture into this field of journalism to contribute
what we can toward the dissemination of information concerning this land where the hand of providence has scattered blessings with such abundance. We shall try to do
what has never been done here before, publish a paper
combining the artistic, scientific and the literary, in harmony with the march of progress. We shall endeavor to
make it useful as well as entertaining."
Their dream was never realized. They were many
years ahead of the times. A paper of this class would find
difficulty to exist even today.
Ilustracion Filipina had many writers of note, who
apparently contributed articles without compensation.
Among those mentioned were D. Francisco de Paula, who
wrote of Mayon Volcano, the sanitary hospital at Los Bafios
hot springs, etc.
D. Felipe de la Corte, a military engineer, published a
plan for a water supply system for Manila.
F. Lorena contributed large doses of verses, more or
less passable, the outstanding of which, to quote Retana,
"Was entitled 'El Cocinero Indio' (The Filipino Cook),
whom he treated so badly that I am constrained to believe
that Sr. Lorena had many pains that could be laid to these
makers of gastrolgias." This poem is not quoted but several other long ones are given, among which is one entitled
"Cuatro Palabras Sobre el Indio Filipino."
The "Cuatro Palabras" occupies about three pages and is
too long to quote here in full..