iyo 5 J METZGER— THE FILIPINO. 23 



As a people they are musical, although not composers, they are, 

 however, in this latter respect excellent mimics. This inherent 

 musical talent is truly most remarkable, for not only will one find 

 the average native skilled in the playing of one instrument, but it 

 is not uncommon to see orchestral players exchange instruments 

 two and three times during an evening and apparently play the 

 various instruments with equal skill. Go where you will among 

 this great class of Filipinos and every community worthy the name 

 of town, you will find a band of musicians varying from half a 

 dozen to thirty pieces, and even in the isolated mountain districts,, 

 where conventional instruments are not obtainable, musicians are 

 to be found playing upon rudely constructed implements made of 

 bamboo of various lengths and calibre. Unlike most Oriental 

 music their melody is pleasing to the European ear. 



Among the Tagalogs and Visayans there exists a great maestiza 

 genera, in consequence of which there is manifested a class of dis- 

 affected, arrogant and indolent people, who through appreciation 

 of the superiority of the Caucasian (as a race) have assumed many 

 of his customs, manners and dress, likewise many of his vices but 

 few of his virtues. This mixture of the blood has instilled an 

 increase of energy in some, but it has not obliterated any of the 

 other Malay characteristics in any. 



Sunday throughout the archipelago, is the one day of the seven 

 in which the native throws off his state of lethargy and makes ready 

 to enjoy himself. True to his faith, he wends his way to the 

 church at the break of day, this obligation over (for it is more of 

 an inherent duty and superstitious fear with him than a true sense 

 of religious reverence), he straightway directs his steps to the 

 public market place to spend the day in the national sport of cock- 

 fighting. It is here that one gets an exemplification of a Filipino 

 characteristic which but goes to prove the incomprehensible anom- 

 alism of these people. By nature they are apprehensive of honesty, 

 yet according to the custom of making a stake on the combatants, 

 the universal practice in vogue, permits any one or any number of 

 persons, even though they be unknown to the keeper of the pit, to 

 throw their money into the arena and keep their own council as to 

 their choice, and should they be successful, can demand their gain 

 and it will be forthcoming without question. No system seems to 

 be practiced to prevent knavishness, and if asked as to this apparent 



