Lovely. Greeat that you have a that stash of letters.When I go to Kaiser, SF, which can look like it is run by Filipinos , I often ask if we can speak in Tagolog (sp??)?? Usually good for a laugh. My aunt Mercedes (Ditas)m was from Mianilla. She spoke only Spanish - ' high born' her family traced its roots to Spain where she had relatives. She did not speak Tagolog. A class marker I assume. I think I once told you that my uncle was a pilot for Phillipine Airlines (after the War). Ironically I learned that Jessica Hagedorn's father was his boss. Ironic because I published Jessica's first two books.
Thanks very much, Stephen. Did you publish Hagedorn's "Dangerous Music"? She was the first Filipino American poet I ever encountered; I saw the book on a shelf at Bookshop Santa Cruz --- in the mid-1970s, I think. That really changed things for me.
Very beautiful handwriting by your grandmother Papo Tiang! Also from the picture I can see interesting choices and variations of words, like the use of "dao", "sia", "buan", "binanguet", and "pania". I find it easy to read, and I can already feel the letter was very sincere (maybe because it's in Tagalog lol) and I can almost feel the yearning for the connection the way she shared some events - with emphasis on heavy emotions. Like when she said "lubos kong dinaramdam at iqui nalolongkot", the lolos and the lolas only use those words in very serious events of great sadness, and when she said "mabote naman sa awa ng Poon Dios" I can almost imagine her doing the "buntong-hininga" after writing that line like typical Filipino lolas would say and do lol.
If you want help in translating some of her letters, let me know! I'm not a professional or anything, I like doing it as a hobby, and also I just enjoy reading old Tagalog.
The letter from your aunt looks like it’s in Tagalog, but the spelling has variations.
Actually that one is from my grandmother, but thanks for letting me know! I guess it could be an older form of Tagalog, too.
Lovely, Jean. When I go to Kaiser in
Lovely. Greeat that you have a that stash of letters.When I go to Kaiser, SF, which can look like it is run by Filipinos , I often ask if we can speak in Tagolog (sp??)?? Usually good for a laugh. My aunt Mercedes (Ditas)m was from Mianilla. She spoke only Spanish - ' high born' her family traced its roots to Spain where she had relatives. She did not speak Tagolog. A class marker I assume. I think I once told you that my uncle was a pilot for Phillipine Airlines (after the War). Ironically I learned that Jessica Hagedorn's father was his boss. Ironic because I published Jessica's first two books.
I hope you stay with this project.
sf
Thanks very much, Stephen. Did you publish Hagedorn's "Dangerous Music"? She was the first Filipino American poet I ever encountered; I saw the book on a shelf at Bookshop Santa Cruz --- in the mid-1970s, I think. That really changed things for me.
Thank you for the mention! I’m excited to read The Balikbayan Artist by Eileen Tabios.
Your mail art/letter project is intriguing.
Thanks for the interesting thoughts on the letter and your "reading," Jimboy. I will take your offer under consideration. :-)
Very beautiful handwriting by your grandmother Papo Tiang! Also from the picture I can see interesting choices and variations of words, like the use of "dao", "sia", "buan", "binanguet", and "pania". I find it easy to read, and I can already feel the letter was very sincere (maybe because it's in Tagalog lol) and I can almost feel the yearning for the connection the way she shared some events - with emphasis on heavy emotions. Like when she said "lubos kong dinaramdam at iqui nalolongkot", the lolos and the lolas only use those words in very serious events of great sadness, and when she said "mabote naman sa awa ng Poon Dios" I can almost imagine her doing the "buntong-hininga" after writing that line like typical Filipino lolas would say and do lol.
If you want help in translating some of her letters, let me know! I'm not a professional or anything, I like doing it as a hobby, and also I just enjoy reading old Tagalog.
Mabuhay!