My Early Life

I was born in 1886, the year when Jose Rizal published the anti-Spanish novel The Lost Eden or Noli Me Tangere. That was why I heard whispers and conversations about independence from Spain as I grew up. Of course with pure Spanish blood running their veins, my parents wanted the Spanish rule to continue. They called themselves peninsulares as both of them were born in Spain. Sometimes, I even heard stories of my parents mouthing bad words on the insulares. Insulares are full blooded Spaniards who were born in the Philippines. Imagine that! They were both Spaniards but they did not like each other. That made me so confused. I did not like that idea. I was a rebel. A rebel at heart.

My "Mama" taught me to read at a very young age of four. At the age of five, I got hold of the Noli. I was taken. How I wish I could meet that Jose in person. I knew he was a very intelligent man. I like intelligent men. So I thought that time that I really like him. Correction. I don't like him.I love him. I told myself that someday I would meet him and asked him to marry me. That was not impossible then. I tell you, I was the most beautiful girl in town.

I cried a bucket when Jose was executed in Bagumbayan when I was ten years old. That was 1896. Oh, how I hate those crazy Spaniards. I hate them! I hate them to the bones. Surely, I would never ever forgive them till the end of time.

When I turned sixteen in 1902, I was asked to marry Gideon, who just came from his studies in Spain. Like me, he was born in the Philippines. And like me he was also an insulares. And you know what, like Jose, he was such a handsome man. I fell in love with him the first time I met him. It was love at first sight. I told my parents that I would marry only if we would settle in Laguna, the province where my beloved Jose was born. They agreed. Thank God. They agreed. I was ecstatic.

And my beautiful life began.