Today we present an article from the 18 August, 1900 edition of Outlook magazine, a U.S. publication. The article is called “The Occupation of Marinduque” by Phelps Whitmarsh.
Whitmarsh is Canadian-born journalist and author (1863-1935), living in Australia and USA before moving to the Philippines in 1899. He wrote his first book at age 21, The “World’s Rough Hand” in which he described his experiences as a sailor and miner in Australia. He was the author of many books during his life including The Golden Talisman which is an early science fiction piece.
He was hired as a Special Commissioner for the Outlook Magazine and wrote many articles about his adventures in the Philippines.
He was appointed as the first civil governor of Benguet province by Gov. General Howard Taft in early 1900.
He starts his article while aboard the ships containing the first U.S. soldiers to land in Marinduque. He describes landing in Lai Lai (Laylay) Researchers take note of this spelling when conducting searches.
In Whitmarsh’s description of Marinduque he mentions meeting an Englishman who was being held captive. I believe this would have been Mr. R. D. Mackey.
He also describes the church in Boac in some detail and describes sleeping on the floor in front of the altar with a “famous black Christ to my left”. What ever happened to this black Nazarene? Did the soldiers loot it? Was it taken by someone for safekeeping?
He writes about his adventure in tasting Tuba for the first time.
