An object previously described as “priceless” fetched P31,240,600 at auction last weekend. Small and fragile because it is made of plaster, it is one of the last few pieces of sculpture by Jose Rizal that was previously in the possession of his descendants.
Everyone, even history, has a price.
Juan Luna captured his ill-fated wife asleep in a painting known as “Ensueños de Amor” (Dreams of Love). Likewise, Rizal depicted his common-law wife asleep, naked under the sheets, in plaster. Both works are sensuous and suggestively erotic. These works remind us that heroes are not made of marble and bronze, but of flesh and blood. They were human, yet textbook history will never teach us that our heroes were occasionally horny, that they laughed, cried, and even farted.
Some people are of the opinion that “Josephine Sleeping” should also be called “Ensueños de Amor,” but we cannot presume or guess what she was dreaming of, or if that peaceful slumber was simply the result of a hearty meal. I have known and physically handled this sculpture since the 1980s in the home of Asuncion Lopez-Bantug who inherited it from her father Leoncio Lopez-Rizal. The latter inherited it from his mother, Narcisa Rizal, the hero’s elder sister whose nickname, “Sisa,” was immortalized in Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere.”
When I asked the present owner what made him place it on the block, he replied, “I was hoping you would make an offer.” I knew I could not afford it then; even now, I cannot afford P31 million unless I won the lotto jackpot or received a chunk of Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds.
Just when I thought I could close the book on Josephine Bracken and her controversial relationship with Rizal, I came across a little-known letter she wrote on Sept. 14, 1896, two weeks from the outbreak of the Philippine revolution against Spain. In a 1911 news article, Josephine’s life after Rizal was summarized as follows:
“[In December 1899], she married [Vicente Abad] a Spanish mestizo [from] Cebu who became a naturalized English subject in Hong Kong. Mrs. Rizal taught school in the Philippines during American times, and was the instructor of Speaker Osmeña. In a compromise suit at law, she recovered P2,000 from the Rizal estate. Her death occurred at Hong Kong in 1902.”
A transcription of the letter:
“My dearest Joe,
“Your kind letter datted (sic) the 2nd [September 1896] was duly received for which I thank you very much for the kind and good advices you wrote to me in your loving letter. I will try my best to follow them all, before going any farther I wish you are enjoying good health as it leaves your dear family and me at present. Dear, I cannot tell you how much you are missed at home. Your absence even for so short a time causes me to feel the keenly how much I love you.
“Concerning little Maria Luisa she [has] gone back to her mother [Soledad Rizal] because her father does not want to be separated from her. Really I am very sorry she is getting on very well commencing to speak English and to be very obedient. But what can I do? It is not our child? We have to give it back to her family although it grieves me very much to be separated from her.
“Your father comes here for a few days and then goes back again; he is very charming likes to tell funny tales to make us laugh, sometimes he will speak to me in English and at other times in Tagal, when I do not understand he will say that I do not know my own language nor yours.
“I also learned in your letter that you cannot find your Dr. Certificate it is inside the rim of your hat box look for it well and you will find it, I went to Mr. McLeod on the 2nd and put Aseñero in his service and also Roney in Mr. Arevalo’s office excepting little Ferne he is to[o] small and very mischievous yet to be employed he is at home with me stud[y]ing English. I am still staying with Sr[a]. Narcisa. She is very good to me we live very well without troubles the only thing is we miss your kind company.
“How dreary are the days since you left me they are so sad, the days are like months and the weeks are like years. Ah! My dear when will be that happy and bright day when I can see and receive you in my arms again? Soon, very soon I hope. Believe me darling I will waite (sic) for you even if it is for years for the great love I have for you.
“Well my dear I have to conclude this letter I cannot give you much news about Manila because I don’t go out from the house the only news I can give you is, that all your family are enjoying good health. Darling when you have time please do write to me because by receiving a letter of yours it consoles my heart; whenever I am sorry I always go to my wardrobe and take out your letters and read them it relieves my sorrows and dries my tears.
“Well good bye my darling Receive my warmest love and affection. From your always faithfully till death. Josephine Bracken.”
Life is indeed short, while history is long.
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