History of Pila

But on such a heart-rending issue, total silence could not be imposed. On 20 May 1804, when the transfer seemed to be in full swing, some prominent as well as ordinary womenfolk (principalas y plebeyas) sent a moving plea to Manila to suffer them to tarry in their ancestral town. In a document full of pathos, they spoke of their “bitter confusion and desolation” and the “deprivation of their ancient love.” At best it served as a psychological catharsis for them, for their plea went unheeded. But this is easily the most poignant piece in the whole collection of documents still well preserved in the National Archives regarding the move, breaking at last the monotony and repetitiousness of the position papers of the men on both sides (Santiago 1983). (39)