Story of the Original Gerard Mercator's 1595 Map

It was on my usual Thursday lunch date with Aunt C when I finally said yes to her request to unload years of "junk" long stored in her home.  You bet, she was ecstatic! For this "junk" of yesteryears included High School stuff, College stuff, 1st job memories, 2nd job memories, Cook Books, Pocket Books, Blue and Yellow Photo Albums, Stationery and Sticker Collections, Volumes of Archie Comics, Greeting Cards, a big box of Baseball Cards, report cards, library cards, a deck of playing cards ..... and so forth and so on.

The "junk" was way too much that each piece in the end found its way back to its original location ..... Aunt C's home =)

Except for this .....

Tucked in my bins of "junk" was an authentic reproduction of  Gerard Mercator's 1595 map of Southeast Asia, better known as Insulae Indiae Orientalis Praecipuae, In quibus Moluccae celeberrime sunt (The Principal Island of Oriental India of which the Moluccas are the most famous).  A gift given to Dad in the early 80s by a good friend who I knew nothing of except his name.  Though I  knew of the map's existence,  I never took time to check in detail the contents of the 2 feet long canister clad by a colorful map.  Until that fateful Thursday came along. 

While seriously figuring out the fate of the canister, Aunt C happily shared amidst  piles of "paper junk" scattered on the floor ..... that map shows how the Philippines looked in the 1500s.

A gift to Dad by his good friend, Tony Marquez

Choked with intrigue and curiosity, I brought the map home and left behind all other "junk".  For the first time since the day this map fell on our hands, I uncovered the canister and aired out all the long-ago hidden contents. 

Story of the original Gerard Mercator's 1595 Map by Antonio Roa Marquez.
question to Mom and Aunt C:  Are Tony Marquez and Antonio Roa Marquez one and the same?
Click to enlarge.

I was struck with WONDER.  Cartographer, Gerard Mercator, brought to my thoughts  an age of voyages and wonderful discoveries. I became part of their exploration, able to see the  vastness of the world and feel the triumph of their conquer.  The map looked amazingly beautiful. Rich in color. "Islas"  glorious and warm. Intricately adorned with mythical and jewel-like images.  And emitted a great sense of historical richness and affinity.

 

 

The story behind the discovery of this map makes it more interesting.  In 1965, Antonio Roa Marquez found the original of this unique work of art from a sidewalk vendor along the River Seine near the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.  Having been away  for 2 long years from his mother land, his search for a Philippine map led him to discover Gerard Mercator's map. The full story may be read from the 2nd photo above.  

Except for these places located in the Philippines .... MINDA NAO (Mindanao), MINDARA (Mindoro?), MANILBA (Manila?), LUZOM (Luzon?), all others are unfamiliar due to its Latin text.  There is yet a need for me to put this map rendition side-by-side with today's latest map for comparison.  Though I am NOT an expert on this matter, the shape and cluster of  islands show a striking semblance that it is indeed the Philippines.

In Mr. Marquez's note, he says  ....

It must be replete with errors, understandably so - but, it is still recognizably South East Asia.....My eyes would travel from my country, the Philippines, to the then famous "Moluccas" in Indonesia, to that island south of Malaysia which is now Singapore, to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indochina, which seemed to be confined to Cambodia and Vietnam. 

Multiple errors may have been pointed out in Gerard Mercator's map. But, I am reminded by that fact that computers and other modern forms of technology did not exist in the 1500s.  Instead, the sense of sight and the power of the hand were the  two important tools heavily relied on back then.  Absolutely amazing, most especially on how cartographers and explorers were able to translate their manually-made works into an image with great historical impact.  The colorful map, I believe, not only serves as a picturesque piece of precious artwork.  It has made me see the unscathed beauty of our land's past. 

Someday, I will have to hand this map over to my one and only brother.  I believe that this treasure should rightfully  belong to him.  A historical image for his sake and most especially for his children's future reference. 

For now, this belongs to me.

the Dream of a better LIFE

After two years of mourning, Mom packed her bags and moved to New York.  A couple of months later, I found myself, with 3 younger siblings, in a plane en route to a New Life.  The age range, 7-14 years old. 

That day marked the beginning of a new chapter.

I flew back to Manila to finish  high school.  Though summer breaks were spent in New York, the rest of the year was all about teenage life in Manila.  I have grown so accustomed to this jet setter lifestyle that I eventually gave up the opportunity to take a collegiate degree in New York, and more so the opportunity of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Looking back, I still stand firm with the decision I made years ago. Living my story in a foreign land was never part of the plot.  All I know, up to this day, is I AM HOME.

Yet, a different story is heard from the many Filipinos who dream of a better life. It remains a fact that the Pharmacy has provided employment opportunities to frustrated job-seekers in the Philippines.  A fulfillment my husband and I share with a beaming sense of pride and honor.  In this blog, I only speak of what we have personally encountered in the Pharmacy's one year of existence.  Though a tiny part of a  massive spectrum, this, I believe, is a reflection of a disheartening dark reality that has long loomed in the land I call home.

Early this year, one of our staff, with nursing background, volunteered to do work for a hospital located at the south. A 12-hour duty  was required of her, with extended hours on peak days.  This volunteer work eventually caused conflict in our store schedule, and thus culminated with a resignation. More than words, actions spoke decisiveness to walk this new path.  A courageous act  towards what I believe is exploitation. The volunteer act lives to its name.  VOLUNTEER, work for 12 hours, at least 4 days a week, with no pay, not even a minimal allowance to pay for meals, transportation and uniform.  All these accepted with a firm mind and a whole heart to gain experience.  For it is in this experience that the chance (with zero assurance) to work and live the dream in a foreign land lies.

Nursing in the Philippines is indeed an in-demand course primarily blinded by the hypothesis of a lucrative career overseas. Here's the grim reality -- nursing graduates pay a high price to gain experience. But, not all have the means to pay. With dreams down the grave, they take on different fields. Yet, even those with a bag-load of experience are most often faced with frustration.  Many years ago, nursing opportunities overseas was lucrative.  Today, it is a gamble.

In an interview, I make sure to ask these two questions towards the end.  A barometer I use to gauge the applicant's passion for his chosen career.

1. Why did you take up nursing?  The answer, It is my parents wish that I take nursing.  Nursing equates to employment opportunities overseas and it will help support my parents and my siblings.
2. If not nursing, what course would you have taken instead?  The top 3 answers, Architecture, Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Business Management.

Passion does not breath life in this case.  But the dream for a better life does.

On June 21, our Store Supervisor flies to Baker's Field, California. A promising career awaits her at a Nursing Home.  She leaves behind her parents, a younger brother and a tearful boyfriend.  I  asked a few days ago the question she faced during her first interview.  WHY?  All she said, For greener pastures.

I am frustrated ....

...  how the Pharmacy has evolved into  a stopover for nurses who await for overseas opportunities
... of the lack of employment opportunities for nurses in this country
... of how reputable hospitals and establishments lure nurses to work for free
... of how nursing students live the dream of their parents, sacrificing their own dreams

Yet, I understand the dream of a better life.

Today, the Filipinos celebrate Independence Day, looking  forward to  a better future with the coming of a new president. Many have aired their sentiments and suggestions. A sense of  "Dear God" letter,  hoping that someday  prayers will be answered.

I look back to the decision I made years ago at this very moment.  I still stand firm. 

But I pray and dream of a richer land that every Filipino will someday be proud of and call HOME.

*Thanks Pat for this link.

found in the Philippines

I often go back to this one same place found in Greenhills or Festival Mall for three reasons:

1st,  to shop for affordable pearls.
2nd, to satisfy the never-ending pearl craving of my New York-based family.
3rd, to carry out special requests of visiting relatives and friends residing abroad.

My 2 months ago visit was a mix of 2 and 3.  Sister # 4's fiance came over to Manila for a quick vacation and brought back to New York a few long strands for my sister (white and pink) and my mother (brown).  Every opportunity that comes my family's way surely equates to a visit to the pearl stalls found only in the Philippines.

Yesterday's visit, on the other hand,  was to fulfill a request by a visiting relative.  An aunt from J. Bond's maternal side of the family. 

Scanning the rows of stalls engulfed by layers of stringed pearls, one could immediately assume that the products carried by each stall are one and the same.  Probably true for the untrained eye like mine. A meticulous scrutiny and patience are plus points to survive the scavenge and discover unique designs.  Strings of pearls, semi-precious stones and other accessories are literally displayed within all possible areas in a 4-6 square meter stall. In my frequent visits, I usually cap the hunt with a  confused mood.  Most especially on  peak shopping days when everyone else seems to crave and hunt for pearls at the same time. Thus, I have addressed this confusion by applying these pearl-shopping styles:

1.  Shop early.  The 1st customer gets the best discount.
2.  Establish a friendly relationship with 1-2 stall owners.  It has worked wonders.

     -  1st crack on new designs and good-looking pearls.

     -  Again, appealing discounts.

     -  And, free add-ons like pouches, gift boxes and earrings.

The so-called experts  have shared  a way of testing the authenticity of a pearl --- specifically those sold in  stalls.  Rub two exact same pearls against each other.  If rough and texture is uneven, the pearl is authentic.  If smooth, it is man-made.  Truly a unique and mind-boggling way to test.  Majority of buyers and loyal patrons know this technique by heart. But my own personal belief says, as long as it's inexpensive (way too low compared to price of pearls sold at jewelry shops), then there may be(?) a huge probability of a hocus pocus way of manufacturing  these pearls.

In these stalls, I have been educated of the different type of pearls aside from South Sea Pearls --- Fresh Water pearl, Rice pearl, Mother of pearl, Black pearl, and so forth and so on. All natural.  The majestic pearl, in particular, lives to its name. Shiny. Round. Perfect. In other words, made by man.  There's too much to see and choose from that my way of pearl shopping have eventually evolved into design-based rather than a scrutiny of authenticity. 

I happily tagged along yesterday without having any plans of making a purchase. True enough, I went home with nothing!  A first in history.  I give myself a pat on the back.  Yet, I must confess that self-control can truly be tiring.  Energy down the drain!   But with this came a realization  after having observed the scrutiny of my aunt (and mother-in-law). The Philippines is blessed  for having such an abundance of pearls (and other semi-precious stones). Pearl stalls found in Greenhills, Festival Mall and Market Market  have become  popular destinations for locals and tourists alike.

In our  New York trip last year, my Mother toured J. Bond and I around her United Nations office. A first for J. Bond and an "nth" time around for me.  But definitely a tour with better appreciation perhaps due to "maturity". I faced boredom in my younger years.  The last stop was a souvenir gift shop.  In that shop, I slowly scrutinized each and every module that highlighted the crafts found from different countries. 

Then, there came the Philippines ...."an archipelago popularly known as the Pearl of Oriental Beauty and Enchantment".  The different pearls found in stalls, and that of which I have  doubted the authenticity, were ALL on display ... in a glass case ... at the United Nations ... and tagged with a high price.