The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XX 97
"I rise, gentlemen, to present my estimate of expenses for the fiesta," he began. "We can't allow it,"
commented a consumptive old man, who was an irreconcilable conservative.
"We'll vote against it," corroborated others. "Gentlemen!" exclaimed Don Filipo, repressing a smile, "I haven't
yet made known the plan which we, the younger men, bring here. We feel sure that this great plan will be
preferred by all over any other that our opponents think of or are capable of conceiving."
This presumptuous exordium so thoroughly irritated the minds of the conservatives that they swore in their
hearts to offer determined opposition.
"We have estimated three thousand five hundred pesos for the expenses," went on Don Filipo. "Now then,
with such a sum we shall be able to celebrate a fiesta that will eclipse in magnificence any that has been seen
up to this time in our own or neighboring provinces."
"Ahem!" coughed some doubters. "The town of A---- has five thousand, B---- has four thousand, ahem!
Humbug!"
"Listen to me, gentlemen, and I'll convince you," continued the unterrified speaker. "I propose that we erect a
theater in the middle of the plaza, to cost one hundred and fifty pesos."
"That won't be enough! It'll take one hundred and sixty," objected a confirmed conservative.
"Write it down, Señor Director, two hundred pesos for the theater," said Don Filipo. "I further propose that we
contract with a troupe of comedians from Tondo for seven performances on seven successive nights. Seven
performances at two hundred pesos a night make fourteen hundred pesos. Write down fourteen hundred pesos,
Señor Director!"
Both the elders and the youths stared in amazement. Only those in the secret gave no sign.
"I propose besides that we have magnificent fireworks; no little lights and pin-wheels such as please children
and old maids, nothing of the sort. We want big bombs and immense rockets. I propose two hundred big
bombs at two pesos each and two hundred rockets at the same price. We'll have them made by the
pyrotechnists of Malabon."
"Huh!" grunted an old man, "a two-peso bomb doesn't frighten or deafen me! They ought to be three-peso
ones."
"Write down one thousand pesos for two hundred bombs and two hundred rockets."
The conservatives could no longer restrain themselves. Some of them rose and began to whisper together.
"Moreover, in order that our visitors may see that we are a liberal people and have plenty of money,"
continued the speaker, raising his voice and casting a rapid glance at the whispering group of elders, "I
propose: first, four hermanos mayores [68] for the two days of the fiesta; and second, that each day there be
thrown into the lake two hundred fried chickens, one hundred stuffed capons, and forty roast pigs, as did
Sylla, a contemporary of that Cicero, of whom Capitan Basilio just spoke."
"That's it, like Sylla," repeated the flattered Capitan Basilio.
The surprise steadily increased.
"Since many rich people will attend and each one will bring thousands of pesos, his best game-cocks, and his
playing-cards, I propose that the cockpit run for fifteen days and that license be granted to open all gambling