In writing the book, Antonio Garcia del Canto, the author, put forward his intent in this manner: “To paint what I have seen, without exaggeration of any kind, to describe some extremely picturesque places and in particular those that have wounded my imagination the most, to point out and anathematize the vices that have most disgusted me so that they can be corrected, taking some steps...such has been the thought that has led me to write this work, which I have given the form of a novel in order to adorn it as much as possible with the finery of poetry.” Thus, the book contains stories replete with interesting ethnographic observations presented in novelistic manner. Thus, there are chapters about the pariancillo (Chinese quarters), los Igorrotes del Amburayan (the Igorots of Amburayan), Manila y los españoles among others. (Lars Raymund C. Ubaldo, Ph.D.)