The reward of delight often goes to the curious, because stories abound. But one must look closely to capture details that reveal more than is immediately evident.
There is a panel in the exhibit #PastsRevisited, right beside the image of Senator Nene Pimentel’s speech, “Prof. Renato Constantino: A Prophet of the People,” that shows the way writers Edilberto N. Alegre and Doreen G. Fernandez interacted Renato Constantino and Letizia Roxas Constantino. Alegre and Fernandez wrote Lasa: A Guide to Dining in the Provinces together, and both conveyed by hand their particular fondness for Tato and Letty through their dedication.
The word “affectionate” comes to mind as we read Doreen’s message to Letizia; one feels an exchange of charm and warmth between them: “Dear Ka Letty, I’m your fan! Your books have the flavor of our culture. May you enjoy this. Love, Doreen.”
Writing to Renato, Edilberto employed a more formal tone: “To Mr. Constantino / We are honored with your coming. May this book tempt you to go and explore our different places and flavors. Sincerely, e.n. alegre.”
Don’t you find the way Alegre and Fernandez signed their dedications interesting? As well, the beautiful handwriting of Alegre and Fernandez are also right away evident. Letizia would have certainly noticed this; we know how exquisite her own handwriting was thanks to the volumes of handwritten notebooks, letters, diaries, essays, and speeches she kept throughout decades.
We once asked Edilberto’s son, the scholar and writer Lakan Uhay Dorado Alegre, if he had also inherited his father’s handwriting. Lakan was wide-eyed as he shook his head hard and laughed. And we laughed with Lakan as we told him Letizia did not bequeath her handwriting either to any of their children and grandchildren.
