Urbana and Feliza: A Letter on Public Office

fFrom: Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na sina Urbana at Feliza.

Setting: Manila, probably inside Urbana’s room, where she is writing a letter to Feliza about the proper
conduct of a public official.

The letter encompasses how one should conduct himself as a public official upon learning that Honesto,
someone who might be related to Feliza, is likely to be appointed as an official of the town. Urbana stated
that positions of honor in the community are like a crown which is given only to the people who have the
right to such honor. She added that this honor should not be sought after but rather refused, if one is not
up to the job and cannot do the job credit. She likened the position as a crown of nobility and honor that
should seek the head of the person, and not the other way around where the head is seeking out for the
crown.

She later writes about how honor usually comes with great responsibility, and that’s why those who are
about to take over the responsibility must take his or her time to discern if the burden of the responsibility
is bearable. Those who are about to step up and take over the said responsibility must consider if their
own knowledge, moral compass and strength are enough for them to agree to such position of
responsibility. This responsibility must not be wished for or forcibly obtained, but rather accepted if the
community has agreed on it and if it is the will of God.

Urbana also stated that the desire for high office is usually an unworthy desire, due to the motive of seeking
higher office not being a laudable intention of benefiting people, but rather of personally benefiting from
position. Most of the time, the position entails not bearing the hardships in the fulfillment of duty but rather
to gain personal comfort, and there are times when these people prioritize the comfort and ease of their
personal life over the comfort and ease of the lives of other people. She also stated that the reason why
those who are greedy for position are incapable of fulfilling their responsibilities is because these people
are after the position, and not the responsibility. These people, according to Urbana, are devoid of good
sense because they should be able to recognize the weight of the position and, rather than strive for it,
they should refuse it. It is this reason that we see many of these officials who are neglecting their duties
and instead looking out for their own interests by befriending the rich and disdaining the poor. She advised
Feliza to watch over Honesto and give her good advice so he will not end up like these selfish officials, and
instead strive to being respected and venerated by the people of the town.

She also mentioned in the letter that worldly honor, like fate, is a wheel that turns. The duty of being an
official must be fulfilled, or there will be an accounting and justice on earth and in heaven. The justsice of
God will reach out to those who eludes justice.
Urbana said that everyone shares the same beginnings, follow the same path, and have the same end.
This is just like how God is the beginning of all, that we will pass God’s tribunal, and we will also end in
God. One should not be cruel in a desire to gain the respect of others, because people look up to people
who display righteousness and love. Pride and snobbery are the marks of a narrow mind and the cause of
rancor in one’s fellowman.

A leader should never forget his duty to care for everyone, because his concern should be extended to
everyone. A person who knows how to fulfill his duty, faithful to his friends, protective of the lowly, and
compassionate to the poor is a joy and credit to the people, and rules the heart of all. True nobility, she
said, is in nobility of conduct and in doing good.
In the conclusion of her letter, Urbana advised Feliza to show Honesto the importance of honorable conduct,
righteousness, and of having a kind heart, which are like jewels that adorn the crown and scepter of
someone who seats on the throne of having higher office.