Across the Seas: Three Brothers Find New Lives in Colonial Philippines
by Antonio R. Sievert
Wow, this book turned out to be quite a bit more than I had expected. It is described as a non-fictional narrative of three brothers, Carlos, Jorge, and José Sievert y Barriere, who leave their home in Cádiz, Spain for a new life in the Philippines in the late 1800s. The book happens to be more of a text on Philippine economic history and culture at the end of Spanish colonial rule than merely a simple biographical portrait of the brothers Sievert y Barriere. Most of its chapters are devoted to depicting the historical context and Philippine business climate that formed the backdrop against which the story is set. The author pays great attention to detail in his descriptions of the financial, mercantile, and shipping firms that operated in the Philippines during this period (many of which are still in operation today). A substantial bibliography attests to the tremendous amount of research involved in the crafting of this magnum opus work.
Across the Seas was written lovingly by one of the brothers' descendants, a retired civil engineer originally from the Philippines named Antonio R. Sievert and published only a few years ago. When needed, the author received vital assistance for this research project from friends and relatives in the Philippines, including members of the Ruíz de Luzuriaga, Recto, Reyes, and Callejo clans, as well as from cousin José-Ignacio "Josechu" Pueo. Renowned, Harvard-educated scholar Dr. Benito J. Legarda, Jr. reviewed and vetted this book.
Dr. Benito J. Legarda, Jr., Harvard-educated PhD economist, historian, art authority, and scholar/banker/businessman in the Philippines.
Across the Seas: Three Brothers Find New Lives in Colonial Philippines is available from major booksellers all over the world (including the Ukraine, amazingly enough!).