..The Legacy of Alberto Yaptinchay

SOME devotions begin as simple rituals that are passed down from generation to generation. And so it is with the story of Alberto Yaptinchay and his devotion to the souls in purgatory.

Almeda-Yaptinchay Clan taken circa 1934

From left to right, 1st row: Ismael A. Yatco, Natividad Almeda-Tankiang, Esther Yatco-Garcia, Julita Almeda– Karamihan, Carmen Cases – Manabat, and Justa Almeda – Leviste. From left to right 2nd row: Ramon Yatco, Francisco Casas, Mariano Yatco, Rosenda Almeda (on lap: Alberto Almeda), Maris Yaptinchay Almeda ( widow of Andres Almeda and daughter of Alberto Yaptinchay), Antonio Almeda (on lap: Andres Almeda), Esteban Almeda, and Cesar Almeda. From left to right, 3rd row: Encarnacion Almeda Casas, Raymunda Almeda Yatco, Pacita Casas Mercado, Herminia Yatco Geraldez, Ricarda Almeda, and Lazara Sabas Almeda. From left to right, 4th row: Imelda Yatco-Jimenez, Isidora Yatco-Zalamea, Trinidad Casas-Cuyegkeng, Dolores Almeda-Tapia, Encarnacion Almeda-Gomez, Generosa Almeda-Latorre, and Jose Almeda Yatco.

Alberto Yaptinchay was born in 1822 Xiamen, China. To escape the poverty of the mainland, he took a slow boat bound for the Philippines at the age of fourteen. He landed in Manila and was adopted by the Spanish friars in Intramuros. They baptized and taught him the Christian way of life. Alberto was diligent in his chores and took the Catholic teachings seriously. He grew up at the seminary and saved  his earnings through the work given to him by the Spanish friars.

Alberto knew that he wanted to have his own land and once he had enough savings, he bought himself a stretch of rice fields in Binan, Laguna. Alberto worked hard, cultivating his land and turning it into one rich with harvest. Yet he did not forget the teachings of the Spanish friars. Alberto was also an active parishioner of Binan and had a special devotion for the souls in purgatory. He would offer masses for them and gave very generous donations for that intention. The townspeople soon grew to respect and love him, fondly calling him Bertong Intsik.

Alberto finally decided to get married and had a daughter named Maria who was born in 1862. Often, his wife and Maria would go to town, while Alberto would keep on working on his land with his two farm hands. His hard work paid off and allowed him to buy even more lands.

News got around of Alberto’s wealth. One day, while Maria and his wife were in town, Alberto, who was looking over his lands, noticed a group of bandits riding toward his house. He ran inside and grabbed his guns. Together with his two farm hands, he hid behind some trees and aimed his gun at them. They were outnumbered for he had counted at least half a dozen men. When the robbers were but a few meters from the house, they suddenly stopped. Then they turned around and left. It was said that the bandits saw about a hundred men and women, all dressed in white, having a party at the house. The robbers got so confused that they decided to just leave. After this, Alberto’s devotion for the souls in purgatory grew stronger.

When he died he set aside the produce of 20 hectares of his land for masses offered for the souls in purgatory and all his dead relatives. This legacy continued with his daughter Maria and her husband, Alberto Almeda, who then passed it on to their children. Though his grandchildren divided up Alberto’s lands, they carried on the custom. His great

grandchildren held on to his wishes and Dolores Almeda even put up a foundation especially for the intention of the souls in purgatory. Also included in the foundation is the financial support given to secular priests and seminarians who want to become priests. This is in remembrance of the Spanish friars that adopted Alberto Yaptinchay.

What once was a simple ritual has become a devotion passed down from generation to generation. And it all began with a little Chinese boy that sailed into Manila.

(By: Ms. Loudette Tapia Tolosa, great, great granddaughter of Alberto Yaptinchay and daughter of Dolores Almeda and Isabelo Tapia)

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