Of feasting and intoxication among the Filipinos. Chapter XXXIV.

The time for their feasts, wherein they ate and drank to excess (and
they drank, too, much more than they ate), was, as we have said,
upon occasions of illness, death, and mourning. Such was also their
custom at betrothals, weddings, and sacrifices, and with guests and
visitors. Upon all these occasions there was not a door closed against
anyone who might desire to go to drink with them--for they designate
a feast by the term "drinking," not "eating." In the feasts which
they held upon occasions of sacrifice, they were wont to place at one
side of the table a plate, upon which he who chose would throw, by
way of religious ceremony, some mouthful of food, which he refrained
from eating out of respect to the anito. They eat, sitting in a low
position; and their tables are small, low, and round or square in
shape, without covering or napkins, the plates containing the victuals
being placed on the table itself. They eat in groups of sufficient
number to surround the table; and it may happen that a house is filled
from one end to another with tables, and guests drinking. The food is
placed all together upon various plates, and they have no hesitation
in putting the hands of all into the same dish, or in drinking out
of the same vessel. They eat but little, drink often, and spend much
time in the feast. When they are satiated with food and intoxicated
with the drink, they remove the tables and clear the house; and, if
the feast is not one of mourning, they sing, play musical instruments,
dance, and in this way, spend days and nights, with great uproar and
shouting--until finally they fall, exhausted and drowsy. But they are
never seen to become, in their intoxication, so frenzied or crazed