(From left) Madrigal, his mother Stella Lopez, 78, and Theseira pouring over old photos of their community.
PENNING a book to share his experience throughout his years as a fisherman, community leader and activist at the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka is testament to how much Martin Theseira loves Malaysia.
The 67-year-old Portuguese just released his book called The Story of Pedro Theseira The Fisherman, which is deeply connected to the roots of his Kristang (Melakan Portuguese) community from an early age.
His father Lionel and mother Catherine instilled in him a profound appreciation for his cultural heritage.
The book is actually based on the story of Theseira’s life, with various stories weaved in featuring Pedro as the main character.
‘“I wrote this book because it was always in my mind to record my experiences through the years as a fisherman, including organising festivals, choir, and doing church work,” he told The Star as he walked along Praya Lane in Bandar Hilir, Melaka.
The church he refers to is the Assumption Church Malacca in Jalan Melaka Raya 14, just behind Praya Lane.
From a young age, he lived in Praya Lane, a part of the suburb of Bandar Hilir, not far from the city and the beach.
The annual San Pedro Festival at the Portuguese Settlement is a crowd puller. - Filepic
“We had a nice backyard fronting the Straits of Malacca before the reclamation started in 1974.
“Our way of life started to change and affected our cultural activities in church. Many people eventually moved out,” he said.
On what it means to be Malaysian, Theseira said he would be ever ready to defend his country from foreign invaders.
“We are descendants of Portugal, but we are Malaysians first and I’m proud of it. I believe I’m 100% Malaysian.
“Growing up in Praya Lane with Chinese, Indian and Malay fishermen was so harmonious. Things have changed because of politicising and politicians exploiting race and religion,” he said.
Theseira feels the theme of unity and strength best describes his upbringing.
Theseira shows where the reclamation exercise had changed the landscape of the settlement.
“We didn’t split over small, petty issues. Malaysia is so blessed with resources, beautiful forests and oceans.
“I lost my seafront at Praya Lane. I hope there is no more reclamation, the sea is important for fishermen’s survival,” he said.
Anthony Madrigal, 52, who was born and raised in the Portuguese Settlement, referred to all Malaysians as family.
“When I was growing up, it was an amazing place which had a wonderful community that was intact and composed of all races and religions. Everyone was friendly and helpful to each other,” he said.
He remembers the Friendship Wall built in 1975 at the Assumption Church by the church and community members.
It still stands until today despite the elements and exposure to reclamation.
“Unity means family under one flag,” said Madrigal.
Violet Monteiro, 39, a marketeer and a mother-of-three who lives at the settlement, remembered growing up with not much racism issues in school, but it showed up during her university days.
“It is sad to see society is now worse with social media sparking racist sentiments,” she said.
She often talks to her children, ages four to 13, about mixed cultures in Malaysia as her husband is of Chinese and Indian parentage.
“We celebrate Chinese New Year, Christmas and Deepavali, and bring the children along to church and temple.
“We feel proud to live in Malaysia and would not want to live elsewhere,” she said.
Monteiro (right) and Sta Maria are proud of their mixed heritage.
Monteiro’s first-cousin-once-removed Alysa Sta Maria, 26, enjoyed their growing-up years in Melaka.
Sta Maria, who is of Portuguese-Indian parentage, is proud of her Eurasian roots.
“My family often visits Melaka for the San Pedro Festival and Good Friday.
“While I saw many youths moving out of the settlement, I wanted to go back to learn more about my heritage.
“It is interesting to learn about my ancestry and traditions.
“And there is so much opportunity for youths at the Portuguese Settlement,” she said.
Musician Raynier De Silva, 27, a communications officer for a non-governmental organisation, said music was a uniting factor for people of different backgrounds in Malaysia.
“Everyone is interesting and unique in our own way, even in our music; we fill the creative and cultural space differently.
“We can all acknowledge our ethnicities without prioritising our identity,” he said.
