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Module 2 Section 1

This document provides an introduction to Section 1 of Module 2, which analyzes the significance of primary sources to Philippine history. Specifically, it examines Fray Juan de Plasencia's account of the customs of the Tagalog people in the 16th century. The document discusses Plasencia's background, the historical context surrounding his writings, and the importance of friar accounts like his in shaping understanding of pre-colonial Philippine society and culture. It aims to help students understand Tagalog practices before the Spanish arrived, compare them to later Spanish introductions, and evaluate the relevance of these sources today.

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66 views

Module 2 Section 1

This document provides an introduction to Section 1 of Module 2, which analyzes the significance of primary sources to Philippine history. Specifically, it examines Fray Juan de Plasencia's account of the customs of the Tagalog people in the 16th century. The document discusses Plasencia's background, the historical context surrounding his writings, and the importance of friar accounts like his in shaping understanding of pre-colonial Philippine society and culture. It aims to help students understand Tagalog practices before the Spanish arrived, compare them to later Spanish introductions, and evaluate the relevance of these sources today.

Uploaded by

Steffany Frnndz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Readings in Philippine History

Module 2 (Analyzing the Significance of the Primary Sources to


the History of the Filipino People)
Section 1 (Customs of the Tagalogs, Juan de Plasencia)

Introduction:
This section shows the different practices and customs, noted down by Fray Juan de Plasencia
in his account, Customs of the Tagalogs. The Tagalogs had long been practicing these even prior to the
arrival of the Spaniards. Such practices only prove that Filipinos already lived with political,
economic, and cultured systems prior to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.

Intended Learning Outcomes:


1. Determine practices and customs of the Tagalogs and visualize the the type of community
that Filipinos had prior to the arrival of the Spaniards
2. Compare and contrast the pre-hispanic customs of the Filipinos to the practices that the
Spaniards introduced
3. Explain the importance of the customs of the Tagalogs to the grand narrative of the
Philippine History.
4. Evaluate the relevance of the document to the present time.

Discussion:
Background of the Author
Fray Juan de Plasencia, also known by his real name, Joan de Portocarrero, was one of
the seven children of Pedro Portocarrero. He was born and raised in Extremadura, Spain in the
16th century during the country’s Golden Age (Siglo de Oro). As Franciscan he performed
missionary and sacerdotal duties in numerous town in Luzon. He was also credited with
foundation of many towns in Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan. His interaction with Tagalog
converts to Christianity influenced him in writing the book Relacion de las Costumbres de los
Tagalos (Customs of the Tagalogs, 1589). The book identifies the political, social, economic,
and cultural systems that were already in place among Filipino communities prior to the arrival
of the Spaniards. He was dedicated to lead a lifestyle devoid of luxury and to be in constant
contact with people to easily understand the Catholic Chruch for them to willingly accept the
Catholic faith. As such he was honored by the Franciscan Order with the title “Venerable”. He
died in Liliw, Laguna in 1950.

Historical Background of the Document


Lifetime were allowed to hold the position of gobernadorcillo of pueblos, Friars assigned
in the parishes performed administrative duties in the local level by supervising and monitoring the
activities of the gobernadorcillo. The friars became the most influential and knowledgeable figure in
the pueblo. Some duties of friars were to periodically inform their superiors of what was happening in
their respective parishes; and to report the number of their converts, the people’s practices, their
socio-economic situations, and the problems they encountered. Short letters were submitted by some
friars while others who were good observes and gifted in writing wrote longer dispatches. Fray Juan
de Plasencia’s Relacion de las Costumbres de los Tagalogs (customs of the tagalog, 1589) is an
example of such work. It contains extensive information reconstructing the political and socio-
cultural history of the Tagalog region. Plasencia’s work is a primary source because it is a first-hand
account of his experiences and observations. The work of Plasencia is considered by many historians
as an example of a friar account. The original text of Plasencia’s Customs of the Tagalogs is currently
kept in Archivo General de Indias (A.G.I.) in Seville, spain. There is also a duplicate copy in the
Archivo Franciscano Ibero-Oriental (A.F.I.O) IN Madrid, Spain. In the Philippines, an English version
appeared in Volume VII of Blair and Robertson’s collection of Spanish documents. Another English
translation was published as part of the volume for pre-Hispanic Philippines of the Filipiniana Book
Guild series. Other friars and colonial officials who wrote about the Philippines during the early
Spanish colonial period include Miguel de Loarca, who arrived in the Philippines in 1576 and became
an encomendero of Panay. He wrote Relacion de las Islas Filipinas (1582) that describes the way of
life Filipinos living in western Visayas area. Antonio de Morga, who came to the Philippines in 1595 as
Asesor and Teniente General, wrote Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas which provides valuable
information about the Philippines at the latter part of the 16th century.
Many of what Filipinos know about Philippine History during the first century of the Spanish
period were derived from the accounts of the Spanish friars and colonial officials.

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