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M2-L1 Customs of the Tagalog

This module focuses on the significance of primary sources in understanding Philippine history, particularly through the work of Fray Juan De Plasencia. It highlights his contributions as a friar and his firsthand accounts of Tagalog customs, which provide insights into the socio-cultural and political landscape prior to Spanish colonization. The document emphasizes the importance of these primary sources in reconstructing historical narratives of the Filipino people.

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2 views

M2-L1 Customs of the Tagalog

This module focuses on the significance of primary sources in understanding Philippine history, particularly through the work of Fray Juan De Plasencia. It highlights his contributions as a friar and his firsthand accounts of Tagalog customs, which provide insights into the socio-cultural and political landscape prior to Spanish colonization. The document emphasizes the importance of these primary sources in reconstructing historical narratives of the Filipino people.

Uploaded by

Glaizel Panal
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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READINGS IN THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY STUDENTS’ LEARNING GUIDE

MODULE 2
ANALYZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRIMARY SOURCES TO THE HISTORY

This module is a collection of primary sources that significantly contributed to the shaping of
Philippine history. It analyses the significance of primary sources to the grand narrative of the history of the
Filipino people by providing concrete facts and details coming from first-hand witnesses of the country’s
specific history events. These primary sources are arranged in a way that they chronological narrate past
events. Each source is analysed by its content and context. The historical significance of the text is likewise
determined by and the purpose of the author is also studied.

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 16 th century
during the country’s Golden Age (Siglo de Oro).

As a friar of the Franciscan order, de Plasencia performed missionary and sacerdotal duties in
numerous towns 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 Tagalogs (

. 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 the
Spaniards. Was dedicated to lead a lifestyle devoid of luxury and to be in constant contact with people he
wanted to convert to Christianity. He wanted people to easily understand the as such, he was honoured by
the Franciscan Order with the title “Venerable.” He died in Liliw, Laguna in 1590.

Historical Background of the Document

Filipinos 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 observers and gifted in writing wrote longer dispatches. Fray Juan de Plasencia’s Relacion de la
Costumbres de Loss Tagalogs (Customs of the Tagalogs, 1589) is an example of such work. It contains
extensive information reconstructing the political and socio-cultural history of the Tagalog region.
Placencia’s work is a primary source because it is a first-hand account of his experiences and
observations. The work of Placencia is considered by many historians as an example of friar account. The
original text of Placencia’s Customs of the Tagalogs is currently kept in Archivo General de Indias (A.G.I)
in Seville, Spain. There is also 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 Lorca, who arrive in the
Philippines in 1576 and became an encomendero of Panay. He wrote Relacion de la Islas Filipinas(1582)
that describes the way of life of Filipinos living in Western Visayas area. Antonio de Morga, who came to
the Philippines in 1595 as Asesor the 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 colonials officials.

REFERENCES

Asuncion N. & Cruz G. (2019). Readings in the Philippine History. C & E Publishing Inc. 839 Edsa South
Triangle Quezon City.

Blair, E. H. & Robertson, J. A. (2004). Juan de Plasensia, Customs of the Tagalogs. In the Philippine
Islands, 1493-1898 (Vol.7) (pp. 165-187). Retrieved from:https: //www.
gutenberg.org/files/13701/13701-h/13701-h.htm#d0E1500.

Created by:

ALVIN J. SUMAMPONG, PhD


CECA Faculty

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