Deciphering the Mood of the

Historical Period

Customs of the Tagalog

A. Background of the author

Juan De Plasencia
– Other names: Fray Juan de Plasencia, Juan Portocarrero in Plasencia,
Joan de Puerto Carrero
- Death: died in Liliw, Laguna in 1590.
Early Years
- Juan de Plasencia was conceived in the mid sixteenth century as Juan
Portocarrero in Plasencia, in the locale of Extremadura, Spain. He was one
of the seven offspring of Pedro Portocarrero, a chief of a Spanish clipper.

-Juan de Plasencia grew up during the period known as the Siglo de Oro, a
Golden Age when arts and literature prospered in numerous pieces of
Spain, among them his local Extremadura.

-It isn't notable when or where he previously entered the Order of the
Franciscans. A few researchers point at the Convento de Villanueva de la
Serena, in Plasencia, while others theorize that he may have headed out to
Italy and joined a religious circle there, when a huge portion of Italy was
under Spanish guideline. As indicated by specialists, he accepting the
propensity as a youngster at the Cloister of Saint Francis in Sorrento, Italy.
Life in the Philippines
- He is believed to have shown up to the Philippines in 1578, after a
visit in Mexico. When he showed up, he united with another preacher,
Fray Diego de Oropesa, and the two of them began lecturing around
Laguna de Bay and Tayabas, Quezon, in Quezon Province, where he
established a few towns.
 - As a monk, Juan de Plasencia lived up his promise, driving a way of
life without any extravagance and in consistent contact with the
individuals he was attempting to change over to Christianity. He was
likewise known to be a protector of the local populace, caring for poor
people, sick, or disregarded, and going to bat for their privileges on
various events.

- He was additionally exceptionally enthusiastic about making grade

schools, and mentioned official assent for the production of instructive
focuses where "Filipinos could not only learn Christian doctrine, but
also reading and writing, and some arts and crafts, so they would
become after, not only good Christians but also useful citizens", an
activity that was affirmed by Domingo de Salazar, the main Bishop of
the See of Manila (1512–1594).
Written Works
- Juan de Plasencia wrote a number of books designed primarily to
promote the understanding of both the Spanish language among the
natives, and the local languages among the missionaries, to facilitate
the task of spreading Christianity. He is the writer of what is accepted
to be the principal book imprinted in the Philippines, the Doctrina
Cristiana, that was imprinted in Spanish, yet additionally in Tagalog,
in both Latin content and the usually utilized Baybayin content of the
locals of the time, and it even had a form in Chinese. Different works
ascribed to him are the "Relacion de las Costumbres de Los Tagalos"
(1589), that not just comprehended and protect a significant number of
the traditional ways of the local population, yet in addition gave the
primary type of Civil Code, utilized by neighborhood lead
representatives to direct equity. A mysterious work which he named
"La Santina", was an Opus number on petition and contemplation
completely done in the Tagalog language so the locals who didn't
realize Spanish could likewise participate in the profound activities of
their educators.

B. Summary of the background of the document

- Customs of the Tagalog was composed by Spanish friar Franciscan friar during
the mid sixteenth century. In the first place, the writer was not a local Tagalog but
rather a Franciscan Missionary who initially shows up the Philippines in 1577. He
was entrusted by King of Spain to archive the traditions and conventions of the
 colonized (locals), in view of his own perception and judgment. On the off chance
that to put socio-political setting into the content, the main issue was about the
creation or the character of the writer; second, the talk of intensity in colonial
writing; and last, the rationale of division, these issues are most likely the issues
of pioneer writing in the Philippines. Given the enormous measure of
predispositions and to great extent, incorrect judgment and assumptions of the
writer of the Customs of the Tagalog, the text was unmistakably not for neighbour
hood utilization but for Western readers. The Customs of the Tagalog was
deliberately made to give an eroticize portrayal of the Tagalog locals, clearly fed
by politics and propaganda. Juan de Plasencia wrote the Customs of the Tagalog
to see the ceaseless improvement of the Native culture in the Philippines. He
utilized his work to educate the Filipinos about the distinctions and the similitudes
of our way of life by at that point and now. Additionally, Juan de Plasencia's work
made the Filipinos acknowledged how astonishing the Tagalog culture back then.
C. Content and Analysis
- DATOS
the chief who governed the people and were captains in their wars whom
they obey and reverence
-BARANGAY
a family of parents and children, relations and slaves.
THE THREE CASTES
-NOBLES
-COMMONERS
-SLAVES
SITUATION 1
-Those who are maharlicas on both the father’s and mother’s side continue to be
forever, and if it happens that they should become slaves, it is through marriage.

SITUATION 2
-If maharlicas had children among their slaves, their children and their mothers
became free

SITUATION 3
 -If maharlicas had children by the slave-woman of another, the slave-woman was
compelled when pregnant, to give her master half of a gold tael. In this case, half
of the child was free if the father (maharlica) recognized him. If not, the child will
become a whole slave.

SITUATION 4
-If a free woman had children by a slave they were all free, provided he were not
her husband. If two persons married, of whom one was a maharlica and the other
a slave (namamahay or sa guiguilir ) the children were divided.
- Odd birth order (1st,3rd,5th)
– belong to the father. Even birth order (2nd, 4th, 6th)
– belong to the mother. Only child
–half free, half slave.
SITUATION 5
-Maharlicas could not, after marriage, move from one village to another without
paying a certain fee in gold (ranging from one to three tales and a banquet to the
entire barangay) as arranged among them.

Special Case
-When one married woman of another village, the children were afterwards
divided equally between the two barangays. Investigations made and sentences
passed by the dato must take place in the presence of those his barangay. They
had laws by which they condemned to death a man of low birth who insulted the
daughter or wife of a chief; likewise witches, and others of the same class.
Dowries are given by men to the women’s parents before marriage. If the parents
are both alive, they both enjoy the use of it. Divorce and Dowries Death of Wife
or Husband Dowry and Arranged Marriage.
WORSHIP OF THE TAGALOGS
-Worship of the Tagalogs
› No temples
› Simbahan
-Temple or Place of Adoration.
› Pandot
-or a festival celebrated
 › Sibi
› Sorihile
› Nagaanitos
IDOLS
- Bathala
- Lic-Ha
- Dian Masalanta (Patron of Lovers and of Generation)
- Lacapati and Idianale (Patrons of Cultivated Lands and of Husbandry)
- Tala
- Seven Little Goats (the Pleiades)
- Mapolon (change of seasons)
- Balatic (greater Bear)
- Buaya
- Tigmamanuguin
- bird
- No established division of years, months, and days
- Catolonan (officiating priest)
- Offerings and sacrifices
- Belief on bearing child
IDOLS
1. Catalonan
2. Manganguay (Witches)
3. Manyisalat
4. Mancocolam
5. Hocloban
6. Silagan
7. Magtatangal
8. Osuang
 9. Mangagayoma
10. Sonat
11. Pangatahojan
12. Bayoguuin
Distinctions among the priests of the Devil

- The original work itself is a product of observations and judgments. Therefore, it is

probable that Juan de Plasencia’s work might contain partiality in presenting his
observations and judgments.

- Pre-conquest society were not swept by the advent of the Spanish regime.
- It has continued to serve as a basis for historical reconstructions of Tagalog society.
D. Contribution and relevance
- Since culture open a sense of beauty. It also opens us to discoveries and we are greatly
influenced by the people we interact with. A blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and
Hispanic culture with the influence from Chinese, Indians Arabs, and other Asian
cultures really contribute to the customs and traditions of the Filipinos.

-Religion

> The Philippines is one of two dominatingly Roman Catholic countries in

Asia-Pacific. It Converted natives, taught catechisms, and organized towns
and barangays in the Philippines. Promoted the understanding of both the
Spanish language among the natives, and the local languages among the
missionaries, to facilitate the task of spreading Christianity.

-Superstition

> Beliefs regarding the aswang, dwende, kapre, tikbalang,

patyanak/tiyanak at iba pa.

>They also believe in magical power of amulet and charms such as anting-
anting, kulam and gayuma or love potion.

-Society

> The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the
southeastern Asian country which is now called Indonesia. The
Philippines is a combined society, both singular and plural in form. It is
 singular as one nation, but plural in that it is fragmented geographically
and culturally. The nation is divided in different religions and in different
races. Even with this, Filipinos are still very hospitable and gave respect to
different race, culture and belief.

-Relevance

› Many of the 16th century beliefs and practices are still present today.
› If affirms that during the pre-Hispanic period, Filipinos already have
government as well as a set of beliefs and practices.
› Some of our preceptions on Filipino beliefs and practices are somehow
on different from Juan de Plasencia’s point of view

E. Describe your learning experiences while doing the aforesaid activities.

> I did not read the whole text because of I don’t have enough time due to
a pile of works, instead I read summary and works of other people
regarding the customs of the tagalog and relate it with mine. After reading
about the customs of the tagalog, I learned that our culture and beliefs in
this generation are connected from before. The other information amuse
me because I am proud of what our country have become because of it.
Even though they praise God with different names which we are
influenced up until now.

First Voyage around the World

A. Background of the author
- Antonio Pigafetta is also known as Antonio Lombardo or Francisco Antonio
Pigafetta. He came from a wealthy family in 1491 and died in the same city in
1534. He is the son of Giovanni Pigafetta and Angela Zogathe and the eldest child
among his siblings of 2. In his youth, he studied astronomy, geography, and
cartography. He was also an Italian seafarer and geographer. He traveled with the
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew by order of King Charles I
of Spain on their voyage around the world. The relevance of his journey
fundamentally lies in the fact that he took part in the first globe circumnavigation,
between 1519 and 1522. He was able to accomplish it after the murder of
Ferdinand Magellan, leaving a detailed description of the journey in the Report of
the first trip around the world·
B. Summary of the background of the document
- Spain vs Portugal
- Spain is taking advantage over Portugal
- To expand the empire
- Propagation of Christianity
- Ferdinand magellan born from portugal but give his service to seville on
spain
- 1522, magellan expedition circumnavigates globe
- Through his expedition, he had this theory that the earth is globe
- Magellan was the first european explorer who reached the pacific ocean
- He empirically discredited the medieval theory conclusively.
C. Do the content analysis of the important historical information found in the document
- On September 8, 1522, the crew of the Victoria cast anchor in the waters off
of Seville, Spain, having just completed the first circumnavigation of the
world.
- On board was Antonio Pigafetta, a young Italian nobleman who had joined the
expedition three years before, and served as an assistant to Ferdinand
Magellan en route to the Molucca Islands.
- Magellan was dead. The rest of the fleet was gone: the Santiago shipwrecked,
the San Antonio overtaken, the Concepcion burned and the Trinidad
abandoned. Of the 237 sailors who departed from Seville, eighteen returned
on the Victoria. Pigafetta had managed to survive, along with his journal—
notes that detailed the discovery of the western route to the Moluccas.
- And along the way, new land, new peoples: on the far side of the Pacific, the
fleet had stumbled across the Marianas archipelago, and some three hundred
leagues further west, the Philippines.

D. Cite the contribution and relevanceof the document in understanding the grand
narrative of Philippine history.
- A proof of the lavishness administration and, autonomy in our nation in the pre-
pilgrim time.
› The rulers being referenced by Pigafetta are the Datu which lead
the island back then. In this manner the local Filipinos follow a
social framework where there are pioneers and there are workers.
 › Pigafetta depicted the locals, as practically stripped people wearing
just a dress weaved from barks and leaves, inked, and has gold on
their bodies. He likewise portrayed the rich characteristic assets
that can be found in our islands.
- Who have Discovered the Philippines
› Magellan did discover our islands through a strait which is now
called Magellan’s strait, but Philippines has inhabitants even
before the spanish came to conquer us.
- Christianity and the acceptance of Filipinos
› Christianity is the biggest religion on the planet, propagated in the
Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan. The trust of the natives before
are just about lifting hands and applauding, building various
pictures of their deities, until Christianity was acquainted with
them. It was acknowledged and polished by Filipinos before Spain
has effectively attacked us. It was acknowledged and rehearsed by
Filipinos and has been an enormous aspect of our way of life and
convictions.

E. Describe your learning experiences while doing the aforesaid activities.

- In this book, I’ve learned that without the voyage, the Philippines may not be
known in other countries. After reading a summary of this book, I learned about
the pre colonial times in the Philippines and how magellans expedition led to a lot
of discoveries. Christianity was introduced to us where in up until now, we
wholeheartedly accept and worship it.
References:

- Anonymous(n.d) Juan de plasencia, Spanish friar of the Franciscan order.

Retrieved from https://peoplepill.com/people/juan-de-plasencia/
- Realyn Panaligan(2018) CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS
by JUAN DE PLASENCIA. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/p/vjiz6mscj-
2-/customs-of-the-tagalogs-by-juan-de-plasencia/

- Melissa Regina L. Sazon(2017) Customs of the tagalog. Retrieved from

https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/arellano-
university/psychology/lecture-notes/reading-in-philippine-
history/6562096/view
- Anonymous(n.d) Today in Philippie History, December 7, 1830, Ambrosio
Rianzares Bautista, lawyer and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s confidante, was
born in Biñan, Laguna. Retrieved from
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/799/today-in-philippie-history-
december-7-1830-ambrosio-rianzares-bautista-lawyer-and-gen-emilio-
aguinaldo-s-confidante-was-born-in-bi-an-laguna
-