CUSTOMS OF
THE TAGALOGS
By:
JUAN DE PLACENCIA
COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND OF
JUAN DE PLACENCIA
Early Years
Juan de Plasencia was born in the early 16th century as
Juan Portocarrero in Plasencia, in the region
of Extremadura, Spain.
He was one of the seven children of Pedro Portocarrero,
a captain of a Spanish schooner, who died in Naples,
Italy in 1574.
Juan de Plasencia grew up during the period known as
the Siglo de Oro, a Golden Age when arts and literature
flourished in many parts of Spain.
Fray Juan de Puerto Carrero del Convento de Villanueva
de la Serrena - his real name.
Life in the Philippines
Fray Juan de Plasencia came together with
the first batch of Franciscan missionaries in
the Philippines.
In the list of missionaries
bound for the Philippine Islands which was
dispatched from the Casa de la Contratacion
of Seville, dated May 21 1577, the name Fray
Joan de Puerto Carrero, del
convento
de
Villanueva
de
la
Serena
was mentioned.
This name undoubtedly belongs to Juan de
Plasencia.
As a friar, Juan de Plasencia lived up to his pledge, leading a
lifestyle devoid of any luxury and in constant contact with the
people he was trying to convert to Christianity. He was also
known to be a defender of the native population, looking after
the poor, ill, or neglected, and standing up for their rights on
numerous occasions.
He was also very keen on creating primary schools, and
requested official sanction for the creation of educational
centers
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 initiative that was approved by
Domingo de Salazar
, the first Bishop of the See of Manila
(1512–1594).
His untiring work and missionary zeal pushed him further in the
foundation and organization of several towns not only in Laguna
and Tayabas but also in the present Provinces of Bulacan and Rizal,
and these were: Tayabas, Calilaya, Lucban, Mahayhay, Nagcarlang,
Lilio, Pila, Santa Cruz, Lumbang, Pangil, Siniloan, Morong, Antipolo,
Taytay, and Meycawayan.
As his biographers testify, his life was characterized by zeal,
prayer, and dedicated service.
When he was moving about on foot
and visiting areas where the natives dwell he devoted himself
wholeheartedly to their conversion.
His great interest in this
endeavor made him plunge himself into the laborious study of the
native language and the foundation of numerous towns.
