Las Costumbres de los
Indios Tagalos de Filipinas
Juan de Plasencia:
John Rey D. Ravago
BSED 1- Science A
Background of the Author
✣
Born to the illustrious family of Portocarreros in
Plasensia in the region of Extremadura, Spain in
the early 16
th
century. He was one of the seven
children of Pedro Portocarrero, a captain of a
Spanish schooner.
✣
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, among them his native Extremadura.
✣
Fray Joan de Puerto Carrero, del
convento
de
Villanueva
de
la
Serena. Was his real name.
ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES
✣
Fray Juan de Plasencia came together with the
first batch of Franciscan missionaries in
the Philippines.
✣
Arrived at a port in Cavite, a few kilometers south
of Manila on the 2nd of July 1578.
4
Purpose: Relacion de las
Costumbres and Instruccion
✣
To put an end to some injustices being committed
against the natives by certain government officials.
5
“The
chronicler, Francis enemies, and so I can hardly express the
sadness I feel any time the news of such incidents reach my ears
or I myself am involved; however, if one is to choose between
enmity and friendship and between peace and war, I believe
enmity is to be preferred.
For considering the kind of persons
most of the alcaldes mayores are nowadays, nothing indicates that
friendship with them will help the missions in any way.
On the
contrary, it will destroy them.
