Customs-of-the-Tagalogs-ppt-1.pptx - CUSTOMS OF THE...

Fr Juan de Plasencia, OSF
CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS

Who is FRAY JUAN DE PLASENCIA
Fray Juan de Portocarrero, (Juan de Plasencia)
was born to the illustrious family of the
Portocarreros in Plasencia in the region
of Extremadura, Spain in the early 16th
century.
His father, Don Pedro Portocarrero, was a captain
of a Spanish schooner, who died
in Naples, Italy in 1574. Juan was one in a
brood of seven which included D. Alfonso
Pacheco Portocarrero, D. Pedro Portocarrero, D.
Rodrigo Pacheco, Doña Beatriz, Doña Ana, and
Doña Inés Portocarrero.

Fray Juan de Plasencia’s work

MISSIONARY PREACHER

Only two months after their arrival in Manila, Fray Juan
de Plasencia and another confrere, Fray Diego de
Oropresa, were already preaching around Laguna de
Bay area and as far as Tayabas (the present Quezon
Province) converting souls to the Catholic fold.

FOUNDER AND ORGANIZER

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.

Fr. Juan’s Arrival in the Philippines

Fray Juan de Plasencia together with the
first batch of Franciscan missionaries
arrived at a port in Cavite, a few kilometers
south of Manila on the 2nd of July 1578.

AS A FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY

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.

He was elected as Custos (i.e. Superior) at their Chapter
in May 23, 1584. He held this office until the election of
Fray Pedro Bautista in 1588.

After several dedicated years of hard work, converting the
natives, teaching catechisms, and organizing towns and
barangays, he finally succumbed to Sister Death. He
passed away in Lilio (Liliw), in the Province of Laguna, in
the year 1590.

Historical Background of the Article
1.
This can be considered a primary historical
document from an eyewitness since, Fray
Plasencia personally worked and lived with the
people of Southern Tagalog areas.