2.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOCUMENT

The Customs of the Tagalogs is a part of the longer monographs published in the early
16th and 17th centuries by the chroniclers of the Spanish expeditions to the Philippines.
Originally, they appeared in the 55 volumes of Blair and Robertson, The Philippine
Islands (1903), and the Philippine Journal of Sciences (1958). The Customs of the
Tagalog, like any other colonial texts written during the Spanish colonial period, were
deliberately made to provide an exotic portrayal of the Tagalog people, obviously
nourished by politics and imperialism and conducted with the Western-outsider 's eye,
which would be appealing to them. The initial work itself is the product of judgements
and observations. It is therefore likely that Juan de Plasencia 's work may contain
partiality in presenting his observations and judgments. It has continued to serve as the
basis for the Tagalog society's historical reconstruction. Many of the beliefs and
practices of the 16th century still exist today. It affirms that Filipinos already have a
government, as well as a set of beliefs and practices during the pre-Hispanic period.
Some of our perceptions about Filipino beliefs and practices are somehow no different
from the perspective of Juan de Plasencia. The document talks about customs and
traditional of Tagalogs, identification of social groups in barangays Also, the information
about the government details, mode of dressing, ornaments, administration of justice,
Tagalogs customs of inheritance and marriage back then. Data concerning religious and
superstitious practices, their economic and linguistic existence and their writing system.

5. PERSONAL INSIGHTS
Customs of the Tagalog written by Fray Juan de Plasencia is one of the Philippine
History's most important primary sources. It addresses the daily lives of ancient Filipinos
at that time, their governance system, their social status, and their customs, traditions,
and beliefs. This document is important for determining how Filipinos will be governed
by the Spaniards during the Spanish era. Although it has less value in the modern world
right now, tracing the roots of who weare in the past is still important to us. Even before
the Spaniards came into the Philippines, all these customs were practiced by the
Tagalogs or early Filipinos. It can be concluded with this kind of fact that the early
Filipinos have their own style of governing their people and having a fair system of
judgement.