CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS

BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR

Juan de Plasencia was a Spanish friar of the Franciscan Order. He was among the first group of
Franciscan missionaries who arrived in the Islands on July 2, 1578.

Fray Juan was born to the illustrious family of the Portocarreros in Plasencia in the region of
Extremadura, Spain, in the early 16th century.

He spent most of his missionary life in the Philippines, where he founded numerous towns in the
provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.

He authored several religious and linguistic books, most notably the Doctrina Cristiana (Christian
Doctrine), the first book ever printed in the Philippines.

Juan de Plasencia passed away in Liliw, Laguna, in the year 1590

Historical background of the

document or documentary film
Historical background of the
document or documentary film
Historical background of the
document or documentary film
Historical background of the
document or documentary film
Historical background of the
document or documentary film
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOCUMENT OR DOCUMENTARY FILM

Discovery of the archipelago by Magellan Expedition

Naming of Las Islas Pilipinas by the Villalobos Expedition

The establishment of the first permanent settlement in the country by the Legaspi Expedition.

Spain sent the Spanish missionaries to the Philippines.

Fr. Francisco Alcina was assigned in the Visayas, and Fr. Juan de Plasencia was set in Tagalog Region.

Through a letter, the King of Spain tasked Juan de Plasencia to document the customs and traditions
of the colonized (natives) based on his observation and judgment.

He collected Indios from different districts, older men, and those of most capacity. He has obtained the
simple truth from them after weeding out much foolishness regarding their government,
administration of justice, inheritance, slaves, and dowries.

“Customs of the Tagalogs” is a part (either chapters or subsections) of longer monographs

written by the chroniclers of the Spanish expeditions to the Philippines during the early 16th and 17th
centuries.

Given the significant number of biases and, to a great extent, inaccurate judgment and
pretensions of the author of the Customs of the Tagalog, the text was not for local consumption but
Western readers.

The Customs of the Tagalog was intentionally made to provide an eroticize description of the Tagalog
natives, clearly fed by politics and propaganda

CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPORTANT HISTORICAL INFORMATION FOUND IN

THE DOCUMENT OR FILM

The account was able to describe the Governing system of native Filipinos at that time, led by a Datu.

The Datos' executive function includes implementing laws, ensuring peace and order in the
barangay, and giving protection to his subjects.

The Datu is also the captain in their wars.

Datos govern between 30-100 families

The tribal gathering in Tagalog is called the barangay. Natives inferred that the reason for
giving themselves this name arose from the boat as they've reached this land.

The primary account included a detailed description of the caste system within the barangay
consisting of three social classes: nobles (Maharlika), commoners (Aliping Namamaay), and slaves
(Aliping Sagigilid), as well as their functions and limitations within and outside of the barangay.

In terms of dowries and marriage between individuals of the same and different (Maharlika and
Alipin), social class, rules and customs were also heavily described.

The Male usually gives dowries to the parents of the female. Plasencia’s account also
presented rules in terms of dowries in case of divorce.
The primary source thoroughly discussed the division of children between spouses or two different
barangays (if the couple came from different barangays).

It contains a comprehensive record of the rules in assigning a child's social status depending
on the parents' status.

Plasencia provided a detailed description of the rules and regulations in terms of the division
of inheritances.

Laws, sentences, and punishment for individuals at-fault within the barangay were also presented and
between two barangays, like in birth and marriage.

The Tagalogs have no consecrated temples for the worship of their idols. However, they have the name
"simbahan," meaning a place of adoration, when they wish to do a feast, called "pandot" or

"worship" in a large house of the chief.

The account provided information about the worship of the Tagalogs. They use drums which
beat the feast, and during this time, the barangay or family unite to worship, which they called
"nagaanitos."

The Tagalogs also have series of idols whom they worship for particular settings.

Bathala means signify "all-powerful," or "maker of all things," which they worship the most.

They tend to look at omens at what they encounter and also practice divination to show
their luck.

The account was able to indicate that the Natives have no established division of years,
months, and days; only the recognition of sun-time and water-time

Determined time through land cultivation by phases of the moon, seasons of fruits, flowers, and leaves
they are yielding.

The Tagalogs also have a manner in adoration, offering, and sacrifice, depicted in the
document.

There is a proclamation of feast and offering to the devil of what they had to eat.

Adoration is done in front of an idol, which they anoint with fragrant oil from musk, civet, or gum and
aromatic woods.

The Tagalogs have an officiating priest or priestess do the poetic singing and responding people, the
"Catalonan."

Fray Placencia was also able to include the distinctions of devils found in Luzon.

Plasencia also described the Superstitious beliefs and supernatural beings of the native Tagalogs in
detail.

The Manner of burying was discussed in depth in the document.

Stated that the Manner of burial for a Chief is different from of the deceased warrior.

The form of burial of the Aetas or Negrillos (Negritos) was also stated.

Discussed the idea of Life after the Rest of the native Tagalogs.

Maca – or Paradise for who just, valiant, morally upright, and virtuous

Casanaan – or Place of punishment, grief, and affliction. A place of anguish for the wicked with the devil
called Sitan.

Plasencia's account is mainly descriptive since it was supposed to illustrate the daily lives of the
Tagalogs.

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 assessments.

CONTRIBUTION AND RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT OR DOCUMENTARY FILM

Contribution to Philippine History

The Customs of the Tagalogs enabled the exploration of the ancient lives of the people living
in central Luzon.

It has continued to serve as a basis for historical reconstructions of Tagalog society.

The information provided in the text gave vivid imagery, which allowed for further analysis of
the practices of the ancient Tagalogs and comparisons with other accounts of succeeding periods and
significant events in Philippine History.

The account aids in realizing that mastery of the local language and culture led to the success of
Christianity in the Philippines.

He used his work to inform the Filipinos about the differences and the similarities of our culture by
then and now.

Juan de Plasencia's work made the Filipinos realize how unique the Tagalog culture was before
colonization.

Relevance

Contains detailed information on exciting topics such as customs, traditions, religious and superstitious
beliefs.

It can be inferred that many of the 16th-century beliefs and practices are still present and
observed today, such as the belief in mythical creatures and other superstitions.

It affirms that during the pre-Hispanic period, Filipinos already have a government and a set of beliefs
and practices.

The barangay still serves as the smallest unit of government in our country today, which is also lead by
barangay captains equivalent to Datos in the past.
Disprove the claim of some Spaniards that locals were uncivilized and lacking in culture, as it provided
an elaborate observation on functioning government, tax system, the criminal justice system,

indigenous calendar, and long-standing customs and tradition such as garments, gold ornaments,
houses, and idols that are comparable to Southeast Asian civilization and culture.