READINGS IN PHILIPPINE

HISTORY
PART IV
CHAPTER 2 : CONTENT AND
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF
SELECTED PRIMARY SOURCES

LESSON 2: CUSTOMS OF THE

TAGALOGS BY JUAN DE PLASENCIA

Background of the author:

Known as Fray Joan De Portocarrero

Del Convento De Villanueva De La
Serena;

Born to the illustrious family of

Portocarrero and Plasencia in the
region of Extremadura, Spain in the
early 16th century;
Background of the author:

He was one of the seven children of

Pedro Portocarrero, a captain of the
Spanish Schooner;

He 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.
Historical Background of the Document:

Written within the context of its situation when he

arrived in the Philippines. After their arrival in
Manila, Juan De Plasencia and the other confrere,
Fray Diego Oropesa, were already preaching
around Laguna de Bay area and as far as Tayabas
converting souls to the Catholic faith.

He also preached in the present Provinces of

Bulacan and Rizal.
( References: OFM Archives—
Philippines by Fr. Jose “Long” D. Gutay,
OFM

the Philippine Island, 1493-1898

Volume VII, 1588-1591*)
Content Analysis:

Datu—chief; captain
of wars; whom
people obey and
reverenced.
 Social Classes:

1. Nobles or
Maharlika—born free;
they do not pay taxes
2. Commoners or
Aliping Namamahay—
they live in their own
houses and are lord of
their own property and
gold
3. Slaves or Aliping
Saguiguilid—they
serve their master in
his house; they toil
the land of their
master; they can be
sold.
Houses: made
of wood,
bamboo, and
nipa palm
MODE of DRESSES for MALE:

1. Headgear—called putong
(symbolizes the number of persons
killed by the one wearing it)

2. Upper body—a jacket with short

sleeves called KANGGAN

3. Lower body—bahag
MODE OF DRESSES FOR
FEMALE:

1. Upper body—baro or
camisa

2. Lower body—saya
ORNAMENTS—
decoratives or details
that add quality or
distinction to a
person, place or thing
GOVERNMENT—the
unit of government is
called BARANGAY;
ruled by a chieftain, and
consist of 30 to 100
families together with
their relatives and
slaves.
ADMINISTRATION OF
JUSTICE—The
chieftain implements
laws, ensures order,
and gives protection
to his subjects.
INHERITANCE—The son of
the barangay chieftain
inherits his father’s position;
If the first son dies, the 2nd
son succeeds their father; in
the absence of male heirs, the
eldest daughter becomes the
chieftain.
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS—
Men in general are
monogamous; their wives
are called ASAWA.

1. Courtship begins with

PANINILBIHAN
1. Prior to marriage,
males are required to
give a DOWRY:

a)BIGAY-KAYA—a
piece of land or gold;
b)PANGHIHIMUYAT—a gift for the parents of
the bride;

c)BIGAY-SUSO—for the brides wet nurse;

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS—They worship
many gods and goddesses: Bathala—
supreme being; Idayanale—god of
agriculture; Sidarapa—god of death;
Agni—god of fire; Balangaw—god of
rainbow; Mandarangan—god of war;
Lalahan—god of harvest; Siginarugan
—god of hell.

They also believe in sacred animals and

trees.
ECONOMIC LIFE—
agriculture, hunting,
and fishing.
LANGUAGE AND SYSTEM OF
WRITING:

1. Major languages:
Tagalog, Ilocano,
Pangasinan, Pangpangan,
Sugbuhanon, Hiligaynon,
Maguindanao, & Samarnon
(all originated from the
Malayo-Polenisian language)
1. System of writing: The
alphabet consisted of 3 vowels
and 14 consonants called
BAYBAYIN.

2. They use tap of trees as ink

and pointed stick as pencil and
wrote on large plant leaves,
bark of trees or bamboo tubes.
CONTENT PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
OF THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION FOUND
IN THE DOCUMENT
Fray Juan De Plasencia
depicts the ancient or pre-
colonial life of the Filipinos
before and upon the arrival
of Spain as embodied in his
detailed narration on how
was the life of Filipinos
during this time;
The beliefs and practices had
been existing long before the
arrival of the Spaniards.
Hence it is appropriate to
debunk the western
depiction of the islanders as
barbaric, uncivilized, and
uncultured;
The Tagalogs are already
highly civilized and have a
sophisticated culture as
described by Plasencia;

The period of Islamization of

the southern part of the
country had also contributed
much to the development of
culture and civility.
 CONTRIBUTION OF THE DOCUMENT IN
UNDERSTANDING THE GRAND NARRATIVE
OF PHILIPPINE HISTORY
The document “ Custom of the
Tagalogs “ had contributed much to
the understanding of the culture
and heritage of the Filipinos.

In a way, it provided us with

significant and meaningful
information to better appreciate
and be proud of the cultural legacy
from our ancestors.
RELEVANCE OF THE DOCUMENT
TO CONTEMPORARY TIMES
It served as the basis of
historical reconstruction
of the Tagalog society;

Many beliefs and

practices during the 16th
century are still present
today;
It affirmed that during
the pre-Spanish period,
Filipinos already had a
government as well as
set of beliefs and
practices existing today.
 THANKYOU
FOR LISTENING!