HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

School of Education
#1 Holy Angel Avenue, Sto. Rosario, Angeles City

Name: Torres, Patricia Ysabel T. Date: February 03, 2023

Year and Section: TMT-303
Subject: 1112-4READPHILHIS

Module 1 Lesson 3: Content Analysis on Customs of the Tagalogs

Before reading the text, I noticed a name that I was not familiar with. He is probably the author, I

thought to myself. I was not the type of person to read a text without knowing who the author was. So I

researched a bit about who Juan de Plasencia, O.S.F., is. And I found out that he was a Spanish friar of the

Franciscan Order. On July 2, 1578, the first group of Franciscan missionaries entered the Philippines. He was

one of them. He spent the majority of his life as a missionary in the Philippines, where he established a

number of towns in Luzon and wrote various theological and linguistic works, including the Doctrina

Cristiana (Christian Doctrine), the country's first book to be printed. It was published not just in Spanish but

also in Tagalog, in both Latin script and the then-common Baybayin script, and it even had a Chinese edition.

Other works credited to him include "Relacion de las Costumbres de Los Tagalos" (1589), which not only

contributed to the understanding and preservation of many local residents' customs but also gave rise to the

first version of the Civil Code that local governors used to administer justice. He wrote "La Santina," an opus

number on prayer and meditation, fully in Tagalog so that locals who did not speak Spanish could also

participate in the spiritual practices of their masters.

Juan de Plasencia's Customs of the Tagalog, which was first published in Spanish some time in 1589,

gave us firsthand stories of life among the Filipinos before the Spanish conquest, allowing us to better

appreciate their earliest customs, habits, and beliefs. Although secondary materials in the form of English

translations of this text have appeared, the major purpose of this work is still to explain the nature of the

original Filipinos before they were seen by outsiders. It proved that the Philippines had long held certain

beliefs, followed a particular system of social relationships and leadership, and maintained their communities

in a way that was both orderly and peaceful from their own point of view.
 The government, the administration of justice, slavery, inheritance, and dowries are the principal

topics of "The Customs of the Tagalogs." In his description, Juan de Plasencia noted that each barangay, a

tribal community made up of 30 to 100 households and their slaves, had its own Dato, the highest social rank

who oversaw the populace and served as their war leader, who was followed by the Maharlikas, commoners,

and slaves. Plasencia detailed how the wedded Maharlika and slaves shared custody of the children

(Namamahay or Sa Guiguilid). He also noted the dowry system used by the indigenous Tagalogs, wherein

men gave dowries to their prospective brides' parents. Plasencia also noted the dowry system used by the

indigenous Tagalogs, wherein men gave dowries to the prospective bride's parents. Plasencia also talked

about the Tagalog people's religious activities, pointing out that while they don't have temples, the Filipinos

do have what they call "a space for devotion" (Simbahan), where they congregate when they wish to worship

or carry out a ritual known as Pandot. He also mentioned that among the deities worshipped by Filipinos, one

goes by the name Bathala, which means "all-powerful" or "maker of all things." They also adore the moon,

the stars, and the sun. In contrast to deities like lic-ha, Dian Masalanta (the protector of lovers), Lacapati, and

Indianale, they also venerated Buayas (patrons of cultivated areas). He claimed that it was quite likely for

Filipinos to understand the signs they observed and practice divination. According to Plasencia's description,

the form of burial also differs depending on the rank of the deceased. Additionally, they distinguish between

several demon priests, including those from Catolonan, Sonat, Mangaguay, Manyisalat, Mancocolam,

Hocloban, Silagan, Magtatangal, Osuang, Mangagayoma, and Pangatahojan. The names of the ghosts that

Filipinos think exist are Vibit, Tikbalang, and Patianac. However, he emphasized that the message of the

holy gospel had already disproved those notions.

Juan de Plasencia's account lends credence to the notion that before the Spaniards occupied the

Philippines, the Filipinos possessed their own customs, traditions, practices, ideologies, and political system.

He imparted knowledge that helps today's generation comprehend our history and find out about customs that

are not generally supported. Specific cultural customs from the 16th century are mostly observed today

among some ethnic communities in the Philippines, and the idea of a barangay is still prevalent among young

people. Although it is evident that our traditions and ways of life have evolved with time, there are still traces

of our history that exist now and will always serve as a reminder of where we came from.

After having read the text, I understood that the Philippines underwent a great deal of reform to create the

society we have today. I came to value the way that cultural fusion preserved and enhanced the

distinctiveness of Filipino culture, giving rise to the current Filipino identity that we cherish.
References:

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, January 9). Juan de Plasencia. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Plasencia

peoplepill.com. (n.d.). Juan de Plasencia: Spanish friar of the Franciscan Order (born: n/a - died: 1590) |

Biography, Facts, Information, Career, Wiki, Life. https://peoplepill.com/people/juan-de-plasencia