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JEFRANZ CONSING
ROBERTO DORDE
FRETCH RYAN FUENE
JERICHO GABITO
DREX C. GALLARDO
DINMAR GAROTE
KURT LYNDON JAGOLINO
PAUL JANDIC
ROY RIVADENERA
ALENCIS SISON
ALBERT VUELGA
 CUSTOMS OF THE
TAGALOGS
By Juan De Plasencia
Background of the Author

• Known as Fray Joan De Portocarrero, Del

Covento 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.
• He was one of the seven children of Pedro
Portocarrero, a captain of a 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. Only two months after their arrival in Manila, Juan De
Plasencia and other confrere, Fray Diego Oropresa, were already
preaching around Laguna De Bay Area and as far as Tayabas(the present
Quezon Province) converting souls to the catholic faith).
• He also preached and founded these places in the present province of
Bulacan and Rizal.
• Referrences: OFM ARCHIVES - PHILIPPINES by Fr. Jose "Long" D. Gutay,
OFM "the Philippine Island, 1493-1898 Volume VII, 1588-1591"( edited
and annotated by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson with
historical Introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord Bourne)
 Content Analysis
• Datu-chief, captain of wars, who governed and reverenced.
 Social Classes
• Nobles of Maharlika-free born, they do not pay taxes
• Commoners of aliping mamamahay they live in their own houses and
lord of their property and gold
• Slaves or Aliping Saguiguilid-serve their master in his house and his
cultivated land and can be sold.
• Houses-made of wood, bamboo, and nipa palm.
• Mode of dresses for male
• Headgear-called putong (symbolizes the number of persons the wearer
had killed)
• Upper- a jacket with short sleeves called kanggan. Lower-bahag
• Nobles of Maharlika-free born, they do
not pay taxes
• Commoners of aliping mamamahay they live in their own
houses and lord of their property and gold
• Slaves or Aliping Saguiguilid-serve their master in his house and his
cultivated land and can be sold.
• Houses-made of wood, bamboo, and nipa palm.
• Mode of dresses for male
• Headgear-called putong (symbolizes the
number of persons the wearer had killed)
• Upper- a jacket with short sleeves
called kanggan. Lower-bahag
Mode of Dresses for female
Upper baro or camisa
Lower-saya
Ornaments decorative object or detail
that adds quality or distinction to a
person, place or thing
Governments - the unit of government is called
barangay ruled by a chieftain and consists of 30
to 100 families together with their relatives and
slaves.

Administration of Justice- The chieftain's

execute function includes implementing laws,
ensuring order and giving protection to his
subject
Inheritance-The it son Lee barangay chieftain inherits his father's position; If
the 1 son dies, the 2 son succeeds their father; in the absence of male heirs, it
is the eldes daughter that becomes chieftain
Marriage Customs Men were in general monogamous; while their wives are
called asawa. Courtship begins with paninilbihan.
Prior to marriage, the man requires to give a dowry: (1) Bigay kayat a piece of
land or gold); (2) panghihimuyat(a gift for the bride’s parents); (3) bigay-suso
(for bride’s 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, lalahon-god of harvest,
and Siginarugan- god of hell.

They also believe in sacred animals and trees.

Economic Life Agriculture, hunting, and fishing

Language and system of writings

Major languages: Tagalog, Ilocano, Pangasinan, Pangpangan,

Sugbuhanon, Hiligaynon, Magindanaw and Samarnon
"These are originated from the Malayo-Polenisian language.

System of writings: the alphabets consisted of 3 vowels and

14 consonants called baybayin.

They use tap of trees as ink and pointed stick as pencil and
wrote on large plant leaves, bark of a tree or bamboo tubes.
 Content Presentation and Analysis of the important historical
information found in the document

The contents of the writing of Fray Juan De Plasencia depicts the ancient or pre-
colonial life of the Filipinos before and upon the arrival of Spain as embodied in
Plasencia's detailed narration oh how was the life of Filipinos during this time.

It just proved that these occurrences beliefs and practices had been existing long
before the arrival of Spaniards. Hence, it is appropriate to debunk the western
depiction of the islands as barbaric, uncivilized, and uncultured when they arrived.
based on Plasencia's observation, the Tagalogs are already highly civilized and have
a sophisticated culture as described in Plasencia's report.

The period of Islamization of the southern part of the country had also contributed
much to the development of cultures and some part of civility in these places.
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
that 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 serve as the basis of historical reconstruction of Tagalog Society.
• Many of the 16th century beliefs and practices are still present today.
• It affirms that during the pre-Hispanic period, Filipinos already have
government as well as a set of beliefs and practices, wherein we can
still observe today
Individual Reflection / Learning experience

Customs of the Tagalog written by Fray Plasencia is one of the most important
primary sources of Philippine History. It talks about the everyday living of our
ancient people that gives me knowledge about the past. The document helped me
have a better understanding and appreciate the Filipino's social, cultural, and
political history because of its rich narrative detailed information of all aspects
of life during the pre-colonial period. It enlightens me with its comprehensive
details that allow me to picture out the life before and opportunities for better
awareness of my country's past. It made me feel proud of my forebears because
this document proved to us that Filipinos are born to have own style, beliefs, and
ways of governing people.
• REFERENCES

• https://www.slideshare.net/rey_john_rey/juan-de-
plasencia-custom-of-the-tagalogs

• https://www.slideshare.net/LeahSoposo/customs-of-
the-tagalog-pptpptx-250639988