HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE PROVINCE OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS Pedro Chirino SJ Chapter 2: The Island of Manila and Others

Nearby Government and Law

In the Island of Mariveles, normally a sentinel fires a warning about outside happenings. Gov. Gonzalo Ronquillo de Pealosa founded Nueva Segovia to deter the Japanese who have always machinated them and arrived many times to attack it. The three provinces into which have been divided the three Episcopal Sees of this Island, the Archbishopric of Manila, and the two suffragans, Nueva Segovia and Camarines.

Social Groups/classification

Two races dwell in Mindoro, the coastal lowlanders, rown-skinned like tose in Manila; and the uplanders on the slopes, black like those of Guinea. People in Lucban are like those in Manila, just as advanced and energetic.

Economic Activities

Gold was used by two provinces-- Ilocos and Pangasinan-- to pay tribute. It amounted to 109, 500 gold pesos. The Kawit Point harbor as a very beautiful and safe (from the winds and enemies) port with ports fortified with mounted artillery and is convenient both for protecting and constructing ships, since it has the necessary materials close at hand. In the Philippines, port and bay are rather clean, safe for mooring, teeming with many good fishes, fed by many rivers and creeks, and its coast supplied with abundant trees for construction and fuel. Bataan and Mariveles send supplies to the city of Manila, defend it, are useful to it. -Don Luis de Sahojesa, gentleman from Murcia and encomendero of the provinvce of Ilocos, sent to Castile 3,000 taes (each tae is at least 10 silver pesos at 8 reales) of gold. However, the ship/boat (Sta. Ana) was captured in 1587 by the English Thomas Emblec. Mindoro teems with livestock, fowls, wax, and the sea and the rivers with fish. Paracale is rich in gold and silver mines, and mountains of very fine magnet. Babuyan Islands, that is, Swine Islands, for they raise this livestock in abundance, and forms the bulk of their trade with the nearby provinces. Ilocos Province is the most populated, richest, with the greatest amount of gold in the Island.

Religious beliefs and Practices

On May 19, the day named after Saint Potentiana the patroness of the Philippine islands, her feast was solemnized. The archdiocese of Manila is divided at Calilaya from that of Camarines, whose cathedral church is in Nueva Caceres. Batac (neighbor of Tandaya that's fronting Albay) is the famous Cape of the Holy Spirit.

Food

Rice were husked by the natives of Pintados Islands using a carved-out mortar. Celebrations
Feast days of famous saints like St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John were recognized and celebrated in Manila

Geography

Ethnic

Luzon is located in the tropic of Cancer (Northern Tropic), more than 15 latitude, about 175 longitude, of the 18th climate according to the classification of the modern (16th C) cosmographers. Balayan is on a bay 14 leagues east of Cavite, facing South, while the town which, like Manila, is on the northern side. Nearby, also on the east, are Laguna and the towns of Bombon. At 5 leagues in the south is the island of Mindoro. A narrow strait separates it from Lucban in the west. Mindoro would be about 50 leagues in circumference. Lucban, only 5 leagues around, is a small island, low lying, teeming with goats. Leaving the bay of Balayan and turning east, one rounds Sulphur Point (so named because sulphur is abundant there). South of Ibalon (now Bicol, belonged to Camarines together with Bondo and Polago) are the islands of Capul, Naranjos, Tigao, Masbate, and other which form the entrance of the galleons (economic activities related) One rounds Albay on the east by Cape Buisaygay, and goes north to the island of Luzon, passing the island of Catanduanes on the right, two leagues from the north. Sailing west a little less than 20 leagues fro the pass through Catanduanes, one comes upon the mouth of Bicol River, and washes the city of Caceres. Camarines Province extends till Paracale. From Paracale to Mauban, there is a very wide gulf and forms the curve of Luzon. The eastern portion is called Engao and the western Bojeador. 18 leagues from Mauban is the Cagayan River flowing north. On its bank is the city of Nueva Segovia, the Cathedral and the capital of this whole province. Located in this passage are the Babuyan Islands. Starting about 20 leagues along the southern coast from the Cagayan River is the Ilocos Province, which extends for more than 40 leagues. Beyond the Ilocos follow the provinces of Pangasinan, Bolinao, Bataan, and Mariveles, at the mouth of the bay. groups: Lowlanders of Mindoro Uplanders of Midoro Energetic and Advanced people of Lucban Wealthy people of Batangas

Chapter 3: The Inhabitants of the Island of Manila and their Customs Social groups/ Classification They were separately grouped in barangay(s), a word that means a boat. The leaders and the more famous were always the Tagalogs dwelling in Manila, the eastern half of the bay until Balayan, the two lakes of Bombon and Bai, including the entire body of water on the north until Paracale, and on the south until Calilaya and Bondo, with the two islands of Lucban and Mindoro, and the western horn of the bay until Zambales and Ilocos. Although all the time some barangays aided others, no one could pass from one to another, slave, or even timawa (or freeman), especially a married man or woman, unless he paid a certain amount of gold and served a feast to the entire barangay. Otherwise, it would be the cause for fighting between the two barangays. The Sumbali were the most notorious killers among the ancient Aquilonaces. They were the wealthiest, noblest and most honoured. The word Sumbali means to decapitate. Residence The Negritos and the Aetas dwell in the mountains. The Tagalogs in Manila occupied lands close to the sea and along the rivers, as mucha s they could exploit and defend against another barangay or several others. The Tagalogs dwell on the upper level of the house, which is of one floor of bamboo or palm slats tied with rattan as an enclosure, through which water flows easily and serves also like a brush to sweep the house. They did not use locks and hardly even doors because their houses were safe. They merely leave the stairs apart, in such a way that one can see whether people are inside or out. Father Fray Mateo de Peralta of the Order of Saint Augustine helped and guided the Castilians to resettle in villages after they hid in the mountains and forests because the Sumbali harmed them. They became farmers and worked for their own good. The Ilokanos kept the facade of their houses like silver. Clothing The Eastern parts of the Island including Catanduanes, Moluccas, Borneo, Ibabao, Capul, Masbate, Marinduque, Panay, Cabu and the rest are all inhabited by the Visayans who are all similar in clothing and customs, but different in language. The Ilokanos clothes are of a style, almost like that in China, among the Hebrews, contraprematica. Traditions and Customs

The Western zone of the island of Manila includes the Ilocos, Zambales and Cagayan. They are quite similar in customs since they are geographically close to one another. They observed their traditions and customs with such diligence. These include covering their persons, respect for parents and elders, obedience and service to the community, even by the children, and other things which will be seen in their proper places. The woman always goes ahead while walking. They do not walk side by side even if the road was wide. The Visayans were also called tattooed (Pintados) because they had tattoos on their bodies. Appearance The Sumbali shave their hair from the forehead to the crown of the head. The Ilokanos, both men and women, cut their hair short in the form of a short tail. They are also utterly very neat in their persons and all their things. Attitude The Pampangos have proven themselves that they are more openhearted and courageous in peace and war than the Tagalogs and the Comintas. The Chinese who had contacts with the natives, were very greedy. Though extremely timid, greed overcame fear, and they kept up their trade amid these risks. The Zambals were inhuman and cruel. They neither feared friends nor pitied enemies, of whom they killed as many as they could of those not belonging to their caste. Happiness for the Zambals was in human heads kept in their house like the heads of the boars and deer. The skull was their chief prize which they exhibited among themselves. They rigorously punished shamelessness, punishing with those they catch with their sister. Government Nowhere in this archipelago was there a Kind or Lord of consideration but there were chiefs but they had little power because they were many. They had come in barangays under the authority of a chief, who is the datu. Their government, which for barbarians is not very barbaric, used to be based on traditions and customs observed with such diligence that there was no way they could violate them. Law/ Judicial System Although they have their own alphabet, they had no books or written laws. There was only one judge, the chief whom they call datu. He is supported by timawas around him. The datu decided cases in this manner: o He had the parties summoned and sought to reconcile them. o On refusal, he made both groups take an oath to accept the verdict. o Then, he asked for witnesses whom he briefly cross-examined. o If the evidence was not of equal weight, he divided the difference; otherwise, he pronounced in favor of the stronger party. o If the defeated party resisted, the judge sided with the victorious group and everyone together, with arms, turned on the loser and imposed a fine according to the amount defined.

o Of this, against all justice, the judge claimed the bigger share and paid the winners witnesses during the trial, while the poor loser brought away a smaller share. In criminal cases, they took account of the condition of the murderer and his victim. A mediator intervenes to decide the amount of gold owed due to the deaths. One-half went to the principales, the other half to the victims wife, children, and relatives. The law never imposed death penalty, unless both killer and victim were commoners, and there was no gold for the fine. In cases of theft, if the act was certain and there were many suspects, they had to purge themselves legally this way: o First, they had to pile up some pieces of clothe, leaves, or anything they fancied, in which the stolen object could be hidden. o Then, if the object was found underneath it, the case was closed. o If not, they went through three ordeals: First, they went to where the river was deepest, and all dove in as in a contest, each one had a bamboo spear in hand. The first to come up was pronounced guilty, and in this way, many drowned because of their fear of punishment. Second, they ordered the suspects to pick up a stone in a container of boiling water. The one who refused paid for the stolen object. Third, they gave each of the suspects a candle of the same width, length and thickness, and lit them at the same time. The one whose flame died first paid for the theft. To the men sent to subjugate the Segovians, the Governor and Captain General gave instructions not to molest them or even confiscate their food, but to pay for it. They agreed to avoid occasions that could lead them to a fight and to treat people kindly in such a way to force other people to approach in peace.

Occupation The people dwelling in the land tilled and from this, they obtained benefits. The Chinese people worked at all kinds of jobs, as silversmiths and painters, even wage earners and porters, breed much heavy livestock in these Islands, supply them with all kinds of goods and favors. The coastal dwellers are excellent fishers with the net, line, and traps, those in the interior are good farmers and hunters, and continually plant rice and vegetables and other plants different from those in Europe. The women are also good retailers, especially of their textiles, sewn or embroidered. Gold was abundant and the people were quite competent in fashioning it, as well as counterfeiting it, both quite artistically and finely. The Ilokanos are very good farmers. They also tattoo themselves just like the Visayans. They also export good miners, especially the Igorots, who live in the interior uploads. Marriage If a man of one barangay wins the hand of a woman belonging to another, they had to distribute their children between the barangays, in the same way as their slaves. Religion

All were pagan idolaters who were subject to errors and blindness.

Self-defense/ Protection Artillery came to them from Borneo. They were taught how to forge it and how to produce gun powder and ammunition. However, the huge ammunition depot where the artillery was being forged was burned because the Visayans were against the will of their new leader Field Marshall Martin de Goiti who just came to pacify Manila. Most of the Camarines submitted without a fight; but, because others resisted, they had to come to arms to protect the allies and our men. The people of Libon fortified themselves behind a fort walled with impenetrable bamboo. The people in Camarines were better armed than the rest. They had catanas or kampilans which were used for attacking. For defense, the people in Camarines had very strong armors of tiny shells with their helmets, greaves and other pieces making up quite a complete mail coat which covered the entire body except their eyes and the soles of their feet. Injustice They also had contacts with the Chinese that is why Ours came upon four boats belonging to them in the same river. However, the natives were treating them barbarously, confiscated their cargo, killed them to avoid paying them, or cruelly enslaved them. All the pagans in the Oriental world rob possessions and capture their owners. Trade The favor made by the Chinese they rescued the Castilians in Manila and Mindoro because of their great greed, opened the port not only to the large-scale Manila trade, which has been the richest and most profitable in the world; but also brought them over promptly by the thousands at a time. They trade in all kinds of goods wholesale, besides retailing such fruits of the land, as are found in each region. Natural Resources The Tagalogs were very familiar with water and they considered it as their principal treasure. They usually dwell along its banks, by the sea, river, or creek. For them, if you lived closer to the water, the better. The Holy Spirit calls water the principle of human life, and another wise man, the best of the things in the world. Friendship The Ilokanos embraced the faith and accepted our friendship, as well as the warlike Segovians and even more barbaric Zambals. Both groups have become quiet, in virtue of the Christian zeal of the prudent and valiant Governor and Captain General. However, he attacked the Zambals for refusing them.

Chapter 4: The Ministry in Balayan, Tagalog Dress. Religion The people in balayan were not all baptized, but they were all part of the catechumen.

They didnt have difficulty against confession or baptism. They are not allowed to to receive the other sacraments even in articulo mortis. There were many baptism and confessions were uncounted. Every morning the priest assembled them in the church the boys and the girls and let them recite on their knees before the altar the catechism in tagalog. dressing up for the feast. They presented gifts to the father. ashes with deep devotion and willingness. this devotion is common in the islands. Fr. Pedro Chirino was the one who assist them.

They celebrate the conversion of Saint Paul. They celebrate it by its patronal and titular fest very solemnly, adorning the church and the people

The Zanagas people, when they are celebrating their ash Wednesday in Lian, both the baptized and unbaptized were allowed to received the Hearing confession in and outside of their house began to attract many Tagalogs. Fr. Francicico Almerique was the who first did this by the same
inspiration from Fr. Pedro Chirino. Clothing

The Comintas(people in Balayan) the men and the women used silk and wear many gold jewels. The mens hair was short.
In their hat they used a beautifully woven strip of cotton.

The Zanagas of Africa were wearing the potong. The Zanagas of Africa leave the end of the potong on the nose only to cover the mouth because for them the mouth is the most shameful part of
the body.

Tagalog dress- the men changed only the breeches and headwear, belt, and dagger For the people of the Balayan their personal adornment, they put on their best clothes and most precious jewels. The Tagalog dress is a balloon like or tight of cotton, a small jacket, open at the collar, with many gold collars and necklaces.
Practices

In their self-consciousness they would have around their head as with ancient diadems, leaving it loose on one side, and letting the flounces fall
down in a way each one considered most stylish.

They removed this with right hand on meeting and greeting each other. They flip it like a towel over the left shoulder, when the young speak to the elders. The women of the Zanagas of Africa put their hand over their mouth when talking.
Laws

The Zanagas of africa used to have strips of paper on their forehead in which the commandment of the law had been written.

Residence The Zanagas lived in the city of Guina/Guinea, its name came from the portuguese. Guinea was located on the banks of the deep Zanaga river. Other Information

The people in Balayan have miserable houses The people in Balayan didnt have any doctors back then. The people in Balayan were very helpful because even though they were very tired they intend to have time to take care of the sick people lived
in their place. The children were going to school while the priest visited the sick.

CHAPTER 11: Panay And Its Inhabitants Places/Rivers/Location/Geography The island of Panay lies south of that of Manila, on the right of Balayan, beyond Mindoro island. An island, Elin, lies between Panay and Mindoro. Between Tigbauan and Jaro, which flows south, Panay Island claims a good piece of land called Iloilo, a small but safe harbor. To the south of Iloilo is the big Negros Island. Rivers The Aklan river is so deep and very wide. And when it rises with the rains it floods the whole plain causing serious damage. The shallower Aklan is, the stronger it flows, leaving neither house nor tree which it does not drag its fury. Panay river is one of the bigger and more famous rivers in the region. Other rivers are: Katangalan, Ibahay, Hunday, Potol, Bugason, Amtic, Amiagao, Tigbauan, Jaro, Alaver, and Ahuy. Name Origin The island of Panay takes its name from Panay River. The city of Arevalo (located in Iloilo) is named in honor of that of Old Castile, homeland of Gov. Gonzalo Ronquillo, who founded it in 1581. Ethnic Groups Visayans (Pintados) People of Tigbauan Hirayans Negritos Tagalogs

Appearance/Looks

The Visayans, although naturally well-formed, of good features, even fair-skinned, tattoo themselves completely from head to foot when they are string enough and mature to withstand the painful process. The Visayans, like the Tagalogs, had no beards. These they purposely removed. The Negritos were somehow black, less ugly than those of Guinea, smaller and thinner, although with the same hair and beard.

Practices/Customs/Attitude While among us it is a pastime to bite the nails, among them it is ordinarily pulling the beard with a pair of bamboo splits like pincers, or two almajuelas or with the same small hook or work instrument they call bolo. The Negritos were more barbaric and wild compared to the Visayans and other Filipinos. They build no houses or clear town residences. They neither plant nor cook, and live only as nomads in the mountains with their women and their children, running like beasts and hunting a deer or a boar. They (Negritos) roamed around the fields like beasts. The trophies were bamboo, of the big kind, planted in the ground, waving at the top two, three, or more banners like pendants or streamers of woven palms, in which they kept some hair of the dead enemies. Government and Law (Political System) Gov. Gonzalo Ronquillo founded the City of Arevalo (Iloilo). Its first regidores were Don Luis Enriquez de Guzman,Miguel de Loarca, Luiz Perez Vela and Gonzalo Ruiz de Morales. Its first alcaldes ordinaries were Alvares de Angulo Tovar and Diego Obregon. Social Groups/Classification The Visayans, also known as Pintados, occupied the Island of Panay. Aside from the Visayans, some Negritos, the aborigines who inhabited the Island of Panay before the Visayans and the Tagalogs. Relationship of Negritos and Visayans: out of human kindness, the Visayans had not exterminated the Negritos or treated them as enemies, although they had little contact with them. Relationship of the Negritos and Spaniards: Much less have they been in contact with Spaniards, not only because they wish them evil, as much as because of their fear and caution. Relationship of the Negritos and priests: They also fear the priests.

Economic Activities A small uninhabited island, north of the Panay river, Lutaya, has a good harbor which served the Castilian ships before Kawit near Manila. It is the most fertile in the entire archipelago, totally drained by rivers, such that the terrain has not a single palm of infertile land, and on the seashore one does not travel a single league without coming upon a river flowing into the sea. In 1568, our Castilians came upon 200,000 inhabitants on the island of Panay. Famine decreased their number to 30,000. A terrible locust plague devoured their (the people inhabiting Panay) first and second crops, without leaving roots, the field empty as though burned. The locusts were so thick that they covered the sun like clouds and covered it in darkness. Deprived of sustenance, the people died. Locust plagues were common and ordinary in the islands. Spring in the months of March, April, and May is their season in the Philippines.

Eating locusts, because they are so harmful, depopulate cities.

Religious Beliefs and Practices The most common remedy the Christians used against them (the locusts) was the cross or blessed water, an ancient practice of the Catholic Church. Clothing and Adornment The Visayans tattooed themselves completely from head to foot. They tattoo themselves by drawing the blood with very fine pricks along the design and the lines the practitioners of the art indicate. On this fresh blood they place some dust or black juice which is never erased. They do not paint the body all at once, but part by part, and so tattooing continues for days. They (Visayans) tattoo the smooth chin, on which the stubs look like ugly masks. They (Visayans) do not tattoo the children; the women tattoo one hand and part of the other. The Visayans do not go about naked. The males use well-sewn collarless long cloaks from the neck to the foot, with colored cotton stripes, but white for mourning. The women are covered down to the feet. They remove their clothes at home and in places where these are unnecessary, but all the time in every place they are careful and meticulous in covering those parts of their body, which, as the Apostles says, God wanted the, respected, covered and hidden because of the vulgarity and lowliness. The Negritos had no possessions except a bow and arrow. Food

Famine decreased the number of Castilian inhabiting the island of Panay to 30,000 from 200,000. A terrible locust plague devoured their (the people inhabiting Panay) first and second crops, without leaving roots, the field empty as though burned. The locusts were so thick that they covered the sun like clouds and covered it in darkness. Deprived of sustenance, the people died. To eat, the people (in/of Panay) offered not only their jewels, as those in Jerusalem, but even their own son or brother, just for a basket of rice, equivalent to 12 almudes or celemines. Filipinos toast and enjoy eating the locusts, as we do shrimps. Many Asian and African nations do the same, where it, too, is normal, but so harmful that it has depopulated cities.