CUSTOMS

OF THE
TAGALOGS
(Las costumbres de los Indios
Tagalogs de Filipinas)
BACKGROUND OF THE
AUTHOR

Juan de Plasencia
( Early 16th Century-1590)

- Born in Plasencia, Spain

and named as Juan Portocarrero
- A Spanish friar of the
Franciscan Order
- One of the seven
children of Pedro Portocarrero, a captain
of a Spanish schooner
Juan de Plasencia real name is Joan de Puerto Carrero,
del convento de Villanueva de la Serena

ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES

⮚ Came with the first batch of Franciscan missionaries in the Philippines in
July 2, 1578

LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES

⮚ Started preaching in Laguna de Bay and Quezon areas as early as two
months upon arrival in Manila
⮚ Elected as custos of friars in May 23, 1584 until 1588
⮚ Passed away in Liliw, Laguna
FAMOUS
WORKS
• Arte de la Lengua (Art of
Language)
• Vocabulario
• Coleccion de frases tagala
(Collection of Tagalog
Phrases)
• Catecismo de la Doctrina
Cristiana (Christian
Doctrines)
• Diccionario Tagalog
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE
DOCUMENT
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE
DOCUMENT

The document above is written by Fray

Juan de Plasencia. It is the discussion about
his discoveries on the conflicting reports
about foolishness, justice, inheritances,
slaves, and dowries.

The letter is written to give the alcaldes-

mayor an explanation about the happenings
within the society.
 CONTENT
The Customs of the Tagalogs contains:

DATOS
-The chief who governed the people and were
captains in their wars whom they obeyed and
reverence.

BARANGAY
-A family of parents and children, relations and
slaves.
 Content
Slavery
- A condition in which
individuals are owned by
others who controls their lives.

Maharlica(Nobles)
-The one who mostly
owns the slaves.
Aliping Namamahay(Commoners)
-The one who accompanied
by dato and serves his master.

Aliping sa Guiguilir(Slaves)
- Serves in the master’s house
or land.
-Can be sold and
transferred to a new master.
 Investigations made and sentences passed by the
dato must take place in the presence of those his
barangay.

Dowries
- Are given by men to the women’s parents before
marriage. If the parents are both alive, they both
enjoy the use of it.

•No temples
•Simbahan – temple or place of adoration
•Pandot or a festival celebrated
 Idols that they Worship
▪ Bathala
▪ Lic- ha
▪ Dian masalanta
▪ Lacapati and idianale
▪ Tala
▪ Seven little goats
▪ Mapolon
▪ Balatic
 Implication
IMPLICATION

▪ The original work itself is a product of observations and

judgements. Therefore, it is probable that Juan de
Plasencia’s work might contain partiality in presenting his
observations and judgements.

▪ Pre-conquest society were not swept by the advent of the

Spanish regime.

▪ It has continued to serve as a basis for historical

reconstructions of Tagalog society.
 RELEVANCE
▪ Many of the 16th century beliefs and
practices are still present today.

▪ It affirms that during the pre-hispanic

period, Filipinos already have a
government as well as set of beliefs
and practices.

▪ Some of our perceptions on Filipino

beliefs are somehow no different from
Juan de Plasencia’s point of view.
 Implication
Assignment:

▪ Identify two urban legends in our place and research

about people’s stories related to them. afterwards, from
triads and discuss among yourselves if our stories bear a
resemblance to the supernatural beliefs documented by
Fr. Placensia. How similar or different were the? Present
our findings in class.