CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS

Las costumbres de
los indios Tagalos de
Filipinas
 AUTHOR’S
•BACKGROUND
Juan de Plasencia

• Born in the 16th century to the illustrious family

of the Portocarreros in Plasencia, in the Region of
Extremadura, Spain.

• His real name is Joan de Puerto Carrero, del

convento de Villanueva de la Serena.

• He was one of the seven children of Pedro

Portocarrero, a captain of a Spanish schooner.
• He dedicated much of his missionary
career to the Philippines, establishing
many towns in Luzon and writing several
religious and linguistic works, notably the
Catecismo de la Doctrina Cristiana in
1581, which translated Christian doctrines
into Tagalog and became the first book
printed in the Philippines.
 • Took the leading role in fostering the spread of
primary education.

• Converted natives, taught catechisms, and organized

towns and barangays in the Philippines.

• Promoted the understanding of both the Spanish

language among the natives, and the local languages
among the missionaries, to facilitate the task of
spreading Christianity.
• Initiated the Reduccion Policy – policy to reduce or
resettle natives in central locations.

• Some of his works aimed to put an end to some

injustices being committed against the natives by
certain government officials
IFE IN THE PHILIPPINES

• Arrived in 1578, began missionary work with Fray Diego de

Oropesa.
• Founded towns in Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Tayabas, Liliw,
Antipolo.
• Elected custos of the friars in 1584, held until 1588.
• Passed away in 1590, leaving lasting impact on Philippine
religious and civic landscape.
LITERARY WORKS
• Arte de la Lengua (Art of Language)
• Vocabulario
• Coleccion de Frases Tagala (Collection of
Tagalog Phrases)
• Catecismo de la Doctrina Cristiana, 1581 –
translated the Christian Doctrines in Tagalog
• Diccionario Tagalog, 1580
• La Santina, 1585 – opus on Prayer and
Meditation
• Relacion de las Costumbres de Los Tagalos, 1589
– First Civil Code of the Philippines
• Customs of the Tagalogs by Juan de Plasencia
IMPORTANT HISTORICAL
INFORMATION
DATOS

• the chief who governed the people

and were captains in their wars whom they
obey and reverence
IMPORTANT HISTORICAL
INFORMATION
BARANGAY

• a family of parents and

children, relations and slaves.
 THE THREE
CASTES

Nobles Commoners Slaves

WORSHIP OF THE TAGALOGS
• No temples

• Sibi
WORSHIP OF THE TAGALOGS

Simbahan – Temple or Place

of Adoration.
WORSHIP OF THE TAGALOGS

Pandot – a festival
celebrated or worship in a
large house of a chief
WORSHIP OF THE TAGALOGS

Sorihil- Palm Sundays

WORSHIP OF THE TAGALOGS

Nagaanitos- during this time

the whole barangay/family
united & joined worship
 IDOLS
• Bathala
• Lic-Ha
• Dian Masalanta (Patron of Lovers and of
Generation)
• Lacapati and Idianale (Patrons of Cultivated
Lands and of Husbandry)
• Tala
• Seven Little Goats (the Pleiades)
• Mapolon (change of seasons)
 IDOLS
• Balatic (greater Bear)
• Buaya
• Tigmamanuguin – bird
• No established division of years, months,
and days
• Catolonan (officiating priest)
• Offerings and sacrifices
• Belief on bearingchild
DISTINCTIONS AMONG THE
PRIESTS OF THE DEVIL
1. Catalonan
2. Manganguay (Witches)
3. Manyisalat
4. Mancocolam
5. Hocloban
6. Silagan
7. Magtatangal
8. Osuang
9. Mangagayoma
10. Sonat
11. Pangatahojan
12. Bayoguuin
• Manner of burying the dead of the tagalog
• Manner of burying dead of the Aetas or
Negrillos 
• Maca 
• Casanaan 
• Sitan 
• Tigbalaang 
• Patianac
T HAN K
YOU