CUSTOMS OF THE TAGALOGS
(Las costumbres de los indios
Tagalos de Filipinas)
JUAN DE PLASCENCIA
I. Author’s Background Tayabas, Caliraya, Lucban, Mahjayjay, Nagcarlan,
Lilio(Liliw), Pila, Santa Cruz, Lumban, Pangil,
Juan de Plasencia Siniloan, Morong, Antipolo, Taytay, and
Meycauayan.
Born in the 16th century to the illustrious family of the Elected as the custos of the friars in May 23, 1584 and
Portocarreros in Plasencia, in the Region of held it until 1588.
Extremadura, Spain. Passed away in Liliw, Laguna in the year 1590.
His real name is Joan de Puerto Carrero, del convento de
Villanueva de la Serena. Literary Works
He was a Spanish Friar of the Franciscan order.
He spent most of his missionary life in the Arte de la Lengua (Art of Language)
Philippines, where he founded numerous towns in Vocabulario
Luzon and authored several religious and linguistic Coleccion de Frases Tagala (Collection of Tagalog
books, most notably, the Catecismo de la Doctrina Phrases)
Cristiana, 1581 – translated the Christian Doctrines in Catecismo de la Doctrina Cristiana, 1581 – translated the
Tagalog, the first book ever printed in the Christian Doctrines in Tagalog
Philippines. Diccionario Tagalog, 1580
Juan de Plasencia was born in the early 16th century La Santina, 1585 – opus on Prayer and Meditation
as Juan Portocarrero in Plasencia, in the region of Relacion de las Costumbres de Los Tagalos, 1589 – First
Extremadura, Spain. He was one of the seven Civil Code of the Philippines
children of Pedro Portocarrero, a captain of a Spanish Customs of the Tagalogs by Juan de Plasencia
schooner.
Said to have been inspired to be a Franciscan because II. Historical Background
of his upbringing spent during a spiritual and
religious resurgence affected by Spain’s Siglo de Oro,
a Golden Age when arts and literature flourished in
many parts of Spain, among them his native
Extremadura.
Well reputed as the one who 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.
Arrival in the Philippines It was written on the year 1589 during the
Spanish Colonial Period. After receiving the
Came with the first batch of Franciscan missionaries Lordship’s letter, Plasencia wished to reply
in the Philippines in 1577. immediately; but he postponed his answer in
order that he might first thoroughly inform
himself in regard to People’s request, and to
avoid discussing the conflicting reports of the
Indians. Therefore, he collected Indians from
different districts – old men, and those of most
Life in the Philippines capacity; and from them he have obtained the
simple truth, after weeding out much
foolishness, in regard to their government,
He is believed to have arrived to the Philippines in
administration of justice, inheritance, slaves, and
1578. As soon as he arrived, he joined forces with
dowries.
another missionary, Fray Diego de Oropesa, and they
both started preaching around Laguna de Bay and
Customs of the Tagalogs is a part (either
Tayabas, Quezon, in Quezon Province, where he
chapters or subsections) of longer monographs
founded several towns as early as two months upon
written by the chroniclers of the Spanish
arrival in Manila.
expeditions to the Philippines during the early
During the following years they are also credited
16th and 17th centuries. They appeared initially in
with the foundation of a large number of towns in the
Blair and Robertson’s 55 volumes, The
provinces of Bulacan, Laguna and Rizal, such as
Philippine Islands (1903) and in the Philippine
Journal of Sciences (1958). Worship of the Tagalogs
III. Analysis of the Important Historical Information No temples
found in the Document Simbahan – Temple or Place of Adoration.
Pandot – or a festival celebrated
DATOS – the chief who governed the people and Sibi
were captains in their wars whom they obey and Sorihile
reverence Nagaanitos
BARANGAY – a family of parents and children,
relations and slaves. Idols
The Three Castes Bathala
NOBLES Lic-Ha
COMMONERS Dian Masalanta (Patron of Lovers and of Generation)
SLAVES Lacapati and Idianale (Patrons of Cultivated Lands
and of Husbandry)
Situation 1: Tala
Those who are maharlicas on both the father’s
Seven Little Goats (the Pleiades)
and mother’s side continue to be forever, and if
Mapolon (change of seasons)
it happens that they should become slaves, it is
through marriage. Balatic (greater Bear)
Situation 2: Buaya
If maharlicas had children among their slaves, Tigmamanuguin – bird
their children and their mothers became free. No established division of years, months, and days
Catolonan (officiating priest)
Situation 3: Offerings and sacrifices
If maharlicas had children by the slave- Belief on bearingchild
woman of another, the slave-woman was
compelled when pregnant, to give her master Distinctions among the priests of the Devil
half of a gold tael.
In this case, half of the child was free if the 1. Catalonan
father (maharlica) recognized him. If not, the 2. Manganguay (Witches)
child will become a whole slave. 3. Manyisalat
4. Mancocolam
Situation 4: 5. Hocloban
If a free woman had children by a slave they 6. Silagan
were all free, provided he were not her husband. 7. Magtatangal
8. Osuang
Situation 5: 9. Mangagayoma
If two persons married, of whom one was a 10. Sonat
maharlica and the other a slave (namamahay or sa 11. Pangatahojan
guiguilir) the children were divided. 12. Bayoguuin
Odd birth order (1st, 3rd, 5th...) Manner of burying the dead of the tagalogs
– belong to the father. Manner of burying dead of the Aetas or Negrillos
Even birth order (2nd, 4th, 6th...) Maca
– belong to the mother. Casanaan
Only child Sitan
– half free, half slave. Tigbalaang
Patianac
Maharlicas could not, after marriage, move from one
village to another without paying a certain fee in gold IV. Contribution and Relevance of the document in
(ranging from one to three taels and a banquet to the understanding the ground narrative of
entire barangay) as arranged among them. Philippine History
Special Case:
The original work itself is a product of observations
When one married woman of another village,
and judgments. Therefore, it is probable that Juan de
the children were afterwards divided equally
Plasencia’s work might contain partiality in
between the two barangays.
presenting his observations and judgments.
Pre-conquest society were not swept by the advent of
Investigations made and sentences passed by the dato
the Spanish regime.
must take place in the presence of those his barangay.
It has continued to serve as a basis for historical
reconstructions of Tagalog society.
They had laws by which they condemned to death a
man of low birth who insulted the daughter or wife of a
chief; likewise witches, and others of the same class.
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.
Divorce and Dowries
Death of Wife or Husband
Dowry and Arranged Marriage
V. Relevance of the document in the modern time
Many of the 16th century beliefs and practices are still
present today.
If affirms that during the pre-Hispanic period,
Filipinos already have government as well as a set of
beliefs and practices.
Some of our preceptions on Filipino beliefs and
practices are somehow on different from Juan de
Plasencia’s point of view.
