Customs of the Tagalogs
1. Background of the author
Juan de Plasencia was the author of Customs of tagalog and a Spanish friar of the
Franciscan Order. He was among the first group of Franciscan missionaries who arrived in
the Islands on July 2, 1578. Fray Juan was born to the illustrious family of the Portocarrero
in Plasencia in the region of Extremadura, Spain, in the early 16th century. He spent most
of his missionary life in the Philippines, where he founded numerous towns in the
provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal. He authored several religious and linguistic books,
most notably the Doctrina Cristiana (Christian Doctrine), the first book ever printed in the
Philippines. Juan de Plasencia passed away in Liliw, Laguna, in the year 1590.
2. Historical background of the document
Customs of the Tagalogs, like any other colonial document written during the Spanish
colonial period, was written with the intention of providing an exoticized description of the
Tagalog natives that would be appealing to them, obviously fed by politicians and propaganda
and operated with the Western gaze. The King of Spain charged Juan de Plasencia with
documenting the customs and practices of the colonized (natives) based on his research and
judgment in a letter. He gathered Indios from several areas, older males, and those with the
highest ability. He has gotten the straightforward truth from them after sorting through a lot of
nonsense about their government, enforcement of justice, patrimony, slaves, and dowries.
"Customs of the Tagalogs" is a section (or chapters) of larger monographs published by
chroniclers of Spanish expeditions to the Philippines in the
early 16th and 17th century.
3. Content presentation and analysis of the important historical information found in the
document.
This narrative of Juan de Plasencia supports the concept that Filipinos had their own
set of traditions, rituals, and behaviors before the Spaniards occupied the Philippines. They
have beliefs and a government to which they adhere. He supplied facts that can help today's
generations comprehend our history and learn about traditions that are no longer performed.
Even today, some 16th-century practices are still practiced by some ethnic groups in the
Philippines, such as the Bagobo system, which requires the bride-to-father be's to make a
return present equal to one-half of whatever is agreed upon as dowry, and there are still people,
particularly the elders, who believe in the existence of tikbalang and tiyanak.
4. Contribution and relevance of the document in understanding the grand narrative of Phil.
History
"Tagalog Customs" revealed how our forefathers survived without the support of large
Western governments. Our forefathers had their own way of ruling over a group of people
known as Barangays. They are already doing business with neighboring countries. The
study of the ancient lifestyles of the people who lived in central Luzon was made possible
by the “Customs of Tagalog”. It is still used as a foundation for historical analyses of
Tagalog society. The text's contents produced vivid pictures, enabling comparisons with
other narratives of earlier eras and crucial moments in Philippine history as well as
additional examination of the ancient Tagalogs' customs.
5. Personal Insights
Plasencia's work is twisted because he believes Christianity is superior to the beliefs of
the early Filipinos. It just helps to emphasize how lowly the early Filipinos were regarded by
the Spanish. Last but not least, Plasencia's characterization of other indigenous people as Devil
Priests piqued my interest. It appeared to be propaganda designed to persuade everyone
reading the paper that aboriginal Americans with unique abilities were devils. They are simply
normal humans that appear to be devils due to their attitudes and habits. They're only doing
their civic job, but I can see how Plasencia misinterpreted it given his differing religious
beliefs. We don't know if Plasencia's work is prejudiced in general since he is a Spaniard, but it
did make a significant contribution.