Customs of Tagalog by Juan De Plasencia

Summary

In this lecture, Martea Ballada explores the customs of the Tagalog people as documented by Juan de Plancetia, a Franciscan missionary in the Philippines during the Spanish Colonial period. Plancetia's 'Relation de las Costumbres de los Tagalogs' provides a detailed account of the Tagalogs' social, cultural, and religious practices, including their pre-colonial writing system, attire, and syncretic religious beliefs. His work not only offers insights into the Tagalogs' rich heritage but also influenced the early legal system of the Philippines, contributing to the country's first civil code and shaping the nation's narrative of struggle and resilience.

Takeaways

• 📜 Juan de Plasencia was a Franciscan missionary who arrived in the Philippines in 1578 and documented Tagalog customs.
• 🌍 He was among the first 19 Franciscan missionaries in the Philippines, contributing significantly to the spread of Christianity.
• 📖 Plasencia authored the 'Customs of Tagalog' in 1589, a seminal work that details the traditions and social structure of the Tagalog people.
• 🏞️ The book describes the barangay system, with Datu as the leader responsible for maintaining order and settling disputes.
• 🏛️ The text outlines the three social classes: Nobles (Maharlika), Commoners (Aliping Namamahay), and Slaves (Aliping Saguiguilid).
• ✒️ Plasencia documented the widespread use of Baybayin script among the Tagalog for writing poems, songs, and historical events.
• 👗 Tagalog clothing was described as loose-fitting garments made of cotton or silk, with men wearing bahag and women wearing tapis and Baro.
• 🛐 Religion in pre-colonial Tagalog society involved worship of anitos and spirits, with a syncretic blend of Catholicism after Spanish colonization.
• 🌾 Agriculture played a crucial role in Tagalog culture, with advanced farming techniques like terracing and irrigation.
• 📚 Plasencia's work is invaluable for understanding the social, cultural, and religious practices of the Tagalog people during early Spanish colonization.

Q & A

Who was Juan de Plancentia and what was his role in the Philippines?

Juan de Plancentia was a Franciscan missionary who arrived in the Philippines in 1578. He was tasked by the King of Spain to document the customs and traditions of the Tagalog people and was responsible for the establishment of pueblos in various regions.

What significant work did Plancentia produce in 1589?

Plancentia produced the seminal work titled 'Relation de las costumbres de los Tagalogs' or 'Customs of the Tagalogs' in 1589, which documented the customs and traditions of the Tagalog people.

What is the historical significance of 'Doctrina Christiana' in the context of the Philippines?

'Doctrina Christiana' is believed to be the first book ever printed in the Philippines, not only in Spanish but also in Tagalog and Chinese, and it played a crucial role in the evangelization efforts of the Spanish missionaries.

How did Plancentia's missionary work contribute to the understanding of the Tagalog language?

Plancentia wrote several books aimed at promoting the understanding of the Spanish language among the natives and the local languages among the missionaries, recognizing the importance of language mastery for effective evangelization.

What was the political climate like in Spain during Plancentia's time?

Plancentia lived during the 'Siglo de Oro' or the Golden Age of Spain, a period marked by Spain's ventures to other lands in search of wealth and the avid interest in missionary work in newly established colonies.

What was the purpose of the 'Costumes of Tagalogs' document during the Spanish Colonial period?

The 'Costumes of Tagalogs' was written to provide an exoticized description of the Tagalog natives, influenced by politics and propaganda, and was intended to appeal to the Western outsiders.

What was the social structure of the Tagalog society as documented by Plancentia?

The Tagalog society had a social structure that included the nobles (mahalika), commoners (aliping namamahai), and slaves (alipin), each with specific roles and responsibilities within the community.

What was the significance of the 'barangay' in Tagalog society?

The 'barangay' was a community unit consisting of a family and their relatives. It was the basic unit of social organization, with each barangay having its own leadership and not being subject to another except through friendly relationships.

How did the Tagalogs use their pre-colonial writing system known as 'baybayin'?

The Tagalogs used 'baybayin' to write poems, songs, and other literary works, as well as to record historical events, genealogies, and important information.

What were the main aspects of Tagalog culture documented by Plancentia?

Plancentia documented several aspects of Tagalog culture, including their social structure, use of 'baybayin', clothing, religious beliefs, rituals, ceremonies, and agricultural practices.

What is the contribution of Plancentia's documentation to the understanding of Philippine history?

Plancentia's documentation provides a detailed account of the customs and traditions of the Tagalog people, offering valuable insights into their social, cultural, and religious practices, and contributing to the understanding of the grand narrative of Philippine history.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Juan de Plancetia: Chronicler of Tagalog Customs

The first paragraph introduces Juan de Plancetia, a Franciscan missionary who arrived in the Philippines in 1578. Plancetia, originally named Juan de Puerto Carrero, was tasked by the Spanish king to document the customs and traditions of the Tagalog people. He produced 'Relation de las Costumbres de los Tagalogs' in 1589, which was significant as it was one of the first books printed in the Philippines in multiple languages, including Tagalog and Chinese. His work aimed to promote understanding between the Spanish and the natives, facilitating the spread of Christianity. Plancetia's observations were not only limited to religious practices but also included the social structure, such as the barangay system, the three castes of Tagalog society, and the use of the Baybayin script. His writings provide a historical context for the Spanish colonial period and the early legal system in the Philippines.

05:02

🏡 Tagalog Society and Culture: A Glimpse into the Past

The second paragraph delves into the detailed observations of Tagalog society and culture made by Plancetia. It discusses the barangay system, a community structure based on familial ties, and the roles of the datu or village chief in maintaining order. The paragraph outlines the social hierarchy, including the nobles (mahalika), commoners (aliping namamahai), and slaves (alipin), each with distinct social responsibilities and rights. Plancetia also notes the Tagalogs' use of the Baybayin script for literary and historical records. The paragraph further explores the Tagalogs' attire, religious beliefs, and syncretic faith that blended indigenous and Catholic practices. Agriculture is highlighted as a key part of their culture, with advanced techniques and tools used by skilled farmers. The paragraph emphasizes the document's contribution to understanding the grand narrative of Philippine history and the preservation of traditional ways.

10:06

🌟 The Legacy of Plancetia's Documentation

The final paragraph reflects on the significance of Plancetia's documentation in understanding the pre-colonial Philippine society. It underscores the importance of his work in appreciating the indigenous cultures and structures that existed before Spanish colonization. The document is highlighted for its role in shaping the early legal system of the Philippines, providing the natives with a civil code that allowed them to protect and defend themselves in legal matters. The paragraph concludes with a quote from Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, emphasizing the ongoing narrative of struggle, resistance, and resilience in Philippine history. The lecture aims to impart knowledge about the Tagalog customs and their relevance to the rich heritage of the Philippines.

Keywords

💡Juan de Plancetia

Juan de Plancetia was a Franciscan missionary who arrived in the Philippines in 1578. He is the author of 'Customs of Tagalog' and is significant in the video as he provides a detailed account of the Tagalog people's customs and traditions. His work is foundational in understanding the pre-colonial Philippine society and his observations are a key part of the historical narrative discussed in the video.

💡Franciscan missionaries

The term refers to members of the Franciscan religious order who were involved in missionary work, particularly in the context of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. In the video, Plancetia is mentioned as one of the first 19 Franciscan missionaries, emphasizing their role in the evangelization and documentation of the local cultures they encountered.

💡Barangay

Barangay, in the script, refers to the basic unit of social organization among the Tagalogs, originally a family unit that expanded to include related families. It is integral to understanding the social structure of pre-colonial Tagalog society, as it highlights the communal and familial aspects of their organization.

💡Datu

Datu is a Tagalog term for a village chief or head of a barangay. The video mentions the datu's role in maintaining order and settling disputes, which is crucial for understanding the political and social hierarchy of the Tagalog people before Spanish colonization.

💡Maharlika

Maharlika refers to the noble class among the Tagalogs, who were freeborn and did not pay taxes or tribute but were expected to accompany the datu in wars. This term is key to understanding the social stratification and the privileges associated with the noble class in Tagalog society.

💡Alipin

Alipin is a term used to describe the commoners or slaves in Tagalog society. The video script differentiates between aliping namamahai, who were commoners serving their masters with a portion of their cultivated lands, and aliping nagngingig, who served within the household and could be sold. This distinction is important for understanding the class system and labor dynamics in pre-colonial Tagalog society.

💡Baybayin

Baybayin is a pre-colonial writing system used by the Tagalogs. The script mentions its use for writing poems, songs, and other literary works, as well as for recording historical events and genealogies. Baybayin is a significant aspect of Tagalog culture and represents the literacy and intellectual achievements of the society before the Spanish influence.

💡Tapis and Baro

Tapis and Baro refer to traditional Tagalog clothing. Men wore bahag (loincloth), while women wore tapis (a wrap-around skirt) and a Baro (a short-sleeved blouse). These terms are important for understanding the cultural practices and aesthetics of traditional Tagalog attire.

💡Syncretic faith

Syncretic faith in the video refers to the blending of indigenous religious beliefs with Catholicism after the Spanish arrival. This concept is crucial for understanding the religious syncretism that occurred, where Tagalogs incorporated elements of their traditional beliefs into the newly introduced Catholic faith.

💡Agriculture

Agriculture is highlighted in the video as a key aspect of Tagalog culture, with the people being skilled farmers who cultivated rice, vegetables, and other crops using advanced techniques like terracing and irrigation. This keyword is essential for understanding the economic activities and the relationship of the Tagalogs with their land.

💡Civil code

The civil code mentioned in the video is the first legal system used by the alcaldes mayores, Spanish officials, in their administration of justice in the Philippines. It is significant for understanding the early legal framework and its impact on the governance and protection of the rights of the local population.

Highlights

Juan de Placentia, a Franciscan missionary, was tasked by the Spanish king to document the customs and traditions of the Tagalog people.

Placentia arrived in the Philippines in 1578 as one of the first 19 Franciscan missionaries.

He was responsible for establishing pueblos in Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan.

Placentia's work, 'Relation de las costumbres de los Tagalogs', was published in 1589, providing a detailed account of Tagalog customs.

He also authored 'Doctrina Christiana', believed to be the first book printed in the Philippines.

Placentia's writings aimed to promote understanding between the Spanish and the natives through language learning.

He acknowledged the importance of mastering the local language for effective evangelization.

The 'Costumes of the Tagalogs' was written during the Spanish Colonial period with a political and propagandistic intent.

The manuscript was written at the request of Governor Nissan Chavo de Vera to understand the Tagalogs' customs for legal adjustments.

The barangay system was a family-based community structure with a datu or village head responsible for order and disputes.

Tagalog society was divided into three castes: nobles, commoners, and slaves, each with distinct social roles and obligations.

The Tagalogs used a pre-colonial writing system called 'baybayin' for various literary and historical records.

Tagalog clothing was characterized by loose-fitting garments made of cotton or silk, adorned with jewelry.

Religion among the Tagalogs included the worship of anitos or spirits, which later syncretized with Catholicism.

Agriculture was central to Tagalog culture, with advanced techniques like terracing, irrigation, and crop rotation.

Placentia's documentation contributed to the understanding of Philippine history and the preservation of traditional ways.

The 'Costumes of the Tagalogs' provided insights into the social, cultural, and religious practices of the Tagalogs during Spanish colonization.

Dr. Jose Rizal's quote emphasizes the ongoing narrative of struggle, resistance, and resilience in Philippine history.

Transcripts

good day everyone I'm martea ballarda

for today's lecture our topic is the

customs of Tagalog written by Juan de

Placentia

so first

who is who won the Placentia

the author won the presidential was in

the first place not a native Tagalog but

a Franciscan missionary who first

arrived in the Philippines in 1578.

his real name was one day Puerto Carrero

one of the seven children born in the

Legion of extra Madura during the golden

age or siglo De Oro of Spain this was

the age of Spain's venture to other

lands in search of leeches

during this time there was a Avid

interest for missionary work in the

newly established colonies and Placentia

signed up for missionary work Under The

Franciscan order

Placentia was one of the first 19

Franciscan missionaries who arrived in

the Philippines on July 2 1578.

he was tasked by the king of Spain to

document the costumes and traditions of

the colonized natives based on arguable

his own observations and judgments

he was assigned in the Tagalog area and

aside from

and missionary work

he was responsible for the establishment

of Pueblos in Quezon Laguna

Rizal and Bulacan

his skin had no ethnographic skills made

him produce his seminal work the

relation de las de los tagalogs or

costumes of the tagalogs in 1589 and the

Drina Christiana and lengo Espanola

itagala or doctrina Christiana that is

believed to be the first book ever

printed in the Philippines and it was

not only printed in Spanish but also in

Tagalog in both the thin script and the

commonly used by buying script of the

natives of the time and even had a

version in Chinese

who won the Placentia wrote a number of

books designed primarily to promote the

understanding of both the Spanish

language among the natives and the local

languages among the missionaries

missionaries to facilitate the tasks of

spreading Christianity he acknowledged

at an early stage the need of mastering

the language of the natives in order to

facilitate

evangelization

he died in lilio Laguna in 1590 he spoke

was publishing in 1593.

next let's talk about the historical

background of costumes of Tagalog

costume of Tagalog was written during

the Spanish Colonial period

costumes of tagalogs just like any other

Colonial texts written during the

Spanish Colonial period was

intentionally made to provide an

exoticized description of tagalog's

natives clearly fed by politics and

propaganda and operated with the Western

Outsiders case that would be appealing

to them

this work was first published in Lara

Vista Conte paraña Madrid in 15 June

1892

the manuscript of this work is the only

copy in the convent of Franciscan

fathers in Manila father Placencia wrote

these notes in nagarland Laguna October

24 1589.

at the request of the governor Nissan

Chavo de Vera who wanted to know the

costumes and loss of tagalogs were

possible adjustment of the Spanish

justice system for the islands

awesome of tagalogs is part

of longer monographs written by the

Chronicles

of the Spanish Expeditions of the

Philippines during the early 16th and

17th centuries they appeared initially

in Blair and Robertson's 55 volumes the

Philippine Islands 1970 and in the

Philippines Journal of Sciences in 1550

1958

missionary who arrived in the

Philippines in 1578. he spent several

years living among the Tagalog people

studying the costumes and traditions and

documenting his observation in his

writings these are some of the important

historical information

first is the barangay

in its origin was a family of parents

and children's relations and saves

there were many of these barangays in

each town or at least an account of Wars

they did not settle far from one another

they were not however subject to one

another except in friendship and

relationships

the Chiefs in their various Wars help

one another with their respective

barangays

datu Village ship or head of barangay

gato was responsible for maintaining

order and settling disputes within the

community

the three casts

versus The Nobles the nobles were free

born whom they call mahalika they did

not pay tax or tribute to the tattoo but

must accompany him in war at your own

expense

the chief offered them beforehand they

feast and afterward they divided the

sports

commoners the commoners are called

aliping namamahai they are married and

served their Master whether he be a

tattoo or not with half of their

cultivated lands as was agreed upon in

the beginning they accompanied him

whenever he went beyond the island and

rode for him

they live in their own houses and are

Lords of their property and gold

slaves

the sleeps are called Ali pingigilier

they served their master in his house

and on his cultivated lands and may be

sold

the master grants them should he see fit

and providing that he has profited

through the their industry a portion of

their Harvest so they may work

Faithfully

one of the main costumes of tagalogs

during the time was their use of a

buying script or pre-colonial writing

system that was widely used throughout

the archipelago presidential noted the

tagalogs used by buying to write poems

songs and other literary works in the LA

in the Tagalog language

the script was also used to like a

historical events genealogies and other

important information

another important aspect of Tagalog

culture that Placentia documented was

their clothing

he noted that the tagalogs were loose

fitting clothing made of cotton or silk

men wore bahag or loincloth while women

or wild women were erupt around skirt

called tapis

and a short sleeve blouse

known as Baro they also adorned

themselves with jewelry such as neck

necklaces

bracelets and earrings made of gold

silver or other materials

religion was another important aspect of

Tagalog culture that Placentia

documented before the arrival of the

Spanish

the tagalogs had their own religious

beliefs which included the worship of

anitos or Spirits with the introduction

of Catholicism

tagalogs Incorporated some of the

indigenous belief into the new religion

resulting a syncretic faith that Blended

Catholicism and traditional beliefs

passenger noted that tagalogs held the

rituals and ceremonies to honor the

ancestors and various deities that

governed aspect of Nature and daily life

agriculture

agriculture was also an important part

of Tagalog culture that Placentia

observed he noted that tagalogs were

skilled farmers who cultivated rice

vegetables and other crops during

Advance techniques such as terracing

irrigation and crap rotation they also

used various tools and implementations

such as the flow Harrow and cycle to Aid

in their agricultural activities

what is the contribution and relevance

of the document in understanding the

grand Narrative of Philippine history

collection observation of the Society of

the people of Suson from Ice of an

outsider this would make us aware of the

cultures we had before the colonizers

controlled the ancestor costumes and

practices furthermore the book lets us

appreciate how our ancestors develop

this structure

it helped us understand and preserve

many of the traditional ways of the

local population

next is it helps understand and preserve

many traditional ways of the local

population

as far as the history of Philippines is

concerned

is quite exceptional not to mention as

well with its effects to the early legal

system of the county it did not only

preserve to austerity that formerly

unladen costumes traditions and videos

of the natives but it also gave the

Philippines its first civil code used by

alkales mayores in their administration

of justice

the civil code in a way we give the

natives the opportunity

and indispensable tool to protect and

defend themselves in legal cases and for

the uninvested resource of Justice

to conducted duties and obligations

accordingly

overall placentia's documentation

provides a detailed and comprehensive

account of costumes and traditions also

Tagalog people during the early years of

Spanish colonization

his writings offer valuable insights

into the social cultural and religious

practices of the tagalogs and provide a

glimpse into a rich and diverse Heritage

of the Philippines

as I am ending this lesson I would like

to show you this quote from our national

hero Dr Jose Rizal

he said the grand Narrative of the

Philippine history is a story of

struggle resistant and resilience that

continues to shape our nation today

thank you everyone I hope you learned a

lot from this lecture and see you on the

next video