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.