The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 12 of 55: 1601-1604; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 12 of 55: 1601-1604; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
Chirino next defines the bishoprics and religious provinces in the
islands--inserting in this account a description of the process of
tattooing; and proceeds to relate how the Jesuits extended their
labors to the Indian villages outside of Manila. In the district
of Balayan, they have baptized some seven thousand natives within
ten years. The village of Taitai is removed, by Chirino's influence
and the superstitious fears of the natives, to a more secure and
healthful site. He describes the customs of the natives in bathing,
which is a universal and frequent practice among them. On the shore of
the lagoon of Bai are hot springs, which have already become a noted
health resort. Various trees native to the islands are described at
length, as well as the Chinese method of reducing a large tree to
a dwarf pot-plant. Interesting particulars are given regarding the
Bisayans and Negritos who inhabit Panay, and of a petty war between
those peoples. The Jesuits have done excellent missionary work there,
in the district of Tigbauan; some particulars of this are related. One
of their number, Martin Henriquez, dies from overwork, and Chirino is
ordered to return to Manila. In June, 1595, eight more Jesuits come
with Morga; and the missions of the order are now extended into Cebu,
Leyte, and Samar. A chapter is devoted to the pious labors and death
of Father Antonio Sedeno. In 1596 a large reenforcement of Jesuits
arrives at the islands, headed by Francisco de Vera; and the work
of the order there receives new impetus. The missionaries in all
the religious orders are able to master the native languages with so
little difficulty that "it seems a gift from heaven." Chirino gives
some account of these, illustrated with specimens of three--Tagalan,
Harayan, and Visayan--with the alphabet used by the Filipinos. He
also praises the politeness, in word and act, of the Tagalos, and
gives them credit for much musical ability. A chapter is assigned to
the native alphabet and mode of writing. All, women as well as men,
write and read; and they have already learned to do so in the Spanish
language as well as in their own.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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