The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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 24 of 55: 1630-34; 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
During this same time, I mean in 1628, the house of our convent of
Bisayas was burned--the one which I had built with so much trouble. It
was the best in the province. It is suspected that the rebellious
Indians burned it, as it was not the time when fires are wont to
happen, for it was Christmas, when it is always rainy.
During the triennium of our father Fray Juan Enriquez, the church and
house of Dumangas were burned. They were fine edifices. Both fires
occurred during the night, so that it was a miracle that the religious
escaped; for they were asleep, a sign that the fire was set on purpose.
During this triennium the Manila Parian was burned. It was a miracle
that the city was not burned; and the interests that were ruined
were very large. Although the church of the Parian was so near to
the houses, and entirely of wood, it did not burn, whereat all the
Sangleys were much surprised. They said afterward in their broken
language, "Here St. Mary great" [_aqui Sta. Maria grande_]. The walls
and supports were aglow with the fire and brightness, or rather,
were ablaze, as they were so hot that the hand could not be placed
upon them. This made the wonder all the greater, and the Sangleys
became more attentive to the consideration of our truths. The Parian
was rebuilt better; its houses were roofed with tile, so that it is
very sightly; and, with the point adjoining it on the river, which
has been finished, it has added glory and honor to the city. All was
done, as I have said, at the cost of the Sangleys. But they cause
the Castilian to pay it, by raising prices universally.
[The chapter closes with several miraculous occurrences and
pious observations that emphasize the grandeur of the Christian
religion. These marvels are interspersed with other matter as follows:]
During the triennium of our father Fray Alonso de Mentrida, the
sending of a religious to Maluco was discontinued, and the convent
of Cavite was completely abandoned. It must have been the opinion
of grave fathers that that was not of importance. Many things are
kept, which although they are of no use at the present time, are at
least preserved for the hopes which are entertained that they will
be useful in the future, and that they will prove of advantage. No
notice was taken of that, for four eyes are worth more than two; and
what has appeared in one way to me may appear to others in an entirely
different light. Hence I shall leave the discussion of this matter.
In the first part of the year 1629, the most holy sacrament was found
missing from the altar of the cathedral of Manila.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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