In the assumption, so certain and evident, that the clerics, both seculars and regulars, had been the primitive apostles and preachers of the holy gospel in the Orient and in these archipelagos, I commence with them to describe the ministries in these islands that have been commended to their zeal and care. In the archbishopric of Manila, the curacies of the venerable clergy amount to sixteen, besides some visitas. There is one for Spaniards, and one for natives, in the cathedral; that of Santiago, outside the city; that of the chapel of Nuestra Senora de la Guia; that of Quiapo, which belongs to the archiepiscopal jurisdiction: these belong to the province of Tondo. In the jurisdiction of Cavite there are: that of the port of that city; outside the walls, that of San Roque; not very distant, that of Bacoor; and another, called Las Estancias [_i.e._, "the ranches"]. In the province of Taal is that of Balayan; the Rosario, in the province of Laguna de Bay; those of San Pedro, Tunasan, Tabuco, and Santo Tomas, in the mountains. In the jurisdiction of Mindoro is that of Suban. In the bishopric of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus of Cebu, there is one Spanish cura in the city, and outside the walls is that of the Parian of mestizos and Sangleys; that of Barili in the same island, and that of Bantayan (of whose jurisdiction are the visitas of Maripipi, Panamao, and Limancauayan); that of Siquijor, in that same island. In the island of Panay, the curacy of Aclan, Banga, Ibajay, Culasi, Ajui, and that of the town of Arevalo (which his Excellency the bishop, Don Protasio Cabezas, has lately conceded to the Society of Jesus). In the island of Negros, that of Dumaguete, with several visitas; and those of Binalbagan, Tugcaban, and Tanhay. In the bishopric of Nueva Caceres or Camarines, in the city which is the capital and seat of the bishopric, there is one cura of the sacristy, who is provisor and vicar-general. In the same province are the curacies of Indang, Paracale, Capalonga, Caramoan, and Lagonoy, with some visitas belonging to the same curacies. In the province of Tayabas are the curacies of Pyris, Abuyon, Mulanay, and their visitas. In the province of Albay are the curacies of Bulusan, Casiguran, Sorsogon, Donsol, Tabaco, and Malinao, with their visitas. In the island of Catanduanes are the curacies of Biga and Birac, with their visitas. In the bishopric of Cagayan is the curacy of Lalo or Nueva Segovia; in the province of Ilocos, that of Vigan, and that of Bangar; and in the mountains that of Abra, and that of San Diego among the Tinguianes, with some separate visitas. Consequently, the venerable clergy in these Islands have fifty-three beneficed curacies, which are new. Chapter III Of the ministries of the reverend calced Augustinian fathers