Course: GEC 1204 – READING IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY Reporter: Kent S. Escovidal BSIT-1 MCAFEE Instructor: John T. Gonzales Tittle: Custom Of the Tagalog By: JUAN DE PLASENCIA THE CUSTOMS of the Tagalogs is a narrative on the established culture of the Tagalogs in Luzon written by Juan de Plasencia, a Franciscan missionary in the Tagalog region since 1578 until 1590 This document was written as an answer to the request of the monarchy in Spain which was to provide pieces of information about the government, administration of justice, inheritances, slaves, dowries, worship, burials, and superstition of the "Indians in the colony. In addition, the document is to rectify previous reports about the people’s way of life in the region. Historical background of the document *Social classes Dato or chief captain of wars, who governed, obeyed, and reverenced. There are three Castes. NOBLES OR MAHARLIKA Free born, they do not pay taxes or contribute to Dato. COMMONERS OR ALIPING NAMAMAHAY They live in their own houses and lords of their property and gold. SLAVES OR ALIPING SA GUIGUILIR They serve their master in his house and his cultivated lands and can be sold. HOUSES are made of wood, bamboo, and nipa palm. MODE OF DRESSING Male Headgear is called Putong (symbolizes the number of persons the wearer had killed) (Upper) a jacket with short sleeves called kanggan. (Lower) bahag Female (Upper) Baro or Camisa (lower)Saya ORNAMENTS A decorative object or detail that adds quality or distinction to a person, place, or thing. GOVERNMENT The government is called Barangay, ruled by a chieftain, and consists of 30 to 100 families together with their relatives and slaves. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE The chieftain's executive function includes implementing laws, ensuring order and giving protection to his subject. Disputes between individuals were settled by a court made up of the chieftain and council of elders. Inheritance The 1st son of the barangay chieftain inherits his father’s position; if the 1st son dies, the 2nd son succeeds their father; in the absence of male heirs, it is the eldest daughter that becomes the chieftain. Slaves A person becomes slave by: by captivity in war, by reason of debt, by inheritance, by purchase, and by committing a crime. A Slaves can be emancipated through: by forgiveness, by paying debt, by condonation, and by bravery (where a slave can possibly become a Datu) or by marriage. Marriage Customs Men were in general, monogamous, while their wives are called Asawa. Courtship begins with Paninilbihan. Prior to marriage the man requires to give a dowry: Bigaykaya (a piece of land or gold). Panghihimuyat (a gift for brides’ beliefs) Bigay –suso (for bride’s wet nurse). Marriage between couples belonging to different social classes was not common. Several grounds of divorce are: Adultery, Abandonment on the part of the husband GEC 1204BSIT-1TagalogLuzon Course: