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Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
College of Engineering and Technology
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010
Relacion de las Costrumbes de Los
Tagalogs
“Customs of the Tagalogs”
Written by: Fray Juan de Plasencia
Submitted by:
Alama, Joseph Clarence M.
Butuhan, Mary Joy I.
Veriño, Marianne Jane J.
Submitted to:
Joselyna G. Quizon, LPT, MAED
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February 20, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................3
II. BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR...................................................................3
III. HISTORICAL CONTENT...................................................................................4
IV. CONTRIBUTION..................................................................................................4
V. REFERENCES........................................................................................................6
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Customs of the Tagalog (Relacion de las Costumbres de los Tagalos) is a
key data in Philippine history that was authored in 1589 by Juan de Plasencia, a
Spanish priest. One of the oldest and most thorough descriptions of pre-colonial
Tagalog culture can be found in this document, which covers topics including social
organization, governance, religious beliefs, and legal norms. In order to better
comprehend the indigenous people they aimed to convert and rule, the Spanish
government commissioned it. Because it provides a unique, in-depth look at the lives
of early Filipinos before to the profound changes brought about by Spanish
colonization, this document is priceless. It is a primary source that highlights the rich
culture, customs, and political structure of pre-hispanic Filipino society and aids
historians, anthropologists, and other academics in reconstructing it.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR
Juan de Plasencia was a Spanish Franciscan friar who played a crucial role in
the early Christianization of the Philippines. He committed his life to serving the
native Filipino population, especially the Tagalogs, after arriving in the archipelago in
1578. Because of his extensive knowledge of the regional languages and culture, he
was able to write a number of significant texts that detailed the life of the indigenous
people. Plasencia is most known for his work on the "Relacion de las Costumbres de
los Tagalogs" and the "Doctrina Christiana," which was the first book produced in the
Philippines. His writings were crucial to the Spanish government's attempts to enact
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policies and procedures that respected indigenous traditions. His books shed light on 6
pre-colonial Filipino customs, social structures, and legal frameworks, making them
essential reading for anybody studying Philippine history.
III. HISTORICAL CONTENT
The "Customs of the Tagalog" was written in the late 16th century, a time
when Spain was establishing control over the Philippine islands. The Spanish crown
sought to govern the natives effectively, and understanding their customs and laws
was crucial in this process. It was composed during the Spanish colonization of the
Philippine islands in the late 16th century. In order to properly control the Indians, the
Spanish crown needed to have a thorough understanding of their laws and practices.
The document was created in response to a request for information about indigenous
legal and social systems made by the Spanish government, namely for the purposes of
governance and taxation. The social structure of pre-hispanic Tagalog civilization,
which included the datu (chieftain), maharlika (nobles), timawa (freemen), and alipin
(servants or slaves), is one of the many facets of this culture that Plasencia's work
describes. It explains their legal system, in which local chieftains and elder councils
arbitrated conflicts. It also examines their spiritual activities, ceremonies, and
animistic beliefs—many of which were eventually suppressed or incorporated into
Catholic traditions. By recording these facets, Plasencia unintentionally preserved
vestiges of pre-colonial Filipino identity, enabling subsequent generations to learn
about and value the lifestyle of their forebears.
IV. CONTRIBUTION
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The "Customs of the Tagalog" is a crucial document for understanding the 6
indigenous foundations of Filipino culture before Spanish colonization. It sheds light
on the social organization, governance, and religious beliefs of early Filipinos,
providing evidence that they had sophisticated societal structures before the arrival of
Western influence. The changes brought about by Spanish control are also examined
by researchers with the aid of this text, especially in the areas of government, religion,
and the law. Historians can follow the development of Filipino identity over centuries
of colonization by contrasting pre-colonial customs with subsequent colonial
legislation. Furthermore, by presenting a well-organized and functional community
with its own laws and customs, the text challenges the colonial myth that the
indigenous Filipinos were primitive before Spanish intervention. In the end, the
"Customs of the Tagalog" are a priceless tool for studying Philippine history since
they help contemporary Filipinos better comprehend their country's past and establish
a connection with their ancestors.
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V. REFERENCES
“The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 / Blair and Robertson.” The University Library,
University of the Philippines Diliman, 25 Apr. 2019, mainlib.upd.edu.ph/the-
philippine-islands-1493-1898-blair-and-robertson/.
