f many conversions and parish ministries about Manila, and in the
islands of Marinduc, Ybabao, Panay, Negros Island, Bohol, Leyte,
Imaras, and Mindanao--all belonging to the bishopric of Zebu--and in
others; all these are administered with admirable exactness, courage,
thoroughness, and zeal. In all the languages spoken therein, grammars
and vocabularies have been prepared. The Society has, and always
has had, some very learned writers, and other members distinguished
in all branches of knowledge; and it has many martyrs, not only in
Xapon but in Mindanao. This province is one of the most illustrious,
and most worthy of imitation, belonging to the Society, and in it is
evident much austerity and excellence.

87. The Order of St. Dominic entered Manila in the same year of 82;
but its first convent was founded in the year 87, and its first
superior was father Fray Juan de Castro, provincial of Chiapa. That
convent had a magnificent building; but in the earthquake of 645,
and in those of 51 and 52, their church was ruined. It was rebuilt
with greater splendor and thoroughness than the old one; the author
of this work (at that time prior) being the illustrious master Don
Fray Francisco de la Trinidad y Arrieta, most worthy bishop of
Santa Marta in Peru, and the first bishop who was a son of this
convent. Without having any fixed income, this convent supports
more than thirty religious. It is the head of a province, the most
religious one in the entire order. In the environs of Manila these
fathers have the parishes of the Parian and of Binondoc; a hospital,
and a church at San Juan de Letran; and Batan in Pampanga. They have
many Indian missions in the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan. In
Xapon and China this order has had many and resplendent martyrs; and
it now has in China some gospel ministers. In Manila it has a notable
college, that of Santo Tomas, which is a university. There with great
ability are taught grammar, the arts, and theology, and both higher
and lower degrees are conferred. It has lay students, who wear green
mantles and red bands. They train many able men there, of whom many
have been martyrs in Xapon. The order has had and has some writers,
who have by their erudition ennobled this new church. The commissary
of the Holy Office in Manila always belongs to this province.

88. The discalced fathers of St. Augustine entered Manila in the
year 606, at which time they built a large convent, that of San
N