hilippines (Madrid, 1698), was one of the
most prominent Augustinians who have ever been in the islands. He
was born in Madrid in 1650, and professed in the convent of San
Felipe el Real in 1667. On going to the islands he ministered at
Lipa (1689-1692), Paranaque (1693, 1708, and 1719), Pasig (1695 and
1716), Malate (1698 and 1714), Tambobong (1702 and 1707), Tondo (1699,
1701, and 1710); and exercised the duties of procurator-general (1677
and 1686), provincial secretary (1686), definitor (1689 and 1711),
visitor (1701), and commissary of the Holy Office. He died after a
long and painful sickness, which deprived him of his sight, at the
convent of San Pablo at Manila, in 1724. He was a graceful poet, and,
besides his history and the materials for the present work, he left
various writings, among them his famous _Compendio de la arte de la
lengua tagala_ (Manila, 1703). His letter on the nature of the Indians
will be published later in this series. His history is said to be the
most interesting of those on the Philippines. See Perez's _Catalogo_,
pp. 134-136.

[32] Casimiro Diaz was a native of Toledo, being born in 1693. He
took his vows in the convent of San Felipe el Real in 1710, and after
his arrival at the Philippines completed his literary studies. He
was stationed in the missions at Magalang (1717), Mexico (1728),
Arayat (1734), Betis (1735), Minalin (1737), and Candaba (1740). He
was procurator-general (1719), provincial secretary (1722), definitor
(1725), presiding officer of the chapter (1731), qualifier of the Holy
Office, chronicler of the Augustinian province in the islands, reader
(1744), and conventual preacher. His death occurred in Manila in 1746,
and he left behind many writings. See Perez's _Catalogo_, pp. 222-224.

[33] The editor of Diaz's work is Fray Tirso Lopez, who is still living
at the Colegio de Filipinos in Valladolid. He was born at Cornombre,
May 25, 1838, and took the Augustinian habit at Valladolid in 1855. He
spent the years 1864-1866 in the Philippines, while most of the rest
of his life has been passed at the above college, where he has filled
various duties. He has several times refused an appointment as bishop,
and is well known in certain circles as a writer, being a correspondent
of the Royal Academy of History at Madrid. The editors of the present
series are under many obligations to him for his kindly interest and
aid. See Perez's _Catalogo_, pp. 525-527.

[34] Juan Ramirez