Antonio,
vol. i, pp. 172-175, 190-210, 214-216, 219, 220, 223-226.]

Chapter XLVI

Ecclesiastical theater of the Philipinas Islands

510. Who does not express wonder that the evangelical preaching in
these islands (and more especially at Manila) is so eloquent; that
the worship in the temples has a veneration as perennial as it is
ceremonious; that the holy orders maintain themselves in the most
strict observance of their institutes and rules; that the Christian
church is so happily increased; that devotion is so well received;
and that justice is so uprightly administered? For, if one considers
without prejudice, these are certain precious gems, so resplendent and
so exquisite, that the crown of Espana can glory in adorning itself
with them--even though it he, as is the fact, the Spaniards who shape
those gems from justice. All this so ennobles these islands that
they are reported as extraordinary among all these lands.

511. This ecclesiastical theater of the city of Manila demands huge
tomes from justice for its history, which the limits of my history
do not permit; and a very ingenious pen for its praises, which is not
united with my lack of eloquence. I have seen some voluminous writings
on this subject, which I have no time to follow. I have seen some
that are written so meagerly, that my own interest [in the subject]
is offended. May it please God that my design, which confesses itself
debtor to all, may now find a proper medium.

512. The first church of Manila was erected as a parochial church,
under the title of the Immaculate Conception of our Lady, at the end
of the year 1571, when the adelantado and conquistador, Legaspi,
divided the lands and site of Manila. Although I have read in a
certain manuscript that that first erection was made with four clerics,
I cannot find in history anything that verifies this statement. For
the printed histories of these islands state that when the adelantado
Legaspi divided the land, he summoned the natives of Manila and their
ruler, Raja Matanda; and, placing the fathers of St. Augustine in
their presence, told them that those were their true fathers, and
their instructors in the law of the true God, who had come to teach
it to them; and there is no mention of any secular.

513. Further, I think that the licentiate Don Juan de Vivero was the
first cleric who came to these islands. Although he came hither in
the year 1566, in the famous ship "San Geronymo," fi